How do you wash a ceramic coated car, and can it go through a car wash?
Short answer
Hand washing is best, and a touchless car wash is the next best option. Never take a coated car through a brush or friction car wash. Wash every two weeks if you can, monthly at a minimum, with pH-neutral soap that has no wax, and dry the car fully.
Quick facts
| Best method | Hand wash |
|---|---|
| Next best | Touchless car wash |
| Avoid | Brush or friction car washes |
| How often | Every two weeks if possible, monthly at minimum |
| Soap | pH-neutral, no wax |
| Drying | Dry fully, don't let it air-dry |
Why not a brush car wash?
Brush and cloth washes drag grit from hundreds of other cars across your paint. It's like scrubbing your face with a dirty sponge. Over time those brushes wear the coating and leave fine scratches.
Why does the soap matter?
Harsh soaps can strip the top layer of a coating. Soaps with wax leave a film that covers up the coating, so water stops beading the way it should.
Look for a pH-neutral car shampoo with no wax or gloss enhancers. And don't add wax or sealant on top of the coating. The coating is already the protection.
Why dry the car instead of letting it air-dry?
Water carries minerals. When it evaporates, the minerals stay behind as water spots. A soft microfiber drying towel or a blower takes care of it in a few minutes.
A simple hand wash routine
A foam cannon is a great first step. Foam the car to loosen dirt before the mitt touches the paint, then rinse. Wash top to bottom with a clean mitt and two buckets (one soapy, one for rinsing the mitt). Rinse again, then dry fully.
Bird droppings, tree sap and pollen should come off quickly, even between washes. They're acidic or sticky and do more harm the longer they sit.
When can I wash it after it's coated?
Wait until the coating has finished curing, which is 7 to 10 days after an APC appointment. See ceramic coating cure time.
How APC Auto Spa does it
APC Auto Spa gives every coating customer care guidance when they pick up the car. Owners are welcome to wash and clay the car themselves. A decontamination done at APC Auto Spa is recorded with Ceramic Pro and reported to CARFAX. One done at home isn't.
Once a year, APC's annual maintenance adds a decontamination wash, an inspection and a fresh hydrophobic top coat, which extends your warranty to its full term.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I use a pressure washer?
- Yes, as long as you keep a sensible distance from the paint and don't blast edges, trim or chips.
- Is a touchless car wash safe?
- It's the next best option after a hand wash. It's far gentler than a brush wash, though it won't remove as much grime as careful hand washing.
- Can I put wax on my coating for extra shine?
- No. Wax and sealants sit on top and hide the coating's water-repelling surface. Skip them.
- Can I clay bar a coated car?
- Yes. Owners can wash and clay the car themselves. Clay removes stuck-on grit the wash leaves behind.
Reviewed by Heather Humphrey, co-owner of APC Auto Spa ยท Last updated October 2026
Heather leads customer education and training at APC's Tukwila and Monroe shops.