cleaning ceramic coated ppf?

When cleaning PPF the main concern relates to your pressure washer.
PPF is susceptible to lifting around tight edges and corners, or at the tip of panels where it normally finishes. Thus it is vital you turn down the water pressure on your pump and increase the distance from nozzle to surface when cleaning.
I never wash with hot water or steam etc, the PPF may lift if excessive hot water at pressure is used.
Most PPF installers will deter you from using a pressure washer simply for the latter reasons, but if you use your common sense and follow the above rules you will be fine.
Washing / cleaning a car with ceramic coated PPF is no different to cleaning a normal paint finish Edward.
Products - use good quality PH Neutral cleaning products for your snow foam and shampoo.
Method:
1. Cold water rinse.
2. Using your foam lance cover the entire car with a thick blanket of snow foam pre cleaner. While the snow foam is loosening the dirt, clean your wheels.
3. Cold water rinse.
4. To add lubrication i now give the car a light covering of snow foam once more.
5. Hand wash using 2 bucket method and lambs wool wash mitt.
6. Cold water final rinse.
7. Gently remove excess water with a portable blower, ( again keep away from PPF edges ).
8. Now dry using microfibre drying towel.
9. Remove any trapped water in hard to reach areas with blower and towel.
10. Use wax of your choice for enhanced protection and gloss.

 

My methods are similar but different. It takes me +1 hour to do wheels, tires, and wells so should not leave soap on the finish anywhere near that long. Also, only blow dry (no dry rubbing) and at least rinse water should be deionized. Any amount of thorough cleaning should warrant replacement of wax as suggested.

 

So you suggest using wax over the ceramic?

 

Yes most definitely - all of my customers cars that are ceramic coated get waxed in one form or another.
I have always looked on ceramic coating as purely protection purposes you see, the aim being trying to reduce induced swirls when washing and resistance to the outside elements.
Although Gyeon Quartz Syncro ( cannot reccommend highly enough! ) does add some gloss and slickness to the final finish in my opinion.
Adding wax simply prolongs the life of the ceramic coating, especially when the car is left outside on the drive!
On the following pictures the Porsche has had a run of the mill $50 wax added over the Ceramic coated PPF.
Whilst the Bentley ( no PPF ) has SwissVax Best Of Show layered over the ceramic coated paint.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Another of the Bentley being cleaned today. Dont get me wrong, she is no daily driver but she is no garage queen either.
As you can see, with the wax on top of the ceramic, its hard for the snow foam to cling to the paint work!
To be honest, another rinse and foam and there is no need to hand wash, thus reducing micro washing swirls.

Image Unavailable, Please Login

Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Its purely down to personal preference Edward, but i use Sonax Brilliant Shine Detailer on a daily basis.
I use this product on modern and classic paint finishes with great results.
The advantage of SBSD is that it can be applied to a wet or dry car ( follow the instructions!), thus you can dry and wax your car at the same time - happy days!
The gloss and protection for a $18 product is very good, it does not stain black trim and can be used on most exterior surfaces.
Follow the instructions for wet and dry application, DO NOT allow to dry and DO NOT get any product on the windscreen.