Applying a ceramic coating yourself: the step-by-step guide

In short: a successful ceramic coating is 80% prep. The steps: wash, chemical decontamination (SIDERO) and mechanical decontamination (clay bar + LUBRIFICA), polishing (at least FIERO), removing oils with VERITAS, then applying HPC 2.0 panel by panel, away from humidity and dust. After that, gentle maintenance will make it last.

What is a ceramic coating?

It's a liquid protection based on silica (SiO2) or polysiloxane that bonds to the clear coat and cures into a very thin, hard, hydrophobic layer. Compared to a wax or sealant, it lasts much longer, resists chemicals and salt better, and makes the car much easier to wash. It does not make paint scratch-proof: it doesn't replace a protective film (PPF) against rock chips.

Is it right for me?

• Yes if you're meticulous, have access to a garage or sheltered area and can dedicate a full day to the job.
• Not yet if your paint has a lot of swirls and you don't have a polisher: the ceramic "seals in" defects for years. Have the paint corrected first.
• A simpler alternative: a sealant like CUPIDO or a wet-car sealant like BENEFICIA.

What you need

• Washing: NEVE 2.0, SEMPER, two buckets and a microfiber wash mitt
• Decontamination: SIDERO, DECA FLASH, clay bar, LUBRIFICA
• Polishing: FIERO (and a compound if the paint is marked, see our polishing guide)
• Pre-application cleaning: VERITAS
• Coating: Labocosmetica HPC 2.0 or the SAM + HPC 2.0 kit
• Several soft, clean microfiber towels, like the Maniac Line 380 GSM (plan on plenty), nitrile gloves and a good inspection light

Step by step

1. Wash thoroughly

Wheels, foam prewash, then a two-bucket wash. See washing your car without scratches.

2. Decontaminate

SIDERO for iron, DECA FLASH for tar, then the clay bar on every surface. The coating must bond to the clear coat, not to contaminants. See our decontamination guide.

3. Polish

Even on a new car, a finishing polish like FIERO evens out the surface and maximizes gloss. On marked paint, do a proper correction first: the ceramic will lock in the paint's condition.

4. Remove all oils

Wipe each panel with VERITAS and a clean microfiber towel. This is the most commonly skipped step, and the main reason a coating doesn't hold up.

5. Apply the coating

1. Work indoors, on a cool surface, in a dry, low-dust area, ideally between 10 and 25 °C (50 and 77 °F).
2. Put a few drops of HPC 2.0 on the applicator and spread over a small area (half a hood, for example) in crosshatch passes: horizontal, then vertical.
3. Wait the time indicated in the instructions: the product changes appearance (rainbow effect or slightly hazy) when it's ready to wipe.
4. Wipe gently with a first microfiber towel, then buff with a second clean, dry one.
5. Check immediately with a light: a "high spot" (darker or greasy area) must be removed right away, before the product hardens.
6. Move to the next panel, overlapping slightly.

6. Let it cure

Keep the car dry, protected from rain and dew, for the time recommended by the manufacturer (usually at least 24 hours). Don't apply any other product or wash the car with soap during the curing period stated in the instructions.

Maintaining a ceramic coating

• Wash with a pH-neutral shampoo like SEMPER and the two-bucket method.
• Boost the protection from time to time with PERFECTA SiO2 or a shampoo like REVITAX.
• If the car beads less, it's often limescale covering the coating: a wash with PURIFICA reactivates it.
• Avoid automatic brush car washes and harsh products.

Mistakes to avoid

• Skipping decontamination or the VERITAS wipe: the coating won't hold up.
• Applying in the sun, outdoors or in a humid garage: the product flashes too fast or doesn't cure properly.
• Working areas that are too large: you won't have time to wipe properly.
• Reusing wiping towels: throw them out or set them aside for another use, as the product hardens in them.

What about PPF, glass and plastics?

Each surface has its own product: ARMORIUS GLOSS and ARMORIUS MATT for films and wraps, AQUAVELOX for glass and TPR for exterior plastics.

Prefer to have it done? We also apply ceramic coatings as part of our mobile service in the Montreal area: see Services and pricing. More questions? Check out our FAQ.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a ceramic coating last?

It depends on the product, the prep and the maintenance. Labocosmetica rates HPC 2.0 at up to 24 months or 30,000 km (about 18,600 miles), and the SAM + HPC 2.0 kit at up to 4 years or 60,000 km (about 37,000 miles). Washing with a pH-neutral shampoo and regular toppers help reach those numbers.

Can you apply a ceramic coating outdoors?

It's not recommended. The sun makes the product flash too fast, and rain, dew or dust can interfere with curing. Work in a dry garage, ideally between 10 and 25 °C (50 to 77 °F), and keep the car sheltered for the time recommended by the manufacturer.

What if a high spot has cured?

If you see it within minutes, reapply a little product to the area to reactivate it, then wipe. If it has fully cured, you need to lightly re-polish it, for example with FIERO, clean with VERITAS and reapply the coating to that area.

Does a ceramic coating prevent scratches and rock chips?

No. It makes the paint more resistant to chemicals and much easier to wash, but it doesn't make it scratch-proof. Against rock chips, only paint protection film (PPF) is truly effective.

How do you maintain a ceramic coating?

Wash with a pH-neutral shampoo like SEMPER and the two-bucket method, top it up now and then with PERFECTA SiO2, and if the car beads less, wash with PURIFICA to remove mineral deposits. Avoid car washes with rollers.