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I have yet to receive my car, but I did opt to do ceramic coating at the dealer.
However, the SA said that I should only wash the car at a touchless car wash. How true is this? What are my options for keeping the car clean? Especially in a place where it snows (e.g. Toronto).
I'm also considering just going with a detailing specialty shop to do all the new car prep. Happy to hear thoughts on that too.
I have yet to receive my car, but I did opt to do ceramic coating at the dealer (just for convenience to be honest, I know independent shops do it better).
However, the SA said that I should only wash the car at a touchless car wash. How true is this? What are my options for keeping the car clean? Especially in a place where it snows (e.g. Toronto).
I usually take my ceramic coated vehicles either to a touchless automatic car wash or to a wash bay with a pressure spray. Try to find a place which offers a spot-free rinse for either one.
Hand wash is fine too. Best to use the two bucket method or a stack of cleaning towels. Lots of threads on Rennlist about various hand wash methods.
Most Ceramic coating companies will void their warranty if you take it to the friction-based automatic car washes.
ALWAYS wash my car at home, myself, inside the garage. Bought a new home 8 years ago - on the must list were hot/cold running water, floor drains, and heated garage. Got them all - added TV on the wall. I've washed the car in relative comfort in the garage when it was below zero outside. I would never take a car to a carwash - even if touchless you're likely getting recycled / dirty water and the chemicals used to clean the car will be harsh and create damage over time. This is in Iowa - our winters are real and we hit or come close to 100 degrees in the summer so you have to deal with either heat/sun or cold. Working inside the garage solves that.
ALWAYS wash my car at home, myself, inside the garage. Bought a new home 8 years ago - on the must list were hot/cold running water, floor drains, and heated garage. Got them all - added TV on the wall. I've washed the car in relative comfort in the garage when it was below zero outside. I would never take a car to a carwash - even if touchless you're likely getting recycled / dirty water and the chemicals used to clean the car will be harsh and create damage over time. This is in Iowa - our winters are real and we hit or come close to 100 degrees in the summer so you have to deal with either heat/sun or cold. Working inside the garage solves that.
We are building a house now with a over sized 3 1/2 car garage, we will have HVAC but the township says no floor drains. Still trying to work thru this because I would love to have a setup like yours.
Since you already spent the extra money to get it ceramic coated, I would highly recommend handwashing or having a mobile detail hand wash it for you. I feel the touchless car washes use chemicals that are a bit too harsh for ceramic coatings over time. There are a number of great products specifically for ceramic coated cars but I prefer Gyeon Bathe+ or CarPro Reset. Even using a foam cannon is acceptable.
I have yet to receive my car, but I did opt to do ceramic coating at the dealer.
However, the SA said that I should only wash the car at a touchless car wash. How true is this? What are my options for keeping the car clean? Especially in a place where it snows (e.g. Toronto).
I'm also considering just going with a detailing specialty shop to do all the new car prep. Happy to hear thoughts on that too.
It's a car, take it to the car wash if you want. I've had three cars with ceramic coating and all have gone through the carwash in the winter. In general, I look for touchless but if the car is covered in salt I wash it at whatever carwash I can find. I usually take it to be professionally detailed both before and after the winter and have the ceramic booster applied.
Last edited by michael818; Sep 26, 2021 at 10:55 AM.
First don’t let the dealer do the ceramic coating. Any car even a new car needs a proper paint correction and Polish before ceramic is applied. Also if you’re planning any protective film, Xpel, it needs to go on first before the ceramic coating.
Dealers sell cars, find a pro to do your detailing work. Once done wash it like you love it, 2 buckets, foam cannon, proper drying equipment. The car wash is for your Toyota.
My car is turning 7 years old and has only driven by a car wash.
First don’t let the dealer do the ceramic coating. Any car even a new car needs a proper paint correction and Polish before ceramic is applied. Also if you’re planning any protective film, Xpel, it needs to go on first before the ceramic coating.
Dealers sell cars, find a pro to do your detailing work. Once done wash it like you love it, 2 buckets, foam cannon, proper drying equipment. The car wash is for your Toyota.
My car is turning 7 years old and has only driven by a car wash.
Recently sold my black 2013 Cayenne which was ceramic coated. Always went through car washes except for the very race detailer visit. Car looked incredible. That’s why you pay for ceramic coated. If your going to wash it yourself all the time save the $$.
I have yet to receive my car, but I did opt to do ceramic coating at the dealer.
However, the SA said that I should only wash the car at a touchless car wash. How true is this? What are my options for keeping the car clean? Especially in a place where it snows (e.g. Toronto).
I'm also considering just going with a detailing specialty shop to do all the new car prep. Happy to hear thoughts on that too.
I always take my cars to the Porsche dealer to have them wash it.
It's the perfect time to enjoy an espresso and some warm chocolate chip cookies.
Maintaining a 992 with ceramic coating
