Tesla vehicles are the undisputed champion of the electric vehicle (EV) market in America. They are, by far, America's favorite electric cars.

It's easy to see why Teslas cars are so coveted. They match a luxurious interior with sleek exterior styling and offer a host of high-tech features. Many Tesla owners also claim they are a blast to drive.

Buying a Tesla is a significant investment, and you'll want to do everything you can to keep it looking its best. You have a number of options to preserve the exterior of your new Tesla, but a ceramic coating offers unmatched protection.

Read on to learn how to prepare a Tesla for ceramic coating and what kind of benefits it offers you.

What is Ceramic Coating?

Ceramic coating is a robust form of vehicle paint protection. This polymer solution binds to the paint of your vehicle and provides a waterproof layer of defense. It won't harm the factory paint job in any way.

A coating like this is incredibly resilient. It can protect your automotive's paint from all sorts of dust, dirt, and grime and prevents stains from things like bird droppings and tar. 

These coatings work best when they're applied by the hands of a skilled car detailer. While there are a few DIY options, you'll get the best results from a professional application.

A properly-applied coating can last for several years and may even come with a lifetime warranty. Consult with your Denver ceramic coating company for more information on pricing specifics.

The Benefits of Ceramic Coating

Nothing protects your Tesla's paint like a ceramic coating can. It's far superior to wax and other paint-protecting options.

Stands Up to the Elements

Ceramic coatings are a hydrophobic protective layer, meaning they repel water. Water will simply bead right off the car after a ceramic coating is applied. This is an incredible benefit, as you won't have to worry about water damaging your car's paintwork.

They also withstand the sun's UV rays. Over time, these UV rays can cause the paint to oxidize, or break down. This leads to a dulled, cloudy appearance. Fortunately, ceramic coatings prevent this from happening.

Easy to Clean

Tesla in a car wash

Other paint protectors make washing your car a chore. Soap can cut through the wax, exposing your auto paint. With a nano-ceramic coating, you won't have to worry about this. Only abrasion can remove one.

After applying a ceramic coating, cleaning your Tesla is as easy as rinsing off whatever dirt and grime have accumulated on the car. 

A Glossy Shine

A ceramic coating doesn't just prevent paint damage, it can actually enhance your paint job's appearance. A Tesla covered in a ceramic coating takes on a stylish, glossy aesthetic that's sure to set it even further apart from other cars on the road.

How to Prepare a Tesla

Now that you know all about ceramic coating, you're ready to prepare your Tesla for its application. Some think that using a ceramic coating is as simple as wiping it on the car, but it requires a good deal of prep work. If debris is left behind on the paint, the coating will not be able to effectively bond with the paint.

These are the steps that a detailer follows to get a Tesla ready to receive the ceramic coat.

Thorough Washing

The first step in preparing a car for a ceramic coating is to give the exterior a good, thorough cleaning. 

Most detailers prefer to hand-wash a car to ensure that it's properly cleaned. They'll use a high-quality soap that's able to cut through grease and grime but won't damage the paint.

Decontamination

As you drive, microscopic bits of iron particles will collect on the surface of your vehicle. Brake dust is the most common culprit. Eventually, these tiny iron particles embed themselves in your vehicle's clear coat layer. They need to be removed before ceramic coating can be applied.

To decontaminate your clear coat, a detailing technician uses an iron-removing compound. They'll spray it directly on the car and let it get to work. This step seldom takes longer than a few minutes.

Paint Correction

Paint correction is the most demanding step in preparing a vehicle for the coating. At this time, the technician is looking to remove paint swirls, paint chips, and other defects from your Tesla's paint job.

For this, they'll start by using a cutting compound and a polisher. The cutting compound powers through swirl marks, stains, and other imperfections. Then, they'll use a finishing compound to polish the paint.

Wipe All Panels

The final step in preparing a Tesla for a ceramic coating is to wipe down all of the vehicle's panels. This is simple to do.

The detailing technician uses a degreaser and microfiber cloth to wipe away whatever residue is left behind from the paint correction step and then buffs it clean. Once the paint is free of residue, it's ready to apply the coating.

Applying The Coating

applying ceramic coating to a tesla

With the preparation phase finished, your auto detailer can now begin applying the ceramic coating. 

Ceramic coating is always applied by hand. It takes a masterful touch to ensure that every inch of the vehicle's paint receives coverage. A minor mistake could result in an uneven finish.

The coating is wiped directly onto your Tesla with a microfiber cloth. It quickly bonds to the paint. After bonding occurs, the technician cleans off any remaining residue.

It takes up to a day for the coating to bond to your Tesla's paint. During the first part of the curing process, you should keep your Tesla tucked away safely in your garage. 

After Care and Maintenance

Around 24 hours after application, the ceramic coating is mostly bonded to your car. However, the curing process can take weeks. In the meantime, you'll have to take extra care to avoid damaging the coating.

Ceramic coatings also need to be properly maintained to ensure their longevity. You may have to alter your car washing methods to accommodate your new ceramic coating.

Keep Your Tesla Dry for Two Weeks

It's imperative that you keep your Tesla away from water for up to two weeks after applying a ceramic coating. During this time, you'll have to avoid rain and won't be able to wash the car.

If your car gets wet before the curing process finishes and you attempt to wipe it away, you may run the risk of wiping away the top layer of the coating.

Once around two weeks have passed, the coating is fully cured and bonded. You'll be able to wash your car and drive in the rain without worry.

Avoid Automatic Car Washes

Automatic car washes are convenient, but you'll need to stay away from them after applying a ceramic coating. These car washes use highly-abrasive soaps that could damage your coating.

Get a Ceramic Coating-Safe Soap

To help your coating retain its luster and protective properties, you should invest in car soap that's safe to use on a ceramic pro coating. 

There are plenty of these kinds of soaps, so you'll have a wide range of choices available to you. Look for one that has a neutral pH balance, is wax-free, and produces a significant amount of suds.

Use Certified Maintenance Products

Over time, you may notice minor scratches or other imperfections in your ceramic coating. To fix these, look for verified ceramic coating maintenance products. They'll fill in these scratches and keep your coating in good condition. 

Dispelling Misconceptions

How to Prepare a Tesla for Ceramic Coatings

Ceramic coatings are undoubtedly a great way to preserve your Tesla's paint job, but there are a few things they aren't able to do. Understand what they won't do before applying one to your vehicle.

Doesn't Prevent Water Spots

Water spots are an infuriating occurrence. They occur because minerals from water are left behind on the car after the water evaporates.

While water will bead off your ceramic coating, these minerals are still present. You'll have to wash them away.

Can't Prevent Severe Chips and Scratches

While a car covered in a ceramic coating will experience less damage from rock chips and other road debris, they aren't guaranteed protection. Since the coating is applied directly to the paint, it will still show some damage. Impacts from larger rocks or tree branches can ruin the coating and your paint.

For more extensive protection from this kind of damage, consider installing a ceramic coating and paint protection film (PPF). Also known as clear bras, PPF is a polyurethane barrier that offers excellent defense against road debris.  

Trust Your Denver Ceramic Coating to a Pro

Ceramic coating is one of the best ways to keep your Tesla's paint protected. It stands up to water, UV rays, acid rain, and dirt better than any other paint protector.

When it comes to application, knowing how to prepare a Tesla for ceramic coating in Denver is key. If your car isn't completely cleaned and decontaminated, the coating won't properly adhere to the paint. 

No matter which Tesla model you have, the highly-skilled technicians at Colorado Clear Bra will get the job done right. Contact us for an estimate today.