Ceramic protection of the paint is now a common part of car care, yet many uncertainties surround its application and functionality. Some see it as a solution that will solve washing and maintenance for several years, others as a complicated process intended only for professionals. The reality, however, lies somewhere in between. In the following article we will therefore show the entire application procedure from thorough paint preparation to the final application of the ceramic coating. And we will add a few practical tips and hands-on experiences, because we are writing this article several months after the application itself.
What to focus on when choosing a ceramic protection
A bit of theory to start, in simple terms. Ceramic protection of the paint is a thin, chemically resistant layer based on silicon dioxide that bonds to the paint surface after application and creates a protective shield against external influences. The paint does not gain immortality, but its resistance to chemicals, insects, bird droppings, UV radiation and everyday dirt increases significantly. Compared to waxes or sealants, ceramic offers higher chemical resistance, longer durability, a stronger hydrophobic effect and usually a more pronounced gloss. It is precisely the combination of protection and visual effect that makes ceramic the pinnacle of paint surface protection.
There are many ceramic protections on the market today and the differences between them are not always directly proportional to their price. When choosing, it is good to look not only at the declared lifetime but also at chemical resistance, hardness and application difficulty. It is not true that cheaper ceramic is automatically easier. Modern higher-class coatings tend to be more stable, have a longer open time for working them out and are less sensitive to small mistakes during application. You pay a bit extra for that certainty – and for a beginner a higher-quality product can paradoxically be the safer choice.
In general, ceramic coatings can be divided from user-friendly one-year variants through two- to three-year protections up to semi-professional and certified systems intended for detailing studios. Each product can behave a little differently, so we recommend following user reviews, choosing specialized manufacturers and not being afraid to ask – we are happy to help with the selection.
Paint preparation determines the result
Choosing the right type of ceramic protection is certainly important, but the alpha and omega is paint preparation. Ceramic is not a solution for a few months. If it is to work on the paint for several years and offer corresponding chemical resistance, a strong hydrophobic effect and high gloss, the substrate must be properly prepared. And given what results quality ceramic can offer, it is fair to create conditions in which it can work to the fullest.
Ideal preparation before applying a ceramic protection should include the following procedure:
- Thorough washing of the body with shampoo.
- Chemical decontamination and subsequent washing.
- Mechanical decontamination using clay.
- Polishing to remove defects and unify the surface (depending on the overall condition of the paint).
- Final degreasing before the actual application.
Only on such a prepared paint does it make sense to apply a multi-year ceramic coating. If you don’t feel like doing detailed preparation, it’s wiser to choose a less demanding form of protection – for example the simpler ceramic coating type Gyeon Q² CanCoat EVO, which tolerates practically anything and the application can be handled even by a complete beginner. Full-fledged ceramic for several years simply deserves the appropriate approach.
Washing and decontamination as the absolute basics
The whole process begins with a thorough hand wash using shampoo. Ideal are neutral shampoos without added wax or ceramic, for example Gyeon Q²M Bathe or the popular Lusso from Carbon Collective. If the car is heavily soiled, a stronger decontaminating variant of shampoo is not a bad idea. Active foam, even with a more aggressive alkaline composition, is not sufficient by itself – the paint must be truly clean.
Next comes chemical decontamination. During use the paint traps metal particles and tar spots that regular washing won’t remove. Products like Gyeon Q²M Iron will deal with fallout iron, or any similar product you prefer. For tar we recommend the proven Gyeon Q²M Tar. After chemical decontamination we recommend washing the car again to remove chemical residues.
If the surface is still slightly rough, even locally, mechanical decontamination with clay comes next. That removes the contamination residues that adhere most to the paint. After clay it is advisable to wash the car again and dry it thoroughly. How to proceed correctly during chemical and mechanical decontamination is described in detail in a separate article, where you will find the whole process step by step. Therefore we will skip to the next topic.
Polishing the paint: necessary or not?
Polishing seems complicated and many people prefer to avoid it. Besides extra work it also means an additional investment. Is it therefore necessary? The answer is simple – it depends. For one-year protections and paint without significant defects it is not always necessary. But if you are preparing a car for multi-year ceramic, it makes sense to have the surface truly in perfect condition.
We verified this in practice on our 2023 BMW 3 Series. A relatively new car, the paint appeared in good condition at first glance – without significant scratches or holograms and still with a partially functioning layer of the original ceramic protection. That, however, was the crux of the problem. Even after thorough decontamination, water marks and deposits remained on the paint that could not be removed by ordinary washing or chemicals. It was therefore not a preparation error, but the condition of the surface and residues of the previous protection that had to be removed mechanically. Barely noticeable in daylight, under artificial light it was far from ideal.
It is also important to mention that the old protective layer must be completely removed before application. Wax or sealant in the final stage of life will be easily removed by the previous steps, but you cannot remove ceramic without machine polishing. The good news is you do not need extremely expensive equipment. We worked with a polisher Liquid Elements costing around 5,000 CZK, which is absolutely sufficient for hobby use and less busy professionals.
The choice of compound, pad and number of steps always depends on the specific condition of the paint and experience. In our case colleague David chose a two-step polishing – first a medium-strong compound Gyeon Q²M Compound in combination with a medium-hard red pad, followed by finishing polish Q²M Finish and a softer blue pad. After completing both steps the paint looked almost perfect and the best was yet to come.
This procedure and choice of products is of course not a manifesto of the only correct way and may vary according to the paint condition and personal preferences. The important thing is to understand the principle: before applying multi-year ceramic, a quality paint correction simply makes sense. We are preparing an article about paint polishing where you will find all the details. 
Degreasing: the last step before application
Before the ceramic protection itself, the paint must be clean and degreased so that the ceramic coating can adhere perfectly. It is ideal to use a specialized degreaser or classic Isopropyl alcohol (IPA). Most car care manufacturers have their own variant – we have long had good experience with Gyeon Q²M Prep, which does its job one hundred percent. The application itself is simple: we recommend spraying the product onto the paint, letting it act briefly and wiping it off with a clean microfiber cloth. Prep evaporates immediately and leaves the surface degreased and streak-free.
The exact procedure differs mainly depending on whether you plan to polish:
If you do not polish:
- After decontamination wash the car, dry it thoroughly and then degrease the entire paint.
- You can then proceed to apply the ceramic protection.
If you polished:
- Degreasing is an absolute must. Polishing compounds contain oils that would prevent the coating from bonding properly.
- Therefore degrease the paint thoroughly, even in two steps if necessary, and inspect it under good light.
Application of ceramic protection Gyeon Q² Pure EVO
For our BMW and this article we chose Gyeon Q² Pure EVO. This ceramic coating offers excellent chemical resistance and hydrophobic properties, top gloss, but at the same time is among the most application-friendly ceramic protections. Compared to many competing products and higher Gyeon variants it has a longer open time for working out, so you don’t have to panic while working and you have space to proceed calmly. For our BMW we chose a 50 ml volume for safety, which easily covered the whole car and some remained.
We have decontaminated, polished and degreased – only the application remains. Ideally work in a garage with a stable temperature of approximately 15–25 °C and in a dry, dust-free environment. Modern Gyeon ceramic protections labeled EVO allow outdoor application too, but even then you must monitor the body temperature, avoid direct sun and plan the work according to the weather forecast. The first few hours after application, when the layer cures, are as important as the application itself.
The package contains the coating, an application block and suede cloths. We also recommend preparing 3 to 4 new looped microfiber towels ideal for wiping the ceramic coating – for example Purestar Speed Polish Towel. And a simple practical rule: if a towel falls on the floor, discard it without mercy. Don’t forget good lighting either. A strong work lamp or a headlamp will help you spot any remaining areas that aren’t fully wiped in time.
Application procedure step by step
- Never forget protective gloves.
- The paint must be completely dry. No drops of water and no moisture in the body creases. If you are not sure, wait.
- Shake the bottle with the ceramic coating thoroughly.
- Put drops of the coating onto the supplied applicator fitted with the suede cloth.
- Apply with cross motions to only one section of the body at a time (e.g. half the hood, a door, a fender).
- Wipe the coating with a microfiber towel within approx. 10 minutes (depending on temperature and conditions).
- At higher temperatures shorten the time between application and wiping.
- Continue panel by panel until finished.
What happens in the following hours and days
After application and thorough wiping the physical work on the paint ends, but a no less important curing process begins. In the first hours the ceramic layer initially bonds to the paint. During this phase it is very important that the car remains dry and ideally at a stable temperature. We recommend leaving the car at least 12 hours in a garage or covered space, without contact with water, dust or morning dew. If you apply outdoors, it is really necessary to monitor the weather forecast – heavy rain shortly after application can disturb the fresh layer.
The first 24 hours the coating is most sensitive. If it comes into contact with water, it is advisable to gently dry the drops as soon as possible. During this phase chemical curing is still taking place and dried water can create mineral marks that are harder to remove than on fully cured ceramic.
The following roughly 7 to 14 days full curing of the ceramic layer takes place. During this time we recommend not washing the car and avoiding aggressive car care products. Ordinary rain does not harm the coating, but active washing with shampoo or other chemicals could disrupt the maturation process. Only after this period can you expect the ceramic protection to reach its full chemical resistance, maximum hydrophobic effect and final hardness.
Ceramic is not immortal either – how to care for it?
One thing must be said clearly – ceramic protection is not maintenance-free! Yes, it significantly facilitates washing, reduces dirt adhesion and increases chemical resistance, but if you don’t take care of it, it will gradually degrade and lose its properties.
The basis is regular washing. Ideally at least once a month with a classic, clean shampoo without added waxes or protective ingredients. Ceramic itself provides protection – there is no need to "cover" it with other products at every wash.
Occasional application of the ceramic sealant Gyeon Gyeon Q²M Cure will gently revive the coating layer and help maintain its performance over time. The sealant can also be purchased directly in a kit with the Pure EVO ceramic. Gyeon also recommends occasionally using the decontaminating shampoo RestartWash. It contains ingredients similar to iron removers and helps remove embedded dirt and fallout iron without disturbing the ceramic protection. It’s a very effective way to "deep clean" the coating and restore its maximum performance.
If you take care of the ceramic, you can easily enjoy all its benefits for the declared period – in the case of Pure EVO up to 3 years or approximately 40,000 km. And that is worth it.
Finally, observations from daily use
We applied ceramic protection to the BMW in October last year. It is now the end of February, the car has been through autumn and most of the winter, so we can already share the first real-world observations. How does Pure EVO behave in practice?
Personally, I’ve done countless applications of various protections – from natural, hybrid and synthetic waxes, through sealants to ceramic protections from other manufacturers. What Pure EVO excels at at first glance is gloss. On the Dravit Grey shade from the BMW Individual range the golden metallic flakes were accentuated and the paint gained a depth that ordinary protection simply does not offer. This effect is most striking in the sun and it’s a pleasure to look at.
Beading and water runoff are also unmistakable. You will simply fall in love with those droplets and look forward to every rain. Water also runs off the paint extremely quickly. After rain or washing, often a short drive at higher speed is enough and most of the water is gone. Classic drying with a towel is also more effective, because almost no water remains on the paint after rinsing.
And winter use? So far the ceramic handles it without problems. A thorough wash in this winter’s frosts is out of the question, but a quick solution with Gyeon Q²M Bug & Grime and subsequent rinsing with water does the job perfectly. That is enough to keep the paint clean and preserve all properties. The paint will receive regular care again with the arrival of spring.
So ceramic protection clearly makes sense – and if done properly, it will repay the invested time with a long-lasting and striking result..jpg)
