How to Deal with Crystal Coating After One Year?
4 Answers
If you wish to continue with crystal coating after one year, the car owner can directly visit a 4S store for crystal coating maintenance. If you choose not to continue, it will not harm the car, but the protective effects of the coating will gradually diminish once the layer is gone. Below is a detailed introduction to vehicle crystal coating: 1. Definition: Crystal coating is a hard protective layer specifically designed for key areas of a car, such as the paint surface, glass, tires, rims, seats, engine, interior, and exterior trim. The materials used in crystal coating mainly fall into three categories: polysiloxane, polysilazane, and inorganic silicon. 2. Function: The highly resilient crystalline layer tightly adheres to the paint surface, effectively preventing cracking and peeling caused by thermal expansion and contraction. Its unique memory molecular structure also helps repair minor scratches on the coated surface.
Last year, I also had my car coated with crystal, and after a year, the coating noticeably thinned, with water droplets not rolling off as easily during washes. First, do a self-check: find a shaded area, splash some water to see if it still forms beads. If the water spreads out directly or leaves water marks, it means the crystal coating protection has failed. You can visit a professional auto detailing shop and have the technician use specialized equipment to measure the paint thickness before deciding whether to polish off the old layer and apply a new coating. The entire process takes a few hours and costs anywhere from a few hundred to a thousand yuan, depending on the type of crystal coating chosen. For maintenance, it's recommended to wash your car gently once a month, avoiding hard brushes or strong cleaners to prevent accelerating coating wear. Remember, crystal coating isn't permanent—it's normal for the effect to degrade after a year. Don't delay treatment to avoid corrosion from acidic or alkaline rain and snow.
As a DIY enthusiast, one year after applying ceramic coating to my car, I use a simple method to check its condition: spray a bottle of hydrophobic test fluid on the hood. If water doesn't bead and roll off quickly, it's time to prepare for reapplication. You can try spot cleaning first by using a dedicated degreaser to remove old residue, but avoid polishing yourself as it may scratch the paint. I recommend visiting a reputable shop for professional assessment on whether recoating is necessary. If budget is tight, opt for a basic ceramic coating package - spending a few hundred yuan can extend protection for another year. Daily maintenance is crucial; I wipe my car weekly with a microfiber cloth and avoid prolonged parking under direct sunlight, which can extend the new coating's lifespan by several months. For frequent drivers, consider environmental factors - heavy pollution in big cities accelerates coating degradation within a year.
After one year, the protective effect of crystal coating diminishes, so it's essential to inspect and address it promptly to ensure driving safety. First, observe the glossiness of the paint and the adhesion of stains. If you notice an increase in scratches or reduced water beading, it's time to consult a professional shop. They may recommend polishing to remove the old layer and applying a new coating to prevent UV damage and corrosion. Avoid washing the car too frequently—once every two weeks is sufficient—and use a neutral car shampoo to protect the coating. From a safety perspective, degraded coating increases accident risks, such as reduced visibility during rainy nights, so don’t skimp on this small expense. Act quickly; the cost is manageable, usually just a few hundred yuan.
