What to Do If It Rains Right After Crystal Coating?
2 Answers
If it rains right after crystal coating, you should move the car indoors and use a dry towel to blot the car body (note: not wipe it dry). Generally, it's fine if it rains 24 hours after the crystal coating, and after 7 days, the car can be exposed to rain or washed. Car crystal coating provides a reliable paint sealing technology that efficiently and durably protects the car paint, preventing environmental impacts on the paint color. The concept of car paint crystal coating is introduced to differentiate it from waxing and sealing. The basic requirement for crystal coating is that the material used is SIO2 inorganic matter, which can form several structures on the surface, typically at the molecular nano level. Through the action of high molecular polymers, an isolation layer is formed on the surface, which has the functions of resisting UV rays, oil, and water, thereby protecting the paint surface.
My car just got ceramic coated and then got caught in the rain—what bad luck. After coating, it takes several hours to a day to cure, and rain can easily wash away the protective layer, reducing its effectiveness. The same thing happened to me last time, so I immediately found a dry place to park, gently rinsed off the rainwater residue with clean water (no wiping to avoid scratching the paint), and let the car air-dry naturally for a day or two while checking the paint condition: if no water spots or discoloration appear, the impact is minimal; if the coating seems thinner, I’d ask the detailer for a touch-up. The coating wasn’t cheap, so next time I’ll check the weather forecast beforehand and either park indoors or avoid rainy days for application. Car care is part of daily life, and experience has taught me prevention beats fixing. As a car owner, I’ve taken this lesson to heart—it saves a lot of hassle.
