Need to know how to remove ceramic coating from your vehicle’s paint? Follow these 5 simple steps:
For consumer-grade ceramic coatings (1-2 years of protection)
- Wash car with wax-stripping shampoo
- Polish with DA (dual action) polisher & finishing pad
- Wipe down with paint prep spray (if applying new ceramic coating)
- Apply car wax (if not applying new ceramic coating)
For professional-grade ceramic coatings (3+ years of protection)
- Wash car with wax-stripping shampoo
- Wet sand with 2500 – 3000 grit sand paper
- Polish with DA (dual action) polisher & finishing pad
- Wipe down with paint prep spray (if applying new ceramic coating)
- Apply car wax (if not applying new ceramic coating)
Tools & Products Needed
- Wax stripping shampoo
- Car wash essentials (wash mitt, two buckets, etc.)
- Polish
- Finishing pad
- DA (dual action) polisher
- Spray bottle filled with water
- 2500 – 3000 grit sandpaper
- Paint prep spray (if applying new ceramic coating)
- Car wax (if not applying new ceramic coating)
- Microfiber towels
Mechanical abrasion is the universally accepted method for removing ceramic coating. This is the method used by professional detailers.
You’ll find information suggesting that ceramic coatings can be removed chemically. This is not correct or accurate. Ceramic coatings are formulated to withstand wax stripping solutions, car wash soap, IPA solutions etc.
You’ll also find information suggesting clay bars to remove ceramic coatings. Clay bars are abrasive and can remove ceramic coatings, but the methods described here are more effective and efficient.
5 Simple Steps to Remove Ceramic Coating
The process for removing ceramic coating differs depending on the grade of ceramic coating on your vehicle. Your ceramic coating falls within one of these two grades:
- Consumer-grade ceramic coating: These offer up to two years of protection. Anyone can purchase these and apply them at home.
- Professional-grade ceramic coating: These offer 3 or more years of protection. You can only get these through authorized dealers and installers. These shops are certified and accredited by the ceramic coating brand.
Consumer-grade ceramic coatings are best removed with polishing. Professional-grade ceramic coatings require more abrasion. It’s possible to remove a professional-grade ceramic coating with compound and polish, but it will take a long time. The best and quickest method is wet sanding, followed by compounding and polishing.
Regardless of the grade of ceramic coating you have, mechanical abrasion is required. Ceramic coatings cannot be safely removed with chemicals.
Removing Consumer-Grade Ceramic Coating
Step 1: Wash Car with Wax-Stripping Shampoo
Wax stripping shampoo removes everything on top of the ceramic coating. Wax stripping shampoos are stronger than typical car wash soap. It will not remove the ceramic coating, but it will prep the surface.
Step 2: Polish with DA (dual action) Polisher & Finishing Pad
Place 5 dime-size dots of polish on your finishing pad. Dab the paint surface several times with the pad and polish on the section you’ll be working on. Work on one small section at a time.
To verify that the ceramic coating has been removed, pour water on it. A surface with ceramic coating will still have hydrophobic properties. Water will bead and or shed off quickly. If the water sheets and runs off slowly, the ceramic coating is gone.
Once the ceramic coating is gone from that section, move on to a new section. Do this until the ceramic coating has been removed from the entire vehicle.
There is no way to ensure that 100% of the ceramic coating is off. But don’t stress. It’s not critical that you get all of it off. A new ceramic coating can be applied on top of an old one. You can also apply wax to ceramic coating.
Step 3: Wipe Down with Paint Prep Spray (If applying new ceramic coat)
If you plan to apply a new ceramic coat, wipe down the paint with paint prep spray. Paint prep spray removes wax, oil, and dirt from the surface. Once you’ve done this, your vehicle is ready to receive a new ceramic coat.
Step 4: Apply Car Wax (if not applying new ceramic coat)
If you are not going to apply a new ceramic coat, you need to apply paint protection in some other form. The most common paint protection is car wax. Select your favorite car wax and apply as directed by the manufacturer.
Removing Professional-Grade Ceramic Coating
Step 1: Wash Car with Wax Stripping Shampoo
Wash your car with wax-stripping shampoo to remove wax and other material on the surface of your ceramic coating. Wax stripping shampoo removes anything that sits on top of the ceramic coat. A clean surface preps the ceramic coat to be mechanically removed. The wax stripping shampoo will not remove your ceramic coat.
Step 2: Wet Sand with 2500 – 3000 Grit Sandpaper
Work in 1 foot by 1 foot sections. Spray the surface with water. Spray the sandpaper with water. Lightly sand the surface, keeping the sandpaper and paint surface wet. Do not press hard. Let the sandpaper do the work.
While you’re sanding the ceramic coat, the water will be clear. Once the ceramic coat is gone, the water will begin to look cloudy and milky. That is an indication that the sandpaper is removing clear coat. Stop sanding, and move on to a new section. Do this until all of the ceramic coating has been removed.
Step 3: Polish with DA Polisher and Finishing Pad
The sandpaper leaves tiny scratches in the paint surface. Using a dual action polisher, finishing pad and polish, polish the entire vehicle. Do this until the gloss is fully restored.
Step 4: Wipe Down with Paint Prep Spray (if applying new ceramic coat)
If you plan to apply a new ceramic coat, clean the entire paint surface with paint prep spray. This will remove polish, dirt, oil, and wax, leaving the surface clean and ready for a new ceramic coating.
Step 5: Apply Car Wax (if not applying new ceramic coating)
If you are not going to apply a new ceramic coat, your paint needs another form of paint protection. Apply a car wax or other form of paint protection to the surface of your paint. Follow the directions from the manufacturer for applying new paint protection.
Cautions & Warnings When Removing Ceramic Coating
- When wet sanding, stop once the water has a milky appearance. This means you’re removing the clear coat. If you want a more precise method to ensure the ceramic coat has been removed, use a paint depth gauge. The thickness of ceramic coating is roughly 1 micron. For context, your clear coat is 57 to 76 microns. It’s very thin. Wet sand until you’ve removed 1 micron.
- Do not attempt to use harsh chemicals to remove ceramic coating. Using harsh chemicals in an attempt to remove ceramic coating is dangerous. Mechanical abrasion is the universally accepted best practice.
Why Remove Ceramic Coating?
- Before applying a wrap or paint protection film: Wraps and PPF or paint protection films are designed to adhere to clear coat. To ensure proper adhesion, you’ll want to remove the ceramic coat before application.
- Ceramic coating is scratched or is showing swirls: Consumer-grade ceramic coatings are designed to last 1-2 years. Professional grade ceramic coatings are designed to last 3 or more years. In other words, ceramic coatings aren’t designed to last forever. A ceramic coating, when not properly maintained, will scratch and swirl. If this happens, you’ll want to remove the existing ceramic coating, and replace it with a new one.
- You want to apply a new / different ceramic coating: If you’re like us, you enjoy trying new detailing products. Before applying something new, remove the old ceramic coating first.
- Diminished / deteriorating ceramic coating: As mentioned, ceramic coatings don’t last forever. Over time, the hydrophobic properties diminish. The protection lessens. Once this is the case, remove the old one and apply a new one.
- Poor or flawed ceramic coating application: In this case it’s best to remove the area with the flaw and apply a new ceramic coating.
- Paint or body work prep: If you’re going to do some paint or body work, you’ll need to remove the ceramic coating. Once you’re done, you can reapply.
FAQs
What is ceramic coating?
Ceramic coating acts as a protective layer that sit on top of your vehicle’s clear coat. The main component of ceramic coating is SiO2 or silicone dioxide. Ceramic coating also goes by the names nano-coating, silica-coating, or quartz-coating.
Do you have to remove a ceramic coating before applying a new one?
No. You do not need to remove a ceramic coating before applying a new one. Only do this if the existing ceramic coating is in good condition. Ceramic coatings are extremely thin (1-2 microns thick). Adding a layer of ceramic coating to an existing layer will not be problematic. A new ceramic coating will adhere to another easily with no issues. If the old ceramic coating is scratched, swirled or damaged in any way, you should remove it before applying a new layer.
Can you clay bar a ceramic coating?
Yes, you can clay bar a ceramic coating, but only with ultra fine clay. Clay bars are abrasive by nature and will scratch and or remove your ceramic coating if coarse clay is used.
Will a clay bar remove ceramic coating?
Yes, clay bars can remove the ceramic coating from your vehicle. For removing contaminants from paint, only use ultra fine clay bars. If your goal is to remove the ceramic coating, a clay bar can be an effective tool, but it is not the most efficient way. Wet sanding, compounding and polishing is more efficient.
Can you repair an existing ceramic coating?
No. You cannot repair an existing ceramic coating. If your ceramic coating is flawed, remove it, and apply a new ceramic coating layer.
What chemical(s) will remove ceramic coating
Do not use chemicals to remove ceramic coating. Chemicals that are strong enough to remove a ceramic coating will damage your paint. Instead, remove ceramic coating through mechanical abrasion by wet sanding, compounding, and polishing.
Will rubbing alcohol remove ceramic coating?
No. Rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol will not remove ceramic coating. Mechanical abrasion is the only universally accepted method for removing ceramic coating.
Will acetone remove ceramic coating?
No. Acetone will not remove ceramic coating. The only generally accepted method for removing ceramic coating is through mechanical abrasion. Wet sanding, compounding, and polishing are the best methods for removing ceramic coating.
How to remove ceramic coating streaks?
To remove streaks in your ceramic coating, buff with a microfiber towel. This will remove the streaks most of the time. If the streaks remain, you may need to remove the ceramic coating and reapply. You don’t need to remove the ceramic coating from the entire vehicle. Using wet sanding, compounding, and polishing, remove the ceramic coating. Apply paint prep spray to clean the area, then apply a new ceramic coating layer.
How to remove ceramic coating haze?
To remove the appearance of haze from your ceramic coating, reapply a new layer of ceramic coating to the area. If the haze remains, remove the ceramic coating by wet sanding, compounding, and polishing the area. Then reapply a new ceramic coating layer.
How to remove ceramic coating from plastic?
To remove ceramic coating from painted plastic, follow the normal procedure described above. wet sanding, compounding, and polishing is best practice. If you are trying to remove ceramic coating from non-painted plastic, there is not a good way of doing it. Abrasion is needed to remove ceramic coating, but be careful to not damage the plastic. Consumer-grade coatings will wear off within 1-2 years. Professional-grade ceramic coatings will take 3 or more years.
How to remove ceramic coating from headlights?
To remove ceramic coating from headlights, follow the steps described above. Wet sanding, compounding and polishing will remove the ceramic coating.
Summary
Ceramic coating removal requires mechanical abrasion. Consumer-grade ceramic coatings can be removed through polishing. Professional-grade ceramic coatings will require wet sanding, compounding, and polishing.
There is no way to be sure 100% of the ceramic coating has been removed. You can apply a new ceramic coat to an old one that is in good condition.
What Next?
Now that your ceramic coating has been removed, make sure to apply a new form of paint protection. See our guides on applying paint protection.
