Aftercare Guidelines
A little care goes a long way. Please ensure that you follow these guidelines to keep your Autotec coating performing at its best for years to come.
Thank you for selecting Autotec's Ultragard or Zirconite ZQ9H, both extraordinary coating systems that incorporate the world's most advanced Nano-Polysilazane technology.
We assure you that now that you have invested in your new coating, you will discover that living with and caring for your car is an absolute delight. However, to maximise the benefits of your investment, regular car care and maintenance are still necessary.
Collecting Your Car
The car is dry to the touch and can be driven away immediately after application. The coating cures in just 24 hours.
The First Seven Days
If the car gets wet during the drive home or within the first week, do not allow water droplets to dry on the surface of the coating. Dry the car with a microfibre cloth. If the car picks up dirt during this period, hose it down with water and dry with a microfibre cloth.
Protective Shield Layer
Your new Ultragard coating comes with a 5-year Guarantee that can then be extended to a 10-year Guarantee if you enrol in (and commit to the conditions of) Autotec's Managed Programme. Please refer to the Guarantee page for complete information.
We recommend applying an additional layer of protection to your Ultragard coating. Applying a Protective Shield Layer, with the use of either Liquid Shield or Nano Shield, will prevent the elements from directly impacting the coating and effectively extend its lifespan.
If you selected Ultragard, you will have received a free 80ml sample bottle of Autotec's Nano Shield along with an Autotec Microfibre Cloth as a handover gift. We strongly recommend you apply the Nano Shield to your vehicle, either after an initial wipe down or immediately following the first full wash after 7 days. Please make sure that you follow the simple application instructions on the label.
If you selected ZQ9H, you will have received a full Autotec Aftercare Kit as a handover gift, comprising:
- Autotec Deep Clean Shampoo (475ml)
- Autotec Premium Car Wash Sponge
- Autotec Liquid Shield (350ml)
- Autotec Liquid/Nano Shield Microcloth Pack
- Zirconite Key Ring
We strongly recommend applying the Liquid Shield to your vehicle after your first full wash, following the simple application instructions on the label.
On-Going Care
Ensure that you wash your car on a regular basis. Once a week is optimal. You do not need to use shampoo; simply hose the car down and then dry it with a microfibre cloth. We recommend using Autotec's Arid Microfibre Drying Towel for even quicker and easier water removal. If you wash your car regularly, this will be enough to keep it looking immaculate.
After the first 7 days, you may use shampoo if needed. Any brand of pH-neutral shampoo/wheel cleaner can be used without adversely affecting the coating. It is recommended, however, to use shampoo only if the car is particularly dirty or hasn't been washed in a while. For optimal results, we recommend Autotec's Wash & Wax Shampoo.
For people living in a condominium where access to water is limited, we recommend Autotec's Express Detailer. It is a water-free car wash and detailer that makes cleaning your car a quick and simple process. Simply spray and wipe, and it delivers a beautiful streak-free finish while adding an extra layer of protective wax.
An ideal ongoing aftercare routine would be to wash with water, and then, once every 2 or 3 washes, use Express Detailer instead of the regular water wash. You can use it even if the car is quite dirty; the microfibre cloth used will get black with dirt, which is nothing to worry about, as the Ultragard coating is scratch resistant and is not as susceptible to swirl marks as an unprotected car would be.
Always remove bird droppings as soon as you notice them, ideally within 48 hours. While Ultragard will protect the surface of your car against the corrosive effects of bird lime for an extended period, typically up to one week, leaving droppings on the coating for longer may result in marks in the coating.
The coating will retain its brilliant shine, so you won't need to wax or polish your car again. However, if you enjoy waxing your car, you can still do so. Always use a wax that is applied by hand. Do not apply polish with a buffing machine. We recommend Autotec's Luxury Carnauba Wax or Rapid Spray Wax, which offer an extra layer of protection with an exceptional high-gloss finish. They will last for approximately 5 to 6 weeks and will eventually wash off; the coating will remain, still protecting your car.
Never use a canvas car cover to "protect" your car. It does an incredible amount of damage to the car's paintwork and even damages the coating.
Hydrophobic Properties
The coating has excellent hydrophobic properties. Water sheets off as the vehicle is hosed down, while rain creates a pronounced beading effect. These effects are not covered by the Guarantee and will diminish over time, depending on how you look after your car, and this may also be indicated by a reduction in the surface's silky smooth feel.
The diminishing of these effects does not mean that the coating is no longer present or functioning as intended. It simply indicates that microscopic (primarily iron) dust particles and other contaminants have adhered to the coating, reducing the hydrophobic sheeting and beading performance.
To restore the hydrophobic properties, simply remove these contaminants. This can be achieved by washing the car normally and then treating it with a clay bar, which will remove all contaminants and instantly restore the original shine and sheeting/beading effects. The coating will then appear as if it's brand new and perform just as it did when first applied. We recommend using Autotec's Clay Bar annually, or whenever you notice that the coating on your car isn't as smooth as usual. Use maximum once a year.
To ensure that the hydrophobic effect is maintained for as long as possible, we recommend using Autotec's Express Detailer as previously mentioned, together with Autotec's Liquid Shield or Autotec's Nano Shield. Both Liquid Shield and Nano Shield are polysiloxane-based protective sealants that cure and function as highly efficient Protective Shield Layers. Liquid Shield protects the car for up to three months, while Nano Shield offers 9 to 12 months of additional protection. Both provide an enhanced shine and incredible hydrophobic properties, and can both be applied to the entire car, including glass surfaces. Frequent application of Liquid Shield or Nano Shield will significantly prolong the lifespan of your coating, extending it beyond the 5-year Guarantee.
Watermarks
Watermarks may appear on the surface of the coating, but should be easily wiped away with a damp microfibre cloth if you wash your car regularly. Check for watermarks on a regular basis and they will not become an issue. Avoid letting watermarks stay on the surface for an extended period, especially if the car is parked directly in the sun. If the car is neglected and watermarks become "baked on" they can become more difficult to remove. We recommend Autotec's Blemish Remover or Autotec's Watermark Remover to remove watermarks by hand.
Never machine polish the car, as this could potentially damage or even remove the coating. Please contact your Dealership/Autotec Centre if you have any doubts or concerns.
Please note: the build-up of contaminants and watermarks is not covered in either Guarantee.
Thank you for choosing Zirconite Nano Glaze, an advanced PTFE-based coating with integrated UV protection, designed to shield against atmospheric degradation and deliver reliable protection even in the harshest tropical climates.
With Nano Glaze applied, keeping your vehicle looking its best is effortless. However, regular care is essential to maximise performance.
Collecting Your Car
The vehicle is dry to the touch and can be driven immediately after application. The coating cures in just 4 hours.
The First Seven Days
If the vehicle becomes wet during the drive home or within the first week, do not allow water droplets to dry on the surface. Dry the vehicle with a microfibre cloth. If the vehicle becomes dirty during this period, rinse with water and dry with a microfibre cloth.
Protective Shield Layer
Your Nano Glaze coating has already been treated with a complementary Protective Shield Layer. This temporary layer is designed to extend the life and performance of the underlying Nano Glaze coating.
Nano Glaze is a two-year stand-alone coating. With regular reapplication of the Protective Shield Layer, its lifespan can be extended to five years or more.
On-Going Care
Wash your vehicle regularly; once a week is optimal. Shampoo is not always necessary, simply rinse with water and dry with a microfibre cloth. Regular washing will be sufficient to keep your vehicle looking immaculate. For quicker and easier drying, we recommend Autotec's Arid Microfibre Drying Towel.
After the first seven days, shampoo may be used if required. Any pH-neutral shampoo can be used without affecting the coating. However, it is recommended to use shampoo only when the vehicle is particularly dirty or has not been washed for some time. For optimal results, we recommend Autotec's Wash & Wax Shampoo.
Always remove bird droppings as soon as possible, ideally within a few hours. While Nano Glaze is highly chemically resistant and will protect the surface from the corrosive effects of bird lime for a time, prolonged exposure may result in marks on the coating.
The coating will retain its brilliant shine, so there is no need to wax or polish your vehicle. However, if you prefer to wax, this can still be done. Always apply wax by hand and do not use a machine polisher. We recommend Autotec's Luxury Carnauba Wax or Rapid Spray Wax, which add an extra layer of protection with exceptional high-gloss finishes. They typically last 4 to 6 weeks and will gradually wash off, while the underlying coating continues to protect your vehicle.
Never use a canvas car cover to "protect" your vehicle. It can cause significant damage to the paintwork and may also compromise the coating.
Hydrophobic Properties
The coating has excellent hydrophobic properties. Water sheets off when the vehicle is rinsed, while rain creates a pronounced beading effect. These effects will diminish over time, depending on how the vehicle is maintained, and this may also be indicated by a reduction in the surface's silky smooth feel.
The reduction of these effects does not mean the coating is no longer present or functioning as intended. It simply indicates that microscopic contaminants, primarily iron particles, have adhered to the surface, reducing the hydrophobic sheeting and beading performance.
To restore hydrophobic performance, simply remove these contaminants. This can be achieved by using Autotec's Fallout Remover before washing the vehicle as normal, instantly restoring the original shine, smooth feel and sheeting and beading effects. The coating will then appear as new and perform as it did when first applied.
To maintain hydrophobic performance for as long as possible, we recommend using Autotec's Express Detailer together with Autotec's Liquid Shield or Nano Shield. Both Liquid Shield and Nano Shield are polysiloxane-based, spray-and-wipe protective sealants that cure to form highly effective protective shield layers. Liquid Shield provides protection for up to three months, while Nano Shield offers 9 to 12 months of additional durability. Both extend the life of the coating, enhance gloss, and deliver excellent hydrophobic performance. Suitable for all exterior surfaces, including glass, they also help improve visibility in adverse weather conditions.
Watermarks
Watermarks may appear on the surface of the coating, but should be easily removed with a damp microfibre cloth if the vehicle is washed regularly. Routinely check for watermarks to prevent them becoming an issue. Avoid leaving them on the surface for extended periods, especially when the vehicle is parked in direct sunlight. If the vehicle is neglected and watermarks become "baked on", they may be more difficult to remove. In such cases, we recommend using Autotec's Blemish Remover by hand.
Never machine polish the vehicle, as this may damage or remove the coating. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your Dealership or Zirconite/Autotec Centre.
Thank you for choosing Autotec's Leather Protector and/or Fabric Protector to protect your vehicle's interior. Both work as an invisible barrier, so there's no visible or tactile change to your seats, trims or carpets, but they're now guarded against spills and staining. As with the exterior protection, regular care will help keep it performing at its best.
Fabric Protector
Autotec's Fabric Protector ensures that food and drink spills will not penetrate the fibres of the fabric, effectively making it stain-proof.
Always clean beverage spills as soon as possible. If a spill is allowed to dry, use a microfibre cloth and some soapy water to remove the spill with a dabbing motion. We recommend using Autotec's Universal Cleaner for optimal results.
The cleaned area will still be protected, as the cleaning process will not remove the protection.
Leather Protector
The points outlined above for fabric protection apply equally to leather protection.
Leather is a natural material and requires regular maintenance. Clean the interior leather elements of the car as needed. You will discover that cleaning the leather is quite effortless due to the coating. We recommend using Autotec's Leather Cleaner, which is specially formulated to work with, and preserve, the coating.
The harsh sun will, over time, begin to dry out your leather seats and interiors, potentially leading to cracking. To prevent this, regular use of Autotec's Leather Crème will not only extend the life of the leather coating, but will also help keep your leather soft and supple, ensuring it looks and smells like new.