Ceramic Pro - Light mist / rain during 24 hours of curing

[m0ss]

Hey guys,

I just had ceramic pro professionally installed a day ago and I went for a drive this morning but suddenly got caught in a light rain / mist. I saw the water bead off the coating, but due to my OCD and light wallet after the coating I am afraid of what damage being stuck in the light rain caused during the curing process of 2-3 weeks. I checked the paint and coating and it doesn't appear to be any water spots and such. I'll need to look at it closer with a flashlight to confirm.

Thanks!!

 

[LSNAutoDetailingLSNAutoDetailing is verified member.]

I think you're fine... usually takes two hours to cure recommend 24hrs not to get wet... (meaning soaking wash). Light mist and since it was a day ago you should be fine.
If professionally installed/applied, then they either curing lamps, or parked it outside in sunlight for a few hours before you picked it up.

If it was the day before, you should be fine...

 

[kevincwelch]

Should be OK. Ask the installer if they used IR to cure the coating. Even if they didn't, then there shouldn't be an issue with the coating.

Now, water spots are an entirely different issue. Cured coatings will develop water spots if the water is not cleared.

(Sent via my mobile device...)

 

[AutowerxDetailing]

If professionally installed/applied, then they either curing lamps, or parked it outside in sunlight for a few hours before you picked it up.

While it is fair to assume that a professionally installed coating would be properly applied/cured, there really are no standards within the CP installer network regarding how to cure the coating before releasing to the client. Not everyone has IR lamps or the ability to hold vehicles for several days in a climate controlled environment so cure times will vary between installer to installer. Best bet is to call your installer and make sure they've actually IR cured the coating, or given it enough time to cure in ambient temps (which I believe is 72 hours IIRC). The fact that they advised a 2-3 week curing period would lead me to believe they did not properly bake the coating.

In any event, if the coating is not completely cured and the surface becomes wet, your best bet is to carefully dry off the vehicle to ensure mineral deposits do not etch into the ceramic layer(s) while everything is still curing.