Ceramic Coating Curing Time

Curing happens in stages, and the reason we keep cars in a controlled space rather than handing them straight back is that the early stage is where a coating is most vulnerable.

The stages

• Flash / levelling — minutes. The applicator is working the product while it is still live.
• Initial cure — several hours in a controlled, dust-free environment. This is why a driveway application is a compromise.
• Safe to drive — typically the following day for most systems.
• Full chemical cure — generally one to three weeks depending on product and conditions.

The first week

Keep it dry for the first 24 to 48 hours if you can, and do not wash it for about a week. Rain on a partly cured coating can leave water spots that have to be polished out. Avoid parking under trees for the first few days, and do not use any wax, sealant or ‘top-up’ product over it.

Temperature and humidity change all of these numbers, which is why we cure indoors in a controlled space rather than working to a fixed clock.