12 to 24 hours
Keep it dry.
About a week
Before soap, for most coatings.
Your product
Follow its own instructions.
In this guide 4 sections
Swipe to see the whole table
| Product | Keep dry | Wash or soap | Full cure |
|---|---|---|---|
| CARPRO CQuartz UK 3.0 | At least 1 hour, ideally 24 | No detergents for 5 days | Not stated |
| Gtechniq Crystal Serum Light with EXO | At least 12 hours, indoors | No wash for at least a week | Not stated |
| GYEON Q² Mohs EVO | 12 hours after the last panel | No washing or strong detergents for 14 days | About 14 days |
| IGL Ecocoat Kenzo | About 4 hours | Plain water only at first | 3 to 5 days |
| Ceramic Pro (all packages) | Avoid rain, sprinklers and fog | No wash for at least 2 weeks | 2 to 3 weeks |
| Chemical Guys Carbon Force | At least 12 hours, 24 for best durability | Not stated | Not stated |
| System X | Not stated | No wash for 2 weeks | 2 to 3 days |
Why cure time matters
A coating keeps hardening for days after it feels dry. Water, soap or contamination in that time can leave spots or streaks that set into the coating, and some warranties depend on following the aftercare.
What if it rains?
GYEON says to use its Cure or Ceramic Detailer product if rain is expected in the first 12 hours. CARPRO’s distributor says to gently wipe off water that lands in the first 24 hours. If a shop coated the car, ask whether they keep it indoors overnight.
Why the times differ
Different chemistry, and different conditions. Even within one brand the advice varies: IGL’s Kenzo data sheet says about 4 hours dry and 3 to 5 days to cure, while IGL’s care guide for owners says 24 hours dry and 7 days without chemicals. When in doubt, use the longer time.
After it cures
Wash gently with a pH-neutral, coating-safe shampoo, dry it with clean microfiber, and avoid brush car washes. Ceramic Pro and System X say brush washes void their warranties.
Professional installation
Ask shops what’s in the price
Find installers near you, then ask about the exact product, the prep and which surfaces get coated.
Sources
Product claims come from the manufacturers’ own instructions, linked below. Prices come from shops’ published price lists.
- CARPRO (US distributor): CQuartz UK 3.0Leveling, high spots and cure.
- Gtechniq: Crystal Serum Light and EXOCure and first-wash timing.
- GYEON: Q² Mohs EVOLeveling and the first 14 days.
- IGL Coatings: Ecocoat Kenzo data sheetCure, recoating and removal.
- IGL Coatings: maintaining a coatingFirst week, boosters and inspections.
- Ceramic Pro: aftercareCure time, washing and spot cleaning.
- Chemical Guys: applying Carbon ForceCure before exposure.
- System X: aftercareDrying, spots and the first two weeks.
