Ceramic vs. Wax - Can We Cut To The Chase?

[alnuman]

I’m talking about the DIY ceramic application not the process done by the dealer when you first buy the car.

Never applied ceramic before so doing my research. Ok, so forget most of the benefits about ceramic coating like a hard shell around your car, protection from tree sap, longer time between application, easier to was the car, etc. I’m interested one thing - Shine! So here is the question:

- Lets say you applied one half of your car with a ceramic coating like, oh say, Meguiar’s ceramic product and the other half of of the car with Meguiars best wax product and then you drove your car up my driveway. When I go out to greet you would I be able to tell the difference?

and as a follow up-

If the answer to the first part is - yes the wax would be shinier, could you then apply wax to the ceramic side and throw the remaining ceramic in the trash can never to be used again? Would you have to remove the ceramic first?

I know I’m over-simplifying it but remember I’m only interested in shine for now.

Thank you.

 

[Rsurfer]

If the paint was prepped correctly you would not be able to tell the difference between the two sides.

Although a good wax will give you that deep glow and ceramic/sealants will give you more of a hard candy shine..I prefer ceramic coating for durability and ease of cleaning.

If your after shine, polishing is the first step. The LSP (last step product) is only 10-15% of the total shine.

 

[AutowerxDetailing]

Any type of protection applied at the dealership is going to be worthless because they do not have the time to properly prep each vehicle.. often they don't even apply anything special to the paintwork at all. Mostly you are buying a warranty.

95% of the final appearance of the paintwork (gloss, clarity, shine, etc.) is a result of the prep work, paint correction, and final polishing done prior to applying any protective treatments. If the entire vehicle is prepped correctly, and to the highest standards, you likely will not be able to notice a significant difference between any number of waxes, sealants, or ceramic coatings in a side-by-side comparison.

 

[Jayfro]

In the short time I’ve been really detailing my car, a good high quality wax is glassy looking and ceramic is glossy, although we’re probably splitting hairs!

I will say the durability of a high quality wax is around 2-3 months (depending on environment) whereas ceramics are much longer.

Jay


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[alnuman]

I forgot to mention that both sides would be clayed before applying the ceramic and wax.

 

[Rsurfer]

Doesn't matter..for maximum shine you need to polish before waxing.

 

[alnuman]

So what I'm gathering so far is that If I'm expecting a shiner car with ceramic vs wax I'm wasting my money and time (and I still don't know the difference between "glossy" and "shine").

The 2nd part deals with waxing over the ceramic. Can it be done without messing anything up? Do I need to have the ceramic removed first?

 

[Whipped500]

Prep is everything. I'm a weekend warrior so take this with a grain of salt but I've always looked at wax/sealant vs ceramic (not spray on and hose off, actual coating) as skill level. I've always been scared of ceramic coatings because of the streaking and high spots I hear about if it's not done perfectly... I've never had that problem with a sealant or wax but it doesn't last as long as a coating.

What is looking promising to me is the Wolfgang Uber ceramic spray coating. I'm not sure how it will hold up since it's new and nobody has been able to give a long-term review but as far as shine/gloss, ease of use, it looks good to me! This might be something you want to look into?

 

[Rsurfer]

So what I'm gathering so far is that If I'm expecting a shiner car with ceramic vs wax I'm wasting my money and time (and I still don't know the difference between "glossy" and "shine").

The 2nd part deals with waxing over the ceramic. Can it be done without messing anything up? Do I need to have the ceramic removed first?

Glossy and shine is pretty much the same. Glossy to some means the paint has a deep wet look and shine means it's very reflective.

Yes you can wax over your ceramic coating, but it will change the water behavior that makes a coating so easy to clean.

 

[Neatfreak2000]

I'm wasting my money and time

Money maybe. Not time. You’ll have to wax every 3-6 months at a minimum to have the same level of protection.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Ceramic vs. Wax - Can We Cut To The Chase?


I’m talking about the DIY ceramic application not the process done by the dealer when you first buy the car.

Never applied ceramic before so doing my research.

Great questions...

Here's my questions....


1: What have you used in the past to protect you car?

2: Do you own a polisher?

3: What compounds and polishes do you normally use?

4: How do you normally wash your car?

 

[PaulMys]

Money maybe. Not time. You’ll have to wax every 3-6 months at a minimum to have the same level of protection.

But....... Some of us here do not mind, (rather enjoy) the application of fresh (non-coating) LSP's every 6 months.

This enjoyment also includes the peace of mind of not having to deal with the following:

*The (to me) insane cost

*Worrying about high spots and which applicators.

*What to use to not clog my coating, and "ruin" my precious investment.

*Having to worry about removing water spots, which is a huge debate/sticking point on here, and no one has a clear answer because of all the different circumstances/products, etc.

*And finally, the seemingly never-ending debate over "shine vs. gloss". (Not a huge swaying point for people loyal to their brand(s).

JMO







*

 

[Neatfreak2000]

But....... Some of us here do not mind, (rather enjoy) the application of fresh (non-coating) LSP's every 6 months.

This enjoyment also includes the peace of mind of not having to deal with the following:

*The (to me) insane cost

*Worrying about high spots and which applicators.

*What to use to not clog my coating, and "ruin" my precious investment.

*Having to worry about removing water spots, which is a huge debate/sticking point on here, and no one has a clear answer because of all the different circumstances/products, etc.

*And finally, the seemingly never-ending debate over "shine vs. gloss". (Not a huge swaying point for people loyal to their brand(s).

JMO







*

Agreed. If you like more work. Wax is for you.

 

[PaulMys]

Agreed. If you like more work. Wax is for you.

Thank you, sir.

Good luck searching "which toppers will work with my coating?" Lol

 

[Neatfreak2000]

Thank you, sir.

Good luck searching "which toppers will work with my coating?" Lol

Spoiler alert: all of them except for the few remaining ancient wax based ones lol

 

[PaulMys]

Spoiler alert: all of them except for the few remaining ancient wax based ones lol

I like you.

 

[acuRAS82]

I have to disagree that a well prepped car won’t allow someone to tell the difference between wax and a coating. Wax vs wax, sure. Coating vs coating, sure. But I think the ceramic and carnauba wax looks are so different, that someone who does this hobby could probably pick out which side is which after a quick stroll around the car.

Now trying to tell difference in small sections like hood tests is a whole other thing. But if It have the front/side/back angles to check out on each half a car, I think I can tell glass vs pool. I’m generally blown away lately when I use traditional wax or sealant due to how different they look than even the ceramic sprays.

 

[Jayfro]

Agreed. If you like more work. Wax is for you.

I’d prefer calling it self therapy! Working on your car, mowing the yard, etc...standing back, drinking your favorite beverage and saying “damn that looks good”!

Just my opinion!


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[Neatfreak2000]

I have to disagree that a well prepped car won’t allow someone to tell the difference between wax and a coating. Wax vs wax, sure. Coating vs coating, sure. But I think the ceramic and carnauba wax looks are so different, that someone who does this hobby could probably pick out which side is which after a quick stroll around the car.

Now trying to tell difference in small sections like hood tests is a whole other thing. But if It have the front/side/back angles to check out on each half a car, I think I can tell glass vs pool. I’m generally blown away lately when I use traditional wax or sealant due to how different they look than even the ceramic sprays.

You generally seeing a ‘warmer’ look with wax and a glass/wet look with ceramics?

 

[Neatfreak2000]

I’d prefer calling it self therapy! Working on your car, mowing the yard, etc...standing back, drinking your favorite beverage and saying “damn that looks good”!

Just my opinion!


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Oh I agree. But a ceramic doesn’t mean you still don’t need to wash, clean, detail etc. Hell, tires and rims can sometimes be a whole afternoon lol