Quote:
Originally Posted by gary_william
Is traditional wax outdated? Seems like there are better shining and longer lasting options. Griots ceramic 3-1 spray wax comes to mind.
|
For my understanding when it comes to wax and ceramic coating for cars, one is not “better” than the other. Each has its own strengths and reasons why it’s a better choice for certain car owners. If you feel like you have to choose between one or the other, you should stop focusing on which one is best and start asking which one is best for you. Or, if you’re the kind of person who hates trade-offs, there’s a path for you that includes wax AND ceramics. Tricky, huh?
Let’s dig into this trick question and peel back the layers of ceramics vs. wax.
WAX – THE TRADITIONAL BEAUTIFIERS
For decades, natural wax products, especially those formulated with carnauba wax, were the standard choice for adding a warm glow, improved shine and a certain measure of protection to any car’s paint.
All of those still hold true for wax today, whether it’s a paste, liquid or spray-on formula. Wax continues to be the #1 choice to use on collectible cars, show cars or anytime a driver prioritizes that glossy, wet look and warm glow. However, wax is a natural product that spreads across your car’s clear coat in a thin water-repellant (not waterproof) layer. Weather, car washes and daily use wear away that thin layer of wax in a matter of weeks or, at best, a few months.
In other words, wax is great for beautifying your car or truck but provides average long-lasting paint protection.
On the other hand, if you use your car regularly, leave it exposed to the elements or just prioritize protection over wax’s trademark glow, it might be time to apply a ceramic treatment to your car’s surface.
CERAMIC COATINGS – A MORE LASTING PROTECTANT
In the 21st century, the detailing world enjoyed its first major breakthrough with the invention of ceramic coatings. Applying a ceramic coating brings incredible shine and a durable shield of protection that chemically bonds with the finish of your car. This protective layer resists all kinds of soils, repels water, prevents water spotting and shields your car from UV rays, so the finish stays cleaner and looks better for longer than it would even with a wax.
While wax may last a few weeks, many ceramic products protect your car for a year or more, but they can be difficult to apply at home. Professionally applied coatings, on the other hand, can withstand years of heavy use, which makes them an outstanding choice for protecting daily drivers or cars that are regularly exposed to the weather. However, cost and downtime are the considerable downsides to having your car professionally treated with ceramic coatings. Be prepared to spend up to thousands of dollars for the service, plan on going without your car for up to a week and start thinking about a rental car and those added costs while your car is at the detail shop.
THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
For uncompromising drivers, the good news is you can use wax and a ceramic coating together. You can either wax your car first and then apply a layer of ceramic coating or get a product that’s formulated with both wax and ceramic components all in one, convenient formula.