Ceramic Coating vs. Wax: Which is Better

The question gets asked: what’s the difference between a ceramic coating and wax? It makes good sense that there’s confusion around the subject– terms like these are frequently used interchangeably, and most people were taught to understand that wax IS A sealant, both of which are a form of coating. In a great deal of ways, that’s true, however as detailing technology continues to develop, paint protection materials have ended up being advanced, and distinct differences in between these terms have begun to emerge.

Waxes, sealants & ceramic finishes have unique advantages and are specifically suited for various applications. In this write-up, we’ll review a few of the typical misunderstandings and the definitions of each and hopefully assist establish an understanding of how these terms are different and when it’s finest to use them.

What is wax?

Wax can be a diverse mix of materials described as “flexible solids” – a substance that can alter type from a solid to a liquid at ambient or slightly elevated temperatures. Wax is a protective, sacrificial barrier in between your car’s paint and the environment. Carnauba, Montan, and Paraffin waxes are most commonly utilized in the automotive world, however there are synthetic versions.

The first thing to note is that the wax you apply to your car is never ever in its 100% wax form. You’ll frequently see marketing messages that claim a product to be 100% carnauba wax, however this is a little deceptive as it usually describes the wax’s pureness in a specific product. See the image below– this is what 100% carnauba wax appears like in its raw, refined type. As you can see, it’s too hard to be spreadable and supply the protection we’re searching for. To accomplish the wanted result, we have to add solvents in which the wax is soluble. We’ll likewise blend in oils that offer lubrication, fragrances & colorants. By mixing different types of waxes together, we can attain different results like the ease of use, clearness, and color enhancement.

What is a sealant?

The term “sealant” is pretty common. A paint sealant, in the past, has actually been an item that simulates a wax’s qualities however is made from synthetic rather than natural products. As a result, they were a little more robust than wax but still suffered a few of the same shortcomings (prone to high temperatures and car wash soaps).

When it concerns paint protection, both wax & ceramics are described as sealants.

What is a ceramic coating?

A more recent advancement in detailing technology has been ceramic-based paint protection. (You’ve probably heard many terms/names, a lot of commonly ceramic coating, silica, quartz, silicon dioxide, or even SiO2). This new ceramic material acts very differently from wax in that it will create a treating residential or commercial property when applied to a surface area. This treating produces a chemical bond with the surface on which it’s being used, in this case, our car’s paint. Once they’re used & cured, ceramic-based protectants are very resistant to water, soaps, and toxic wastes.

Ceramic protectants (coatings) provide much greater durability than wax. In addition, they resist heat, UV rays, ecological contaminants & harsh detergents better than wax.

On the other hand, wax simply sits on top of the paint’s surface. It does not produce a chemical bond we discover with ceramic coatings.

How do you use wax?

We have some basic tips for best practices if you choose to make use of wax for your paint-protection needs. We recommend using wax (a spray, cream, or paste) with an applicator pad. It’s likewise best to ensure you’re working in a shaded location and that the surface is cool to the touch. Then, working for one panel at a time, use a thin coat of wax with an applicator pad. Allow enough time for the wax to haze, generally 5-10 minutes. After it has hazed, buff the surface area to a beautiful shine with a soft microfiber towel. Repeat the procedure on each panel till you’ve completed the whole car.

How do you obtain ceramic-based paint protection?

This can differ based on the type of coating you’re using. We suggest reading the application directions thoroughly before using any brand name of ceramic protectant. For example, if you’re using Jay’s SiO2-based ceramic coating, Radiant’s application is similar to a detailing spray.

Again, work in a shaded location, then mist the panel with a few sprays of Radiant. Utilizing a soft microfiber towel, distribute Radiant across the entire panel, then turn the towel to the dry side and buff it to a lovely shine. We recommend permitting 30-60 minutes for Radiant to cure & bond with your automobile’s paint. When cured, you’ll have months of hydrophobic water-beading and dust repellency.

When and how often should I use wax or ceramic?

Waxes & sealants are protectants - they should constantly be the last thing you apply to your lorry’s paint. How often depends on the type of driving you to do and the penalty your car’s paint sustains. With wax, a great guideline is once every 4-6 weeks for general-use cars that are parked in a garage or covered. You’ll wish to increase the frequency if you live in an area with overly extreme climate conditions or if the vehicle invests the majority of the time parked out in the components.

Sturdiness and protection length are where ceramics shine (pardon the pun). It can depend on the kind of coating you choose & the conditions your car or truck lives in, however, we usually see 3-4 months of protection from a coating like Radiant! That’s more than double the quantity of time compared to wax. Some coverings even boast years of paint protection, however those can be a little bit more difficult to use, and we ’d recommend seeking advice from an expert if you choose this route.

Regardless of which technique of paint protection you utilize, it’s essential to restate that resilience will vary depending upon your particular storage conditions & the environment your automobile resides in.

For some, it might boil down to the simplest question: Which is much better? Well, it’s honestly up to individual choice. When asked, our first response is common, “How is the car used?”

If you’re headed to a car show or maybe a photo shoot, wax can be an excellent alternative. It offers a warm radiance and depth to your vehicle’s painted surfaces and will protect for a good duration.

If the car is your day-to-day driver, sees lots of time on the road, and maybe gets parked most of the day outdoors while you’re at work – you might desire to consider changing to a ceramic coating for your protection requirements. The ease of use and its low maintenance requires makes it the clear option for cars driven daily.