Whether you have a brand new ride or a lifelong clunker, we all want to give our cars a nice protective sealant coating that can promptly spruce up our ride. One of the biggest questions we get asked a lot is what type of sealant is best: ceramic coating or wax. They often get confused for being the same thing; however, they’re both quite different. This blog will go over the difference between ceramic coating and wax to help you determine which is better.
What is Car Wax?
Before we get into the topic, we should first get an understanding of what exactly they are. Car wax is a diverse blend of malleable solids. Malleable solids are a substance that can change form (from a solid to a liquid) at ambient or slightly elevated temperatures. Wax provides protection to your car. It serves as a sacrificial barrier between your car’s paint and the environment.
What is Ceramic Coating?
Ceramic coating is a more recent auto detailing technology that serves the same purpose as was: protection. This new ceramic material differs from wax in the sense that it generates a curing property once applied to the surface. This curing creates a chemical bond with the surface on which it’s being applied on, in this case, the car’s paint. Once they’re applied and cured, ceramic-based protectants are extremely resistant to soaps, water, and of course, environmental pollutants. Ceramic coating is more durable than wax. It resists UV rays, heat, environmental contaminants, and harsh detergents more efficiently.
Pros of Wax
Now that we know the difference between car wax ceramic coating, let’s go over the pros of car wax:
- Environmentally Friendly: wax is a natural substance derived from Copernicia Prunifera Palm tree leaves, making it an environmentally-friendly substance.
- Simple to Use: The application of wax is fairly simple. Learning the process is easy; all that is needed time and labor.
- Doesn’t Require Professional Help: Wax doesn’t require professional help, although, for better results, using advanced car wax application and polishing equipment does produce improved shine and protection.
- Heat Resistant: Car wax is heat resistant, meaning once it’s applied (correctly), it will not wear out due to excessive heat.
- Hydrophobic Properties: Car waxes contain great hydrophobic properties, which means that it resists water well.
Pros of Ceramic Coating
- Great Protection Against UV Rays: Ceramic coating provides an exceptional layer of protection against UV rays, which protects the paint from sun damage and oxidation.
- Long-lasting: Ceramic coating lasts much longer than car wax. While car wax manufacturers suggest reapplying wax once every month, the ceramic coating can be applied once and can last anywhere from 2 to 5 years.
- Highly Resistant to Contaminants: It is highly resistant to natural-occurring debris such as water, mud, acid rain, bug splatters, and bird droppings.
- Hydrophobic Properties: The hydrophobic properties of ceramic coating makes it easier to clean your vehicle. It makes drying your car quicker.
Cons of Wax
While there are several advantages of using car wax, there are some things you should consider, such as:
- Requires Constant Reapplication: Car waxes need to be reapplied every 4 to 6 weeks for the best results.
- A Lot of Work: Correct waxing is a process – requiring you to wash the car first, completely dry it, prep it (sometimes by removing older wax build-up), applying, and then buffing. It is labor-intensive, taking a lot of time, energy, and effort to complete correctly.
Cons of Ceramic Coating
- Detailed Process: The application of ceramic coating is a detailed process that requires the help of professional auto-detailers.
- Pricier: It’s more expensive to purchase that wax
- Time Consuming: The initial application of ceramic coating can be time-consuming
Ceramic coating and wax have their pros and cons, which should be considered before choosing a method. Choosing between the two depends on your budget, your level of personal involvement with the care of your vehicle, and whether you’re willing to invest the time to do it yourself – or pay to have a professional do the job. The one that provides overall better results is ceramic coating, but at the end of the day, it all comes down to your personal preferences. We hope this blog helped you see the differences between ceramic coating and wax. If you are looking for a professional that can take care of all of your auto detailing needs, give Donald’s Automotive Detailing Specialists a call today at (760) 315-2287 or visit our website here.
