Ceramic coating versus wax protection

Over the past few decades, paint protection materials have become much more advanced. Once a traditional wax was the go-to product for protecting your car. Nowadays, detailers can choose from a wide range of protectants from waxes to spray sealants to ceramic coatings. 

Why is paint protection important?

Before getting into the pros and cons of each type of protection, it’s important to understand why your vehicle needs it. Every day your car is exposed to environmental pollutants and contaminants from bird poo to brake dust. Applying a protective sealant protects your car’s exterior from damage, makes your vehicle easier to clean next time and enhances the look of your vehicle giving it a glossy, slick appearance.  

The differences between traditional wax and ceramic coating

Traditional waxes usually come in a paste or liquid form and can be applied by hand or with a dual action polisher. Traditional waxes aren’t just made of wax — they have solvents added to them to make them more malleable. Whether you use a synthetic, carnauba, spray, liquid or paste wax, they work by creating a physical barrier between your car’s clear coat and the outside environment. 

Ceramic based paint protection is a relatively new technology. Ceramic coating, silica, quartz, or silicon-dioxide coatings all fall under the umbrella of a ceramic coating. These materials act differently from traditional wax and create a chemical bond with the surface it’s applied to. The curing makes the coating extremely resistant to rain and pollutants. This high level of durability is also great for protecting your paint job from UV rays and harsh deterrents. 

The pros and cons of each

Waxes are one of the most affordable types of paint protection out there. They’re also usually very easy to use and can be applied by hand or on an applicator pad. Waxes are wonderful for enhancing paint colour and giving your car that glossy, shiny finish you’re looking for.

The major downside of using wax is longevity. To keep your vehicle looking shiny, you'll need to remove and reapply the wax coating every six weeks, give or take. Wax finishes also provide less protection against UV rays and harsh contaminants compared to ceramic coatings.

Ceramic coatings have much higher durability than traditional wax, because of the chemical bond they create with the paint’s surface. While a traditional wax can protect your car for weeks or months, a properly applied ceramic coating protects your vehicle for about a year! 

The downside is that the prep for a ceramic coating is more intense. It can also take up to 24 hours after application to dry and 48 hours to properly cure. It's worth noting that some products can be hard to use. If you’re new to ceramic coatings, you may want to work in small sections until you gain more confidence with the product. 

What ceramic protectant do you recommend?

We like the CarPro Elixir High Gloss Quick Detailer for its ability to quickly deliver a high shine with hydrophobic qualities. For years of protection and for more experienced detailers we recommend the CarPro DQuartz Go Nano Diamon Coating Kit.

When should I apply a wax or ceramic protectant?

No matter what type of protection you want to work with, a wax or ceramic coating is the last thing you should apply to your exterior. Most waxes can last 8-12 weeks before they need to be reapplied. If your car is parked outside most of the time, you’ll need to increase the frequency of applications. 

The durability of a ceramic protectant varies depending on the brand, but many types of ceramic coats last anywhere from a year to 2-3 years depending on the brand and the technique of the application. 

Most of the time, longevity will boil down to how often you use your car, what type of environment you live in and the storage conditions of your vehicle.