Wax vs Ceramic Coating: Which is Best for Your Car?
Ceramic coatings and waxes are two of the most popular forms of paint protection products. They both aim to make cleaning easier, but the durability, performance and level of protection provided varies considerably between them. In this article, we’ll be comparing waxes and ceramic coatings head-to-head, to help you decide which is best for your car.
Wax vs Ceramic Coating Overview
Ceramic coatings are far more durable and offer significantly better protection compared to waxes. However, ceramic coatings are more expensive, harder to apply, and require more preparation compared to waxes which are easy to use for beginners. Here’s a summary table of the key differences between waxes and coatings.
Property | Wax | Ceramic Coating |
Longevity | 2-3 months | 2-4 years |
Product Cost | £15-£30 | £80-£200 |
Preparation Needed | Basic wash | Decontamination & machine polish |
Ease of Application | High | Low |
Indoor Environment Required | No | Yes |
Chemical Resistance | Low (typically 4-9 pH) | High (typically 2-12 pH) |
In the rest of this guide, we’ll go in-depth and explain exactly what waxes and ceramic coatings are, and the pros and cons of each type of paint protection.
What is a Wax?
Waxes are one of the most traditional forms of paint protection available. First introduced by Simoniz in 1910, they were the only option if you wanted to protect your car for decades. Since their initial introduction, the formulations have changed considerably, with many different types now available.
Waxes can come in the form of a paste (usually in a tin or tub), or a liquid with either a thicker, gloopier consistency, or a loose liquid which can be applied via a spray trigger. Many waxes contain natural ingredients such as carnauba or beeswax, but others are completely synthetic and often referred to as paint sealants.
Application & Preparation
Waxes are applied using a foam applicator, which is used to spread the paste or liquid across the panel. The wax is then left to “cure” which is the process by which it adheres to the paint. It then forms a hazy residue which can be buffed away with a microfibre towel.
Before a wax can be applied, the car needs to be washed and dried. These are the only essential steps, but you can also decontaminate and machine polish the paintwork beforehand to improve the finish.
Properties
The properties of waxes vary depending on the formulation. Most usually offer good water repellence and some filling effects to minimise the appearance of swirls and boost gloss. Waxes are quite soft though, so are easily degraded by heat and environmental contamination such as road salt, traffic film, tree sap and bird droppings.
Durability
Waxes usually last for 2-3 months before they need reapplying. Some waxes can last up to 6 months, but these are much more rare especially if the vehicle is driven frequently or stored outdoors.
Cost
Waxes usually cost between £15 and £30, depending on the brand. Very little wax is needed per application, so it’s not uncommon to get 10+ applications from a single tin.
Examples
Some examples of popular car waxes include:
- Meguiar’s Gold Glass
- Collinite 845
- Soft99 Fusso Coat
What is a Ceramic Coating
Ceramic coatings are a much more technologically advanced form of paint protection compared to waxes. Although ceramic coatings were first developed for use in the aerospace industry in the 50s and 60s, they were only introduced in the automotive industry in the early 00s and popularised after around 2010.
Ceramic coatings are liquids, which when applied to a surface and exposed to air, cure to form a hard protective layer. This helps shield the surface from chemicals, and provides a hydrophobic finish which makes maintaining the car much easier. Coatings are commonly applied to the paint, but can also be applied to the wheels, glass, plastic trim and metal.
Application & Preparation
One of the drawbacks of a ceramic coating, is that the surface needs to be thoroughly prepared before the coating is applied. This involves deep cleaning, decontaminating, machine polishing the paint, and using a panel wipe solution to remove any remaining oils or residues. If any of these steps are missed, the coating will fail and the finish will be poor.
The coating itself is applied to a small area using a suede or microfibre pad. It’s worked over the surface using a cross-hatch pattern, left to bond (this usually takes 10-60 seconds) and then the residue is wiped away with a microfibre towel. If the coating residue is not properly removed, then it will leave a “high spot” which is highly visible and very difficult to remove. This is why coatings are typically applied by professional detailers with experience and training.
It’s also important that a ceramic coating is applied in ideal conditions. This means in a heat and temperature controlled indoor environment. Otherwise, the coating will not bond and cure properly. The coating should also be kept dry for at least 4 hours (in some cases longer) and not washed for at least a week after application.
Properties
Coatings are well known for their slick and hydrophobic finish which not only helps make the car easier to clean, but also keeps it cleaner between washes too. Ceramic coatings are also harder than conventional clear coat paint, so offer some protection against wash marring. It’s still very important to use safe wash techniques though to prevent swirl marks, as coatings are by no means scratch-proof.
Durability
One of the best things about ceramic coatings, is how long they last. With proper installation and maintenance, coatings can last for several years before they need to be applied again.
Cost
Ceramic coatings can be quite expensive. Most coatings cost between £60-£120 per vehicle, but some professional-grade coatings can cost as much as £200. You should also factor in the cost of the preparation and installation service if you’re having your car professionally ceramic coated. Our ceramic coating services start from £370 and include an enhancement machine polish, and 2-year ceramic coating.
Examples
Some examples of popular ceramic coatings include:
- Labocosmetica HPC 2.0
- Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ultra
- CarPro CQuartz UK 3.0
Pros and Cons of Waxes & Coatings
In this next section, we’ll be comparing the advantages and disadvantages of ceramic coatings and waxes across several categories including:
- Level of protection
- Ease of application
- Durability
- Cost
- Maintenance
Level of Protection
Winner: Ceramic Coatings
Ceramic coatings offer significantly better protection against environmental contamination such as road salt, traffic film, and tree sap compared to waxes. As ceramic coatings are significantly harder, they do a much better job at preserving and protecting the paintwork underneath.
Application & Preparation
Winner: Waxes
Ceramic coatings are significantly more time-consuming and technical to apply compared to waxes. When waxing a car, a basic wash will suffice before application, but when using a coating, the surface must be decontaminated, machine polished and degreased beforehand. Waxes are also much more forgiving of application errors and do not require controlled, indoor conditions like coatings do.
Durability
Winner: Ceramic Coatings
Ceramic coatings are far more durable than waxes. Coatings can last for several years before they need to be reapplied – providing the installation process was performed correctly, and the coating is properly maintained by regular washing. Waxes on the other hand, rarely last for more than a few months.
Cost
Winner: Waxes
Waxes are a fraction of the cost ceramic coatings. Most waxes can be purchased for less than £30 and include 10+ applications, whereas most coatings cost between £60 and £200, and usually only include a single application.
Maintenance
Winner: Ceramic Coatings
Ceramic coatings and waxes both need to be maintained in order to get the best out of them, but cleaning a ceramic coated vehicle is an easier process as the dirt doesn’t stick as easily.
Since waxes need reapplying regularly, it can become time-consuming to keep on top of it. Coatings don’t require frequent top-ups and last for many years, but they should still be washed regularly to maintain the performance.
Ideally, a ceramic coated car should be washed every couple of weeks, and no less than once per month. The coating will also benefit from a chemical decontamination every 6 months or 5000 miles to prevent it from getting clogged and losing its hydrophobic properties. We offer a detailing maintenance plan for customers who have previously had their cars ceramic coated by ourselves.
Which is Best for You?
Ceramic coatings and waxes both have their places in the automotive industry, and suit different budgets and requirements.
Waxes are best for car owners looking for:
- A low-cost option
- Beginner-friendly application
- Outdoor application
Ceramic coatings are best for car owners looking for:
- The best level of protection
- Long-lasting protection
- A professional-level finish
Ceramic Coating Options
Whilst some ceramic coatings can be purchased by the general public, if you’re looking for the best finish and performance, you’ll want to go with a professional-grade ceramic coating. These offer more durability, chemical resistance, and hardness compared to consumer-grade alternatives.
The process of ceramic coating also requires specialist knowledge and tools, in order to prevent beginner-errors such as high spots and inadequate preparation.
As ceramic coating installers based near Edinburgh and Glasgow, we have access to professional-grade coatings including:
We offer the choice of several different packages to suit different budgets and requirements. Please visit our ceramic coating service page for more information.
Ceramic Coating Near Edinburgh & Glasgow
Here at Machine Polishing – Central Scotland, we offer premium ceramic coatings and paint correction services. We’re proud to be accredited installers of Pyramid Car Care’s Trinity Lifetime and Labocosmetica’s professional-only Ceramic Coatings.
