That’s the age-old question ever since nano-ceramic coatings have been invented for cars. The auto industry sees around $3 billion in revenue from auto paint maintenance and care products annually, so it’s not surprising to hear this question asked everywhere. The trend is huge, and there’s no doubt a lot of people seem to be doing it and some even encouraging it.
But is it okay to do it? Well, you definitely CAN. However, that doesn’t mean you should. Car experts, not product marketers, would know better — and none of them say applying wax of ceramic coats is a good thing. Here’s why.
Wax vs Ceramic Coating: What’s the Difference?
Wax is a rather old-fashioned way of protecting the car’s body, but with the introduction of 9H ceramic coating to vehicle care procedures, the former has become obsolete.
Wax paste typically lasts around six months before it wears off and you have to do it all over again. Meanwhile, a ceramic coat can last a lifetime, provided you stick to your yearly inspection schedule. The trick to ensuring that your nano-coatings last as intended is to keep them clean and free from any harmful contaminants and debris.
Now the thing about wax coatings is that while they do provide an extra layer of protection for your ceramic coat, they can be more detrimental than helpful in the long run. Wax contains a lot of greases, natural oils, and sticky components, but these things also tend to attract the likes of dust, dirt, pollen, and tree sap. This eventually leads to a dirtier car and possibly more maintenance and service work in the future.
What Happens to Ceramic Coats if They Aren’t Protected?
Ceramic coatings are slick and sturdy, often boasting of their self-cleaning capabilities. Their special material makes it very difficult for debris and dirt to stick to the surface, no matter how persistent. However, ceramic coats still need to undergo routine checkups every year.
Why is this so? Although 9H coats promise lifetime protection, contaminants can still build up on the surface, which might lead to swirling if not prevented. In addition, the microscopic particles and acids from bird droppings and bug guts can still eat away at your coating even after they’re washed and wiped off.
Washing is a great way to maintain a clean surface, though you will still need to go for your annual scheduled checkups, just to be sure.
Pros and Cons of Applying Car Wax on Ceramic Coating
There are many things that ceramic coatings can do that traditional wax coats can’t.
9H ceramic coats are excellent in terms of UV protection, stain resistance, oxidation resistance, scratch and stain resistance, gloss, durability, and all-surface protection.
Meanwhile, wax coats are pretty good at giving gloss, though not as shiny as a ceramic coat. They also provide okay-level stain resistance, durability, and all-surface protection.
In short, all the advantages point toward 9H ceramic coats as the better option to taking care of your car’s body by a mile.
What’s the Better Alternative to Using Wax?
This is an oft-asked question, especially as most car owners are made to believe that double decking your car makes it extra protected. The thing is, 9H ceramic car coatings are engineered to work as they are made, so adding an extra coat over them is largely unnecessary. Anybody who’s trying to convince you to add another coat of wax or anything else is simply trying to sell you something.
Overall, the practical and smart choice would be to go for ceramic coatings and stick to it. It might be a bit more pricey than wax coats, but that also translates to an investment for the long term. By choosing 9H ceramic car coatings, you rid yourself of the need to keep needing to go for maintenance work every five months or so.