Protecting a car’s paintwork is crucial to keep it looking glossy, shield it from the elements, and make it easier to maintain. There are several different options including traditional waxes and sealants, and more advanced ceramic coatings – but which is the best choice? In this guide, we’ll be comparing the properties of waxes and ceramic coatings to help you decide which is right for your vehicle.
What is a Wax?
Waxes are a popular form of paint protection that are easy to use, inexpensive, and readily available. There are several different types of waxes which vary both in terms of their ingredients, and consistency (e.g. liquid or paste).
Many car waxes contain natural waxes (usually carnauba, montan and beeswax), but some are purely synthetic and often referred to as “paint sealants”. Synthetic waxes/ sealants usually contain other chemicals such as silicon dioxide, graphene and fluorine. These chemicals can help to improve the durability, hydrophobicity and chemical resistance.
Waxes can either come in a tin with the consistency of a hard paste, or in a bottle with a liquid consistency. Either way, the wax is applied to a foam applicator, spread across a panel (usually in overlapping circular motions), left to haze, and then buffed off after around 5-10 minutes with a microfibre towel. The process is easy for beginners, but usually needs repeating every 2-3 months.
Some examples of popular car waxes include:
- Bilt Hamber Double-Speed Wax (carnauba-based paste wax)
- Soft99 Fusso Coat (synthetic paste wax)
- Autoglym Ultra High Definition Wax (carnauba-based paste wax)
- Meguiar’s Ultimate Liquid Wax (synthetic liquid wax)
- Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax (carnauba-based liquid wax)
What is a Ceramic Coating?
Ceramic coatings vary considerably compared to traditional waxes and sealants. They are liquid polymers which are applied to the surface using a suede or microfibre applicator. They are then left to “flash” (this usually takes around 10-30 seconds), and then the remaining residue is gently wiped away with a microfibre towel. After application, the invisible layer which has bonded to the paintwork will start to cure and harden. The coating will typically achieve its maximum hardness after around one week.
This invisible layer of protection is harder than conventional clear coat paint, so offers more chemical resistance, and light wash marring resistance to help preserve the paintwork underneath.
Ceramic coatings must be applied to a thoroughly prepared surface which has been decontaminated and machine polished. This is why the process is typically completed by a professional detailer with the training and equipment required to complete the installation correctly.
Instead of lasting for a couple of months like traditional waxes and sealants, ceramic coatings last for several years without needing reapplication.
Some examples of popular ceramic coatings include:
- Gtechniq Crystal Serum Ultra
- Gyeon Mohs Evo
- CarPro CQuartz UK
Comparing the Properties
Now that we’ve been through the basics, let’s take a deeper dive into the properties of waxes and ceramic coatings to assess theie pros and cons.
We’ll be looking at:
- Longevity
- Chemical Resistance
- Application
- Gloss & Appearance
- Maintenance & Ease of Cleaning
Longevity
Ceramic coatings are the undisputed winners when it comes to durability and longevity compared to waxes and sealants. A ceramic coating can last for several years before it needs reapplying, whereas most waxes and sealants typically only last for 2-3 months. This is because waxes are much softer and more easily broken down by environmental contamination and heat.
Here are some examples of brands which offer both waxes and coatings, and the maximum durability claim. Keep in mind that particularly for waxes, the actual durability is usually considerably less than the maximum claim on the packaging. This is particularly true for vehicles driven frequently or stored outdoors. With proper application and maintenance, ceramic coatings can even exceed the estimated durability claim, are rarely fall short of it.
| Brand | Wax | Ceramic Coating |
| Gyeon | Q2 Wax – up to 6 months | Q2 Mohs Evo – up to 4 years |
| Garage Therapy | /Two: Alpha Wax – up to 6 months | /Three: Typhon – up to 5 years |
| Angelwax | Formulation #1 – up to 6 months | Genesis – up to 5 years |
| Soft99 | Fusso Coat Wax – up to 12 months | Qjutsu Pro – up to 2 years |
Chemical Resistance
It will probably come as no surprise that ceramic coatings are far more chemically resistant compared to waxes and sealants. For example, Gyeon Q2 wax has a pH tolerance between 4-9, whereas Gyeon Mohs Evo Coating has a pH tolerance of between 2-11. This means that the coating is capable of withstanding stronger acids and alkalis compared to the wax.
This is because they are significantly harder. This helps shield the paintwork underneath from environmental contamination such as bird poo, tree sap and water spots. It’s important to note though, that coatings are not “chemical-proof” and bird droppings should still be removed as quickly as possible. Otherwise they can still etch the coating within a matter of hours on a hot day. They will however help to protect the paintwork underneath far better than a wax ever could.
Application
One huge difference between waxes and coatings is how they’re applied. Waxes are easy to use, and a forgiving choice for beginners cleaning their own cars on a driveway. Ceramic coatings on the other hand are much more technical and more can go wrong in the process.
For example, if the ceramic coating residue is not completely removed with a microfibre towel after application, it will form a “high-spot” which looks like a smear/ streak. Even just a couple of hours after application, this becomes impossible to remove by just wiping the area, and instead the mark will need to be remove by machine polishing, and in some cases even sanding.
Waxes on the other hand are much more forgiving. You still need to follow the instructions and not leave them on for too long, but they are far easier to remove if any mistakes are made. Waxes can also be applied outdoors (out of direct sunlight), whereas the vast majority of ceramic coatings need to be applied indoors to keep the area free from dust, and so the ambient temperature and humidity is in the correct range to ensure the coating bonds properly.
Preparation is Key with a Coating
The surface also needs to be prepared much more thoroughly before applying a ceramic coating compared to a wax. When applying a wax or sealant, you can simply wash and dry the car, and go straight ahead to applying the product. With a coating, there are far more steps involved such as chemical decontamination, clay barring, and machine polishing. If the surface is not prepared properly, the coating will “fail” and only last a few weeks/ months.
This is why waxes are best suited to DIY application at home, whereas ceramic coatings are typically applied by trained professionals working in a controlled environment to ensure the process goes smoothly.
| Wax | Ceramic Coating | |
| Can be applied outdoors? | Yes | Not recommended |
| Claying and polishing required before application? | No | Yes |
| Easy to fix application mistakes | Yes | No |
| Average prep and application time | 2-3 hours | 1-2 days |
Gloss & Appearance
In terms of the overall finish, both waxes and ceramic coatings can offer a truly incredible appearance. However, it’s very important to recognise that true “gloss” comes from the condition of the paint itself, rather than what’s applied on top.
In order to achieve the best possible condition, the paint should be decontaminated and machine polished before applying the protection. This process deep cleans the paint, and removes swirl marks to achieve a stunning result. With a ceramic coating, machine polishing is a pre-requisite before application, but with a wax it’s an optional step.
Maintenance & Ease of Cleaning
In terms of maintenance, ceramic coated vehicles are easier to clean and stay cleaner between washes. Since coatings are so hydrophobic and oleophobic, they are much easier to wash as the dirt simply doesn’t stick as well. They’re also far more durable so don’t need “topping up” regularly, compared to waxes and sealants which usually need reapplying every couple of months.
Despite being easier clean, it’s important to note that coatings should still be washed regularly – ideally every couple of weeks and no less than monthly. They also will benefit from a chemical decontamination using iron remover, tar remover, and an acidic shampoo every 6 months or 5000 miles to reduce contamination build-up. If a coating is neglected, the performance will diminish over the course of several months, and it will need deep cleaning to restore the properties.
What About Ceramic Waxes & Sealants?
Before we wrap things up, we need to touch on “ceramic waxes and sealants”. These are not true ceramic coatings and do not offer the same protection or durability. Instead, they are waxes infused with a lower concentration silicon dioxide (one of the ingredients of a coating) to help boost the performance. They are still only capable of lasting a few months, but usually offer better performance compared to natural waxes whilst maintaining the ease of application.
If you are looking to get your vehicle professionally ceramic coated, make sure the detailer is using a true ceramic coating, and not a ceramic wax or sealant.
Wax vs Ceramic Coating Summary
Ceramic coatings offer significantly better performance and durability compared to waxes, and are the best form of invisible paint protection available. Waxes on the other hand, are much easier to use for beginners and suit DIY application.
Choose a ceramic coating if:
- You want the most durable protection
- You want the best chemical resistance
- You’re looking for easier maintenance
Choose a wax if:
- You want to apply the product at home
- You like regularly applying waxes
- You are looking for a cheap option
Ceramic Coating in Scarborough
If you’re looking for the best paint protection for your car in North Yorkshire, please visit our ceramic coating service page. We are Gtechniq accredited installers, giving us access to the best professional-only coatings in the industry. We also offer ceramic coating packages to include the wheels and glass for complete protection.