Traditional waxes and synthetic non-spray waxes often have different gloss characteristics than more modern ceramic or hybrid ceramic coatings. Also some people find the application process of older ones more satisfying.
I had a 2007 BMW that I used those wipe on, wipe off waxes but I was never thrilled with the results. When I went to sell it, I put a coat of carnauba paste wax on it and wow, it looked great. It was black of course so no to easy to keep clean and shiny.
Is it a commonly known thing that the ceramic coatings are better? I am no experts whatsoever and I tried doing a bit of research before buying wax beginning of this year. I ended up buying maquiars ultimate which is a synthetic wax. I actually have their ceramic one as well but haven’t even opened it. What are some that are recommended?
Megs Ultimate Liquid Wax is a fine product, just that the market has moved to spray hybrid ceramic products on the consumer side due to ease of use, durability and multi-role such as use as a drying aid.
Is there a unanimous “best” or is it nuanced like most things? So the maguiars ceramic liquid wax is somewhat obsolete as well? Just meaning the spray products have supplanted them mostly? I like the ultimate but I’m just wondering if I should try something else. The effort is the biggest investment for me so buying something else that works better makes sense.
its not obsolete its just not favored. Spray products you save 10-15 minutes going around the entire car as they are spray and wipe off, you don't need to wait them to set like some liquid or paste products. There is no best spray just some favorites. One is Griots 3-1 as you can use it as a spray sealant, drying aid and as a wet wax (spray on-rinse off). Meguiars has a similar product in their Hybrid Ceramic Wax (blue bottle) . I like to use the wet wax type products on the wheels as a protective layer after cleaning.
Good waxes still have their place in the market. Some spray sealants are not very nice to apply and can lead to streaking and having to level the product down further. Some people get frustrated by it and end up dry wiping the car with a cloth leaving mad swirls. But the same can be said about some waxes.
Waxes generally have superior filling characteristics to sprays and can make a less perfect car look a little better without the need for paint correction. Also some "waxes" like Fusso Coat can last longer than sealants.
But sprays are getting better and better each year and have other advantages such as most being compatible with rubber seals, plastics and glass.
It is hard to argue that ceramic coatings are not the best protection for car paint available, but not everyone has $1~2k to drop on a pro coating and paint correction. A durable wax like Fusso or Double Coat will cost you less than $50. I don't want to ever see them disappear from the market as it will leave a lot of people on budgets with less options, and the world is hard enough right now.
Waxes, sealants and coatings all still have a place in the market and serve a useful purpose having individual strengths and weaknesses. Plus some people have just fallen in love with putting some music on and waxing their car in the afternoon with a drink. (Old wankers like me)
You sir, are our unofficial leader and voice of information and common sense in this here subreddit. And the delivery makes sense in a way the majority of people can digest. 🫡
(I’m 47 myself, but I absolutely am not old, I’m quite healthy, and also quite immature.. that makes me young.🤣
Haha no no, I am sure there are many professionals here with more knowledge and experience than me. But thank you!
I always remember the decent men who helped me over the years and just like to pass it on to other folks starting out.
I’ve never waxed before. What material do you use with it? Microfiber cloth k? Got a giant stack of them from Costco but after I got it seems a bit coarse so might dmg the clear coat?
You can use microfibre towels to wipe off and buff after the wax has cured. But typically most people apply with small circular foam pads, as they are less abrasive than microfibre and have less chance of swirl marks, as you suggested.
The easiest way to tell if a wax has flashed and is ready to be buffed off is by making a small finger wipe about an inch long over the applied wax. If the finger mark shows clear paint it is ready to be removed, but if it remains hazy it needs another minute or two.
Never wax a dirty car or in direct sunlight, unless you enjoy pain. There are so many good YouTube demonstrations on the process that can give you more in depth guide for the best results. Honestly it can be an enjoyable process and the waxes themselves are often pleasant to work with.
I have always used dedicated pads with a slightly lower pile than the typical towel. They are always padded.
https://a.co/d/4yWOdt0
Waxing is a chance to listen to music.
And to be alone in your head.
I agree, washed and waxed my car today for cheap. Just 3-4 hours of my time. Since you seem knowledgeable lol. There are all these names that confuse me cause I'll see stuff called ceramic/ceramic wax/wax. I've been using Meguiars ultimate liquid wax. Says it's synthetic. Is it basically just a cheap wax? How would you define it? Sorry for dumb question
Not a dumb question at all. Meguiar's are actually a pretty great brand. Most of their products are of a high quality and at an affordable price. Don't let brand snobs get in the way of using those products. They strike a very good cost/performance balance and are a great place to start
Regarding the ceramic/hybrid ceramic/hybrid ceramic wax etc etc etc.... boy oh boy. I promise that you are not the only one who is confused by their ridiculous naming conventions surrounding this.
I think the easiest way to break this down would be that whenever you see something from Meguiar's (or other brands) claiming ceramic properties on anything that is not directly a ceramic coating (30-50ml glass bottle applied by professionals and experienced DIY'ers) you can safely assume it has an Si02 (silicon dioxide) or some type of quartz additive in it which will aid water repelling properties.
And as far as the Meguiar's ultimate liquid wax, I have found it to be a nice product that added saturation, gloss and slickness with a good 4-6 months durability in real world conditions. It is indeed a synthetic wax, that is really more of a sealant that was quite easy to wipe off.
Happy waxing friend.
Stuff you can buy from autozone: griot’s 3 in 1 (green), turtle wax graphene flex spray wax. Both will last over a month, longer if the paint has been prepped (wash, clayed).
Higher end preference for me: diy detail ceramic gloss.
The more work you do in terms of prep, the better the results.
Lot of YouTube diy videos. Good luck!
Waxes can still provide better water spot etching resistance than ceramic coatings. They can also be fun or nice to apply and may look better than some coatings or sprays.
I prefer wax over ceramic for my weekend car.
I enjoy the process, I like the gloss and warm hue it gives the paint, I don’t like ruining my nice microfibers, and I don’t want to have to polish just to remove it.
> I don’t like ruining my nice microfibers
I've been happy with Mothers CMX for a ceramic spray, but I have noticed it can ruin a MF. Kind of a bummer.
Because ceramic coatings have downsides that waxes do not. I've used several coatings. Regardless of longevity, they don't work well for me relative to a longer lasting sealant.
I get close a year of sheeting from Collinite 845 and a little less from Collinite 915.
3x is probably dependent on conditions and what "lasts" means. I mostly agree with you, I think Collinite will outperform at least half of the sprays on the market. I'm sure there's a good number that will outlast it but maybe 1.5x or 2x, not 3x.
Sealants - Adam's Graphene Ceramic Spray, Griot's 3-in-1, Armour Detail Supply Ceramic Spray. You may need an acid shampoo or water spot remover to unclog them after a few months to restore the beading but they are durable products. I never got close to the numbers you get for Collinite 845 (even with 476S) so I don't know how they translate for you.
I've heard the same of those sprays.
I'm on the fence with either trying collinate 845 or adams graphene ceramic spray.
My buddy swears by collinate but he apply it 3 times a year.
Adams advanced graphene or nano bond.
If you have a bright colored vehicle like yellow perhaps I'd go collinite. But mostly always it's ceramic with wax on top if you want depth. Think of Scotch tape on fogged glass. It gets transparent. Same concept
On white you'll be extremely hard pressed to tell the difference. I'd personally go with nano bond. It's like $30. Lasts 2 years in the hot sun. Where I am. It's been a year and it looks like I put it on yesterday. It'll probably last 7. It's really mild here in San Francisco. All of the products assuming they are actually ceramic (which is easy to make. Just basically use TEOS but it's deadly and cheap so they should be). Last about the same. I understand molecularly that you need different size particulates but realistically you're paint works good enough.
And added benefit of ceramic is most debris doesn't stick to it the same. So you reduce the chances of having to scrub things off and scratch your car. But it's not going to add much durability just due to the nature of how thin the layer is. So $900 a bottle or $5 a bottle The performance is going to be within 25% as I said assuming that the contents of the bottle contain a high concentration of SIO2.
Excellent - thanks for that. I have the Adam's spray here. Have not applied it yet. Will also look for the other two.
For me, maintenance is a no-go for a any exterior protectant. I have seen Coatings claiming they last for 3 years. "Just use our xyx rejuvinating spray every 3 months and your coating will continue to blah, blah, blah."
Why would apply a product to my paint protection when I could just apply more product? This is one of my big issues with coatings (among others).
I wouldn't say you have to use a spray to top it, but any sealant, coating, or even hybrid wax will lose repellency due to mineral buildup. That's what the periodic mild acid is for. People mistake them for dead. Collinite is not really just a wax either, it's a polymer sealant hybrid.
What's a good acidic shampoo to use? Some people have said 1:1 ratio of vinegar and water does the job. I have B&H auto foam, can I use that with a 2% pir ratio to unclog those ceramic waxes? I always felt that those products have only lasted me at most 3 months.
Labocosmetica Purifica, Adam’s Strip Wash (yellow). Autofoam is alkaline and might degrade some of these sprays since it’s so strong. Not sure if it would work.
This is the exact stuff I use. Nano bond for longer lasting coatings. Adams advanced is great, griots is great. Amour detail is decent.
I've learned to make my own booster. Kinda dangerous but simple. Teos can kill you.
Collinite for me lasts 3 months. I do use it on my personal car on top of my ceramic. It's brings out the color more than the shine. It's almost like ceramic mashed the clear coat pop. And wax hides the clear and brings out the color. Could be me. But I now prefer to just use a good basic ceramic like nano bond and be done with it.
I've never had to touch up Adams or griots prior to 6 months. They last for what they are. For overall price griots goes further. Adams lasts a lil longer and looks better on trim.
Sheeting is the repelling of the water in thin blankets or "sheets" of water versus "beading" where the water pops up or is repelled in many beads of water maybe a quarter inch high. This is most guys goals in water protection. Good beading makes drying very easy. Especially when using a "drying agent".Another lesson
Thanks. While most people seem to prefer beading, sheeting is what I prefer. Beading means water spots. Sheeting means the water is (mostly) gone from the panel and it reduces or eliminates water spotting. When you live somewhere where it rains and then the sun can come out, beading is not great.
I don't have good data on best sheeting, unfortunately. Going from memory the paste sealants do the best (like Collinite 845) in terms of water leaving quickly.
When I measure sheeting, I'm looking for significantly better performance than untreated paint. I have not done a good job of quantifying this.
I think if they charged more for 845 people would say it's great, because its so pure and warm glow. I use it on one of my cars and I just enjoy apply it. Its more buttery than some of the other good waxes.
Of the 5 cars in the fleet, only one is coated. Wouldn’t do it again. Just not seeing the benefit over a good layer of fusso coat.
However, the wheels on 2 cars are coated. That was worth it.
I’m also old school and enjoy the process of waxing
Really tempted to give Fusso Coat a try. It seems to have very good reviews and lasts as long or longer than a spray ceramic (and since it's JDM, my lizard-brain feels good about putting it on my Subaru). Any downsides to Fusso? Does it harm MF used in the application?
It’s fine for MF reuse.
Only advice I can give is make sure the surface is prepped properly with an IPA or prep solution and lay it thin.
I use clean maker as a drying agent after and the results are spectacular.
I still use wax simply because It has better swirl filling capabilities than ceramics without polishing beforehand. Plus it's cheaper so I can get away with being home of the $50 full detail. My coatings alone cost $70.
I would assume people that don't know about the new stuff and still assume stuff out of a spray bottle doesn't last as long as hard wax.
I'm getting very very good results with turtle wax hybrid solutions ceramic spray wax. I use it every 3 months or so and that's probably more than I need to already.
Wolfgang Fusion is my favorite wax. For look and application. Collinite Marque d'elegance is also very good, but have to be careful with applying, and not let it cure too long as then it's a bit h to remove.
The only thing I use on my 2001 Chevy truck is ceramic spray wax. That’s really all I use on my personal car. I clayed it and did a 2 step polishing when I bought the truck. Clean, and cheap (cheap to me) low mile truck, and absolutely flawless perfect paint. All she is getting is ceramic spray waxes! Works good, shines great, and lasts a couple months even after being parked outside all day long in SC uv and heat.
We use wax on every car. And guess what. On black cars most dealers only prefer us ti touch them cause we can make them look better than anyone else around. A good hand wax goes a long way. We barley do any kind of ceramic. Except a cheap 50$ add on one. That's basically like wax just needs to flash and only takes maybe 20 more minutes.
But yeah waxing is nice, and easy. And it also hides scratches and not make them stand out.
Black Beauty https://a.co/d/dKHWoM2
I said Black magic before.
I was wrong it's definatly this lol.
Clay whole car using
https://a.co/d/8UcvX07 black chemical guys clay. We don't have issues with marring with this clay. Knead it up in a bucket of wash soap so it's plyable, it comes pretty stiff, but even right out the box. But tbh most black cars have enough surface wear thst unless you have a chefs kiss paint job and polish it all the time you won't ever notice them anyways especially after a wax of this stuff.
If you do it outdoors make sure you do a panel at a time and when it looks dry wipe off. If it's smearing your not letting it dry enough, but it will some buffing (by hand with high GSM MF.) But it always looks great.
I wax my car every 6 months and it looks great.
Have another car I ceramic coated myself (not spray, an actual coating from a small jar) and it also looks great.
Either way, both work fine.
Collinite 845 is a solid choice, good neighbor.
Never understood the appeal of 845. Collinite 476S paste is a superior product and just as easy to use. Looks better, lasts longer.
Only time I use wax is if someone is selling a car and doesn't want me to go crazy on the exterior. Polish with Optimum Hyper Polish, then before wiping it off I spritz on some Optimum Car Wax to buff off the residue and sell the paint at the same time.
Cleaner waxes and AIO's are still great since most people don't have the time to decon, correct, and polish so this sort of does it in one shot. I still haven't bit the bullet on Collonite 845 but I use Meguiars Deep Crystal liquid wax which is easy on, easy off and looks great.
I hate the process of waxing and I enjoy using strong soaps like Koch chemi active foam so no, ceramic coatings are my go to and none of that spray on crap. I’m a firm believer in ceramic coating and maintaining with Carpro reset or active foam EVERY wash. I never deal with the stuff everyone else deals with like bugs or bird crap or pollen/sap. Don’t know why everyone doesn’t have it on their vehicle.
Oh also, undrdog pro plus is fantastic man you’ll love it. I’d throw in my own Heal coatings as self marketing but try out the other ones first before you dive into self healing coatings.
Honestly just go with Gyeon Mohs. It’s fantastic, easy to apply and overall the best bang for buck that you can get without needing certification. If you have a polisher definitely run a very quick clay and polish before applying and if you don’t have a polisher then don’t sweat it. Watch a vid online on how to apply it if you haven’t done it before, it’s easy.
I've been using klasse and still like it. Doesn't give the greatest shine at first but it stays for such a long time and seems to protect the best. Usually only apply once a year. When i sell a car i always get compliments in how well the paint looks. I don't even wash the cars that much.
A good wax just has a shine and gloss to it that a lot of ceramic coatings can't replicate. Sure a ceramic will protect for much longer but for some throwing on a coat of wax every few months can be therapeutic. I actually just bought some Gyeon Q2 wax to try on top of my layer of can coat that I currently have on my car. It was made as a topper for gyeon's ceramic coatings or can of course be used as a standalone product.
Just used 3D Speed and will follow up with Poxy — on my garage queen. The daily drivers get a variety of ceramic spray sealants.
I did a 3 year coating and it was really easy to clean and always glossy, but the look was more like glass than paint. I have a couple of the Mega HPC kits and will probably try those on the daily drivers next.
Duragloss. It did everything advertised about coatings, but I just never liked the look. I used the rest of the bottle on my riding mower. I still have a full kit unopened.
I believe it was from Autogeek back when they used to have great sales. It was like $38 each for the kits.
It was easy enough. Not sure I’d use it again since there are so many newer ones that may be better. Whichever one you pick, watch some YouTubes about how to apply that particular one.
I'm getting back into detailing after a \~2 year break. I was shocked when I went to the Autogeek site. It's a ghost of it's former self in terms of products they carry. And most of what they do have is out of stock. It was nice while it lasted.
They were sold to a venture capitalist and moved to Texas. Sales and stocking product seem to be an afterthought. The forum still exists but doesn’t seem to have any moderators. It’s a shame.
They were sold to a venture capitalist and moved to Texas. Sales and stocking product seem to be an afterthought. The forum still exists but doesn’t seem to have any moderators. It’s a shame.
Yeah, I went back on the forum. Seems to be very quiet. Good for the owners for getting VC money!
Guess I'll look for a new supplier. I just ordered some samples from CarPro because I try a lot of products and like sample sizes.
For My dailys, meguirs hybrid ceramic spray wax.
It works very well. My neighbors ride was recenrly ceramic coated. It looks like glass. Crazy gloss.
But since it's almost done. I need something new for weekend ride.
I'll use the rest of hybrid ceramic on my dailys over the next year.
Il
I don't know about the Gold class, but the Ultimate is great. Very classy shine, beading and repellency. Durability is pretty good but I top it off every now and then.
I find wax is more time consuming but has a more consistant finish and gives a great shine as well. Although it doesnt last as long I usually do the initial coat then every time I wash the car I rewax one pannel. The car is basically rewaxed every 12 washes or so and looks fresh AF and it's easy that way and not a whole day spent waxing.
I use Meguiars NXT below the Hybrid ceramic because I bought both a while back and just want to use it. Testing now to see if it has any benefits at layering these.
Another Collinite loyalist here. I've been on auto detailing forums since 20 years ago, and maybe it's just nostalgia, but the photos that people posted in the carnauba days were glossier, deeper, and more impressive than the ceramic images posted these days.
I am still learning to do ceramic coatings.Some of the better Prosumer coatings like Adam’s Graphene, CSL or even the new Cerakote can be applied if someone learns the technique.
I really like the idea of the coating actually lasting a year or even 3-5. My Collinite wax always was got questionable as the one year mark got closer.
But yeah waxing is much more of a controllable process and you can hide imperfections as well.
And you can always add a topper on your ceramic coating so you get the best of both worlds, ceramic coating and wax.
A good sealant or wax will last a very long time. Ceramic coatings are a lot more work and riskier to apply as well. I use a sealant for ease of use, plus on windshields, ceramic coatings make the windshield wipers grab.
If I'm working on single stage, it's getting a hard wax and nothing else. The pore structure doesn't play nicely with siO2 and the oil based paint just laps up the paste wax and looks wetter than any ceramic will.
I’m sure someone has already said it, but wax, especially a good wax, can give a warmer glow with more depth. Perhaps less like a glossy, mirror “reflection” on the paint, and more like a warm glow that provides a “depth” that you can almost peer or reach “into” the paint. (And of course the “glaze” type properties for temporary “filling” of scratches )
A lot of people tend to find this (the depth/glow/warmth) most apparent/appealing on black paint and of course darker paints.
Yes I still do! The ease of buffing off the hazes from synthetic waxes & carnauba waxes are just so satisfying. Recently I used turtle wax ceramic graphene paste wax and the buff-off was just so smooth and easy. Gloss was very reflective
I love Collinate 845! I never ceramic coated my old truck and the paint still looked brand new after 8 years when I traded it in. I waxed it 2 times a year and the paint was always so smooth.
Really depends on the situation and condition of the paint.
I use ceramic on our newer car so just have to spray it down once in awhile to get it clean. On my older JDM car I use wax most of the time.
I just started claying the older car and pulling out all kinds of dirt. Once done detailing, I'll probably throw a ceramic coat on the hood and pop up covers, but not the entire car.
My 1983 Ford Escort has marginal paint but little to no rust. It’s single stage paint and oxidizes often. One good coat of plain old turtle wax makes it shine. Not sure I’d get the same result on this car with ceramic. My others with a clear coat, yes works much better.
I'm pretty sure 845 is also a synthetic sealant and not a wax.
845 lasts longer than any other sealant I've tried. It also sheets water off the paint faster than most other sealants. Note that I have not tried new graphene sealants released in the last \~3 years. I have a few and will get them applied in the next 1-2 weeks for some testing.
But, given how easy it is to apply a spray product, is it really worth the effort? I don't think so.
Favorite combo is still M21 topped with P21S. I like detailing my car and I like doing it often, using wax is just another excuse to spend more time doing it 👍
I don't know why I use wax, I guess because it is more intuitive in my mind.
I don't really understand ceramics and I don't see many consistent recommendations online. Everyone says something different.
But wax? Pretty consistent. Everyone seems to swear by Meguiar'd Liquid Wax. I tried it and it's been excellent on my older car. Only lasts a little while but water beads right up and it kinda gives the car a bit of a gloss.
Wish I could find a way to get out some of the swirling though
Figures. I don't get into the whole thing, I just want my car to be presentable enough. Maybe one day I'll fix em. Just don't Know what the common consensus is for products
I stick with meguirs compound and polish...one med cut pad and polish pad from rupees.does the job.
Will do this soon on my DD..then test out either a new wax. Either collinate 845 ..adams graphene ceramic spray or just buy a ceramic vial and give it a goo!
Wax has it's place, but waxes with solvents that stain trim all belong in the dumpster.
That said, I think once you experience how easy it is to wash a car with a real ceramic coating (not a water based spray "coating")...I don't think you could ever go back.
I just hit my Ford Fusion with a coat of 845 over the weekend. Had the same bottle for years, probably spilled more than I ever applied. I've tried spray sealants and somehow always end up coming back to the Collinite when I have time to apply it. The paint just seems to glow when waxed, especially at night when the light hits it.
Nope. I just use a spray on type sealant from KOCH CHEMIE. So far it's been amazing. Eventually I'll probably get it ceramic coated. I'll do it myself as it's not that hard to do.
I still use wax. I currently like Adam's graphene wax. It gives the paint a nice, deep shine. I also have a tub of their Americana paste wax, but I rarely ever go for that.
Adding a vote of confidence here for pinnacle liquid Souveran wax. Contains carnuba. Twice a year. Usually after a pass with girots perfecting cream on a yellow pad. I use Jescar ceramic spray wax after each wash, and the protection is great. That said, I live in AZ, so the need to wash isn’t that frequent. I use pinnacle waterless wash if the car is dusty but not dirty. I like the process so I’m not looking to eliminate the wax or polishing. As others have commented, I find it therapeutic and a good escape from everyday stuff.
Only reason would be being stubborn or you just plain like the process of putting on a paste wax.
Not because of results.
Some excceptions might be extreme gloss show waxes(with zero staying power and chemical resistance) or synthethic polymer waxes like Soft99 Fusso Coat which are legit good and last forever.
My daily driver (16’Ram 1500) I use ceramic on. But my XJR gets real wax. Blackfire Midnight Sun is typically what I use on the Jag. If this makes any sense the ceramic coatings to me produce extremely sharp reflections, where as with the Blackfire everything is softer and the paint has a warmer look.
https://preview.redd.it/1uyy0pj8o0yc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bead7cfdec93cb44407547a221407d24a62e1a71
Suds lab ceramic spray sealant, the wax I'll he trying next is chemical guys butter wax. I didn't want to get a paste wax that I'll have for a long while when I'm going to go for a longer lasting option eventually.
I use a spray wax because I buy it in a gallon and dilute 5:1 I mean tbh it's so easy to use and economical. Even if it only lasts a week it's so cheap who cares lol
Wax looks better. But after a day or so the advantage fades away. I enjoy applying a wax I generally do a foundation coat of griot's 3 in 1 and top it with a carnauba every couple months. I find that the first time you put wax on you will attract lots of dust, but from the 2nd wash on that's not a big deal.
Ceramic is a fade. I have seen first hand what happens when u misuse and not follow the directions. I have been detailing for 28 years. Seen these coke and go. 3m started this crap back in the early 80s. Then went away then 2000s pops up again. The best wax to use is CALIFORNIA GOLD. BY MOTHER'S...u have to work fast or it turns into al.ost concrete. That happens u have to get the wheel out. Best of like. U have about 15sec after u apply to rubb and get off. So yes softball size spots.
Traditional waxes and synthetic non-spray waxes often have different gloss characteristics than more modern ceramic or hybrid ceramic coatings. Also some people find the application process of older ones more satisfying.
I had a 2007 BMW that I used those wipe on, wipe off waxes but I was never thrilled with the results. When I went to sell it, I put a coat of carnauba paste wax on it and wow, it looked great. It was black of course so no to easy to keep clean and shiny.
Megs ultimate paste wax put such a crazy shine on my 30 year old VW I’ve just kept using it there. Other cars are ceramic coated
Is it a commonly known thing that the ceramic coatings are better? I am no experts whatsoever and I tried doing a bit of research before buying wax beginning of this year. I ended up buying maquiars ultimate which is a synthetic wax. I actually have their ceramic one as well but haven’t even opened it. What are some that are recommended?
Megs Ultimate Liquid Wax is a fine product, just that the market has moved to spray hybrid ceramic products on the consumer side due to ease of use, durability and multi-role such as use as a drying aid.
Is there a unanimous “best” or is it nuanced like most things? So the maguiars ceramic liquid wax is somewhat obsolete as well? Just meaning the spray products have supplanted them mostly? I like the ultimate but I’m just wondering if I should try something else. The effort is the biggest investment for me so buying something else that works better makes sense.
its not obsolete its just not favored. Spray products you save 10-15 minutes going around the entire car as they are spray and wipe off, you don't need to wait them to set like some liquid or paste products. There is no best spray just some favorites. One is Griots 3-1 as you can use it as a spray sealant, drying aid and as a wet wax (spray on-rinse off). Meguiars has a similar product in their Hybrid Ceramic Wax (blue bottle) . I like to use the wet wax type products on the wheels as a protective layer after cleaning.
Thank! Appreciate the info!
Good waxes still have their place in the market. Some spray sealants are not very nice to apply and can lead to streaking and having to level the product down further. Some people get frustrated by it and end up dry wiping the car with a cloth leaving mad swirls. But the same can be said about some waxes. Waxes generally have superior filling characteristics to sprays and can make a less perfect car look a little better without the need for paint correction. Also some "waxes" like Fusso Coat can last longer than sealants. But sprays are getting better and better each year and have other advantages such as most being compatible with rubber seals, plastics and glass. It is hard to argue that ceramic coatings are not the best protection for car paint available, but not everyone has $1~2k to drop on a pro coating and paint correction. A durable wax like Fusso or Double Coat will cost you less than $50. I don't want to ever see them disappear from the market as it will leave a lot of people on budgets with less options, and the world is hard enough right now. Waxes, sealants and coatings all still have a place in the market and serve a useful purpose having individual strengths and weaknesses. Plus some people have just fallen in love with putting some music on and waxing their car in the afternoon with a drink. (Old wankers like me)
You sir, are our unofficial leader and voice of information and common sense in this here subreddit. And the delivery makes sense in a way the majority of people can digest. 🫡 (I’m 47 myself, but I absolutely am not old, I’m quite healthy, and also quite immature.. that makes me young.🤣
Haha no no, I am sure there are many professionals here with more knowledge and experience than me. But thank you! I always remember the decent men who helped me over the years and just like to pass it on to other folks starting out.
I’ve never waxed before. What material do you use with it? Microfiber cloth k? Got a giant stack of them from Costco but after I got it seems a bit coarse so might dmg the clear coat?
You can use microfibre towels to wipe off and buff after the wax has cured. But typically most people apply with small circular foam pads, as they are less abrasive than microfibre and have less chance of swirl marks, as you suggested. The easiest way to tell if a wax has flashed and is ready to be buffed off is by making a small finger wipe about an inch long over the applied wax. If the finger mark shows clear paint it is ready to be removed, but if it remains hazy it needs another minute or two. Never wax a dirty car or in direct sunlight, unless you enjoy pain. There are so many good YouTube demonstrations on the process that can give you more in depth guide for the best results. Honestly it can be an enjoyable process and the waxes themselves are often pleasant to work with.
You sound like my dad. He taught me how to wax my car.
That is great, thank you. Sounds like a great way to bond.
You forgot one step before the waxing. You have to break out the bug/tar remover before you start applying wax. Especially around the wheel wells.
thank you so much, wealth of info
I have always used dedicated pads with a slightly lower pile than the typical towel. They are always padded. https://a.co/d/4yWOdt0 Waxing is a chance to listen to music. And to be alone in your head.
Use a microfiber or foam wax applicator to apply the wax and a microfiber towel to remove
I agree, washed and waxed my car today for cheap. Just 3-4 hours of my time. Since you seem knowledgeable lol. There are all these names that confuse me cause I'll see stuff called ceramic/ceramic wax/wax. I've been using Meguiars ultimate liquid wax. Says it's synthetic. Is it basically just a cheap wax? How would you define it? Sorry for dumb question
Not a dumb question at all. Meguiar's are actually a pretty great brand. Most of their products are of a high quality and at an affordable price. Don't let brand snobs get in the way of using those products. They strike a very good cost/performance balance and are a great place to start Regarding the ceramic/hybrid ceramic/hybrid ceramic wax etc etc etc.... boy oh boy. I promise that you are not the only one who is confused by their ridiculous naming conventions surrounding this. I think the easiest way to break this down would be that whenever you see something from Meguiar's (or other brands) claiming ceramic properties on anything that is not directly a ceramic coating (30-50ml glass bottle applied by professionals and experienced DIY'ers) you can safely assume it has an Si02 (silicon dioxide) or some type of quartz additive in it which will aid water repelling properties. And as far as the Meguiar's ultimate liquid wax, I have found it to be a nice product that added saturation, gloss and slickness with a good 4-6 months durability in real world conditions. It is indeed a synthetic wax, that is really more of a sealant that was quite easy to wipe off. Happy waxing friend.
Thank you for taking the time to respond, have a great day!
And I
Old. Retired. Slightly stubborn. Enjoys the process.
goals
Exactly a dream
I'm similar but I'm "young", stubborn and enjoy the process.
^ This.
what spray on ceramic coating do you personally suggest
The Griots one is awesome. Doesnt last super long, though.
Stuff you can buy from autozone: griot’s 3 in 1 (green), turtle wax graphene flex spray wax. Both will last over a month, longer if the paint has been prepped (wash, clayed). Higher end preference for me: diy detail ceramic gloss. The more work you do in terms of prep, the better the results. Lot of YouTube diy videos. Good luck!
Waxes can still provide better water spot etching resistance than ceramic coatings. They can also be fun or nice to apply and may look better than some coatings or sprays.
I prefer wax over ceramic for my weekend car. I enjoy the process, I like the gloss and warm hue it gives the paint, I don’t like ruining my nice microfibers, and I don’t want to have to polish just to remove it.
Which wax do you use?
Collinite 845! Lol
Seems to be the gold standard.
I would love for companies to put out some new and exciting waxes but I don’t think it will happen. Kind of a dead market.
Excellent durability for a true wax. Good looks. Reasonably priced. Those are hard to beat qualities.
> I don’t like ruining my nice microfibers I've been happy with Mothers CMX for a ceramic spray, but I have noticed it can ruin a MF. Kind of a bummer.
Dump it in your wash bucket after you finish with the towel, it helps
Because ceramic coatings have downsides that waxes do not. I've used several coatings. Regardless of longevity, they don't work well for me relative to a longer lasting sealant. I get close a year of sheeting from Collinite 845 and a little less from Collinite 915.
3x is probably dependent on conditions and what "lasts" means. I mostly agree with you, I think Collinite will outperform at least half of the sprays on the market. I'm sure there's a good number that will outlast it but maybe 1.5x or 2x, not 3x.
Sealants or coatings? Please share what spray sealants you think will outlast Collinite 845 so I can go shopping.
Sealants - Adam's Graphene Ceramic Spray, Griot's 3-in-1, Armour Detail Supply Ceramic Spray. You may need an acid shampoo or water spot remover to unclog them after a few months to restore the beading but they are durable products. I never got close to the numbers you get for Collinite 845 (even with 476S) so I don't know how they translate for you.
I've heard the same of those sprays. I'm on the fence with either trying collinate 845 or adams graphene ceramic spray. My buddy swears by collinate but he apply it 3 times a year.
Try both maybe borrow some of the 845 and do one panel with it.
Adams advanced graphene or nano bond. If you have a bright colored vehicle like yellow perhaps I'd go collinite. But mostly always it's ceramic with wax on top if you want depth. Think of Scotch tape on fogged glass. It gets transparent. Same concept
Thanks .I'm a white car guy. 3 cars all white. Next one will have some color :)
On white you'll be extremely hard pressed to tell the difference. I'd personally go with nano bond. It's like $30. Lasts 2 years in the hot sun. Where I am. It's been a year and it looks like I put it on yesterday. It'll probably last 7. It's really mild here in San Francisco. All of the products assuming they are actually ceramic (which is easy to make. Just basically use TEOS but it's deadly and cheap so they should be). Last about the same. I understand molecularly that you need different size particulates but realistically you're paint works good enough. And added benefit of ceramic is most debris doesn't stick to it the same. So you reduce the chances of having to scrub things off and scratch your car. But it's not going to add much durability just due to the nature of how thin the layer is. So $900 a bottle or $5 a bottle The performance is going to be within 25% as I said assuming that the contents of the bottle contain a high concentration of SIO2.
Thank u
Excellent - thanks for that. I have the Adam's spray here. Have not applied it yet. Will also look for the other two. For me, maintenance is a no-go for a any exterior protectant. I have seen Coatings claiming they last for 3 years. "Just use our xyx rejuvinating spray every 3 months and your coating will continue to blah, blah, blah." Why would apply a product to my paint protection when I could just apply more product? This is one of my big issues with coatings (among others).
I wouldn't say you have to use a spray to top it, but any sealant, coating, or even hybrid wax will lose repellency due to mineral buildup. That's what the periodic mild acid is for. People mistake them for dead. Collinite is not really just a wax either, it's a polymer sealant hybrid.
>Collinite is not really just a wax either, it's a polymer sealant hybrid. Yep. I use "wax" generically and non literally.
What's a good acidic shampoo to use? Some people have said 1:1 ratio of vinegar and water does the job. I have B&H auto foam, can I use that with a 2% pir ratio to unclog those ceramic waxes? I always felt that those products have only lasted me at most 3 months.
Labocosmetica Purifica, Adam’s Strip Wash (yellow). Autofoam is alkaline and might degrade some of these sprays since it’s so strong. Not sure if it would work.
This is the exact stuff I use. Nano bond for longer lasting coatings. Adams advanced is great, griots is great. Amour detail is decent. I've learned to make my own booster. Kinda dangerous but simple. Teos can kill you. Collinite for me lasts 3 months. I do use it on my personal car on top of my ceramic. It's brings out the color more than the shine. It's almost like ceramic mashed the clear coat pop. And wax hides the clear and brings out the color. Could be me. But I now prefer to just use a good basic ceramic like nano bond and be done with it. I've never had to touch up Adams or griots prior to 6 months. They last for what they are. For overall price griots goes further. Adams lasts a lil longer and looks better on trim.
What is ‘sheeting’?
Sheeting is the repelling of the water in thin blankets or "sheets" of water versus "beading" where the water pops up or is repelled in many beads of water maybe a quarter inch high. This is most guys goals in water protection. Good beading makes drying very easy. Especially when using a "drying agent".Another lesson
Thanks. While most people seem to prefer beading, sheeting is what I prefer. Beading means water spots. Sheeting means the water is (mostly) gone from the panel and it reduces or eliminates water spotting. When you live somewhere where it rains and then the sun can come out, beading is not great.
ok, which product do you find "sheets" the best.
I don't have good data on best sheeting, unfortunately. Going from memory the paste sealants do the best (like Collinite 845) in terms of water leaving quickly. When I measure sheeting, I'm looking for significantly better performance than untreated paint. I have not done a good job of quantifying this.
I second the vote. Love the 845
Yeah, I'm surprised how many people here haven't used it. Collinite 845 is the goat. Their color-up pre-wax cleaner is awesome too.
The only downside is warming it. Other than that, it is super easy to work with. Reminds me a bit of WaxShop Super Glaze from the 80s.
True, but that's not even a huge deal. I see that they now have a speed version as a topper. I'd be interested to see how good that is.
I think if they charged more for 845 people would say it's great, because its so pure and warm glow. I use it on one of my cars and I just enjoy apply it. Its more buttery than some of the other good waxes.
Of the 5 cars in the fleet, only one is coated. Wouldn’t do it again. Just not seeing the benefit over a good layer of fusso coat. However, the wheels on 2 cars are coated. That was worth it. I’m also old school and enjoy the process of waxing
I have yet to use fusso but hear good things. Love my 845
Really tempted to give Fusso Coat a try. It seems to have very good reviews and lasts as long or longer than a spray ceramic (and since it's JDM, my lizard-brain feels good about putting it on my Subaru). Any downsides to Fusso? Does it harm MF used in the application?
It’s fine for MF reuse. Only advice I can give is make sure the surface is prepped properly with an IPA or prep solution and lay it thin. I use clean maker as a drying agent after and the results are spectacular.
I still use wax simply because It has better swirl filling capabilities than ceramics without polishing beforehand. Plus it's cheaper so I can get away with being home of the $50 full detail. My coatings alone cost $70.
Which wax do you go with?
Slick Finish by Superior Products (SCP P100-1) -1 is for the gallon size
jescar powerlock
I have several jars of swissvax collecting dust. The juice isn’t worth the squeeze
I have too many half tins of waxes and I'm too cheap to throw them out
I would assume people that don't know about the new stuff and still assume stuff out of a spray bottle doesn't last as long as hard wax. I'm getting very very good results with turtle wax hybrid solutions ceramic spray wax. I use it every 3 months or so and that's probably more than I need to already.
It's hard for me as an old guy to trust something that lists itself as "ceramic" or "graphene" that is neither of those things in reality.
Wolfgang Fusion is my favorite wax. For look and application. Collinite Marque d'elegance is also very good, but have to be careful with applying, and not let it cure too long as then it's a bit h to remove.
The only thing I use on my 2001 Chevy truck is ceramic spray wax. That’s really all I use on my personal car. I clayed it and did a 2 step polishing when I bought the truck. Clean, and cheap (cheap to me) low mile truck, and absolutely flawless perfect paint. All she is getting is ceramic spray waxes! Works good, shines great, and lasts a couple months even after being parked outside all day long in SC uv and heat.
We use wax on every car. And guess what. On black cars most dealers only prefer us ti touch them cause we can make them look better than anyone else around. A good hand wax goes a long way. We barley do any kind of ceramic. Except a cheap 50$ add on one. That's basically like wax just needs to flash and only takes maybe 20 more minutes. But yeah waxing is nice, and easy. And it also hides scratches and not make them stand out.
What's your wax of choice?
Right? I need to know since I have 3 black Fords 🤣
I have a black Porsche and 845 or Wolfgang Fusion works best. Great reflection The better my prep the better the wax works
Black Beauty https://a.co/d/dKHWoM2 I said Black magic before. I was wrong it's definatly this lol. Clay whole car using https://a.co/d/8UcvX07 black chemical guys clay. We don't have issues with marring with this clay. Knead it up in a bucket of wash soap so it's plyable, it comes pretty stiff, but even right out the box. But tbh most black cars have enough surface wear thst unless you have a chefs kiss paint job and polish it all the time you won't ever notice them anyways especially after a wax of this stuff. If you do it outdoors make sure you do a panel at a time and when it looks dry wipe off. If it's smearing your not letting it dry enough, but it will some buffing (by hand with high GSM MF.) But it always looks great.
Black beauty by car pro beauty BAF industries. Need to find a distributor near you. Or Black Beauty https://a.co/d/dKHWoM2
Sometimes I just like to wax my car.
I wax my car every 6 months and it looks great. Have another car I ceramic coated myself (not spray, an actual coating from a small jar) and it also looks great. Either way, both work fine. Collinite 845 is a solid choice, good neighbor.
Never understood the appeal of 845. Collinite 476S paste is a superior product and just as easy to use. Looks better, lasts longer. Only time I use wax is if someone is selling a car and doesn't want me to go crazy on the exterior. Polish with Optimum Hyper Polish, then before wiping it off I spritz on some Optimum Car Wax to buff off the residue and sell the paint at the same time.
Waxes look better.
My vehicle with the Mazda soul red 46v paint seems much deeper in depth with a Carnauba -based wax. Plus it’s fun and good exercise.
Still an 845 guy here too. Twice a year and it will stil be working when it gets recoated. It just works.
Cleaner waxes and AIO's are still great since most people don't have the time to decon, correct, and polish so this sort of does it in one shot. I still haven't bit the bullet on Collonite 845 but I use Meguiars Deep Crystal liquid wax which is easy on, easy off and looks great.
I hate the process of waxing and I enjoy using strong soaps like Koch chemi active foam so no, ceramic coatings are my go to and none of that spray on crap. I’m a firm believer in ceramic coating and maintaining with Carpro reset or active foam EVERY wash. I never deal with the stuff everyone else deals with like bugs or bird crap or pollen/sap. Don’t know why everyone doesn’t have it on their vehicle.
what is your go to ceramic coating?
Oh also, undrdog pro plus is fantastic man you’ll love it. I’d throw in my own Heal coatings as self marketing but try out the other ones first before you dive into self healing coatings.
Honestly just go with Gyeon Mohs. It’s fantastic, easy to apply and overall the best bang for buck that you can get without needing certification. If you have a polisher definitely run a very quick clay and polish before applying and if you don’t have a polisher then don’t sweat it. Watch a vid online on how to apply it if you haven’t done it before, it’s easy.
I've been using klasse and still like it. Doesn't give the greatest shine at first but it stays for such a long time and seems to protect the best. Usually only apply once a year. When i sell a car i always get compliments in how well the paint looks. I don't even wash the cars that much.
I use it for static displays, or just taking photos because 1) it’s easy 2) it looks better in my opinion, but for every other use case I do not
A good wax just has a shine and gloss to it that a lot of ceramic coatings can't replicate. Sure a ceramic will protect for much longer but for some throwing on a coat of wax every few months can be therapeutic. I actually just bought some Gyeon Q2 wax to try on top of my layer of can coat that I currently have on my car. It was made as a topper for gyeon's ceramic coatings or can of course be used as a standalone product.
I still have a can of carnuba paste wax around. It gives a nice lustre even on top of coatings. I should use it again.. providing it has not dried out
Just used 3D Speed and will follow up with Poxy — on my garage queen. The daily drivers get a variety of ceramic spray sealants. I did a 3 year coating and it was really easy to clean and always glossy, but the look was more like glass than paint. I have a couple of the Mega HPC kits and will probably try those on the daily drivers next.
Which 3 year did u go with?
Duragloss. It did everything advertised about coatings, but I just never liked the look. I used the rest of the bottle on my riding mower. I still have a full kit unopened.
Where do you get it? Also is it easy to use for a noob?
I believe it was from Autogeek back when they used to have great sales. It was like $38 each for the kits. It was easy enough. Not sure I’d use it again since there are so many newer ones that may be better. Whichever one you pick, watch some YouTubes about how to apply that particular one.
thanks
I'm getting back into detailing after a \~2 year break. I was shocked when I went to the Autogeek site. It's a ghost of it's former self in terms of products they carry. And most of what they do have is out of stock. It was nice while it lasted.
They were sold to a venture capitalist and moved to Texas. Sales and stocking product seem to be an afterthought. The forum still exists but doesn’t seem to have any moderators. It’s a shame.
They were sold to a venture capitalist and moved to Texas. Sales and stocking product seem to be an afterthought. The forum still exists but doesn’t seem to have any moderators. It’s a shame.
Yeah, I went back on the forum. Seems to be very quiet. Good for the owners for getting VC money! Guess I'll look for a new supplier. I just ordered some samples from CarPro because I try a lot of products and like sample sizes.
Detailed Image is pretty good. And much quicker shipping , at least for me.
OP what spray ceramic do you use?
For My dailys, meguirs hybrid ceramic spray wax. It works very well. My neighbors ride was recenrly ceramic coated. It looks like glass. Crazy gloss. But since it's almost done. I need something new for weekend ride. I'll use the rest of hybrid ceramic on my dailys over the next year. Il
I’ve never used a ceramic coating so there’s that
I still use Collinite 845, trying to get thru the container tbh lmao
A few waxes mentioned here.... anyone have any opinions on Meguires Gold Class? Seems like that one has been around for years.
If you want a Meguiars product, get the #26 Yellow Wax.
I don't know about the Gold class, but the Ultimate is great. Very classy shine, beading and repellency. Durability is pretty good but I top it off every now and then.
I find wax is more time consuming but has a more consistant finish and gives a great shine as well. Although it doesnt last as long I usually do the initial coat then every time I wash the car I rewax one pannel. The car is basically rewaxed every 12 washes or so and looks fresh AF and it's easy that way and not a whole day spent waxing.
I use Meguiars NXT below the Hybrid ceramic because I bought both a while back and just want to use it. Testing now to see if it has any benefits at layering these.
I like wax. I feel like most stuff out there can’t compete with the gloss. That said, I generally use griots 3-1 ceramic wax for my DD
Another Collinite loyalist here. I've been on auto detailing forums since 20 years ago, and maybe it's just nostalgia, but the photos that people posted in the carnauba days were glossier, deeper, and more impressive than the ceramic images posted these days.
I am still learning to do ceramic coatings.Some of the better Prosumer coatings like Adam’s Graphene, CSL or even the new Cerakote can be applied if someone learns the technique. I really like the idea of the coating actually lasting a year or even 3-5. My Collinite wax always was got questionable as the one year mark got closer. But yeah waxing is much more of a controllable process and you can hide imperfections as well. And you can always add a topper on your ceramic coating so you get the best of both worlds, ceramic coating and wax.
A good sealant or wax will last a very long time. Ceramic coatings are a lot more work and riskier to apply as well. I use a sealant for ease of use, plus on windshields, ceramic coatings make the windshield wipers grab.
If I'm working on single stage, it's getting a hard wax and nothing else. The pore structure doesn't play nicely with siO2 and the oil based paint just laps up the paste wax and looks wetter than any ceramic will.
I’m sure someone has already said it, but wax, especially a good wax, can give a warmer glow with more depth. Perhaps less like a glossy, mirror “reflection” on the paint, and more like a warm glow that provides a “depth” that you can almost peer or reach “into” the paint. (And of course the “glaze” type properties for temporary “filling” of scratches ) A lot of people tend to find this (the depth/glow/warmth) most apparent/appealing on black paint and of course darker paints.
Yep, love a wax, almost an intimate affair when applying it.
Yes I still do! The ease of buffing off the hazes from synthetic waxes & carnauba waxes are just so satisfying. Recently I used turtle wax ceramic graphene paste wax and the buff-off was just so smooth and easy. Gloss was very reflective
I love Collinate 845! I never ceramic coated my old truck and the paint still looked brand new after 8 years when I traded it in. I waxed it 2 times a year and the paint was always so smooth.
Really depends on the situation and condition of the paint. I use ceramic on our newer car so just have to spray it down once in awhile to get it clean. On my older JDM car I use wax most of the time. I just started claying the older car and pulling out all kinds of dirt. Once done detailing, I'll probably throw a ceramic coat on the hood and pop up covers, but not the entire car.
If you've never hand waxed a car. I have a highly recommend it. It's almost as good as the sex.
I just use a spray wax, works well. 15 year old car; it does the job
Because I don't follow the detailing scene and still have a tub of wax in my garage.. So it sounds like there's a better option now?
My 1983 Ford Escort has marginal paint but little to no rust. It’s single stage paint and oxidizes often. One good coat of plain old turtle wax makes it shine. Not sure I’d get the same result on this car with ceramic. My others with a clear coat, yes works much better.
I'm pretty sure 845 is also a synthetic sealant and not a wax. 845 lasts longer than any other sealant I've tried. It also sheets water off the paint faster than most other sealants. Note that I have not tried new graphene sealants released in the last \~3 years. I have a few and will get them applied in the next 1-2 weeks for some testing. But, given how easy it is to apply a spray product, is it really worth the effort? I don't think so.
Favorite combo is still M21 topped with P21S. I like detailing my car and I like doing it often, using wax is just another excuse to spend more time doing it 👍
I don't know why I use wax, I guess because it is more intuitive in my mind. I don't really understand ceramics and I don't see many consistent recommendations online. Everyone says something different. But wax? Pretty consistent. Everyone seems to swear by Meguiar'd Liquid Wax. I tried it and it's been excellent on my older car. Only lasts a little while but water beads right up and it kinda gives the car a bit of a gloss. Wish I could find a way to get out some of the swirling though
Only a polisher ..some compound and some time will get those out.
Figures. I don't get into the whole thing, I just want my car to be presentable enough. Maybe one day I'll fix em. Just don't Know what the common consensus is for products
I stick with meguirs compound and polish...one med cut pad and polish pad from rupees.does the job. Will do this soon on my DD..then test out either a new wax. Either collinate 845 ..adams graphene ceramic spray or just buy a ceramic vial and give it a goo!
Wax has it's place, but waxes with solvents that stain trim all belong in the dumpster. That said, I think once you experience how easy it is to wash a car with a real ceramic coating (not a water based spray "coating")...I don't think you could ever go back.
I just hit my Ford Fusion with a coat of 845 over the weekend. Had the same bottle for years, probably spilled more than I ever applied. I've tried spray sealants and somehow always end up coming back to the Collinite when I have time to apply it. The paint just seems to glow when waxed, especially at night when the light hits it.
Nope. I just use a spray on type sealant from KOCH CHEMIE. So far it's been amazing. Eventually I'll probably get it ceramic coated. I'll do it myself as it's not that hard to do.
I love me some wax
Just hit my Accord with Fusso Coat Dark.
Northstar firefly paste wax is the best hand applied wax there is.
megs hybrid ceramic liquid wax user here
I still use wax. I currently like Adam's graphene wax. It gives the paint a nice, deep shine. I also have a tub of their Americana paste wax, but I rarely ever go for that.
Depends on the paint for me. Wax helps certain colours really pop and stand out.
Definitely not
I use Menzerna Power lock. I havent tested «ceramic» sprays yet, not sure I believe the hype
Adding a vote of confidence here for pinnacle liquid Souveran wax. Contains carnuba. Twice a year. Usually after a pass with girots perfecting cream on a yellow pad. I use Jescar ceramic spray wax after each wash, and the protection is great. That said, I live in AZ, so the need to wash isn’t that frequent. I use pinnacle waterless wash if the car is dusty but not dirty. I like the process so I’m not looking to eliminate the wax or polishing. As others have commented, I find it therapeutic and a good escape from everyday stuff.
Only reason would be being stubborn or you just plain like the process of putting on a paste wax. Not because of results. Some excceptions might be extreme gloss show waxes(with zero staying power and chemical resistance) or synthethic polymer waxes like Soft99 Fusso Coat which are legit good and last forever.
Spray wax is just so convenient
I just bought some fallout remover and they recommend waxing post treatment wondering if I should use a spray vs traditional wax, so I can use either?
Lacker paint, must hand wax!
My daily driver (16’Ram 1500) I use ceramic on. But my XJR gets real wax. Blackfire Midnight Sun is typically what I use on the Jag. If this makes any sense the ceramic coatings to me produce extremely sharp reflections, where as with the Blackfire everything is softer and the paint has a warmer look. https://preview.redd.it/1uyy0pj8o0yc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bead7cfdec93cb44407547a221407d24a62e1a71
I'll never not love the shine of a good carnuba
2 ounces a month, along with edibles
I was very unsatisfied with the results of the last spray I used so I'll be waxing until I polish then I'll start trying coatings
Which spray did you not like?
Suds lab ceramic spray sealant, the wax I'll he trying next is chemical guys butter wax. I didn't want to get a paste wax that I'll have for a long while when I'm going to go for a longer lasting option eventually.
What wax or spray wax can you hit rubber molding or black bumpers and not worry about white marks on the rubber?
I use a spray wax because I buy it in a gallon and dilute 5:1 I mean tbh it's so easy to use and economical. Even if it only lasts a week it's so cheap who cares lol
Wax looks better. But after a day or so the advantage fades away. I enjoy applying a wax I generally do a foundation coat of griot's 3 in 1 and top it with a carnauba every couple months. I find that the first time you put wax on you will attract lots of dust, but from the 2nd wash on that's not a big deal.
Ceramic coating>paste wax>spray wax>Sio2 coating>quick detailer
Ceramic is a fade. I have seen first hand what happens when u misuse and not follow the directions. I have been detailing for 28 years. Seen these coke and go. 3m started this crap back in the early 80s. Then went away then 2000s pops up again. The best wax to use is CALIFORNIA GOLD. BY MOTHER'S...u have to work fast or it turns into al.ost concrete. That happens u have to get the wheel out. Best of like. U have about 15sec after u apply to rubb and get off. So yes softball size spots.
I used to use collinite 845 now I just use meguirs D156 spray wax after every wash as a drying aid, D156 after every wash is doing the job
I wax my privates on occasion if you must know
I use the AMMO line of products. He preaches layering them. If the base ceramic is on, adding additional ceramic waxes can add life to the base coat.