Lets Talk Waxes, Sealants, and Ceramic Coatings!!!
So unfortunately, paint protection is a topic that is very opinionated and very misinformed to the public. So I will do my best to describe it and inform you guys to the best of my knowledge.
Waxes such as carnauba wax have an incredible level of deep gloss and shine mainly on dark-colored vehicles. But their tested durability against the elements is about 3-months. Carnauba wax, has been slowly fading away and being replaced by many ceramic produts, but still has a place in the detailing industry. But mainly more for show car purposes. The other negative thing about Carnauba besides durability is that if you get on plastic trim it will turn white on the plastic and is stubborn to remove.
Sealants, also known as synthetic waxes are engineered in labs and produced to give the paint job of a car some shine and durability of about a 6-month range. The other benefit besides longer durability is that if it gets on the plastic trim it won't stain the plastic, making it easy to apply and remove, unlike carnauba wax. Now here's where the confusion starts with all these ceramic products in consumer stores, ceramic coatings, and graphene coatings.
True ceramic and graphene coatings will come in a 3-5 ounce glass bottle and will cost between $50-$80+ depending on the company. Those types of coatings take a lot more prep the car, and patience to apply. They have an extremely high level of shine, and durability, and have what's called water beading properties. These type of coating can last longer than any wax or sealant. The only drawback of true coatings in my personal opinion is that you have to maintain a little more and use the same brand products as the coating you use to maintain the vehicle. Which can become costly, instead of just going to any big box stores and picking up any random car soap and washing the car. You could do that but I personally prefer to stick to the coating brand that I decide to use.
Now if we are talking about your local products in your local stores that have the word ceramic, or graphene slapped onto them, then those are not true ceramic/graphene coatings. They are misleading the public with products that are just sealants with a DASH!!! of ceramic or graphene ingredients and calling them coatings.
As to which one you should get? It all depends on how much you love your vehicle, how much time and money you have to maintain them, and/or if you want to spend as little time as you can washing and protecting it. Above, I have explained the level of shine and durability the wax and sealants provide. The ceramic/Graphene products you see claim to have at least nine months to 1 year of durability. So if you want to spend less time cleaning your car, I would either go with a sealant or a sealant with ceramic/graphene properties. Now I still recommend at least washing the vehicle every quarter of the year for every season change and putting more of whatever product you decide to use. But if you are obsessed with maintaining it then the more the better!!!
At the bottom of this post, I have listed links to the types of materials I talked about on this topic for your personal convenience:
o Meguiar's Gold Class Carnauba Wax
o 3D Montan Butter Car Wax/Sealant
o CARPRO CQUARTZ UK 3.0 - Ceramic Coating
Disclaimer: Due to factors beyond the control of Oh My Auto Detailing, Beginner Detailing, & Esau Cotto Jr, we cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Oh my auto Detailing, Beginner Detailing, & Esau Cotto Jr. assumes no liability for property damage or injury.
