Car wax used to be the gold standard is achieving the best looking shine for your car, truck or SUV. Technology has taken car shine to the next level with the invention of ceramic coating for vehicles. Ceramic Pro is the industry leader in ceramics which is why American Dent Specialists chose them to be our exclusive ceramic coatings partner. Ceramic Pro ups our auto detailing game and operates at the high level of quality we pride ourselves on. American Dent Specialists expanded our services from paintless dent repair, hail damage repair and mobile dent repair to include ceramic coating and auto detailing because we strive to be your partner in maintaining the investment in your vehicle long term. Wondering how ceramic coating compares to car wax? Let's take a look at this great blog from Ceramic Pro on the subject:

Does a Ceramic Coating Replace Wax?

It is typically assumed that a nano ceramic coating is a replacement for traditional wax. Although a coating will last about 10 times longer than traditional carnauba wax, it’s not necessarily a replacement. It is, however, a superior option for protecting the substrate or surface where it is applied.

Car wax is generally considered the entry level of paint protection products in the automotive world. The material itself can be infused in many different products including spray on wax, car wash shampoos and conditioners, and even synthetic wax that is added to factory paint sealants.

When it is applied to the car’s clear coat, it will bond on top of the surface, harden, and hold up against exposure to UV rays, light chemicals, road grime, and other contaminants. The expected longevity of automotive waxes can range from one month to a year.

If you are searching for a longer lasting, higher shine producing, and more user-friendly paint protection option, then using a professional ceramic coating is a good replacement for traditional car wax or these new ceramic wax products that are made for extended protection on car paint.

Does Wax or Ceramic Coating Offer Better Paint Protection?

To answer this question honestly, it is important to get down to the basic scientific principles of how each one works to protect a vehicles paint job. The goal of any protection product is to block potentially harmful contaminants or natural elements that can damage the cars factory paint work. The longer the product lasts, and the harder the material is when it has been cured, will usually result in a superior paint protection product.

Natural carnauba wax is derived from a palm tree that originates from the Brazilian rain forests. This natural occurring wax is secreted through the leaves to protect the palm tree from aggressive UV exposure, but allows the tree to absorb life-giving sunlight. Through the years, scientists and automotive chemists have fine-tuned synthetic car wax substances that can replicate the same natural protective qualities, that last longer and are easier to apply.

When any type of wax is applied to surface, it hardens on top, but does not penetrate the minor imperfections that are found with any porous material. Your average paint clear coat is comprised of multiple microscopic peaks and valleys on the car’s paint that can only be seen with advanced microscopic technology. These imperfections are smaller than a human hair but must be filled with a product to truly protect it from exposure.

The traditional car wax does not have this ability. As a result, it simply does not last if a product that can fill these imperfections to provide support and produce a stronger layer of protection. In the paint protection world, applying a nano ceramic coating on a vehicle’s paint is like sticking your feet and legs into the sand as the water is quickly approaching you. It provides added security and strength which reduces the potential of those harsh natural or chemical elements from penetrating the base surface, leading to oxidation, corrosion and eventually rust.