Ceramic coating vs wax vs sealant

All three make a car glossy on the day. The differences show up two months later.

Carnauba wax

A natural product that sits on top of the paint. It gives a warm, deep glow that a lot of enthusiasts prefer on dark colours, it's cheap, and anyone can apply it in an afternoon. It also melts. In an Albuquerque summer, wax on a car parked outside is measured in weeks.

Synthetic sealant

A polymer that bonds more effectively than wax and lasts several months rather than several weeks. It handles heat better and sheds water well. A good middle option for someone who wants protection without committing to a coating.

Ceramic coating

Chemically bonds to the clear coat and cures hard. Measured in years, not months. Much more resistant to UV, chemicals and hard-water etching than either of the above, and considerably slicker — which is what makes washing so much faster.

Side by side

• Longevity — wax: weeks. Sealant: months. Coating: years.
• Heat tolerance — wax is the weakest by a distance, which matters here.
• Chemical resistance — coating clearly ahead; it's the main reason to buy one.
• Ease of washing — coating, and it isn't close.
• Cost and effort — wax is cheapest and needs redoing constantly; a coating is a one-off with proper prep behind it.
• Scratch protection — none of them. That's what paint protection film is for.

Not sure which your car needs? Tell us how it's stored and how often you wash it. Talk to us about coating →