High-End Coatings

Now I love waxes... and have used them all of my life. A wax gives your paint a rich, deep and warm complexion. But waxes don't last very long.

Sealants are more durable. They're made from synthetic ingredients and provide longer protection. You can apply a wax on top of a sealant to get the best of both worlds.

But the longevity of waxes and sealants pale in comparison to ceramic coatings.

I resisted ceramic coatings at first because of the expense and the complex application. A do-it-yourself kit contains a small jar to coat an entire car. If you mess up--you'd have to order another kit.

But I'm getting ahead of myself...

If you're like me you know that after washing and waxing your car, it becomes the target of every bird, bug and tree. Pollen, honeydew, sap, bug juice, a misguided sprinkler head and bird poop... they're all taking aim at your car. And if you procrastinate in cleaning some of these contaminants, they can become extremely tough to remove.

Slowly I began discovering how easy ceramic coatings were to clean, how shiny they made your car look and how long they can bead water. And slowly, coatings made more sense. The benefits may very well justify the cost.

Here's a comparison chart from Dom Colbeck's book...

The big secret to paint protection and durability is being slippery. If your car's finish is slippery, contaminants will have a tougher time sticking to your car's surface. Today's answer to raising and maintaining the slip factor is a quality ceramic coating.

Waxes and sealants still have their place in my car care arsenal. A little protection is better than no protection. But if you're looking for maximum protection, a quality ceramic coating right after paint correction might be what you're looking for.