When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Got a new CA8 coming in a couple weeks want to get ready for the first wax job or is ceramic better want to know what to do old-school wax I know what do I need to know about ceramic
You should paint correct, even a brand new 0 miles car, before applying for maximum performance (mostly durability/longevity) and have good lighting. Without correction it still works, but it will not perform at 100%. Lighting helps you make sure you remove all the high spots. If you leave high spots, product you failed to wipe off, after enough time they won't come off without polishing that spot. After a few hours you can still use more of the coating on the applicator to fix a high spot, but after a few days it's semi-permanent without polishing.
Waxes and sealants, paste or liquid, are still viable offerings. I've tested quite a few and there are great options out there if you enjoy the process. Some people really like applying wax and it's more forgiving if you miss a spot. Also consider some of the new silica spray waxes like the Wolfgang Uber SiO2 Silica Spray, they're near-coatings in that they're more forgiving than a true liquid ceramic and will beat most liquid and paste waxes.
I use Griot's products - starting from new. I prepared the surface with Griot's Synthetic Clay. It replaces the clay bar and is available in a hand pad or for machine. I lubricate surface while using the pad with Griot's Speed Shine. It leaves the surface clean and very, very smooth. I used no polishes. Next was Griot's Best of Show wax. I detail normally with Best of Show Detailer. It can be use in sun or shade. That's it.
Below is my regiment used on my vehicles every fall to help protect over the winter. Just noticed this morning after raining last night how well the water is still beading and Tacoma's finish and is super glossy and still slick as glass after 6 months totally out in the elements through the fall and most of the winter.
Meguiar's make great products.
I am considering each as I pick up my car in a few weeks. Thinking about PPF and Ceramic. Really would love to know what brand really the best is, especially when it comes to Ceramic.
Check out megs hybrid paint coating. It's extremely easy to apply, comes with everything you need (panel prep, towels, applicator, and the coating), claims a year of protection, and can be snagged for ~40 bucks. All of these points make it a great value in my opinion.
Its perhaps a nice middle ground between a traditional wax and a full blown ceramic. There will be no fuss with high spots and the shelf life of leftover product should be much longer than ceramic. One can could do a C8 multiple times.
I have this on a vehicle that lives outside 24/7 and its made it so easy to clean. Its extremely hydrophobic. Someone whose never applied even a wax would have trouble messing this up. Its so easy.
I want to add if you really want to see the difference between wax and ceramic - and this isn't meant to offend anyone who buys and uses ceramic products off the shelf - you should go to a professional shop that does PPF and ceramic coating. Consumers can't get the ceramic products that shops get because the manufacturers require those who buy their products to be certified so they can put a warranty on their product.
A good shop owner should not hesitate to show you the lighting and equipment they use for paint correction. That's a labor intensive process. The shop I use asked me to watch as one of their techs was paint correcting a car the first time I went in there. The owner then showed me how they apply the ceramic and how long they let it sit before a customer picks up their car. They also tell customers not to wash their cars for two weeks after they pick up the car.
I want to add if you really want to see the difference between wax and ceramic - and this isn't meant to offend anyone who buys and uses ceramic products off the shelf - you should go to a professional shop that does PPF and ceramic coating. Consumers can't get the ceramic products that shops get because the manufacturers require those who buy their products to be certified so they can put a warranty on their product.
A good shop owner should not hesitate to show you the lighting and equipment they use for paint correction. That's a labor intensive process. The shop I use asked me to watch as one of their techs was paint correcting a car the first time I went in there. The owner then showed me how they apply the ceramic and how long they let it sit before a customer picks up their car. They also tell customers not to wash their cars for two weeks after they pick up the car.
I use a quality wax (as noted in previous post) because for me its easier, cheaper, and I like the result. And, I keep my car in a garage. I make no claim as to whether or not a professionally applied ceramic will provide a higher gloss than quality wax product. I have assumed that the main promise of ceramic is that it lasts longer and requires less effort to maintain the finish. But for a fair comparison of the visible difference between a ceramic and wax or other off-the-shelf product, the labor intensive paint correction process would need to be included for both finishes.
I've used BLACKFIRE Pro Ceramic Paint Coating Black Edition on five cars including a C7 & C8. Love the results and the 5 minute working time it has. Oldest application is ~3 years old now and water still beads up like it did when first applied.
I’m still slightly confused I’m a do it yourself be a brand new black car I’m trying to protect from really swirl marks in the future, so should ceramic be my choice?
So did you wax with the Maguires and then ceramic with the Maguires or one or the other?
Yes, wash first with the Maguires Wash & Wax, then the Ultimate Liquid wax, then finally over that with the Hybrid Ceramic wax. Takes me about 3.5 hours for the C8, little longer for my other vehicles.
Owning a chain of auto part stores for 16 years, I've tried about everything as manufacturer's always sending me samples hoping I would take on their products.
I've found my above process to be the quickest, easiest and most cost effective way for getting the most gloss, protection and longevity.
I’m still slightly confused I’m a do it yourself be a brand new black car I’m trying to protect from really swirl marks in the future, so should ceramic be my choice?
Black I would ceramic. I’ve done my black c6 ZO6 using Armor Shield. One of the best/easiest DIY ceramics out there.
Ceramic. And actual ceramic coating bonds with the clear/paint and hardens it, non-reactive to chemicals that would normally damage paint, and also doesn't hold any static charge so less dust sticks to begin with. Almost nothing beats a fresh quality wax job. But I've never seen anything out perform a 10 year multi-layer ceramic coating. Just the wind/air on the car during driving will remove any pollen or dust you collected while parked. Most of the home kit, ceramic wax stuff is not the same, doesn't work the same way.
Ceramic. And actual ceramic coating bonds with the clear/paint and hardens it, non-reactive to chemicals that would normally damage paint, and also doesn't hold any static charge so less dust sticks to begin with. Almost nothing beats a fresh quality wax job. But I've never seen anything out perform a 10 year multi-layer ceramic coating. Just the wind/air on the car during driving will remove any pollen or dust you collected while parked. Most of the home kit, ceramic wax stuff is not the same, doesn't work the same way.
I see (from a quick search) that some professionally applied finishes are "guaranteed" for 5 years or lifetime. Do they requires some periodic inspection or maintenance to keep that warranty in force?
I did a paint correction and Armor shield ceramic coating on my C8. It was pretty easy but it took an entire day to do it right. If I had to do it today I would go with Armor Shield Lite because it’s an easy spray on coating that is as easy to use as any other spray on protectant. I really like the spray on ceramic protectants that are available today and I don’t think I will ever use wax again.
I’m still slightly confused I’m a do it yourself be a brand new black car I’m trying to protect from really swirl marks in the future, so should ceramic be my choice?
I'm of the opinion that protecting it from swirls is a function of your wash technique, not the protection you choose to use on the clear coat (not counting PPF here). Black paint will show every single defect. Is it too late to change your color? Just kidding, but black is the most unforgiving color to maintain. Its absolutely stunning when its freshly polished and clean however.
If someone provides data that indicates otherwise, I'm open to change this opinion. Coatings use a "pencil hardness scale". I'm familiar with Mohs hardness scale, but have no clue how this would compare. A finger nail on the Mohs hardness scale is 2.5 for reference. Anything under that will scratch from a finger nail. The pencil scale I have no real world reference for.
This industry really reminds me of the fitness industry - its difficult to distinguish whats marketing hype vs. actual science.
I see (from a quick search) that some professionally applied finishes are "guaranteed" for 5 years or lifetime. Do they requires some periodic inspection or maintenance to keep that warranty in force?
Technically yes but I have yet to find a reason to take any of my coated vehicles back to the shop that coated them. My C7 was four years old when I sold it and when the guy driving the truck/enclosed trailer came to pick it up to take it to it's new owner he told me that he hadn't seen a car that clean except when new. All he transported were high end cars.
Wax or ceramic
