Give Your Vehicle A Summer Gleam

Make your summer ride shine from day to night with a fresh coat of wax. But don’t just grab any old wax to achieve that glossy gleam.

Ceramic waxes have gained popularity among car enthusiasts and detailing professionals for their superior ability to protect and enhance a vehicle's appearance. They provide better protection than traditional carnauba and polymer products.

“Carnauba products typically give you a nice glow and offer good protection,” says Mike Pennington from Meguiar’s. “But they also have the least number of protective qualities.”

And while Polymer waxes are a step up from carnauba waxes, Pennington says ceramic-based products give you the best protection.

Ceramic-based products for vehicles have become popular during the past several years. They have made their way into a wide range of uses from painted surfaces to windows.

Pennington outlined the benefits of using ceramic-based products:

Ultimate protection: Ceramic-based waxes and polishes create a durable and protective layer on your car's paintwork. Ceramic waxes chemically bond with your car's paint, providing protection that can last for months, even years. Traditional waxes last half as long.
Durability: Ceramic-based products offer superior durability compared to conventional waxes and polishes. While not completely scratch-proof, ceramic waxes do offer a higher level of resistance to light scratches and swirl marks compared to traditional waxes.
Heat resistance: The ceramic particles used are highly resistant to heat, chemicals, and abrasion. Ceramic coatings can withstand high temperatures without breaking down, maintaining their protective properties even in extreme conditions.
Hydrophobic properties: Ceramic waxes contain exceptional hydrophobic properties, meaning they repel water and other liquids, causing them to bead up and roll off the surface. This keeps your car cleaner for longer while also enhancing its glossy appearance.
Superior shine: One of the most visually appealing aspects of ceramic-based waxes and polishes is their ability to provide a beautiful gloss and depth to your car's paintwork. The unique formula of ceramic waxes helps fill in microscopic imperfections on the surface, creating a smooth and reflective finish that enhances the color and clarity of your vehicle's paint.

Considerations for using ceramic-based products

While a ceramic-based wax helps to achieve that superior showroom shine, eye-catching results come down to technique and timing of the application.

“There is a technique to achieve the high-gloss/shine look for your car,” says Pennigton. “To get the maximum shine and gloss, a pre-wax process is important to ensure you have a smooth and defect-free surface.”

Use a clay bar to create a smooth-as-glass finish before applying wax, Pennington says. Then apply a liquid compound such as a “polish” for optimal gloss and shine.

Using a polish will help remove surface defects such as swirls, stains or oxidation. As an alternative, Pennington suggests using a polish spray for a quick and easy application.

Considerations when using ceramic-based products:

Remove contaminants from the surface of your vehicle to prevent them from getting sealed over by the ceramic wax. If your vehicle surface feels rough to the touch, consider removing contaminants with a clay bar designed for automobile surfaces.
Avoid applying ceramic based products on hot days or in direct sunlight. Droplets of the fluid may dry quickly before you have had a chance to spread it evenly over the surface.
Use a foam or microfiber applicator for spreading ceramic wax and buffing excess off the vehicle surface.
Make sure to read manufacturer’s recommendations. Different products may have special requirements when applying.
Consider using a ceramic-based polish for your vehicle’s wheels to give them long-lasting shine and protect them against corrosive brake dust.

“The most important thing to remember is to always read the directions to be sure and use products the way they are intended for best results,” Pennington said.