Ceramic - Spray Wax

All silica or quartz-based ceramic coatings (such as those found in our products Ceramic Spray Wax, Aqua Coat Hydrophobic Rinse Aid, Lavish Ceramic Foam, Caramics Gloss Enhancer, Caramics Enhancing Shampoo, Wash 'n' Gloss, and our flagship Caramics Protection Kits), use a layer of chemically bonded silicon dioxide (SiO2) to create a barrier between the surface and the elements that’s impermeable to water and only possible to remove by abrasion. In all their forms, and regardless of their durability, ceramic coatings are intended to add the hardiest protection to surfaces and, although they’re also designed to level the optical finish of paintwork and vinyl (including paint and powdercoat on wheels) - allowing light to bounce back to the eye more uniformly to make the finish appear deeper and glossier - the glass-like layer they install is not intended to hide underlying paint defects. So, when it comes to full paint decontamination and paint correction, the application of coating will still be effective with regards to physical protection, gloss and water beading without carrying out these processes, but you will not correct or obscure any defects already in the paintwork. This is why we always recommend carrying out any swirl mark or other defect removal, along with surface cleansing, prior to application of any protection layer (ceramic, wax or sealant) if you’re not completely happy with the condition of your paintwork. Especially when using a product intended for the most extreme durability such as our Caramics Paintwork Protection Kit, which installs a coating that lasts for up to a year. For maintenance washes, where SiO2 products are used to top up previously applied ceramic protection, we would assume that any paint correction necessary would have been carried out before the initial application of the coating. For preparing the surface for your coating, it's essential to use a product that doesn't contain waxes or fillers that will block the adhesion of the coating, such as our Revitalise System V2 Compounds and One Step All-in-One Compound. For the full rundown on the science of ceramic coatings and how they work see our article – What Difference Does A Ceramic Coating Actually Make.

Whether you choose to utilise Glisten Spray Wax or Ceramic Spray Wax will depend on the durability and hydrophobic performance of the protection you’re looking for, and if there’s any previously applied protection layers already on your paintwork. Both products are super-speedy ‘spray and wipe’ finishers that have been developed to quickly install a hardy, hydrophobic layer (along with added gloss), and both are designed for use on clean paintwork and vinyl wraps. These products can also be used for stand-alone protection, or to extend the life of other coatings, but Glisten is a wax emulsion-infused formula designed to add up to 4-weeks protection, while (as the name suggests) Ceramic is basically a ceramic coating in a bottle, capable of installing protection with a durability of up to 3-months. The difference is that, being a wax finisher, Glisten can be used to add more protection over waxes, sealants and ceramic coatings, whereas Ceramic is designed purely for topping up ceramic protection. Ceramic Spray Wax is so-called because it’s a coating that acts like an easy-to-use spray wax. This is actually a Si02 (Silica) based product that, technically speaking, doesn’t contain a natural wax infusion – the silica here takes care of installing an ultra-hydrophobic, long-lasting barrier that chemically bonds instantly to paintwork or other ceramic coatings. Ceramic is not designed for use over a previously-applied wax, because the wax already on the surface will essentially block the chemical bonding process needed for a ceramic coating to adhere. A wax however physically bonds – it holds on – so it can attach itself to any wax layer, sealant or fully-cured ceramic coating, without any interference.

The great thing about silica-based (SiO2) ceramic coatings is that they’re specifically developed to help your vehicle look better for longer. The hardy protection layer they install is essentially chemically bonded silicon dioxide, which is like glass, so it smooths the surfaces enough to prevent water molecules and grime from bonding. Regardless of application to paint, glass, vinyl or any other exterior surface, this is why they bead to the extreme and offer the longest lasting protection of any product. What’s most important here is that grime will sit on top of the ceramic layer rather than sticking, and this makes cleaning easier. But it’s still important to carry out safe maintenance to stop heavy grit and grime from being rubbed in and abrading the coating and the paintwork, causing the infliction of defects. Using coating-friendly pre-wash products, such as Citrus Power Bug and Grime Remover and Avalanche Snow Foam will also prevent damage to coatings because they don’t contain harsh acidic or alkaline cleaning agents that may etch into the top layer. It’s the same story for the shampoo you use in your two-bucket wash. Lather Car Shampoo is a great choice as it will never damage previously-applied coatings, but alternatively you can use Wash 'N' Gloss Car Shampoo or our Caramics Enhancing Shampoo to actively top-up and prolong the life and performance of your SiO2 coating as you wash paintwork, glass and all other exterior surfaces. Other products that are great for topping up during routine maintenance include Aqua Coat Hydrophobic Rinse Aid, Lavish Ceramic Foam, Caramics Gloss Enhancer, Caramics Glass Cleaner and Ceramic Spray Wax. When it comes to paint correction, all you have to remember is that Si02 coatings have to be allowed to chemically bond to the topcoat or lacquer layer, so it’s crucial to use a compound or a polish that doesn’t contain any waxes or fillers, because these extra layers will block the chemical bonding process. For paint correction, polishing and refinement before adding a coating, we’d recommend using products that only reveal a true finish, such as One Step All-in-One Compound, or our Revitalise System V2 Compounds (which are also available separately). Don’t forget that SiO2 coatings are extremely durable and can only be fully removed through abrasion, this means that polishing your vehicle using any abrasive after applying a ceramic coating will remove the Si02 layer, meaning that reapplication of protection will be required after you polish. For more on how to prepare a car for a ceramic coating, see our guide – Detailing and Ceramic Coating a New Car.