Can You Wax After Crystal Coating?
2 Answers
You can wax your car after crystal coating. Here is some information about crystal coating: 1. Crystal coating itself does not have waterproofing functionality; it merely forms a relatively hard film on the surface of the car paint. Waxing, however, can provide a waterproof effect for the car paint. 2. It's important to note that crystal coating has hydrophobic properties, which are sufficient for handling general rainy conditions. Unless the weather is extremely harsh, there is no need to wax your car after crystal coating. 3. If the crystal coating loses its effectiveness, it's best to reapply the coating or wax the car. Methods to determine if the crystal coating has failed: 1. Hydrophobicity test. If the crystal coating is still effective, pouring water onto the car paint surface will result in water droplets forming a lotus leaf or dewdrop effect. If it has failed, the water will stick together in patches. 2. Paint gloss. Crystal coating enhances the gloss, making it more vibrant and bright, with an overall shine that surpasses that of a washed car. If you observe the opposite of these effects and the car surface becomes prone to dirt (easily collects dust), it is highly likely that the crystal coating has lost its effectiveness.
Last time, right after getting my car coated with ceramic, I asked the detailer if I could wax it and got lectured. Ceramic coating is like adding a hard shell over the paint, and you absolutely shouldn't wax it for the first three months after application. The oils in the wax can actually smother the crystalline layer, wasting all that money spent on the coating. If you really want to maintain it, wait until the three months are up and the coating has fully cured—then you can occasionally use a ceramic coating-specific maintenance spray. My neighbor didn’t listen and waxed his car just two weeks after the coating, and now his paint looks hazy.
