Is Crystal Coating or Waxing Better for New Cars?
2 Answers
New cars benefit more from crystal coating. Once a new car leaves the production line, its paint surface begins to react with the air and oxidize. Over time, the paint will deteriorate and lose its shine. Applying crystal coating to a new car can slow down the oxidation of the paint surface and maintain its glossy appearance. Here are the benefits of crystal coating: Less prone to corrosion: After crystal coating, the car's surface is isolated from the external environment, making it less susceptible to oxidation by air. It also effectively prevents acid rain from corroding the paint surface, significantly extending the lifespan of the car's paint. Easier to clean: After crystal coating, the car's surface becomes as smooth as ceramic tiles. During regular car washes, simply rinsing with water can easily remove dust, mud, and other debris from the surface. Scratch resistance: Crystal coating reduces damage from external forces to the car's surface. Any scratches will only affect the crystal layer, not the car's paint, and certainly not the primer, even if the scratches are severe.
I remember when I bought my first new car, I also struggled with this decision. Ceramic coating is essentially creating a glass-like crystalline layer on the car's paint surface, which can last for about one to two years. The application process takes most of a day, and shops typically charge around three to four thousand for it. Waxing, on the other hand, is the traditional method where you spend about ten minutes each month applying it yourself. A box of wax costs around a hundred and can last for two to three years. My personal recommendation is if you have the budget and want convenience, go for ceramic coating. However, be aware that some new cars come with factory-applied wax, so it's best to wait about six months before applying ceramic coating. If you enjoy the hands-on aspect of car care, waxing can be more rewarding. Using ceramic coating-specific wash solutions during regular car washes can help extend the protection time.
