What are the differences between coating, glazing, and waxing?
2 Answers
There are two main differences between coating, glazing, and waxing: 1. Differences in product composition and function. (1) Waxing: An earlier method of car care, the main component of wax comes from petroleum. Waxing can remove dirt from the car's paint surface and increase its shine. (2) Glazing: The main component of glaze also comes from petroleum. It is pressed into the car's paint using a special machine, forming a protective layer similar to a mesh. This protective layer helps to block UV rays, prevent oxidation by isolating air, and reduce damage from acid rain and other environmental factors. 2. Differences in the operation process. (1) Waxing: First, the car body is cleaned, then the wax is applied evenly on the paint surface. During the application, residual dirt particles on the paint surface can be ground away, and finally, the wax is wiped off with a dry cloth. (2) Glazing: The car needs to be washed and polished beforehand. After polishing, the paste-like glaze is pressed into the car's paint using a special machine, repeatedly and forcefully, ensuring the glaze fully penetrates the paint.
I'm quite familiar with waxing - it's like putting a raincoat on your car. You can buy a can of car wax for just a few dozen bucks and do it yourself, leaving the paint super glossy with obvious reflections. However, under intense sunlight, the effect fades by half in about two weeks, and after rain washes it away, you basically need to redo it monthly. I've seen professionals at detailing shops perform sealing glaze - they use a polisher to press glaze material into the paint's pores, leaving the body as smooth as glass where regular car wash brushes hardly leave any marks. But since the material is organic, it starts breaking down under UV rays within half a year, requiring regular touch-ups. Ceramic coating is the popular high-tech solution now - liquid glass crystallizes into a hard shell on the paint. My car still shows water beads rolling off effortlessly during heavy rain even after two years. While it's hassle-free, the cost equals about five waxing sessions.
