What are the differences between waxing, crystal coating, and film coating?
2 Answers
The differences between waxing, crystal coating, and film coating are: 1. Different working hours: Waxing takes about 20 to 30 minutes; crystal coating takes about 5 hours; film coating takes about 3 hours. 2. Different maintenance durations: Waxing lasts about 15 days; crystal coating can last about 3 years; film coating can last about half a year to a year. 3. Different material compositions: The main component of waxing comes from petroleum; crystal coating is composed of a dense and stable high-molecular inorganic substance; film coating consists of glass cellulose, silicon polymer, fluorine polymer, and non-petroleum environmentally friendly materials with high-purity water.
I often wax my car at home, thinking it's the simplest method—just apply some wax and polish it with a cloth. It gives a good shine and is inexpensive; a bottle of wax costing around twenty yuan can last half a year. However, waxing offers short-term protection. If it rains frequently, the effect can wear off in just a month, and it tends to attract dust. Ceramic coating is a whole different story. It's like spraying a transparent hard shell, requiring professional equipment or strong light for curing, and it's much more expensive, costing a few thousand yuan per application. But it's scratch-resistant and can last over a year or two, making daily car washing easier. Paint protection film is somewhat similar to ceramic coating but not entirely the same. Some shops describe it as a liquid coating, which can be confusing. It excels in stain resistance but has a durability between waxing and ceramic coating. Overall, if you enjoy DIY and want to save money, go for waxing. If you prefer a long-term solution, ceramic coating or paint protection film is recommended.
