autogeekonline car wax, car care and auto detailing forum Autogeek on TV
car wax, car care and auto detailing forumAutogeekonline autogeekonline car wax, car care and auto detailing forum HomeForumBlogAutogeek.net StoreDetailing Classes with Mike PhillipsGalleryDetailing How To's
 
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 12
  1. #1
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    90
    Post Thanks / Like

    Do Coatings Provide MORE Gloss than Sealants or Waxes?

    Glass and Ceramic coatings are awesome and have multiple benefits. I get it. But my question is do coating by themselves provide more or the same level of gloss than say a Carnuba Wax or top of the line sealant topped with a wax? Since paint surface preparation is the key to having a showroom finish, does a coating only provide a longer (thicker) protection to that finish?

  2. #2
    Super Member acuRAS82's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Location
    Pittsburgh PA
    Posts
    2,847
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Do Coatings Provide MORE Gloss than Sealants or Waxes?

    Quote Originally Posted by XJL View Post
    Glass and Ceramic coatings are awesome and have multiple benefits. I get it. But my question is do coating by themselves provide more or the same level of gloss than say a Carnuba Wax or top of the line sealant topped with a wax? Since paint surface preparation is the key to having a showroom finish, does a coating only provide a longer (thicker) protection to that finish?
    There’s no right answer, there’s gloss meters but if we want to assume “shine” includes some ‘eye of the beholder’ beauty, you’ll get many different opinions. Gloss meters measure gloss but carnauba wax can actually reduce gloss while adding a deep, jetting look that many people value the mist.

    Below are very generic thoughts from me:

    In my opinion, coatings make the glassiest shine, which is a relatively new look. Being new, some may be most wowed by the look. And it’s very reflective and the reflections stay near the surface. Can make metallics pop. Curves of the car look very sharp.

    Carnauba waxes I consider the opposite. They typically can create a very deep, rich appearance to the color. Deep reflections that don’t look like they are on the surface but inside the paint. They can mute flakes and often look amazing on darker colors. Curves on the car often look soft and reflections can “flow” over curves.

    Sealants are somewhere in between but closer to coating shine in my opinion. Not as glassy but some describe as a “hard candy shell”. Reflections appear close to the surface. Metallics can really pop. In the sun, a good sealant make the car “bling”/“sparkle”. Typically a bright look that looks great on lighter colors.

  3. Likes hoyt66 liked this post
  4. #3
    Super Member Bruno Soares's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Southeastern PA
    Posts
    2,480
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Do Coatings Provide MORE Gloss than Sealants or Waxes?

    It’s a different gloss. Sealant and wax provides a deeper gloss, more wet look. The coating gives you a glassy look, not so deep.
    I’ve had my car with both and the looks of a sealant + wax was better IMO. But I’ll take the coating benefits any day over the looks.
    Bruno Soares


  5. Likes The Guz liked this post
  6. #4
    Super Member Bill D's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    The First Coast of FL
    Posts
    2,296
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Do Coatings Provide MORE Gloss than Sealants or Waxes?

    I’m the opposite, I’m all about looks and so I continue to use wax.
    Treat it like it's the only one in the world.

  7. Likes PaulMys liked this post
  8. #5
    Mike Phillips
    Guest

    Re: Do Coatings Provide MORE Gloss than Sealants or Waxes?

    Quote Originally Posted by XJL View Post

    does a coating only provide a longer (thicker) protection to that finish?

    I've detailed cars using a simple one-step cleaner/wax and have people ask me,

    Which coating did you use?


    I think I share this story somewhere in this review...

    Review: RUPES Mark III BigFoot 21 Polisher by Mike Phillips


    Here's the paint after using a cleaner/wax













    But I would still say "yes" that a quality ceramic paint coating will add a more glassy look than a quality wax or sealant, or in the above example, a cleaner/wax.


    But,

    Beauty is in the eye of the holder


    Prep work, color of car, lighting, talent of person doing the work, these are all factors I can think of off the top of my head.


    Definitely lasts longer.



  9. #6
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    90
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Do Coatings Provide MORE Gloss than Sealants or Waxes?

    Thanks Mike and everyone else for your outstanding perspective. This is one of those things I've wondered about. It makes sense now!

  10. #7
    Super Member Kamakaz1961's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Tustin, CA
    Posts
    4,389
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Do Coatings Provide MORE Gloss than Sealants or Waxes?

    You can't go wrong with any of the ones mentioned here. It's just a matter of preference. Having experienced ALL 3 (wax, sealant and coatings) I use a great carnuba wax. I also use a great spray wax for maintenance.

    All are great!

    KEEP ON ROCKING!
    CJ
    2013 Mustang GT w/Track Pack 6-Speed Manual
    Save the Manual!

  11. #8
    Super Member acuRAS82's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Location
    Pittsburgh PA
    Posts
    2,847
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Do Coatings Provide MORE Gloss than Sealants or Waxes?

    Quote Originally Posted by Kamakaz1961 View Post
    I use a great carnuba wax. I also use a great spray wax for maintenance.
    Well... which ones you using lately?

  12. #9
    Super Member FUNX650's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Ohio, USA
    Posts
    21,057
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Do Coatings Provide MORE Gloss than Sealants or Waxes?

    Gloss; so you want some real gloss?

    Well I’ve seen ‘Glazes’—(such as: 3M Imperial
    Hand Glaze and Finish Kare 303 Foam Pad
    Glaze, for example)—impart such a bountiful
    amount of gloss to automotive paint, that it
    was as blinding as the new-fallen snow on the
    Alpine slopes.

    PSA:
    Wearing proper Eye Protection around
    all vehicles, thus treated, is a must!






    Bob
    "Be wary of the man who urges an action in which he himself incurs no risk."
    ~Joaquin de Setanti

  13. #10
    Super Member Coatingsarecrack's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Posts
    7,052
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: Do Coatings Provide MORE Gloss than Sealants or Waxes?

    Waxes and some sealants have a wet look. Like their is a layer of water sitting on the car. Like you could reach in and grab the reflection.

    Coatings (well at least CQUK3.0 and cancoat). Offer a candy coated look. Like you added a layer of glass to your car.

    Both are beautiful but ill go with coatings for the added protection. You could top with a hybrid wax. Best of both worlds?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. 3-Categories: Waxes, Paint Sealants and Coatings
    By Mike Phillips in forum How to articles
    Replies: 37
    Last Post: 04-26-2017, 01:09 PM
  2. Are Waxes & Sealants Even Necessary??
    By mattkrmp80 in forum Auto Detailing 101
    Replies: 59
    Last Post: 03-13-2016, 10:50 PM
  3. Vote for Coatings vs Sealants for Gloss, Pop, Candi-coat
    By expdetailing in forum Hot topics & Frequently Asked Questions
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 12-23-2014, 12:32 PM
  4. Replies: 267
    Last Post: 12-14-2013, 08:00 PM
  5. Waxes vs Sealants
    By maximus20895 in forum Auto Detailing 101
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 05-13-2010, 03:55 PM

Members who have read this thread: 2

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

» March 2024

S M T W T F S
2526272829 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 123456