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[MikeDundee]

Was looking at waxing the car, been a long time, looking at products on the market I see there is now ceramic polish lasts up to twelve months but it is very expensive compared to wax.

Has anyone tried the ceramic polish is it worth it and is it better than wax, does it last as long as they say on the tin.

[GastronomicKleptomaniac]

Try CarPlan Super Gloss No.1, in the purple bottle. About a tenner from EuroCarSharks.

Ive used it on Zeke and the vRS (after a bloody good detail) and its brilliant. Lasts for a good few months, great shine and he dirt just rinses off now.

And it's a piece of cake to apply... Spray, wipe, done.

[Doctor Gollum]

Likewise Autoglym Extreme Gloss protection, again easy to apply (after polishing), and protects for a few months. Without reading the blurb, such products clearly contain some form of ceramic type component in order to function as they do...

The ceramic coating seem to be the dogs danglies, and is widely used by various established Youtubers such as LegitStreetCars... But the prerequisite is that the car is spotless first, so washed, clayed, polished and waxed first.

Only way to find out is to try it, but expect a couple of days work first. 

[MikeDundee]

Thought as much, was going to clay bar the car in any case before applying any sort of wax, that's a 2/3 hrs job on its own, going for the wax in any case, Meguiars Ultimate Liquid Wax, should do the job.

[Doctor Gollum]

Shiny, shiny, shiny...

[MikeDundee]

Shiny, shiny, shiny...

Super shiny, shiny

[GastronomicKleptomaniac]

Collinite 476 is also one of my favourites, a proper old fashioned paste wax.

[YZ250]

.....
The ceramic coating seem to be the dogs danglies, and is widely used by various established Youtubers such as LegitStreetCars... But the prerequisite is that the car is spotless first, so washed, clayed, polished and waxed first.
......

I agree, great results when done properly. 

My car is ceramic coated (from new so paintwork good), with a certificated guarantee, whatever that means. 
Proper prep is essential, as Al said above, as the ceramic coat is the sacrificial layer between the elements thrown at it and the shiny paint. Any swirls or scratches will be locked in by the coating.

Does it stay cleaner for longer..... no, of course it doesn't.... it just appears to look cleaner for longer as it's still shiny under the road grime. Although in saying that, if it's dirty when it rains it does seem to wash the dirt off a bit due to the coating. 
Does it still pick up light scratches ...... of course it does .... it's a coating, not a glass film.
Is it easier to wash each time ...... yes and no ..... my car is Mythos Black so when clean it looks great, but drying properly is so important. As soon as it's rinsed off you need to dry it panel by panel to avoid watermarks. As mine is black it shows any water spot that has been allowed to dry naturally. This means that in warm weather you will dry the car all over, but then have to re-wet each panel at a time from a water spray bottle and microfibre towel it off.
Beading when it rains is impressive though. 

When clean, it does look like it has a layer of glass over the paint and looks great.    Would I have it done again on another car .... hmm... that's a tough one ... possibly, but not at a dealership as they can't dedicate the professionalism of a dedicated detailer. It looks fantastic but I never minded polishing my car. My son used to do detailing as his job so I have all the gear in my garage still, so I could do it myself next time. Incidentally, I didn't pay to have mine coated. Figures were juggled to make it appear as if I had. Sales tactics for commission of extras. 

[YZ250]

Collinite 476 is also one of my favourites, a proper old fashioned paste wax.

I use this as a finisher/beading top coat after polishing on the other cars. Been about for years but still very good.    Not exactly cheap but the tub will last a lifetime. 

[STEMO]

A car shampoo thread for the oldies.....ahhhhhh. 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

I believe STMO lets the 'illegals' wash his car for a couple of quid.

[STEMO]

I believe STMO lets the 'illegals' wash his car for a couple of quid.

It's the up and over in the garage for me. £2 for a quickie, or £3.89 if you want a wax and blow job dry.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

I believe STMO lets the 'illegals' wash his car for a couple of quid.

It's the up and over in the garage for me. £2 for a quickie, or £3.89 if you want a wax and blow job dry.

I wash my own car.

It must be nice to be wealthy.

[Sir Tigger KC]

A car shampoo thread for the oldies.....ahhhhhh. 

Until I joined this forum I'd never heard of rubbing clay onto your car.   

WTF I thought! 

[MikeDundee]

Collinite 476 is also one of my favourites, a proper old fashioned paste wax.

I use this as a finisher/beading top coat after polishing on the other cars. Been about for years but still very good.    Not exactly cheap but the tub will last a lifetime. 

Which one would that be then, have a couple?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=collinite+476s+super+double+coat+auto+wax&crid=2GHICOQICYGW9&sprefix=collinite+476%2Caps%2C146&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_13