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Wax lasts weeks in Florida. Ceramic coating bonds to the paint and lasts years. Here is how we choose.
May 28, 2019
Both protect paint. They do not do it the same way. Wax is a classic short-term shine. Ceramic coating is the long-term shield.
Carnauba or synthetic wax sits on top of the paint. Freshly applied it looks deep and beads water. In Florida sun and humidity it is usually gone in 1–2 months.
Ceramic coating is a liquid polymer that bonds to the paint. After prep and cure it becomes a clear, slick layer: UV protection, hydrophobic wash-off, resistance to bird droppings and sap, and a harder surface against light swirls. Our coatings last about 2–5 years depending on the product and how you wash.
We never just wipe coating on. The process is a decontamination wash, clay, polish or correction, panel wipe, then panel-by-panel application and a final inspection. Whatever you skip in prep gets sealed in.
Wax still makes sense before an event or on a tight budget, and some owners like a light wax over a coating for extra pop. For Tampa daily drivers who want the car to stay clean and glossy, ceramic is the better spend. Maintenance is pH-neutral washes every few weeks — not a re-wax every month.
