Keeping your car clean and shiny can be an arduous task, especially if you can’t park your car in a garage. And while regular washes and wax applications can help keep your car looking practically new for a couple of weeks and up to a month, there’s nothing better than having a ceramic coating professionally applied.

However, that process can be expensive, which can lead you to browse the detailing section of your local auto parts store for something more affordable than a professional ceramic coating job, but better than a wax. That’s where ceramic spray waxes come into play, but do they really work?

What is ceramic coating?

When you get your car professionally ceramic coated, the detailer will apply a layer of ceramic-based chemical polymer solution that adheres to your car’s paint and adds protection against the outside elements like water, dirt, and other debris. The coating is typically applied by hand and it not only repels water but also aids in blocking harmful UV rays and other acidic contaminants in the air. It sounds like a detailing dream, right? It’s too bad that it’s an expensive dream as it can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000 due to the amount of prep work involved.  

A ceramic wax spray is a more-affordable solution

Fortunately, if you don’t want to pay the high price of having your car professionally ceramic coated, then you can buy a ceramic wax spray. There are numerous ceramic wax sprays currently offered on the market and they all provide the same hydrophobic properties as a normal ceramic coating job, but are as easy to apply to your car as any other wax.

After your car is thoroughly cleaned, you just need to spray the ceramic wax onto your car and buff it out. Although, it can take up to 24 hours to cure, unlike a normal carnauba wax. The main benefit is that the ceramic wax can last much longer than a traditional car wax and they typically only cost anywhere from $15 to $30 per bottle.

Do ceramic wax sprays actually work?

Of course, the main question is if this cheaper ceramic wax spray actually works. And the verdict is: yes and no. We say that mainly because we haven’t been able to personally try a ceramic wax spray and some sources swear by them while others simply say that they don’t work.

However, there’s always the notion of “user error,” meaning that there’s a high chance that most of the negative reviews on ceramic wax sprays could be due to improper application. The only issue is that the proper application of a ceramic wax spray is a mixed bag. For example, some detailers say that you should wash and clay bar the car first and then apply the ceramic wax, while others (like Meguiar’s) instruct users to simply wash the car and spray ceramic wax on as you dry it, then apply it again later.

In either case, some reviewers on Youtube had some good luck with actually applying a ceramic wax coating and having act just like the professional application. Here is a detailed video of a Youtuber applying the Adam’s ceramic wax spray too much success.

Your results may vary

As we can see, the ceramic wax application was a simple process and it looks like the results were and overall success. While the Youtuber did use a specific brand of ceramic wax and application process, just remember that your results may vary depending on the brand that you choose and how you apply it.