This was written by KrisMas in Autoworld forum

Cheap wax - don't last long - need to re-apply regularly
Better wax - more expensive - last a little bit longer - lesser frequency of application
Coatings - cost a bomb - last for ages - you might even already be considering selling off your car by the time it fails

Note: for each of the above there are different grades of products, so I'm just putting a general statement.

The above would generally apply PROVIDED THAT you undertake PROPER MAINTENANCE ROUTINE which are more or less the same regardless you're using cheap wax, expensive wax or coating - which is cleaning and washing regularly.

Neglect the maintenance part, even a coating *might* just last as long as a cheap wax before you'd get waterspots, embeded contaminants, marrings, swirls, etc.

The main advantage of putting on a 'coating' instead of wax/sealant is the amount of effort you'd need to put down for maintenance. Eg. washing is easier as a coating would shed/release dirt better; no more monthly re-waxing; some coatings even boast high hardness level so it's more difficult to get swirls/marring; etc.

But, my point is, regardless any type of protection you put on, whether it be a cheap wax or the most durable coating available in the market, you'd still need to undertake PROPER MAINTENANCE ROUTINE. Because, end of the day, all of them are just a SACRIFICIAL LAYER OF PROTECTION put on top of the paint.


............ so in conclusion you still have to care for it using REGULAR PROPER MAINTENANCE ROUTINE even with a coating.

This post has been edited by CoffeeDude: Mar 8 2013, 11:51 PM

so might as well just care for the car with cheaper wax since a coating is also not as hard if not given the same attention

the cost of coatings just don't justify its use if it doesn't reduce regular maintenance to a bare minimum and still retain shine.

if I do the same for a non coated car then the paint will last as long as a coated one so what the coating does but add weight
lah

since both are sacrificial and both require same care then what does the coating provide then? Easy washing wax also does that.

plus today's modern paints are also much hard wearing already I dare even say exceeding these coatings which are maybe 20 year old tech?

Is there solid research into the sacrificial rate of cheap wax versus coatings? I say there are none

How can anyone prove that the coating is still there now that they have to care for it as much and that the coating didn't already wear off completely and the are actually caring for the original paint still assuming it's the coating?

The price if the coating is close to a full outer respray of the car. If I wanted to sell I'll just respray it and it'll look a billion times better than any old coating if any remains. Isn't it easier to just let the paint weather normally and full respray since both cost the same. At least I can really not care rather than pay and still do the donkey work

This post has been edited by rcracer: Mar 9 2013, 08:28 AM

1. Why do we wax and polish our car?
2. How long can the shine last after each waxing and polishing?
3. How much will cost each time waxing and polishing ?
4. Do we notice the swirl marks and hologram marks on the surface after waxing and polishing ?
5. Will our original paint become thinner to frequent waxing and polishing ?
6. Is our original paint better than new coat of paint?
7. Will the paint remove all rubber gasket lighting before repainting?
8. How long can the gloss effect of the new paint last ?
9. Question No 1 to 5 process will repeat again.

1. wax to look nice, polish to remove scratches

2. 6 months is my experience

3. nothing, one can of wax goes long way

4. nope if you use clean cloth, i think got complaint here about sierra glow also swirl marks

5. no, paint is protected by clear coat, if you buy car no clear coat the brain better put elsewhere

6. absolutely, robot spraying in clean controlled conditions and extreme precision ensures very high quality work, plus inspection in light tunnel and defects correction after painting

7. no idea what is gasket lighting

8. with regular 6 monthly roughly 7 years, like my gen 2

This post has been edited by rcracer: Mar 9 2013, 09:10 PM

I'm interested with coating as well, can protect car under extreme weather of malaysia

Just one question, what the solution of swirl mark after coating ?

Yes, no a issue with our Malaysia weather. Swirl marks can be minimise by removing hard dirt like sand or soil off the surface prior to began shampoo. We have to take precautionary method to avoid causing swirl marks on the surface. Please do contact me for further info. Thank you.

Hi, I've applied SG for about a month (still a satisfied customer). I got a question on claying the car and seek your kind input.

I bought meg clay bar and will be claying my car soon. Apart from water to lubricate the clay and surface, what other recommended lubrication can I use?

Hi asylum, You may use mild shampoo or if not mistaken meg would have a product for it too.but ensure shampoo is rinse well before being folding.

IMHO it silly to protect normal cheap paint with such expensive "coatings".
If my car is using very expensive paintjobs, then yes it is justifiable.
But if my car is just a factory default paintjob, it looks ridiculous to send it for such coating treatments. Might as well just send for new coat of paint every few years.

plus the clear coat on modern paints are meant to resist foreign matter from sticking so i wonder how well these coatings really stick to the clear coat, if they do i assume they eat into the clear coat to hold on and when it gets worn away, walla the clear coat is also damaged already.

it is like trying to protect a $100 item with a $100 wrap

Interesting. I was debating between Nanobrite and Sierraglow. Nanobrite claims to have the hardest coating in town (12H) but much more expensive, I believe. Mr Choong seems to be a very nice chap with a personal touch and this may tip the argument in his favour. Looking to coat a 1996 E230 (paint in good condition) and a new Audi A6 Hybrid in April.

One other thing, Mr Choong. Do you do treatment for the interior of the car?

Here is my opinion.
Correct me if I'm wrong but please don't shoot me.

If you want to go for coating, you have to be prepared to do regular maintenance - wash and dry it every week and also wash and dry it after raining.

A coating is hard. Harder than waxes.
It is also thicker. Some people say they can't feel the metal of the car body after coating.
A coating is better than wax when it comes to protecting the paint from colour fading and bird bombs.

The problem with coating as some users have found out is watermarks.
Because a coating is much harder, when watermarks form on it, it is also much harder to get it out.
Watermarks on waxes are easier to correct because wax is softer it requires less effort to sacrifice it.
Usually people who have spent a lot money on a coating also wouldn't want to DIY

A coating is definitely more durable than waxes and in the long run is cheaper too.
If you were to send your car for a 3 step clay, polish, wax it'll cost you say RM200 each time.
If you do that twice a year for 5 years, it will come to RM2000.
A Sierraglow coating is less than that ..... I think

Anyone who wants to have a nice and shiny car ..... there is no shortcut.
Either you spend lots of money to pay someone to do it for you or you spend less and do it yourself.
The other option is to just have a clean car (wash whenever you feel like it) instead of a very shiny one.

Just a note to everyone. Mr. Choong has already PM me regarding my questions.

I agree

it go great with meguiars ultimate detailer spray

For me hard coatings means even watermarks shouldn't form, if it's hard to remove it means the water mark has done deep into the coating, and to remove it you have to remove even more coating which defeats its purpose.

Agreed. Its like now instead of having to care/worry about the car paint, I need to worry/care about that coating. WTF right?

EXACTLY!!

finally someone gets it.