QUOTE(CoffeeDude @ Mar 8 2013, 11:49 PM)
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.
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