Protecting Original Paint - Wax or Ceramic?

[NedD]

My Mark I Tiger still has its original paint, Embassy Black, and after correcting the paint to remove a lot of oxidation, I need to determine the best way to protect it - carnuba wax or ceramic coating? I've been out of the game a long time so am trying to educate myself about ceramic coatings which didn't exist way back when I was last focused on cars.

Those who saw the car at the recent Tigers United event in June would have noted the oxidation - I barely got the car street-ready and didn't have the time to correct the paint before the event. After working on the paint myself I got frustrated with the lack of results due to the depth of the oxidation. I hired an experienced detailer who has achieved great results restoring the paint and gotten a depth of shine I've never seen on the car. They are recommending to finish it with ceramic (at suitable extra cost, of course).

The decision is a balance of time and money - ceramic will cost extra up front but should require less maintenance. I don't mind the extra effort wax will require but willing to pay for the ceramic if it will actually be more durable. My main goal is to protect the paint as long as possible.

For owners with original paint cars, what are your thoughts? What are you using to protect your paint from oxidation?

 

[puff4]

I’ve stopped using carnuba wax. I used to be a big fan of it, but I found that on items stored for a long time, it actually grows *mold*. I should have expected it, really, because it’s a natural product, but it did surprise me to find white spots and damaged paint on parts that I had restored and put in stock a few years back.

I’m in a bit of a quandary now as to what to use instead. Ceramic does sound good, as do silicone-based waxes. I’ll be interested to hear the thoughts of the members on this.

 

[sunalp]

Ceramic coatings on modern paint are great. I don't know if they would harm acrylic enamel
or not as they are pretty hard. I do know that the clear coat I use forbids the use of any ceramic
coatings. Is your detailer willing to guarantee that it won't hurt your paint?

 

[alpine_64]

I would just use a top quality polish, ensure it's well applied and then just wet chamois the car when needed.. depending on the ceramic coatings they are brilliant...but not sure how they would react with original paint as stated above ... And it's onky original once . And black paint is very soft ...

 

[NedD]

I could not find much information about the impact of ceramic coating over old acrylic enamel paint but did find some opinions that the solvents used in preparation for the coating might dull the finish. So I'm taking the cautious approach and sticking with an old school carnuba wax for now. I may "upgrade" to a hybrid silicone wax in the future.

The car looks much better - she's a good "5-footer" now

 

[sunalp]

Car looks great! Of course I'm partial to black cars.

 

[Mike O'D]

That's original paint? I'd say it looks fantastic!

 

[o2bdriving]

My Mark I Tiger still has its original paint, Embassy Black, and after correcting the paint to remove a lot of oxidation, I need to determine the best way to protect it - carnuba wax or ceramic coating? I've been out of the game a long time so am trying to educate myself about ceramic coatings which didn't exist way back when I was last focused on cars.

Those who saw the car at the recent Tigers United event in June would have noted the oxidation - I barely got the car street-ready and didn't have the time to correct the paint before the event. After working on the paint myself I got frustrated with the lack of results due to the depth of the oxidation. I hired an experienced detailer who has achieved great results restoring the paint and gotten a depth of shine I've never seen on the car. They are recommending to finish it with ceramic (at suitable extra cost, of course).

The decision is a balance of time and money - ceramic will cost extra up front but should require less maintenance. I don't mind the extra effort wax will require but willing to pay for the ceramic if it will actually be more durable. My main goal is to protect the paint as long as possible.

For owners with original paint cars, what are your thoughts? What are you using to protect your paint from oxidation?

I ceramic coated mine to provide some protection. The basic premise is that the coating provides a hydrophobic layer to shed water and protect the paint from scratches. I must confess that it only really keeps the microfiber towels from scratching the paint, it doesn't provide protection from stone chips. Had mine in for five years and will redo over the winter after removing five years of use.

 

[cdk84]

I’ll chime in here, because nobody else has mentioned this step, which should Not be omitted.

Please use a *clay bar* to clean the surface before ANY final finish sealant is applied. If you don’t do so, dirt will be trapped under the ceramic or carnauba and eventually the outcome will not make you happy.

The qualitative difference will take your car’s appearance to another level. Well worth the time And the effort.

 

[puff4]

I suppose I should note here that carnauba wax is a natural material, and there are tiny beasties that love to feed on it. I have found things that I have used carnauba wax on, have ended up getting fungal spots after a prolonged period of time. That’s why for things I really care about (wood working projects, restored items, etc), I use museum wax, which specifically does not promote fungus.

For my car, I’ve changed to using ceramic coatings, which are not natural based waxes, and therefore have less chance of developing fungal spotting.

 

[alpine_64]

I’ll chime in here, because nobody else has mentioned this step, which should Not be omitted.

Please use a *clay bar* to clean the surface before ANY final finish sealant is applied. If you don’t do so, dirt will be trapped under the ceramic or carnauba and eventually the outcome will not make you happy.

The qualitative difference will take your car’s appearance to another level. Well worth the time And the effort.

David.. i would say wash.. clay.. polish.. then a sealant like a wax or ceramic.
Clay cleans the sruface.. the polish brings up the finish....sealant protects

 

[o2bdriving]

The ceramic coating doesn't really "protect" the paint but does make it very hydrophobic for easier cleaning going forward. You'll still get stone chips, etc.. For ceramic coating, you'll want to do a paint correction prior to rid the surface of scratches after a good strip wash and clay bar. The ceramic coating will not hide any surface imperfections but will make them inaccessible until the coating wears or is removed.

 

[sunalp]

Make sure your clear coat is compatible with ceramic. One of the ones I use explicitly prohibitd the use
of ceramics. You could damage all your hard work.

 

[belmateo]

When I had my black Porsche, Harley wax was the choice for me. PITA to apply but it sure protected the paint from the UV rays as well as dings and chips!