Posted: 4/15/2026 6:09:31 PM EDT
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Gonna do a deep clean of the truck soon with the better weather. 2015 Ford ruby red tricoat, looks sooo nice when it's clean. But I haven't waxed it in probably 8 years. Now all the products I'm seeing locally are throwing around the "ceramic" buzzword, and claim they're the best. So which of these locally available options would you use. Attached File |
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On a recommendation from here on ARF, I tried Turtle Wax's ceramic line and I was very impressed with it. It was said it punched well above it's weight and that's very true. The ceramic spray coating you have is for after a good wash. You don't need much -- I made the mistake of covering the panels rather than a couple light mists and it was a bear to get the excess off. Two spritzes per panel and a wipe and you're GTG. They have a wet wax version of that product that's amazing, I wash my vehicles with moderately hard well water and once you hit it with the wet wax spray nearly all the water falls off minimizing spots, and then you just wipe/buff. I got a half dozen of Meguiar's water magnet microfiber towels and just switch them out to speed up the process and end up with a great finish on a dry car. |
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I have a 2016 Mustang in Ruby Red. I use Adams Spray On Graphene coating. It's SUPER easy to use and works great. https://adamspolishes.com/products/graphene-ceramic-spray-coating%E2%84%A2 You can get it at Walmart or auto parts stores. |
First I would use a synthetic clay pad such as this, with clay lube 
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In God we trust, all others pay cash
| AvalonKing Armor Shield IX. We used that on our camper. My brother used it on his car. Good stuff. Claybar/paint correction first, then this stuff. |
Award: 24/365 Most likely to be an appendix.
"Dealing with Congress is like trying to have an adult conversation about the credit card with your alcoholic bi-polar Ukranian import wife."
"Dealing with Congress is like trying to have an adult conversation about the credit card with your alcoholic bi-polar Ukranian import wife."
IMHO it's kinda like asking "what's a good, serviceable AR brand and model?" these days, cause we're currently blessed to have an overwhelming number of fine choices that probably all perform similarly. And IMO this specific market of wax/treatment/coating products seems to be always growing and advancing, so it's probably wise to reevaluate what one is using every now and then. Personally my favorite brand is Chemical Guys, and my favorite product of theirs for wax/protection/surface treatment is "Hydro Blitz Hybrid Ceramic Spray Wax".  |
Proud and grateful Tennessee Squire
flgfish: "Low mileage cars piss me off. You saving your girlfriend for the next guy? Drive the car and enjoy it. A 911 is damn near bulletproof."
flgfish: "Low mileage cars piss me off. You saving your girlfriend for the next guy? Drive the car and enjoy it. A 911 is damn near bulletproof."
 I've Never Seen A Ceramic Coating This Good! Not Even Close! The Griot’s 3-in-1 seems to be the price/ease-of-application winner. It IS really easy to apply and buff off. 
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Again I think there's no "correct answer" cause so many products out today are so kickass. These pics are from about year or so ago and it's the result of applying multiple coats of Chemical Guys' "Hydro Blitz Hybrid Ceramic Spray Wax". And those with black colored autos know how freaking difficult it can be to get and keep a black vehicle looking good - in general the color is pretty unforgiving IMO.  
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Proud and grateful Tennessee Squire
flgfish: "Low mileage cars piss me off. You saving your girlfriend for the next guy? Drive the car and enjoy it. A 911 is damn near bulletproof."
flgfish: "Low mileage cars piss me off. You saving your girlfriend for the next guy? Drive the car and enjoy it. A 911 is damn near bulletproof."
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Originally Posted By laxman09: If you arent going to do a decon/clay/polish... you wont really get the full effect and enjoyment out of ceramic. The spray stuff will last a couple months at most, if garaged out of the elements. We get at a minimum of six months out of the Turtle wax stuff, I'd say it's closer to a year. Cars are garaged. My truck isn't and it's good at six months but showing signs it's time for a refresh. It's crazy how much easier this stuff is to apply than the old school waxes. |
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Originally Posted By Butternut: Again I think there's no "correct answer" cause so many products out today are so kickass. These pics are from about year or so ago and it's the result of applying multiple coats of Chemical Guys' "Hydro Blitz Hybrid Ceramic Spray Wax". And those with black colored autos know how freaking difficult it can be to get and keep a black vehicle looking good - in general the color is pretty unforgiving IMO. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/88366/thumbnail_20240529_124617-3226482.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/88366/thumbnail_20250601_193936-3554134.jpg 392 you say?  I used this stuff and it worked well. 
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Originally Posted By Stitches1974: 392 you say? https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55212806460_5c48ded6b4_c.jpg I used this stuff and it worked well. https://www.toolboxsupply.com/cdn/shop/products/MeguiarsGHybridCeramicWaxOzjpg_1200x.jpg?v=1574835524
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Proud and grateful Tennessee Squire
flgfish: "Low mileage cars piss me off. You saving your girlfriend for the next guy? Drive the car and enjoy it. A 911 is damn near bulletproof."
flgfish: "Low mileage cars piss me off. You saving your girlfriend for the next guy? Drive the car and enjoy it. A 911 is damn near bulletproof."
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Prior to my becoming a total fanboi of Chemical Guys ceramic stuff, I was really into the "Adam's Polishes" Graphine stuff, and honestly all the Graphine stuff I used was pretty awesome. IMHO with the less permanent type coatings, one secret - or my secret - to making em work in an outstanding manner is to simply put on multiple coats. I remember putting many coats of an Adam's graphene coating/wax on our grey Charger, and I swear after that it never got really dirty cause nothing would stick to it. ETA, just as an FYI, there is a ton of Chemical Guys products on the shelf at our local Lowe's. Just mentioning this in case you happen to already be a fan of Chemical Guys stuff, or are considering giving em a try. |
Proud and grateful Tennessee Squire
flgfish: "Low mileage cars piss me off. You saving your girlfriend for the next guy? Drive the car and enjoy it. A 911 is damn near bulletproof."
flgfish: "Low mileage cars piss me off. You saving your girlfriend for the next guy? Drive the car and enjoy it. A 911 is damn near bulletproof."
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Decision made. No high dollar stuff. Went to the local Ollies and bought some stuff. Nothing was over $6.00 so if it sucks I won't be out much. I'm thinking I'm going to use the paste wax just because I'm more familiar with the paste wax process. And whatever I don't use will end up on the girlfriend's Honda and my polaris RZR. I'm not fanatical enough to do the true ceramic coatings. Attached File I really like these applicators, I think I'm gonna go back tomorrow and buy a half dozen more. Attached File I will be doing the clay bar deal and possibly a machine polish job beforehand. |
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Mostly done. De-ironed, washed, clayed, washed again, polished with a foam pad and 3D One Hybrid Compound and Polish, then hand waxed with the Turtle Wax Ceramic+Graphene Paste Wax. Still have to do the deep clean on the interior. I have reconditoned factory wheels and rubber at work waiting to be put on. Looks pretty good for a never garaged 11 year old daily with 123,000 miles. Attached File |
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Originally Posted By paul463: Mostly done. De-ironed, washed, clayed, washed again, polished with a foam pad and 3D One Hybrid Compound and Polish, then hand waxed with the Turtle Wax Ceramic+Graphene Paste Wax. Still have to do the deep clean on the interior. I have reconditoned factory wheels and rubber at work waiting to be put on. Looks pretty good for a never garaged 11 year old daily with 123,000 miles. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/109172/buffed_jpg-3752564.JPG  |
Proud and grateful Tennessee Squire
flgfish: "Low mileage cars piss me off. You saving your girlfriend for the next guy? Drive the car and enjoy it. A 911 is damn near bulletproof."
flgfish: "Low mileage cars piss me off. You saving your girlfriend for the next guy? Drive the car and enjoy it. A 911 is damn near bulletproof."
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Attached File Don't think I'll be buffing wax off a vehicle ever again. |
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Put the new tires and reconditioned wheels on this morning. Attached File |
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Originally Posted By paul463: Put the new tires and reconditioned wheels on this morning. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/109172/IMG_20260527_084328192_jpg-3769063.JPG |
Proud and grateful Tennessee Squire
flgfish: "Low mileage cars piss me off. You saving your girlfriend for the next guy? Drive the car and enjoy it. A 911 is damn near bulletproof."
flgfish: "Low mileage cars piss me off. You saving your girlfriend for the next guy? Drive the car and enjoy it. A 911 is damn near bulletproof."
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I used this last year on my Tacoma and it is just starting to not bead up as well on the hood after 10 months of sitting outside and crappy weather. Typical prep and very easy on and off. Will use again. Nxtzen |