One product that is getting a lot of attention online over the last couple of months is a new release by Meguiars, what they are calling their “Hybrid Ceramic Wax“. I must admit when I initially read about it and saw the name, I was immediately sceptical.

For one, this does not look like a Wax Product, nor does it look like a Ceramic Coating product. Seeing the words Ceramic and Wax used in the same description had me questioning what the hell this product is supposed to be.

“Ceramic” is a big buzz word in the detailing world at the moment, so I assume this is Meguiars attempt to capitalize on that and release a consumer-focused product that is easy to use for someone of any level of experience.

I must admit is a great Marketing move by the company. Before I looked into it any further, my guess was this product would be similar to some spray sealants ( Si02 based ) already on the Market such as Wet Coat by Gyeon, Sonax Spray Sealant, P&S Breadmaker, The Last Coat etc.

You can check out some of my other recommended spray sealants HERE

Let us take a look in detail.

What IS Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wax?

According to Meguiars themselves :

“Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wax is the new face in wax technology. This sophisticated wax hybrid uses a high-viscosity formula to form a protective layer on the exterior of your car with an easy application. No rubbing, curing, or buffing needed. Simply spray on, rinse off, and watch the magic happen! Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wax is designed with advanced technology to bond to your exterior paint and form a thicker coating that is long-lasting and durable without the elbow grease ”

Their description does not give any clues as to what is actually in this product, or what this “Wax technology” is.

Recent developments in automotive-detailing technology feature the use of silica-based sealants (i.e. silicone-dioxide or SiO2). These sealants act differently than an old-school wax, as they bond with the painted surface to which it’s applied. Once they’re applied and have cured, silica-based sealants are extremely resistant to water, soap, and of course, environmental pollutants. This is because they bond with the painted surface.

This Meguiars product is a Si02 spray sealant. I am guessing they are using the term “Wax” to appeal to the average consumer because that is a term that they would be familiar with.

Also, because it contains the word “Ceramic” in the name, it should not be confused as a replacement for real ceramic coating. I have seen this confuse a few beginners already. Just because it has ceramic properties ( Eg The water behaviour), it does not mean it is a true ceramic product.

There seems to be a growing market for these “Ceramic” Spray products.

Before I made any Judgement on this new product by Meguiars, I decided I would have to pick some up for myself and test it out.

Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wax Application – How to

Hybrid Ceramic Wax can be used as your main source of protection, but Meguiars also suggest using it in addition to your favourite wax/sealant, or even on top of a true ceramic coating. ( LSP Layer )

This means you don’t need to worry about stripping your car of any old sealant or wax before you apply, and that Hybrid Ceramic Wax should be compatible with anything you may already have on there.

However  – you should make sure your car is freshly cleaned and have no contamination before applying the product ( Seems like common sense, but it is worth saying it anyway )

There are two different ways to apply Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wax:

Application Method #1 – INITIAL APPLICATION / FOUNDATION LAYER

For the first time using Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wax, Meguiars recommend establishing a “Foundation Layer.” Hybrid Ceramic Wax is simply applied in a “wax as your dry” style.

After washing the vehicle thoroughly, & before drying, spray Hybrid Ceramic Wax across all exterior surfaces of your car.

Once you have ensured good coverage of the product ( You don’t need to go overboard with the application, more does not necessarily mean better ). You can take a quality microfiber towel and begin to dry the car.

I would then recommend that you take a second (Clean) microfiber towel for the final wipe down. This will ensure there is no product left to dry on the car that you have may missed ( This could cause unwanted streaking )

This initial “Wax as you dry” application method helps to get Hybrid Ceramic Wax into all of the nooks and crannies found on a microscopic level of the paint/clear coat. This method will make sure that ample product is applied to the surface so that subsequent uses have a nice even, level layer to adhere to.

Application Method #2 – SUBSEQUENT APPLICATION / WAX AS YOUR RINSE

After you have used Hybrid Ceramic Wax for the first time, for subsequent applications, you can now apply it in a “wax as you rinse” style, an even easier application method.

After washing the vehicle thoroughly, but before rinsing for the final time, spray Hybrid Ceramic Wax over all exterior surfaces.

Next, perform the final rinse on the vehicle rinsing from the top down. It is recommended to use a strong stream of water for the final rinse as this helps spread Hybrid Ceramic Wax across the exterior surfaces.

If you have one, you should use a pressure washer for the final rinse. If you don’t have a pressure washer, use a strong stream from your water hose for this final rinse

Next, dry the vehicle normally & you are done.

Yes, it is that easy.

So what happens if you unintentionally end up with some streaking? If you over apply it (too many sprays per panel) it might become trickier to dry without streaking

How to Remove Hybrid Ceramic Wax Streaks?

If this does happen to you, simply wipe the area with a microfiber towel damp with water, or spray a light mist of water onto the streak, and then wipe with a microfiber towel. This will easily remove the streak.

Can You Use Hybrid Ceramic Wax on Glass?

Yes – you can use Hybrid Ceramic Wax on Glass, or any other exterior surface of the vehicle. Although i would recommend a dedicated Glass Coating for the Job.

Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wax Review – Any Good?

I must say I am initially impressed with this product, especially the ease of application. You can add some nice protection to your car in less than 5 minutes in total. This is going to appeal to the mass market of “Weekend Warriors” who don’t want to spend ages applying wax to their car by hand.

To be honest, something like Meguiar’s Ceramic Wax is going to outperform some of the mainstream waxes. Below is a video of the water behaviour on the car after I had applied the Meguiar’s product. You can easily see that this product is repelling water like crazy.

I am sure this is going to result in some nice water beading the next time it rains

I was also impressed at the glossy appearance that was left behind after the initial application. It was noticeable and the surface of the car was left with a nice slick feeling to it

Here are some shots of the car immediately after.

Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wax – How long Does it Last?

Time will tell how long this product lasts on my car. I will update this post when I have spent more time with it, and see how the longevity compares to some of the other products on the market. I am hoping to see at least 4 weeks from the product. ( This is the minimum I would expect from these Si02 products )

*Update

Now that I have spent some proper time with this product, I feel that I can give some proper feedback on its performance. The longevity of Meguiars Hybrid Ceramic is about what I expected. It seems to be right around the 3-4 week mark where I can notice the protection on the paint dropping off, and the water doesn’t bead as well. ( However, it is still there to some degree )

Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wax VS Gyeon Wet Coat

How do I feel about this product compared to Gyeon Wet Coat, which I have been a huge fan of for a long time.

There are definitely some differences between Hybrid Ceramic Wax and Gyeon Wet Coat. The consistency of the products seem totally different from one another, so these are not the same. The Meguiars product seems to be a bit thicker, whereas the Wet Coat is a watery type consistency.

The main difference is how the paint feels to the touch. The Hybrid Ceramic Wax gives a FAR slicker feel to the car’s surface, which I was nicely surprised by.

Whatever is causing this, seems to have given it a bit more gloss to the finish when compared to the wet coat.

I will be interested to see how the longevity of the product compares to wet coat. I will give it a few weeks before passing judgement on that.

Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wax – Worth it?

Overall I was impressed with the product – I would happily recommend it to people looking to try it out. The ease of use means that anyone at ANY experience level can jump in and start using it, which is a big plus for me.

• Price 7/10

• Appearance 7/10

• Ease of Application 10/10

• Protection 8/10

• Overall Score 8/10

Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wax – Where to Buy?

If you want to try Meguiars Hybrid Ceramic Wax – please consider purchasing it through my Amazon Link HERE

This helps me keep this blog up and running.

Have you tried this product already? If so please let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Until Next time,
Happy Detailing!

About the Author – Darren O Hara

Darren is the founder of the DriveDetailed blog and is a keen detailing enthusiast living in the rainy south of Ireland. When he is not cleaning his car he is always researching ways he can improve his techniques and enjoys testing out out new products.

Darren currently drives an Audi TTRS and is a big fan of performance cars.

You can follow Darren on Instagram @darrenoharacork

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