When it comes to auto detailing, everyone knows the two big brands – Chemical Guys and Meguiar’s. Professional detailers and car enthusiasts widely use both brands, and for good reason. They have a good reputation for producing high-quality car care products. But every week I get questions from readers asking me whether Chemical Guys or Meguiar’s has a better ceramic coating product.
In this article, we’ll compare the Chemical Guys Ceramic Coating Hyperwax and Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wax. I’ll give you an honest review and let you choose between these two great ceramics. And by the way, you might be a bit surprised by the results we got! Now, let’s get into the real test and see which is better.
Chemical Guys Ceramic Coating Hyperwax
•The latest in gel suspension technology
•Hydrophobic water beading
•Year round protection
Proclaimed as the ”first-ever Hyperwax” by Chemical Guys, this product uses SiO2 gel suspension technology to make it easier for users to apply it. As you might already know, I’m a serious detailing product junkie – so when I saw this claim by Chemical Guys, I was immediately curious. I’d never seen a detailing company say they used gel suspension technology in a ceramic product. So I went and bought this new Hyperwax on Amazon to give it a try and share the results with you guys.
I’ve used dozens of other SiO2-based products up to this point, and I can say that this is one of the absolute best when it comes to the shine it gives your car. However, I also ran into some problems with this new Hyperwax formula. First, it is harder to apply than a ceramic spray, and easier to mess up for beginner detailers. I followed the instructions listed on the bottle and still ran into some issues.
I let it dry for about 2 minutes and then removed it. It gets pretty sticky and takes quite a bit of pressure to wipe it off. Its texture is a gel form and if you’re using a microfiber it won’t be absorbed easily, and it also won’t stick to your car panel if you have a matte finish.
One other thing I noticed is the relatively high price, especially for Chemical Guys standards. It costs about 50% more than an average liquid ceramic spray. I’m not sure why they decided to come up with this new type of gel-based ceramic but in the end, you’ll get good results with it, especially if you’re mostly focused on giving your car an amazing shine. If you want faster results you should definitely use a liquid ceramic spray with high SiO2. Below I have summed up the pros and cons of using this product.
Pros:
- It leaves a great shine
- Lasts around 6 months
- Strong hydrophobic properties
- Good protection
Cons:
- High price
- Hard to use
- Weird sticky texture
- Doesn’t work on all car surfaces
Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wax
•LESS EFFORT AND MESS
•HYBRID CERAMIC WAX PROTECTION
•MORE THAN A WAX
•WATER BEADING PROTECTION
Meguiar’s ceramic wax uses SiO2 in its spray, just like Chemical Guys. It proclaims protection and durability beyond conventional wax so obviously I decided to put it to the test. I generally like Meguiar’s products but I’m also skeptical of anything that uses the phrase “ceramic wax” since there’s a lot of dangerous products out there with that title. Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wax comes in a 26 ounce spray bottle (10 ounces more than Chemical Guys ceramic) and is almost half the price of Chemical Guys.
Maybe that was part of the reason why I didn’t have high hopes. Even I fall for the fallacy that a cheap price tag means a cheap quality product. But in this case, I was surprised. One thing I noticed right away is its easy-to-use spray, you can apply it while your car is wet and then wipe to dry it without a problem. This way you’ll give it a foundation layer, and then you can apply it for a second time in the same detailing session.
I can certainly say that it gave a good shine and it protected my car’s paint very well from contaminants. I should also add that I got the best results when I prepared my car before using it. You can use a clay bar, or a good polish to remove any defects and then wash your car again. You can even go a step further and use a surface prep spray (Isopropyl Alcohol solution) to remove any polish residue, waxes, or oils left on your car’s paint.
Pros:
- Low price
- Easy to use
- Works on different surfaces
- Good protection
- Good shine
Cons:
- Doesn’t last long (2-3 months)
- For best results, you have to have to prep your car
Which is Better?
Well, like most product comparisons, the answer is “it depends.” If you value an extended period of protection and you are willing to invest your time a bit more in the application process then Chemical Guys Ceramic does the job better. It offers also a better shine compared to Meguiar’s
On the other hand, if you want a lower price plus a bigger size then Meguiar’s is your choice. Not to forget the very user-friendly application which makes it way easier to use. While it may not offer you the best shine, it surely gives your car good protection, since it comes in a bigger size you can just reapply it once a month if you live in harsh environmental conditions.
Ultimately it is up to you to choose which one you like, but I personally prefer Meguiar’s ceramic wax. It’s easy to use, cheaper, works on different surfaces of your car, and offers good protection. Even though both products offer quality results, Chemical Guys Ceramic Hyperwax was more heavily marketed than Meguiar’s, but based on my testing, it didn’t last as long as Meguiar’s ceramic wax on exterior surfaces.
Conclusion
In this review, we made a thorough comparison between the two ceramic coatings, Chemical Guys Ceramic Hyperwax and Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wax. We explained their characteristics and their distinctive features for you to have all the information to make the right choice for your vehicle.
In the end, obviously, the choice between these two great ceramic coatings depends on your specific priorities, budget, and application preferences. Whether you opt for the great shine of Hyperwax or the accessible convenience of Meguiar’s, both products deliver quality results, enhancing your vehicle’s appearance.
