Remove all the previously applied wax to start with ceramic coating.

[alaskanadams]

My other car has had a lot of spray wax applied (mothers). The car is beautiful. Should I ceramic coat over the top of all that wax, or remove it.......thanks

 

[jazzdabb]

If I were going to do it myself, I would wash with Dawn to remove the old wax and claybar the entire care meticulously before applying any ceramic coat. My car needed paint correction and I had everything done professionally. Expensive but worth it to me. The car has that wet mirror look.

 

[legbuh]

Ya, dawn does good at stripping waxes. Claybar for sure will. Or, just drive it until you notice it's not beading any more, then do it then.

Not sure how "professional" detailers would do it, but I'm sure there's plenty of info out there on that as well.

 

[oddball]

There are some washes specifically for this, like "Clean Start". As said, you want the cleanest, flattest, nicest surface possible for the coating.

 

[Jayphil]

Do not lose money on Ceramic over wax. Ceramic coating will not bound and will wash away very fast.
Clean with wax remover soap like Dawn. Properly remove contaminent with Clay. Wash again to revove the lubricant used for Clay. Polish if required (wash again if you polish). Applied ceramic coating on that clean, contaminent free paint / clear coat.

 

[SKStinger]

I just graphene ceramic coated mine so this is top of mind. You definitely want a virgin clear-coat for the ceramic coating to adhere to properly.

1. Wash with a quality car shampoo like Adam's Polishes or Chemical Guys designed to strip waxes. Don't use dish soap on your car.
2. Decontaminate the paint using an iron remover (optional)
3. Clay the paint (mitt or old-fashioned bar works fine)
4. Polish. Can do a two step (compound and finish) or single step (finish) depending upon the paint quality
5. Remove polishing oils with Isopropyl alcohol wipe-down
6. Apply your ceramic/graphene coating

 

[alaskanadams]

Thanks to all of you for your answers...

 

[5tinger]

Honesty a quality sealent/wax like Meguiars applied every 3 months does the trick and keeps it looking shiny.

 

[SKStinger]

Honesty a quality sealent/wax like Meguiars applied every 3 months does the trick and keeps it looking shiny.

I used to think that too. Ceramic coating takes it to another level. It makes washing the car so much easier as dirt and grime don’t get as embedded and fall off with ease. The drying process is also a breeze as the water can be sheeted off with a blower in minutes.

Ceramic coatings are so much easier to DIY install now and the cost has come down to a point where they’re cheaper than a high quality wax. They’re totally worth it for a product that can last up to 7 years.

 

[Revvdmedia]

I just graphene ceramic coated mine so this is top of mind. You definitely want a virgin clear-coat for the ceramic coating to adhere to properly.

1. Wash with a quality car shampoo like Adam's Polishes or Chemical Guys designed to strip waxes. Don't use dish soap on your car.
2. Decontaminate the paint using an iron remover (optional)
3. Clay the paint (mitt or old-fashioned bar works fine)
4. Polish. Can do a two step (compound and finish) or single step (finish) depending upon the paint quality
5. Remove polishing oils with Isopropyl alcohol wipe-down
6. Apply your ceramic/graphene coating

I agree with the above. A wax stripping wash is the starting point. Decontamination isn't mandatory, but why trap iron particles under the coating if you don't have to? It's super easy to use anyway. Clay, again, not necessary but why leave contaminants. Polish is more important than some think, the better the finish is on your car before coating, the better the result. If you have swirls or scratches, they stay under the coating to taunt you until you deal with it. IPA is in my opinion very important before coating to ensure you have a virgin surface. As for coating, apply per directions, make sure you don't expose to water in the prescribed window.

 

[2Slo4u]

Just do it yourself. No need to pay a professional. Coating is $60 to $100. Why pay someone $1500 to do it? The industry wants you to thinks it’s some sort of magic voodoo but it’s not.

 

[BUZSTINGR]

I agree with the above. A wax stripping wash is the starting point. Decontamination isn't mandatory, but why trap iron particles under the coating if you don't have to? It's super easy to use anyway. Clay, again, not necessary but why leave contaminants. Polish is more important than some think, the better the finish is on your car before coating, the better the result. If you have swirls or scratches, they stay under the coating to taunt you until you deal with it. IPA is in my opinion very important before coating to ensure you have a virgin surface. As for coating, apply per directions, make sure you don't expose to water in the prescribed window.

Graphene Battle.....

 

[SKStinger]

Graphene Battle.....

I can vouch for the Adams. I have it on my car and it was easy to apply and very happy with the result so far.

 

[5tinger]

I used to think that too. Ceramic coating takes it to another level. It makes washing the car so much easier as dirt and grime don’t get as embedded and fall off with ease. The drying process is also a breeze as the water can be sheeted off with a blower in minutes.

Ceramic coatings are so much easier to DIY install now and the cost has come down to a point where they’re cheaper than a high quality wax. They’re totally worth it for a product that can last up to 7 years.

Ceramic is no doubt a step above synthetic waxes.
However I'm not sure if a1-2yrs old coat of ceramic is better than a sealent applied every 2-3 months.
You also have the difficult of application factor.

 

[BUZSTINGR]

Ceramic is no doubt a step above synthetic waxes.
However I'm not sure if a1-2yrs old coat of ceramic is better than a sealent applied every 2-3 months.
You also have the difficult of application factor.

I bought my 2019 in July '19, Had Ceramic Coated (Opti-Coat Pro Plus) professionally applied. I do a maintenance hand wash once or twice a month only. It is rated as a 7 year protection....And so far, even after a full winter in Canada (Salt and Grime) water still beads as if just applied. The coating makes it much easier to clean your car and to keep it cleaner.

The new Graphene coating are a step above (Maybe with a bit less in longevity Upwards of 5 years). But the kicker is it can be applied by a Do It Yourselfer at home....Easily.

A little more expensive in the beginning, but saves in the long run with much better protection.....IMO!

 

[SKStinger]

Ceramic is no doubt a step above synthetic waxes.
However I'm not sure if a1-2yrs old coat of ceramic is better than a sealent applied every 2-3 months.
You also have the difficult of application factor.

Ceramic coatings can and should be rejuvenated periodically. Adding an Si-O2 top coat during the drying process is all that’s needed to keep it fresh. A product like P&S Beadmaker on top of a ceramic coating is an amazing combination.

Check out Adams’ application video for their new graphene coating. It’s super easy to apply and you can even use a uv light to ensure you don’t miss any spots if you so choose. It was a lot of fun.

 

[5tinger]

Ceramic coatings can and should be rejuvenated periodically. Adding an Si-O2 top coat during the drying process is all that’s needed to keep it fresh. A product like P&S Beadmaker on top of a ceramic coating is an amazing combination.

Check out Adams’ application video for their new graphene coating. It’s super easy to apply and you can even use a uv light to ensure you don’t miss any spots if you so choose. It was a lot of fun.

Just as my 2018 purchased bottle of Meguiars NXT Wax has finished. I'm thinking of taking the ceramic route.

However to answer the OP - The below is a good aerosol based wax remover.
I suppose it would be used following wash, but before clay bar.

 

[HoneyBeeStinger]

To remove wax, use a good quality car soap designed for it - I found Carpro Reset will do this.
If you don't have that, a regular soap like Meguiars Gold Class with a little degreaser or all purpose cleaner added in will do the trick.
Don't use dish soap - they don't have nearly as many lubricants, and you can damage your paint as a result.

 

[BUZSTINGR]

To remove wax, use a good quality car soap designed for it - I found Carpro Reset will do this.
If you don't have that, a regular soap like Meguiars Gold Class with a little degreaser or all purpose cleaner added in will do the trick.
Don't use dish soap - they don't have nearly as many lubricants, and you can damage your paint as a result.

CarPro Reset = Excellent Car Shampoo...