Tired of waxing every month, thinking of investing in something more permanent

[ralphiealbert]

I love keeping my car looking good, but I'm getting really tired of the constant upkeep. I'll spend a whole weekend carefully washing, claying, and applying a good wax, and it looks amazing for maybe two or three weeks. But after a few rounds of dust and the intense sun, the shine fades and I can feel the paint getting rough again. It feels like I'm just constantly starting over. I've been looking into options that actually last, like proper ceramic coatings or even paint protection film. I know a proper coating isn't cheap, but if it means the paint stays glossy and protected from UV damage and minor scratching for a year or more, it seems worth it to save all that weekend labor. I'm really after some long lasting paint protection tips from people who've moved beyond just wax. If you've had a ceramic coating applied, how has it held up against our summer heat and the fine dust? Does it really make washing easier and keep that "just detailed" look for months, or is there another step like a graphene coating that's even better for our climate? I'd love to hear about real world experiences before I take the plunge.