Mothers CMX Ceramic Spray Coating Creates a Finish a Pro Could Love

Ever since I was young, Mothers has been a staple in my garage. Back then, I was particularly fond of the company’s California Gold paste wax, and I absolutely over-applied it every week to my 1997 Volkswagen Jetta. So, when it came time to review the CMX Ceramic Spray Coating, I was curious to see how the storied brand attempted at bringing its know-how to this newfangled technology.

One interesting twist to my ceramic-coating experiment is that Mothers also sent over its CMX 3-in-1 Polish & Coat, which ended up being the foundation for all of the coatings I tested. That product really impressed me. Not only did it bring new life to the deeply neglected single-stage San Marino Red paint on my 1999 Honda Accord coupe, it also served prepped the surface for the ceramic coatings I would apply afterward since it did not contain any oils or waxes that would inhibit adhesion. 

We’re here to talk about Miss CMX Ceramic Spray Coating, however. Let’s get into it.

The Drive and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links. Read more.

Good: Doesn’t reek, foolproof application

Bad: Ease of use is kinda suspect for long-lasting results

This stuff is very easy to apply. Just spray it on and wipe it off. It comes in a large bottle, which made me think it wasn’t as concentrated. That’s a good thing, particularly for beginners and those who might be inclined to overuse products like I do. 

I chose to apply Mothers CMX Ceramic Spray Coating to the passenger side of my Accord. In addition to the refreshingly simple application and removal process, this stuff actually leaves the paint noticeably slicker and glossier. If you prefer to stack or layer multiple coats, note that the cure time is a particularly long 24 hours, which I personally think is high for a spray product. If you’re not stacking coats, just keep in mind that you’ll want to keep the car dry and away from malevolent birds while it cures.

This comes out on top for me in terms of the spray coatings that I tested. I appreciate the ease of use, as well as the availability of the product, since you’ll find it on the shelves at your favorite automotive retail stores. The fact that it doesn’t smell like it's going to put you in an early grave is also a nice bonus, and that makes it less intimidating as well.

My main issue with this product is inherent to the nature of spray coatings and will likely apply to any of them that I come across. The protection with a product like this just isn’t going to last as long as a traditional ceramic coating, and they generally aren’t designed to. It’s great at what it does, so go into it knowing the limitations. I could whine about the cure time, but you should probably time your car washes to avoid unexpected rainfall anyway.

This is easily the most recognizable brand of the products I’ve tested. CMX Ceramic Spray Coating is a great upgrade to a standard automotive detailing product for those who put even a little bit of extra work into keeping their paint swirl and blemish free. If you aren’t interested in going with a full blown coating, I think you’ll still achieve great results that are easily repeatable with even a semi-frequent wash and reapplication regimen. 

To improve the final look, I suggest the CMX 3-in-1 Polish & Coat to prep your paint before applying any coatings. Combining these two Mothers CMX products will provide great results that anyone short of a professional detailer would be happy with. Whether you’re shopping for your garage queen or your daily driver, the CMX Spray Coating is worth a try.

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.

A: Mothers claims that they’re still testing, but they put one of their test cars through more than 100 automatic brush car washes and the coating is still preserved. 

A: Yes, it is a solvent and water-based emulsion. 

A: Mothers doesn’t explicitly recommend it and there are other products specifically made for glass, so we’d advise using one of those.

A: Mothers says that high alkaline liquids can be used to remove this and other ceramic coatings.

The Drive's Gear wants to give you, our dear readers, clarity on the review process for products. We get them from a variety of sources, including purchasing them ourselves or receiving them from manufacturers. No matter the source, we maintain our editorial independence and will always give you our honest assessment of any product we test. We cannot be bought. Unless you wave $1 billion in our faces. Maybe then we'll consider it.

We’re here to be expert guides in everything how-to and product related. Use us, compliment us, yell at us. Comment below, and let’s talk, y’all. You can also shout at us on Twitter or Instagram.