Wax Facts

This question can bring many opinions and myths. We will shed some light on the myths and give you our information.

Myth #1: My car has 4 coats of wax applied.

Fact: When ever wax is applied any residue and or previous wax application is stripped off and replaced with the new application.

Myth #2: My car has a clear coat; I do not have to wax clear coat.

Fact: Clear coat is just that; a clear layer of paint over the colored layer of paint. Clear coat being paint itself, must have wax applied to protect it as well.

Myth #3 My car has a treatment from the dealer and or detail center that requires no waxing ever.

Fact: Read the fine print in your warranty at time of purchase, it will clearly state that once a month a conditioner must be applied to maintain the warranty. Take a guess as to what that conditioner is...you guessed it, wax.

The Real Truth: How Often Should You Wax Your Car

Like skin on our bodies, paint and clear coat must be kept clean and protected. Think of hand and body lotion as wax for your skin. If your car is hand washed once a week and garage kept, depending on your geographic location, you can go as long as 90 days before needing to apply wax. If the vehicle is black and or you reside in an extreme environment, it should be waxed every 45 days.

I waxed my car - why is the paint still rough?

One of the key steps in a professional detail is the surface prep of the paint. After the car has been prep-washed the next step is to use a surface preparation bar, also known as a "clay bar" to prep the paint for polishing and waxing. This process removes paint overspray and other contaminants that find their way onto vehicle's surfaces.

The clay process is the newest way to remove paint overspray that has landed on the vehicle and is available in different grades for light contaminants up to tough stubborn paint overspray.

Carnauba Car Wax vs. Paint Sealants

Learn the facts on Car wax!

You have two basic choices when it comes to paint protection: carnauba wax or synthetic paint sealant. Here you’ll find information on each so you can choose the paint protection that’s right for you.

Carnauba Waxes

Carnauba wax is the preferred car wax of collectors and concours enthusiasts because it creates a rich, warm glow. It doesn’t appear to sit on the paint. It transforms the paint into a deep, liquid pool that shimmers under changing light conditions. The more carnauba wax, the more shine.

The wax is produced by the Brazilian Tree of Life, a palm tree, in order to coat its leaves. The wax provides protection from the sweltering sun and it sheds water so it falls onto the ground and is absorbed by the tree’s roots. If you think back to junior high science class, you might remember that plants release oxygen through their leaves. For this reason, carnauba wax is breathable. Good for the tree and good for your paint.

The drawback of carnauba waxes, if you can call it a drawback, is that it does not last as long as a synthetic sealant. A carnauba car wax finish will wear off in approximately 6 to 8 weeks. It depends heavily on the climate in which you live and whether or not your vehicle is garaged. Daily commutes in a hot, humid climate mean a shorter life span for your carnauba wax coat.

In a nutshell, carnauba car wax is the wax of enthusiasts. It appeals to people who want the absolute most stunning show car shine available and are willing to spend a couple of hours every month or so to get it. Most of them will tell you it is time well spent.

Paint Sealants

Paint sealants are kind of the anti-carnauba. They last a lot longer, they are easy to apply, and there’s nothing natural about them. This is surface science at its best.

A paint sealant is made of polymers, which are composed of tens of thousands of synthetic particles that are linked together. When a sealant bonds to your vehicle’s paint, it forms a rigid shell. It is not the warm carnauba that seems to melt into the paint. Paint sealants sit on top of the paint like a transparent chain metal suit. They are glossy and slick, but carnauba lovers will tell you they do not have the warmth and depth of a carnauba.

However, the real selling point of a paint sealant is the durability. A premium paint sealant can last 4 to 6 months, sometimes longer.  By “last”, I mean that water will continue to bead and the paint will remain protected from UV rays and contamination. For people that spend more time driving than detailing, the paint sealant is the way to go.

As you’ve seen, there are a lot of differences between paint sealants and natural carnauba waxes. Glassy, hard shell or deep, liquid shine? Six months or six weeks? These are the basic questions you have to answer before selecting your paint protection.

However, a growing number of enthusiasts simply refuse to choose. Instead, they coat their vehicles with a layer of sealant for long-lasting protection and then top it with a layer of carnauba for the dazzling shine. Even if you forget to reapply carnauba in 6 weeks, your paint won’t suffer.