| Carnauba Waxes | Polymer Sealants & Waxes | Ceramic Coatings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Carnauba waxes produce a warm natural shine that is very pleasing to the eye. Some people describe the wax as having a rich warm glow. The preferred choice for show cars and concours events that award points for visual beauty. |
Polymer sealants (also known as synthetic polymer waxes) form a cross-linked film that bonds to a vehicle’s paint and lasts much longer than carnauba waxes. If you’re obsessive about the type of finish on your vehicle I can layer a carnauba based wax on top of a polymer sealant for the best of both worlds. This creates a deep, rich shine that is very attractive and provides greater durability. The depth of shine is more noticeable on dark colors and dark metallic paints. |
Ceramics produce a brilliant gloss that might be described as having a hard, glassy shine that looks like wet rock candy. New ceramic formulas can mimic the rich, warm shine of a carnauba wax by applying up to three layers of different coatings to create a more natural appearance. |
| Durability | 3 to 4 months |
9 to 12 months |
2 to 3 years (If properly maintained) |
| Thickness | 0.02 microns thick |
0.02 microns thick |
2.0 to 3.0 microns thick |
| Weaknesses | Carnauba wax starts breaking down at 160°. On a hot summer day your car hood will reach temperatures peaking at over 200°. In general I caution people that Carnauba based waxes are not a good choice for vehicles that are driven daily. |
When applied after a quality paint correction a base coat of sealant topped with a synthetic wax is a great choice. As with any surface protection bird bombs need to be removed ASAP. Bird droppings contain uric acid that is corrosive and can damage your clear coat. |
Can be susceptible to water spots if the ceramic coating is not maintained with compatible spray-on, wipe-off sealant every 90 days. This is a simple process that an owner can perform themselves in ten minutes. |
| Considerations | If you have a special car that spends most of the time in the garage and is driven maybe once a week then a Carnauba based wax can be a good choice where appearance is more important than durability. |
Polymer waxes and sealants are the most commonly used paint protection products. There is a wide range of specialty products for summer or winter protection. Combinations of different waxes and sealants can produce a different “look” depending on the color and quality of the paint job. |
More expensive initially but can save you money over the long term. Ceramics provide the best protection against swirls but they are not immune to swirl marks. Highly resistant to high and low temperature extremes. A super slick coating that results in decreased surface tension that really helps keep a vehicle cleaner when compared against waxes & sealants. Anti-static finish repels dust and water slides off the surface effortlessly. |
| Cure Time | Most carnauba based wax cures in less than one hour. |
Needs to cure for 3 to 6 hours before being exposed to moisture. |
If left to just air dry it will take 7 to 8 days before a vehicle can be exposed to moisture. Utilizing shortwave infrared light produces a full cure the same day. |
| Winter Protection | Carnauba wax is a poor choice for vehicles that are driven in the snow and exposed to ice, snow and road salts. |
I recommend a ceramic (SiO2) or graphene infused paint sealant for winter protection. New formulas using silicon dioxide and graphene oxide provide a long-lasting barrier against rain, road salt, ice, ultraviolet rays, oxidation and road grime. These sealants also protect your vehicle’s paint from high pH alkaline detergents used in automatic car washes. |
Certain coatings are formulated for cold climates and provide excellent protection for vehicles that are driven frequently in winter conditions. Very good surface protection for cars or trucks that are often left outside during the winter. Top choice for vehicles that don’t get washed regularly during the winter months. |
