Car waxing is an integral part of the car detailing process. It would not be an overstatement to say that an auto detailing process is simply incomplete if you don’t wax your vehicle! It not only gives your car an added shine, but it also creates an extra layer on your car’s paint, protecting it from UV rays, acid rain, dust particles, and other contaminants. In this post, we’re explaining everything there is to know about car waxes. Keep reading to know more.
What Is Car Wax?
It is a blend of oils, waxes, and solvents. It is made from natural substances like leaves and synthetic substances like ethanol, minerals, crude oil, distillates, and others. When applied to a vehicle’s body, the wax performs a dual role—it enhances the vehicle’s exterior shine and protects the paint from UV rays, heat, pollutants, the oxidation process, and various other environmental attacks.
Natural Car Wax
Most natural car waxes are made from carnauba, a waxy substance harvested from the leaves of Brazil’s carnauba palm trees, also known as the “tree of life.” Carnauba wax is used as the base for many wax formulations. According to vehicle wash and detailing experts, carnauba wax gives an added shine and glossy look compared to other synthetic waxes when applied to the vehicle’s exterior. However, carnauba wax needs to be reapplied frequently since it tends to wear off very fast.
Synthetic Car Wax
Synthetic car waxes, also called paint sealants, are made of chemical polymers that bond together to form a protective coating. They provide more robust protection to the vehicle’s paint than carnauba wax, but do not give the same shine. What’s more, they are cheaper than carnauba waxes and need not be frequently applied to the vehicle’s exterior.
Types of Car Waxes
Natural and synthetic car waxes are available in three types:
Paste wax
Paste waxes are often the go-to solution for most people. Paste-based waxes also give a better shine than other types of waxes. However, the only downside is the time it takes to apply. You will need a tremendous amount of attention and time while applying paste wax.
Liquid wax
Liquid waxes are easier to apply but dry out quickly. A word of caution: avoid pouring liquid wax directly onto the surface of the vehicle while detailing. Doing this can damage your car’s color and cause uneven dark streaks on the paint finish.
Spray wax
Top car detailing experts do not recommend spray waxes while waxing the entire body of the vehicle—if you must, make sure you know what you’re doing. Spray waxes can be used to add an extra layer to already-existing car wax or when detailing a section of a vehicle.
Renée Martin is a travel and car expert who focuses on road and air travel in the U.S. For the past 6 years, she’s been helping make driving and trip planning easier and budget-friendly for everyday travelers.
