Waxes Demystified

I'm often asked about waxes.  In the GlossHaus system, we major on two things: preparing and correcting the paint surface to the finest point possible and ease of use.  Thorough polishing and glazing of your paint offers the best platform for wax - if you do it right, almost any wax will look pretty good.  But once you're done preparing the paint, how do you choose what wax is right for the car?  The answer is "It depends on what you want."

When selecting the type of wax, you have two categories to choose from - carnauba waxes and polymer sealants.

Carnauba Waxes are a natural product made from a Brazilian palm tree, and offer the most beautiful result - that soft, glossy glow that really gives the illusion of depth.  The downside of carnauba waxes is they don't last as long as sealants, and offer less protection.

Polymer sealants offer terrific protection since they actually bond to your paint, and typically last 50% longer than a carnauba wax.  [Another question I often get asked is "How long does wax last?", but that is another blog for another day, but the net answer is "It depends" :o) ].  The primary downside of sealant waxes is that they tend to look very wet and "slick", but don't offer the visual depth and softness that is really the best look for most cars.

So which do you choose?  I think the easy answer is you choose carnauba for looks or sealant for protection and longevity, but here's the really good news:

You can choose both!

Layering the waxes gives you the best of both worlds - you get all the beauty of carnauba with all of the protection of the sealant.  The important thing to remember is that you should apply the sealant first since it bonds to your paint.  After waiting 12 to 24 hours for the sealant to cure and bond, apply the carnauba.  It will go on and off even easier!  Also, since sealant lasts longer, you can also apply a "top coat" of carnauba six to eight weeks later to extend the benefit of both waxes!

When it comes down to choosing your brand of wax, the choice factors for me come down to two things:  Beauty and Ease of Use.

Most sealants are easy to use..They have less issues with hazing trim and they go on and come off easily, which makes them popular with detailers who have fought the chunk of carnauba-turned-cement on a spot they missed or took too long to get back to.    GlossHaus Perfect Polymer is certainly no exception to that rule.

But if you're going for the best look, you're talking carnauba.  Generally, carnauba requires you to work very methodically - getting it on and off the panel efficiently or risk spots that harden and can be very difficult and a little stressful to remove.  GlossHaus Perfect Carnauba is specifically formulated to be easy to put and once it hazes over and you're ready to wipe it off (or even a few minutes after you're ready...), it won't take the arms of a professional wrestler or a jackhammer to remove the residue.  An easy wipe with a microfiber will unveil the amazing shine you want.

When it comes to compliments, virtually every comment we get about beautiful results is accompanied with a statement along the lines of "...and it was so easy to use!" - which means we are doing our job right!

So it boils down to this:  Prepare your paint well for wax to get the best result.  When choosing wax, go for sealant for the best protection or select carnauba for the best look.  If you have the time for one extra step, use both by applying carnauba after the sealant has had time to bond, and enjoy the most complete benefit possible!