What Are The Different Types Of Car Waxing?
Did you know that car wax was the first auto detailing product ever invented? In the 1800s wax made from animal fats was developed for use in horse carriages. A lot of time has passed ever since and nowadays vehicles can enjoy a true auto spa that includes every aspect from washing to paint correction and car polishing. There is a very wide range of auto detailing products on the market, and at Stuey’s Green Auto Clean we only use the best and safest, EPA-certified solutions. Keep on reading to find out what the different types of car waxing are and their benefits
Liquid wax
Liquid wax is by far the most popular due to its smooth texture. Advantages of liquid wax include being easy to apply by hand or with a machine and enabling vehicle owners or detailing professionals to complete the waxing fast. You need to pay attention, though, and work fast because liquid wax tends to dry quickly, sometimes faster than you can spread it onto the car surface.
Liquid wax is generally recommended for newer cars or vehicles with better-preserved paint. Liquid wax is gentler on the finish and suitable for touch-ups.
Paste
Paste wax is the oldest type of car wax out there and has a hard texture. Applying it to a surface can be a challenge, and you need to warm the car body first to ensure easy application. However, the effort is worth it as paste wax such as carnauba creates that beautiful glossy shine everybody likes.
Paste wax is recommended for older cars, with duller paint. If you were able to look at an older car’s paint under the microscope, you would notice lots of irregularities in the finish. Solid wax is more effective at smoothening those peaks and valleys due to the higher concentration of wax in the product.
Paste wax is also preferred by vehicle owners living in dry climates. These can be abrasive to the car’s finish, while prolonged exposure to sunlight can also cause car paint to break down and have a dull aspect. Paste wax can even work as a filler for small chips in the paint, delaying the onset of corrosion.
Both liquid and paste waxes can be found with UV protection, working as sunscreen for the car.
Spray wax
Spray wax is not usually employed by professional auto detailers because it is used mostly for fast fixes. It is easy to apply and wipe off the surface with a microfiber cloth. This type of wax is suitable if the wax layer is wearing off and needs restoring.
Spray wax is generally considered unsuitable as a substitute for paste or liquid wax. However, any type of wax is better than none, especially when you are driving in the winter.
Colored wax
Many users are skeptical about colored wax due to its inability to perform as many people hope. The colored wax is simply car wax with a tint and it should be able to hide minor defects in the car’s paint. Paint enhancement though is not so potent as to fix big issues with your car surface, so don’t expect colored wax to solve what years of intense vehicle use and/or neglect have done.
Natural car wax
The last two types of car waxes refer to the origin of ingredients used to manufacture the wax: natural or synthetic. All four types of car wax presented above can be either natural or synthetic.
Natural car wax is usually made from carnauba, a substance obtained from a Brazilian plant called Copernica Cerifera. Because carnauba is very hard in its natural form, petroleum distillates and other oils are added to it in order to make it more usable. This means that even car waxes that are labeled as natural may not be entirely green due to the additives they contain. Some natural products enthusiasts suggest preparing your own natural carnauba car wax at home, to avoid the use of synthetic additives.
Synthetic car wax
Synthetic car waxes are exactly what they claim to be: synthetic resins and polymers mix that protect the surface of the car from contaminants.
What is the difference between natural and synthetic car wax?
Natural car wax provides outstanding, warm shine and gloss but needs to be applied more often because it lasts shorter.
Synthetic car waxes ensure protection for longer but lack the shine and gloss of natural carnauba waxes.
Carnauba car wax, in short, has the following pros: low price, being easy to apply and ensuring a warm glow. Cons include lack of protection from scratches, not lasting as long as synthetic products, and staining car plastic parts.
Synthetic waxes, on the other hand, are preferred by those who consider the following pros important: long protection, being able to apply the wax in direct sunlight, not ruining plastic if applied accidentally and repelling water. Cons of Synthetic waxes include the thorough preparation requirements, the lack of warm glow, and not being able to apply a sealant over wax.
How do you know which wax is suitable for your car? The right decision depends on how easy and often you expect to apply the wax and on the results you want to obtain. Or you can leave the entire matter to professionals and call to Stuey’s Green Auto Clean for services such as hand car wash, full-service car wash, mobile detailing, and car polish and wax so you give your vehicle the car spa session it deserves!
