HOW CAR WAX PROTECTS YOUR CAR’S FINISH

In this article you will learn:

How car wax protects your vehicle’s paintwork

The difference between a natural and synthetic car wax

When to use a liquid, paste or spray formulation

What it is about car wax that makes it such a great protectant? Whether you're new to the world of car care or you’re a seasoned auto enthusiast, understanding the ins and outs of car wax will help you choose a wax best suited to your needs and better maintain that flawless paint job.

In this guide we get into all the nitty-gritty details, exploring the powerful formula that makes car wax work, the difference between a natural and synthetic wax and how to choose which car wax is best for you.

The science behind the wax

Car wax is one of several car care solutions designed to protect your painted finish, but it is by far the most popular due to the incredible, eye-popping shine it leaves behind. This slick, glossy substance has two important properties that make it an excellent protectant for your clear coat: it’s nonreactive and anti-adhesive.

The base of any car wax formula consists of a natural or synthetic wax combined with oils and solvents that make it easier to spread over the surface of your car. These ingredients are nonreactive when exposed to other chemicals and compounds, meaning that, when bird droppings and other pollutants come into contact with your vehicle’s wax coating, they won’t permanently stain or damage your painted finish.

Along with having inert chemical properties, car wax hardens to a slippery, hydrophobic finish that makes it difficult for dirt and stains to stick to your clear coat. Similar to the nonstick cooking spray you use to prep your frying pan, car wax prevents tough soils and grime from adhering to your vehicle’s coat of paint, making it easier to clean your car exterior. This protective layer also prevents contaminants from burning into your finish when exposed to the sun’s harmful, UV rays.

In addition to chemical and heat resistance, car wax also helps prevent scratches, swirls and oxidation to preserve your high quality paintwork. Without a wax coating, your vehicle is subject to a number of harsh environmental factors that will cause painted finishes to deteriorate more quickly due to the everyday wear and tear.

Natural vs. synthetic wax

While most traditional car waxes relied on natural ingredients like bee's wax or carnauba wax, many popular car wax solutions have evolved to include synthetic polymers and paint sealants in their formulas.

Natural waxes, like beeswax and carnauba wax, are among the safest waxes to use on your car. Many car lovers use carnauba wax every 2-3 weeks to touch up and shine their classic sports cars. These waxes have a higher melting point than a ceramic coating or paint sealant, which makes for an even deeper, mirror-like shine.

A manmade coating or paint sealant offers more strength and durability than a regular car wax. Sealants are infused with advanced silicone or graphene polymers that link together to form a tight web of protection to prevent even the heaviest scratches and swirls for up to a year. These protectants excel at shielding a great paintjob from the elements, but don’t offer the same, eye-popping shine as a traditional car wax.

Synthetic waxes are a combination of car wax and paint sealants, giving you the same, aesthetic appeal as a traditional car wax while providing the long-term benefits of a paint sealant. These hybrid solutions are a favorite among professional detailers and auto enthusiasts, creating an incredible, showroom look that lasts and lasts while making easier to maintain your car.

Many debates have sprung up about whether a synthetic or natural car wax is superior, but it all depends on the benefits you’re looking for. If you use car wax purely to shine your car, then a natural car wax that you can apply twice a month is more than enough to meet your needs. However, if you’re looking for enhanced durability and a longer lasting shine, a synthetic wax like Pro Flex Wax is a much better fit for you.

Liquid, paste or spray?

Car wax products are available as liquids, pastes or convenient sprays. With so many options to choose from, trying to choose a wax for the first time is no easy feat. What works for you may not be what works for someone else, so it’s important to know your preferences and maintenance tendencies.

Liquid and paste waxes like Hybrid Solutions Pro to the Max tend to create the most dramatic and eye-popping shine. However, spray waxes have become popular due to their ease of use, evolving with the use of synthetic polymers to create the same quality of protection and shine.

Nowadays, spray waxes are more considered more compatible with the paint finishes that car manufacturers currently use, offering a quicker and, sometimes, more powerful level of protection than liquid or paste counterparts, lasting for over six months to up to a year. If you’re in a hurry or prefer a quick car wax application, we recommend a synthetic spray wax like Hybrid Solutions Pro Flex Wax.

However, if you’re a car enthusiast that likes to spend time in the driveway or garage, babying your car, then you might prefer a liquid or paste formulation like Super Hard Shell Paste Wax. These car waxes take longer to apply, and may not always last as long, but they often add an even deeper, high-gloss shine to your vehicle.

Keeping up with everyday maintenance

Of course, just because your car wax lasts for up to a year doesn’t mean you should quit washing and maintaining your car! Your wax will continue to protect your vehicle if you give your car the proper attention and care, polishing light scratches and swirls and giving your wax a touch up as needed. You can find more information about general car maintenance by exploring our complete guide to detailing your car, or visiting the rest of the How-To section of our site for more tips, tricks and easy, step-by-step instructions.