There might be some people who think that car wax doesn’t really have any significant purpose but to make your car look nice on special occasions. But the truth is, waxing a car regularly is important since it helps preserve the car’s clear coat over its paint. Just as you maintain your car’s internal components, you also need to care for its exterior since it can become damaged as well. Since there are many wax products being sold in the market today, many might ask, what are the different types of wax for a car? There are two main types of car wax – natural car wax and synthetic car wax. Aside from its two main types, there are also different forms of car wax and it includes paste wax, liquid wax, and spray wax.
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What are the Different Types of Wax for a Car? – Are There Different Types of Car Wax?
Waxing your car should be done regularly, not just because you want the extra shine, but also to add protection on your car’s exterior. Just like how you make sure that your other car components are well-maintained by doing oil changes or checking fluid levels, you should also care for the exterior of your car. Although maintaining your exterior might not help improve the performance of your car, it can help keep your car looking like new for many years after its purchase.
Waxing your car regularly is considered an essential since it will help preserve your car’s clear coat applied over the paint. It can help by preserving oils in the paint. The clear coat is known as the layer that protects the paint of your car from damaging elements such as rain, street salt, snow, ultraviolet rays, and other threats or contaminants.
Car wax can help keep the oils in the paint and prevent oxidation. This can happen when the oxygen molecules in the air react with the paint’s free radicals which can cause a dull finish. Waxing regularly can help avoid this since it makes sure that the paint’s clear coat will not wear away. The car wax will be your car exterior’s first line of defense in facing the corrosive and damaging elements. If you don’t wax your car regularly and the clear coat wears away, the paint of your car will be prone to discoloration, fading, and corrosion. When this happens, the resale value of your car will be affected.
You need to bear in mind that when you apply wax on your car, you need to wash your car first. Your car needs to be clean and free from any debris, dirt, or grease so you can apply wax evenly and properly over its clear coat. If you don’t wash your car prior to applying wax, you might damage your paint since dirt and other small particles may grind into the paintwork as you apply it.
Are there different types of car wax? What are the different types of wax for a car? There are two main types of wax for a car and they are:
- Natural car wax
For people who are asking, “what are the different types of wax for your car?”, one of the different types of car wax is known as the natural car wax. Like its name suggests, this type of car wax is made of natural ingredients, generally from plants. The most common natural wax available in the market today comes from the Copernicia Cerifera palm tree leaves that is native in Brazil. This wax is also known as the Carnauba wax.
The Carnauba wax is prepared and processed by combining it with a substance such as beeswax or turpentine. This wax is known to give warm and deep shine to the car and is recommended to be used on black and other dark-colored car paint. The Carnauba wax has different grades which are yellow and white. The yellow wax is pure plant wax and is known as the most expensive type. But, it is expensive for a reason. It is known to provide a high level of protection to your car paint, offers great water beading, and an impressive shine.
But, not all products are perfect. Carnauba is great and impressive but it has some drawbacks. One of its drawbacks is that it wears off quickly compared to synthetic car wax. It can only last for up to four months. You will have to apply the wax again after four months.
- Synthetic car wax
Synthetic car wax is artificial and it is more commonly known as paint sealant. It is made of chemicals or polymers that are known to be able to bond with paint. Many people prefer this type of wax for their car because it is more durable than the natural car wax. Synthetic car wax is capable of protecting your car’s paint from the elements for up to 12 months depending on the brand and your area’s weather conditions. But, the quality of shine it can provide to your car is incomparable for what the natural car wax can provide. It is for this reason why owners of high-end cars and showroom managers use natural car wax for their cars.
Synthetic car wax usually contains a cleaning component that is capable of stripping off any residual dirt on your car. When you apply this type of wax on your car, it will take less time and you will immediately notice its effect. Synthetic car wax is the preferred choice among car owners since it is more affordable compared to natural car wax.
However, like mentioned earlier, not all products are perfect. It always has some drawbacks and synthetic car wax is not exempted. One of the drawbacks is that it does not provide an impressive shine. If you want your car to have a deep shine, then this type of wax for a car is not for you. But if you want a car wax that can protect your paint job and can remove any dirt residue, then synthetic car wax will be a good choice.
What are the Different Types of Wax for a Car? – How Do I Choose a Car Wax?
You now know the answer to the question, “what are the different types of wax for a car?”. There are two – natural car wax and synthetic car wax. But how do you choose a car wax? How will you know which one is perfect for your car? Here’s what you need to know.
Applying wax on your car regularly means that you are adding another protective layer on your car. Modern cars usually have a finish of three parts which are the base primer, color coat, and clear coat. The clear coat is the one that gives a shiny effect on your car so you need to make sure that it won’t wear away by applying car wax on it. When you apply the right car wax, it can help protect the clear coat from stains, tiny scratches, smears, bird droppings, tree saps, and other contaminants.
We have already answered the question “what are the different types of wax for a car?” and there are two. However, choosing which one is the best for your car doesn’t end there. You still have to choose which of the different forms of car wax you should use.
There are three main forms of car wax and it include:
- Paste wax
The paste wax is known as the oldest form of car wax. It can provide an impressive gloss and water beading on your car because of its natural oils. This car wax is generally more expensive than the other wax forms. But paste wax can provide better protection than the other two.
Paste wax has some known disadvantages. It can be hard to apply it on your car evenly and to buff out. There are some paste waxes that have hard textures so it can be very difficult to apply and you may need a special tool for it. Many paste waxes also tend to dry to a haze within 30 seconds.
- Liquid wax
Liquid wax is ideal for glossing and cleaning. It has a smoother texture than paste wax. It is also known for its durability because it has added synthetic polymers. However, applying liquid wax can be very challenging to apply and buff out because it can dry quickly. It may dry out within a minute depending on the sunlight, wind, and the application thickness.
- Spray wax
Spray wax is considered as the easiest type of wax to apply and buff since many spray waxes don’t dry quickly. Its practical packaging also allows precise application. It is good for spot waxing or when you want to give your car a quick wax. Spray wax is ideal for new cars with great finishes, especially if you want to have a more intensifying shine and added protection.
However, it also has some drawbacks. Spray wax is not capable of cleaning deeply like the other wax forms. It is also less resistant to the weather and it is known to be the least durable among all three waxes.
What are the different types of wax for a car? What are the different forms of wax? You might already know the answers to these questions but, how will you know which one is perfect for your car? To determine which one is best suited on your car paint, you need to consider some factors which include:
- Your car’s age
If your car is still pretty new and its finish is still good, then choosing to use spray wax on it is enough. However, this type of wax is the least durable one, wearing out faster than the others. It is known to be the on-the-go wax meant for special occasions or for weekly applications.
If you own an older car and you want to preserve its finish, or your car’s finish has already started to oxidize or grime or dirt is starting to accumulate, you should use a wax that is known for cleaning, reviving, and maintaining the finish. For this type of application, liquid waxes are known to be the best one. Liquid car waxes work best for cars with high mileage, older vehicles that need much cleaning and sealing, filling tiny crevices in the paint caused by element exposure.
- Your car’s color
Cars with dark colors tend to show scratches more easily than the ones with lighter colored paints. If your car is black or is dark-colored, you need to be extra careful when choosing a car wax since waxes can be abrasive. It has some small particles or harsh chemicals that may leave haze or tiny scratches on the finish of the car which can be very visible on dark-colored cars. You need to find a car wax with high scores or rating on scratching and hazing tests.
- How much plastic your car has.
Another thing that you need to consider in choosing a car wax is the amount of plastic your car has. This is because there are waxes that tend to leave visible residue when applied on porous, non-glossy plastic components of a car such as plastic body panels, door trims, and body panels. It is often noticeable since these plastic components are usually black or gray. You need to choose a product that works well with your car’s plastic parts.
What are the different types of wax for a car? If you have asked this question at some point, it is good that you want to know more about it so you can choose the one that is perfect for your car. Choosing the right wax for your car really depends on the factors listed above as well as how much time you are willing to give your car to wax it. If you can easily spare a lot of time for it and you quite enjoy the process, go for paste wax or liquid wax. But if not, go for the on-the-go spray wax.