A common problem in the automotive detailing industry is using different terminology to describe products. For instance, using phrases like wax, polish, sealant, and coating all on the same product.
Essentially, waxes and sealants are made for the same purpose only they accomplish their job for different use cases.
What are Sealants?
For people who don’t know, you can’t find sealants in nature. They are lab-made, chemical compounds that can be altered, re-engineered and tailored to meet various criteria.
Manufacturers tweak these synthetic products so that they deliver specific results. Additionally, sealants offer cars long-term protection. If your car endures severe weather conditions on a daily basis, then a sealant could be a great choice.
You can expect a paint sealant to last anywhere from 2-3 months depending on the conditions you drive in.
What is Wax?
Wax is organic, and can be found in nature. A particular kind of palm tree produces several compounds of car wax. In its original form, people often call it carnauba wax.
It is available in many grades and purities. It can also mix with oils and other waxes, such as beeswax, for example. Some manufacturers also combine it with polymers to create car wax.
Wax is particularly useful for creating a glossy and shiny finish. Car enthusiasts prefer it, as it can offer your vehicle a rich, polished look that most of its alternatives fail to deliver on, like sealants.
You can expect a wax to last anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks.
The Biggest Difference: Durability
When people compare sealants and wax solely based on durability, sealants win. On average, a sealant treatment lasts between two and three months. That’s a lot longer than any wax can offer.
Cars exposed to various levels of pollution need sealants that will protect them from dirt and grime. In case your vehicle is parked in the open without any overhead protection, then you could benefit from using a sealant.
Aside from being long-lasting, sealants also offer a nice, reflective finish. So, given that they have so many advantages, how come some people still prefer wax?
Wax is Ideal for a Show Car Finish
In order to maintain that wet, almost mirror-like finish, you need to use wax. Wax also provides a different finish in comparison to a sealant, which is more noticeable on darker cars.
When you use wax on cars of darker shades, be it black or blue, it will give an additional facet of depth and dimension. However, brighter colors can also benefit from wax. If your vehicle is yellow or red, using wax will make those bright colors even more vibrant.
For car owners who are looking to derive the most 'shine' out of their vehicle’s finish, wax is the predominant choice. While sealants and coatings do manage to lend satisfactory levels of shine, they still can’t match the quality that carnauba can offer.
Comparison of Sealant and Wax
For a significant period of time, sealants fell short on some fronts. Namely, they couldn’t provide the same aesthetically pleasing results as wax. With that said, these engineered products have only improved in this aspect.
That being said, there are a lot of advantages to using both of these products. Let's look at a few quick comparisons and see which product is right for you.
1. Sealants provide your car with protection in virtually all weather conditions, and they also protect the vehicle against minor damage. Sealants have a far greater resistance to heat, UV rays, and even detergents as compared to carnauba-based wax products.
2. The original idea behind sealants was to literally seal your paint, not to make it show room ready. That being said, there is a thin line between wax and sealants these days. Many sealants offer excellent clarity and reflective properties.
3. Sealants have a wide variety of chemical compounds in them. These include acrylic resins, polymers, and amino compounds. Many of these contain varying amounts of wax, which adds shine and helps cover imperfections.
4. By blending wax, solvents, oils, and polymers, you can, in theory, make any number of amalgamated wax products.
5. Another major concern that makes people favor sealant is that wax fails to provide enough protection against abrasive cleaners. This puts you at a disadvantage when you head to touch-free car washes that might use strong cleaning agents.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to these products, only you and your driving habits can determine what your vehicle needs.
If you're after a way to seal your paint for a long period of time, and you aren't too concerned with a high-gloss finish, opt for sealant.
If you're after that stunning mirror-like finish, look for a wax with carnauba in the ingredients.
