Whats the difference between a paint sealant and a wax?

There is a lot of industry specific terms in car care and detailing that always aren’t so clearly distinguished for the consumer. It’s important to know what you are paying for and why the costs are so different. Both waxes and sealants can protect your car clear coat and paint work from the following:

• Ultraviolet radiation.

• Chemicals (salt, environmental fallout, road tar).

• Increase hydrophobic properties (repel water).

• Delay corrosion.

• Make the surface easier to clean and maintain.

Most waxes (liquid or paste) are derived from the carnauba palm plant. And regardless of formulation are just intended for painted or metal surfaces. Waxes can stain plastic and rubber trim and provide about one to two weeks of durability pending on driving conditions and environmental factors. There is one product which has a registered patent that defies all of the above factors and its the only wax I use.

Sealants are chemically formulated to give the above properties to other materials such as plastic and rubber trim, glass, chrome, aluminum, or carbon fibre. In order to properly bond with the surface require additional decontamination steps such as clay bar, Isopropyl Alcohol wipe, or other paint prep steps recommended by the manufacturer. And depending on how the vehicle is maintained, driving conditions, and other environmental factors can last anywhere from 3 months to 1 year.

Most detailers use sealants instead of a wax because of the additional protection and longevity that can be achieved through proper application and maintenance.