Wax vs Sealant: What’s the Difference?

In maintaining the paint, texture, and polish of your car, you would need to choose the best protector for this. When you want to do this, you need to think about the wax or sealant preservation.

The wax or sealant are two ways of preserving the paint of your car. Both of them have come up with their unique features for preserving your car, but there would always be the matter of choice, and of course one will have the edge over the other with one or two distinctions.

Here, you would get a side by side comparison between wax and sealant. Note, however, that the final verdict on which one to use will lie on your choice.

After you might have known the making and properties of the two, you should be guided to choose the best protection for your vehicle paint.

Wax vs Sealant – Which One Is Better?

Waxes of a car are obtained from natural processes. This is a major distinction between the wax and sealant.

Car waxes are a paste, semi-solid that is obtained from a Brazilian tree. The tree is known as the Tree of Life.

The tree originally secretes wax from itself in order to protect its leaves. Herein, the nature of the weather and climate of the region influence the secretion. Furthermore, the rate of humidity and dampness of this geographical location makes the secretion to come in place for the protection of the leaves.

The same protection is, thus, given to your car. Heat, UV rays, and oxidation are effects which wax would protect your car against. Many environmental conditions would be shunned off with the wax.

Moreover, the wax will make the car repel water or moisture and keep your car shinning.

Wax can protect your car for about three months or more. It is a lot easy when applying wax to your car. It makes your car dazzle and shiny lasting for the duration of its usage.

Sealant, on the other hand, is not obtained from natural means. They are synthetically obtained through the mixture of necessary polymers. When the compounds are mixed together, a shiny formation is made on your vehicle, and you will get a shell-like appearance on the surface of your car.

Sealant lasts up to around 12 months while providing your car with a glossy appearance which of course is dazzling to see. They are easy when applying them, and in fact, this makes it appreciated by many people.

Duration of Use

In answering the question of wax vs sealant, the duration that both will last for is important. Basically, sealant lasts longer than wax as they work up to 12 months when in use.

Your car will be protected throughout this duration, and the shiny and glossy appearance will not cease. When you use to drive a lot, the sealant will save your day in protecting the paint.

As for wax, the duration can last up to 3 months. Wax is a naturally obtained product which is not so infused with chemicals. This might be a contributor to its duration of use.

In using wax, however, the shiny nature is so appealing that it would not be a major problem for its enthusiast to constantly change it in a short period.

Ease of Application

The sealant is very easy to apply. You can easily use a polisher to apply sealant, and you will be good to go. The form of sealant adds to its ease of application. The sealant is in liquid form, and so this makes it suitable for a newbie to apply.

Apart from the use of polish, you can also easily achieve its application with the hand. They are like a gratification you will get instantly as they save so much time and in a short while you will finish applying the sealant.

Wax is also easy to apply but a little bit more stressful. It may change form due to its nature. When applying wax, good care must be taken, unlike sealant.

The usage of polisher should be done for wax with adequate care and know that the time it will take to apply wax is not as short as the time it will take to apply sealant.

Source

Sometimes, individual preference may arise due to the source of a product. As for wax, it is sourced through natural means. As mentioned above, it originates from a tree in Brazil.

The natural means of protection as used in the tree is also used in protecting your vehicle. Although there are claims that wax is completely natural in a 100% manner, this may be completely true as no doubt some additives would have been added to it.

However, it still retains its natural form and is very naturally sourced in comparison with the sealant.

As for sealants, manufacturers entirely source them synthetically. They are not acquired from any natural source at all, and there are many polymers which are linked together to achieve the making of sealant.

It is the direct opposite of the wax as it totally incorporates chemical in its making.

Popularity

Both wax and sealant are popular, and it may be difficult to ascertain the popularity of one over another. However, the sealant is still largely preferred by painters as this has many uses that transcend the wax.

The sealant can last for a good period, and this makes it the choice of most people. Also, sealants are easy to apply, and so this makes it the reason why most people would go for it.

In addition, sealant saves time, and of course, no one would want to waste time in protecting their vehicle.

Wax, too, is popular amongst its enthusiast. Some people don’t really care about the short duration of the wax, and they would prefer to change it progressively whenever it wears out.

The natural source of wax makes it preferable among some people, and no matter what other people may say as regards the sealant, such people would always choose the wax.

Types of Wax

Although there are different types of wax, there’s no really better among them. Each wax provides different features that you may prefer over the other.

• Carnauba Wax – a plant-based vegetable wax that is widely used among car enthusiasts.
• Beeswax – a wax found in honeycomb. It’s mainly used for its durable and protective properties.
• Paraffin Wax – a wax made from petroleum. It has a soft and colorless solid shape.
• Montan Wax – an aged and hardened carnauba wax. Provides better protection for paint surfaces and a higher breakdown temperature.
• Hybrid Synthetic – composed of a variety of based paint sealants. Versatile use since they can come in different application types, liquid and spray application.

Notable Ingredients and Products

These are some words you may often read when searching for wax or sealants.

Polymer

Paint sealants are mostly made up of polymers chemically bonded onto paint surfaces. Once they “flash”, they make a durable layer of protection compared to car wax. They also last longer compared to car wax.

Resin

Resin is a popular product that helps remove minor scuffs and scratches. They’re popular and widely used in a variety of cars. Resin is mostly made up of a mixture of organic compounds from animals, vegetables, or synthetic.

Silicone Fluids

Silicone fluids are used for adding protection to your car from water and moisture penetration. They’re mostly used as an additive for car exterior polishes and waxes. Most wax and sealants contain silicone fluids.

Teflon

Teflon is a coating known for its anti-rust coating. It also adds shine to the finish and prevents corrosion and wear and tear in extreme temperatures.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Are Cleaner Waxes?

These are waxes that have polish in it. They can help protect and make your car shine in a single step.

2. Are Silica-Based Sealants the Best And What Makes Them the Best?

Indeed they are the best. They act differently from other ordinary waxes. Once applied to the surface; they generate a curing property that creates a chemical bond on the surfaces being painted. Furthermore, they can resist the effect of water, soap, or any other pollutants.

3. How Frequently Should I Wax or Apply Sealant to My Car?

One thing to note is that wax or sealant should be applied if it is a must. How often to apply them relies on the sort of driving and the harm your car paint is enduring. However, for wax, it is good to do it every 4-6 weeks.

4. Can You Apply the Wax and Sealant at the Same Time?

Yes, you can. To achieve these, first start with sealant, wait for it to dry out and then apply the wax.

5. How Long Should It Be Required to Re-Apply the Sealant Again?

Depending on the way you drive your car, the applied sealant can keep going for about 2-4 months.

Conclusion

Wax and sealant are both good choice depending on the preference of the person. It is necessary to note the differences as this will come in handy when deciding to go for one. Whichever one you choose, just use it to your heart’s content.