Is getting your car waxed still a thing? We receive phone calls a day in and day out with customers asking how much for a “good” wash and wax. Don’t get me wrong we love to get the phone calls. It creates an opening to explain our process and why a good wax is not always the best for long term protection. The longevity of wax can range from 2-6 weeks if properly maintained.

When the wax was best

We understand that for a very long time, there were few options to choose from for protecting your investment, but much like everything else, these days technology is always improving on how to make better products with lasting results. Wax can be a great choice in certain situations. For example, the wax is great for show cars or antiques. The reason being most of these vehicles are not everyday cars and most of the time they sit in a garage or covered most of the year. Wax gives you that deep glossy wet look and will bead water extremely well. BUT this is a very short term results. The short term protection is due to low-temperature rating that carnauba wax can handle before the wax breaks down in the heat of the sun. The tricky part is that you cannot physically see the wax breaking down. This is where having the right detailer to educate you on the best product for the job comes in handy.

Sealants are our go-to for protection

Unlike wax that bonds to the paint to form complete protection above the paint, sealant, which can give approximately 4-6 months of protection, bonds to form complete protection. The difference is that the elements will completely break down the wax, as opposed to sealants which will only break down from washing.

Question: can you use sealants and wax on the same vehicle?

Answer: YES but you must use them in the correct order. Use sealant first for the protection on the paint, top with wax to get that wet deep glossy look. Remember your wax will burn off after a couple of weeks but the sealant will still be there for the protection. If you are one for always having that deep finish look, apply both the sealant and wax. After a few weeks reapply only the wax and your back to having the best of both worlds.