PAINT PROTECTION

 

When it comes to what you choose for paint protection, the sky is the limit. From a variety of traitional carnuba waxes and polymer paint sealants to high-tech, wear resistant paint coatings, we offer a wide array of paint protection options to fit your individual needs. Please select on of the 3 options below to make your decision.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waxes  (Good)

 

Carnauba wax is the preferred car wax of collectors and concours enthusiasts because it creates a rich, warm glow. It doesn’t appear to sit on the paint. It transforms the paint into a deep, liquid pool that shimmers under changing light conditions. The more carnauba wax, the more shine.

 

The wax is produced by the Brazilian Tree of Life, a palm tree, in order to coat its leaves. The wax provides protection from the sweltering sun and it sheds water so it falls onto the ground and is absorbed by the tree’s roots. If you think back to junior high science class, you might remember that plants release oxygen through their leaves. For this reason, carnauba wax is breathable. Good for the tree and good for your paint.

 

Carnauba is rock hard in its natural form. When the leaves of the Tree of Life are harvested, the wax flakes off as the leaves dry out, or they are put into a machine that removes the wax. It comes off in hard flakes. Car Wax makers have to blend the wax with oils, petroleum distillates, or a solvent called naptha (commonly used to thin wood varnishes and paints) in order to make the wax workable.

 

The very best carnauba-based car wax is only about 1/3 natural carnauba. It’s probably for the best since the price gets higher and higher as the concentration of carnauba rises. When a product advertises “pure carnauba car wax” or “100% carnauba car wax”, they are referring to the purity of the carnauba that is in the product, not the product as a whole. That brings us to grading.

 

Carnauba is harvested and then graded according to color, purity, and where it was grown. Trees grown in the northern area of Brazil produce the highest grade carnauba. The yellow wax is the most pure and therefore receives the highest grade. This is the grade most commonly used in high end car waxes and in the pharmaceutical industry as a pill coating.

 

As you’ve already read, carnauba protects the leaves of a palm tree from the intense heat and humidity experienced in Brazil. The carnauba car wax repels water and, consequently, most contaminants. When applied to any surface, carnauba retains these characteristics. Therefore, an application of a carnauba-based car wax to your vehicle will protect it from UV rays, heat, moisture, oxidation, and environmental contamination. And it looks like a million bucks!

 

The drawback of carnauba waxes, if you can call it a drawback, is that it does not last as long as a synthetic sealant. A carnauba car wax finish will wear off in approximately 6 to 8 weeks. It depends heavily on the climate in which you live and whether or not your vehicle is garaged. Daily commutes in a hot, humid climate mean a shorter life span for your carnauba wax coat. If you enjoy regular waxing, then the life span of a carnauba wax is just one more reason to indulge in your favorite hobby!

 

 

Sealants (Better)

 

Paint sealants are kind of the anti-carnauba. They last a lot longer, they are easy to apply, and there’s nothing natural about them. This is surface science at its best.

A paint sealant is made of polymers, which are composed of tens of thousands of synthetic particles that are linked together. When a sealant bonds to your vehicle’s paint, it forms a rigid shell. It is not the warm carnauba that seems to melt into the paint. Paint sealants sit on top of the paint like a transparent chain metal suit. They are glossy and slick, but carnauba lovers will tell you they do not have the warmth and depth of a carnauba.

 

Paint sealants have gotten progressively more popular as time goes on. Some people really love the hard-as-glass look. In an industry that is driven by technology, it seems appropriate that an engineered paint protector is the new favorite among many detailers.

However, the real selling point of a paint sealant is the durability. A premium paint sealant can last 4 to 6 months, sometimes longer. By “last”, I mean that water will continue to bead and the paint will remain protected from UV rays and contamination. For people that spend more time driving than detailing, the paint sealant is the way to go.

 

Paint sealants are extremely easy to apply. They are always in liquid form and they spread easily by hand or with a polisher. This time-saving feature makes paint sealants an attractive choice for those who like instant gratification, and who doesn’t? As you’ve seen, there are a lot of differences between paint sealants and natural carnauba waxes. Glassy, hard shell or deep, liquid shine? Six months or six weeks? 

 

These are the basic questions you have to answer before selecting your paint protection.

However, a growing number of enthusiasts simply refuse to choose. Instead, they coat their vehicles with a layer of sealant for long-lasting protection and then top it with a layer of carnauba for the dazzling shine. Even if you forget to reapply carnauba in 6 weeks, your paint won’t suffer. The Forum Favorite Kit will give a prime example of the shine you can get from a sealant topped with a carnauba. It’s the perfect marriage of beauty and longevity!

 

Remember, paint protection is one of your vehicle’s basic necessities. No matter what kind of product you choose, Autogeek has got your vehicle covered.

 

 

Coatings (Best)

 

The last couple years have been very exciting with the introduction of permanent and semi-permanent paint coatings, glass coatings, trim coatings and even wheel coatings. Paint coatings provide far greater protection than a conventional car wax or paint sealant.

While a typical car wax or paint sealant wears off after a couple months, a paint coating forms a much stronger, harder bond that can withstand the elements to a much greater degree. Paint coatings, especially C.Quartz, are resistant to alkaline cleaners, road salts and other harsh chemicals that can find their way from the road to your vehicle’s delicate finish.

The secret to these high-tech paint, glass, trim and wheel coatings lies within advanced chemistry. Most paint coatings are resin or quartz based. When compared to a traditional car wax or paint sealant, a paint coating forms a much harder, thicker layer of protection, enabling them to last considerably longer. Most paint coatings last a minimum of one year while others, like C.Quartz, are semi-permanent and only need to be re-applied every couple years.
 

What about the shine? Paint coatings, notably C.Quartz Paint Coatings are not lacking in the shine department. Paint coatings provide a different type of finish; your vehicle’s paint will have a glassy, reflective shine that emits crisp, clear reflections. What’s more, paint coatings have a self-cleaning effect so dirt and debris will not stick, making washing much easier. Your vehicle will stay cleaner, longer!

 

Learn more about C.Quartz Coatings