Is a natural car wax better than a synthetic one?
Or should you just send your car for a ceramic or “glass” coating?
If you’re looking for car waxes, there a variety of products from established brands such as Auto Finesse, Meguiar’s and Autoglym.
We help you decide which products to try by giving you their pros and cons.
NATURAL WAX
According to professionals and detailing enthusiasts alike, natural wax will give your car a “warm” glow.
Natural car wax is primarily made up of Carnauba, which is combined with other ingredients such as beeswax.
These natural waxes are great at repelling water and dirt.
But since they’re comprised of natural substances, they don’t last as long as synthetic ingredients.
Especially in harsh climates like ours.
The Pros
+ Your car will have a nice warm glow
+ Will probably smell nice
+ If it comes in paste form, you can apply it by hand!
The Cons
– Doesn’t last as long as synthetic wax
– May not go on smoothly; if you use too much it’ll be hard to remove
– Won’t give an extreme level of shine unlike synthetic wax
SYNTHETIC WAX
Most car waxes today are synthetic.
With other ingredients besides Carnauba wax, synthetic car wax can be formulated to last much longer.
They can also be designed to be easier to apply and remove, thus saving you time.
However, the resulting shine may not be to everyone’s liking, especially for those who want “warmer” finishes.
The Pros
+ Lasts longer than natural wax
+ Easier to apply, especially for newbies
+ Also typically easier to remove, thus making it more convenient
The Cons
– Usually imparts a “hard candy” shine that’s cooler/cold
– May not always smell nice and could instead have an artificial scent
CERAMIC COATINGS
Ceramic coatings, especially those from established brands, are acknowledged to offer the best protection in terms of longevity and resistance to scratches.
This is a great option for drivers who want their cars to look great, but don’t have enough time to care for them on a weekly or even monthly basis.
Ceramic coatings are typically applied by professional detailers.
You’ll probably need to leave your car with them for a day or two, as the surface preparation is quite extensive.
After the ceramic coating is applied, it will bond with your paintwork.
As it dries, it will form a protective layer that’s hydrophobic and highly resistant to contaminants.
You should still remove bird poo, though!
Maintaining the finish will only require the owner to wash his vehicle. No polishing or waxing required.
The Pros
+ Lasts even longer than synthetic car wax
+ High resistance to contaminants
+ Can even resist scratches, to a certain degree
The Cons
– Comparatively expensive, with full treatments running into the thousands
– Takes very long to apply
– The extreme “hard candy” shine may not be to everyone’s liking
