Should I wax or seal my car?

Car Wax vs Sealant: Which is the Best Option for You?

Waxes and sealants are two super popular paint protection options for a car. But what is the difference between the two products, and which is the best option for you? In this article, I’ll be directly comparing waxes and sealants so you can decide which you should choose.

Car Wax vs Sealant

Car waxes contain natural components such as Carnauba or beeswax whereas sealants use synthetic components. Waxes add a warm glow to the paint, in contrast sealants leave a colder and harder looking finish. Sealants typically last around 2-3 times longer than waxes on the paintwork.

Car Wax vs Sealant

What is a Wax?

Car waxes contain natural Carnauba wax which comes from a palm tree native to Brazil. Waxes are well known for creating a warm glow to the paint, and usually last for around 1-3 months. The confusion between paint sealants and waxes, has been created by a lot of detailing brands. You may have heard the term “synthetic wax”, which is basically a contradiction of the definition of a wax, since it doesn’t contain any natural elements. Car waxes aren’t made entirely of Carnauba wax though, as this is rock solid in it’s raw form. When a wax says it “contains 100% Carnauba” it just means that the Carnauba mixed in the wax was in it’s pure form, not that the product is entirely Carnauba. Usually it’s somewhere between 5-30%. So all car waxes will have synthetic components, but the fact that it contains this natural wax, is what typically defines it as a wax rather than a sealant. Some car waxes also contain other types of wax such as beeswax. Waxes are very easy to use because they can be applied on top of sealants and other waxes, without massively impacting the durability.

Types of Wax

• Paste wax: this is the most traditional form of car wax and will typically contain the highest percentage of Carnauba. It usually comes in a tub or tin and is in a solid state.
• Liquid wax: this usually comes in a bottle and can be applied to the car in liquid form. The percentage is Carnauba is typically less than paste waxes.
• Spray wax: this of course comes in a spray format and is usually much less durable than paste and liquid waxes.

You may have also heard of “hybrid waxes” and “ceramic waxes”. These tend to contain Carnauba along with synthetic components such as silicon dioxide which is designed to maximise the longevity of the wax.

Key Points

• Contain natural waxes such as Carnauba and beeswax.
• Leave a warm glow to the paint.
• Usually last 1-3 months.
• Can come in paste (solid), liquid and spray formats.
• Can be layered over other waxes and sealants.

What is a Sealant?

Sealants are a synthetic form of paint protection, which do not contain any natural waxes. Sealants are well-known for creating a cold-hard looking shine, and usually last between 3-12 months on the paintwork.

Sealants represent the next generation of paint protection and followed on from waxes. They’re a more modern solution and typically offer better durability, slickness and overall protection.

Sealants are easy to apply, however they need a well-prepared surface to maximise the durability. This is because, unlike waxes, they ideally need to be applied to bare paint which is free from any other waxes and sealants.

Types of Sealants

• Paste sealants: some sealants can come in a solid form in a tub or tin. These can also be referred to as “synthetic waxes”.
• Liquid sealants: these come in a bottle and are applied to the car using a foam or microfiber applicator.
• Spray sealants: these are sprayed onto the car directly, or an applicator and spread over the surface.
• Spray and rinse sealants: these are applied to a wet car, and rinsed off immediately to leave a layer of protection in the quickest way possible.

Sometimes brands come out with “ceramic sealants”. These are just sealants infused with silicon dioxide which helps to improve the durability and water repellency.

Key Points

• A sealant is a synthetic form of paint protection.
• Produce a cold-hard looking shine.
• Sealants typically last between 3-12 months.
• Can come in paste format, but are usually in a spray or liquid format.
• Need to bond to the paintwork to maximise durability so it is not recommended to apply them over other waxes and sealants.

Waxes vs Sealants

Now that we’ve been through the basics, let’s dive into the direct comparisons. I’ll be going through each aspect in a bit of detail, but here’s a quick summary table too.

Winner: Draw

Ease of Application

Usually, the application process for waxes and sealants is pretty similar. Whether it’s in a paste, liquid or spray format, the rules are generally the same. You apply the product in a thin layer, wait for it to “haze” and then buff it off with a microfiber towel.

The only real difference between waxes and sealants, is in the preparation.

Sealants are a bit more fussy to apply because ideally the surface needs to be completely free from old waxes, sealants and contaminants to be able to let the product properly bond to the paintwork to get the best longevity.

Waxes on the other hand, still last a good amount of time when layered over another wax, sealant or a glaze. It will generally last longer if you apply it to bare paint, but the difference isn’t as significant as with a sealant.

You can apply a sealant over another sealant or wax, nothing terrible will happen. But expect the product not to live up to it’s durability claims.

Winner: Wax

Cost

Waxes and sealants usually cost the same amount. Paste formats of both types of products usually work out a bit more cost effective because you use very little product with each application. Spray waxes and sealants usually don’t last as long and more product is required, making them a less economical option.

The price depends on the product itself, and the brand. However, most waxes and sealants usually cost between $15-30.

Winner: Draw

Frequently Asked Questions

Don’t worry if you’ve still got a few more questions! In this next section, I’ll be answering some of the most frequently asked questions surrounding the wax vs sealant debate.

Can I use both a wax and a sealant?

You can use both a wax and sealant together. Apply the sealant underneath as this ideally needs to bond to bare paint and offers better durability, then apply the wax over the top. Give the sealant around 12 hours to cure before applying a wax over the top.

What is the best car wax?

It’s hard to choose the “best car wax” because I simply haven’t tried every single one. However, two of my favourites are P21S Carnauba Wax and Pyramid Car Care Ceramic Wax.

Check out my recommended products page to see more.

What is the best car sealant?

Again, it’s hard to answer this question without having tried every wax on the market, but one of my favourites is Garage Therapy /THREE: Ceramic Sealant. It offers excellent gloss levels and slickness and lasts around 4-5 months.

Check out my recommended products page to see more.

What are ceramic coatings?

Ceramic coatings are another form of paint protection and last around 2-5 years. They are more difficult to apply than waxes and sealants and require far more preparation.

Thanks for reading! I hope you’ve found this article helpful. Here are some other articles you might find useful.

• How to Prepare a Car Before Applying a Sealant
• Can You Wax a Car Too Much?

I first became interested in car detailing around 4 years ago and learnt all the main techniques on my very first car. I spend a lot of time detailing my current car, and trying to keep my family’s cars looking presentable too!

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Which Goes on Top, a Wax or Sealant? Everything You Should Know

One of the biggest questions beginner detailers ask, is if they should be a wax over or on top of a sealant? What’s the best layering order, and is it necessary to apply both? In this article, I’ll be answering all these questions so you can properly protect your vehicle’s paintwork and get that glossy wet-look to the finish.

The Quick Answer

Sealants should be applied to the paint first, and should not go on top of a wax. This is because sealants need to properly bond to the paint in order to maximise durability. Waxes can be applied over the top of sealants or on their own. Unsure about the difference between these types of products? Check out my in-depth comparison between waxes and sealants to learn everything you need to know.

Sealants Go Under Waxes

• Fully decontaminated using a clay bar, iron remover and tar remover
• Free from any waxes, sealants or coatings
• Free from any polishing oils or glazes

Essentially, sealants need to be in contact with the paint, and anything else on the surface will interfere with this bonding process.

Of course, it’s not always necessary to fully decontaminate the paintwork every time you apply a sealant. But keep in mind that it probably won’t last as long as it says on the packaging.

I have tested this out in the past using a sealant that claimed 12 months durability, over a wax. The sealant definitely disappeared after around 3 months, leaving the car unprotected.

If you do decide to layer a sealant over a wax, then keep in mind that it’ll only last as long as whatever is underneath (in general).

For example, if you put a sealant that claims 12-months protection, on top of a wax that claims 2-months protection. Then the maximum the sealant will stay on the paint for, is 2-months, because the wax underneath is likely to slip off the paintwork first.

Of course, the exact amount of time the paint protection will last really depends on the products you’re using, and whether they’re compatible. Products from the same brand tend to layer better than if you’re choosing different brands.

Why Should You Not Apply a Wax First?

There are a couple of reasons why a wax is better on top of a sealant than underneath:

• Waxes, unlike sealants, don’t need to bond to the paint to get the best durability out of the product.
• Sealants tend to last longer than waxes. The overall protection on the car will only last as long as the bottom layer. So applying the most durable product as the bottom layer makes the most sense.

How to Layer Waxes and Sealants

So if you’re using a wax and a sealant together, you’ll need to keep in mind some rules so you get the best results.

• Fully clean the paintwork (decontaminate if necessary) and dry it. Take a look at this guide to safely washing your car without causing scratches.
• Apply your sealant.
• Allow it to cure for at least 12 hours (preferably 24) inside to prevent dust, dirt and water settling on the paint.
• Apply the wax. Wash the car again first if there is any dust on the car, or if you were unable to store it inside.

Allowing the sealant to properly cure before layering a wax on top is essential to maximise the durability. Otherwise, the wax will potentially smear the sealant underneath.

Is it Necessary to Put a Wax on Top?

So is it always necessary to put a wax on top of a sealant? Can you just use one product? Of course!

I remember when I was first getting into detailing, there was so much advice about this topic that looking back on with a bit more experience, I don’t really agree with.

A lot of car owners are under the impression that you need a sealant to protect the paint for longer, and a wax to give you that glossy wet-look. But this really isn’t the case.

Generally, sealants do last longer than waxes, and waxes offer a warmer, glossier finish, but not always.

It’s perfectly fine to apply only a wax to the car, as long as you keep it topped up. A good quality wax will do just as good a job of protecting the paint as a sealant, it generally just needs to be applied more regularly.

It’s also fine to apply a sealant on its own, without topping it with a wax. Sealants still leave a great finish, they tend to look a bit cooler than waxes but many car owners prefer this look anyway.

Bottom line, you do you. If you just want to apply one or the other, then go for it! Your car will be protected and look great either way!

Disadvantages of Layering

So now we’ve addressed that it’s not necessary to always apply a wax and a sealant. Now let’s address any disadvantages of applying both products.

You’ll Only Get the Properties of the Top Layer

So say you’ve got a super water repellent sealant on the car, and you want to top it with a very glossy wax that isn’t as water repellent, then you will lose the properties of the sealant. This means that the water won’t bead and sheet as well anymore, as it is only reacting to the wax on the top layer.

So make sure you choose a top layer that you actually like the properties of, rather than just focusing on gloss!

The Durability Will Be Reduced

Even though waxes go over the top of sealants fine, the durability will usually be less than it claims on the packaging. Say a wax claims 3 months protection, this generally applies to when used as a bottom layer on bare paint. You’ll probably get closer to 1.5-2 months protection, depending on the product.

The Masking Effect

Take this example, you apply a sealant as the bottom layer that has great water repellency and protection and it claims 12 months durability. Then you apply a wax on top that gives 2 months durability.

You’d probably think that after 2 months, you’d get the great water repellency of the sealant back? Unfortunately, this rarely happens. This is because the wax essentially masks the sealant and even when it’s pretty much gone, it will have altered the characteristics of the bottom layer of protection.

This is personally why I don’t layer waxes and sealants because you essentially have to keep applying the top layer anyway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Don’t worry if you’ve still got some more questions. Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about layering waxes and sealants.

How long should you wait after applying a sealant before applying the wax?

It is best to wait at least 12-24 hours after applying a sealant before applying a wax over the top. This allows the sealant to properly cure, which maximises the durability and prevents streaking and smearing.

Do I need to polish before applying a sealant?

It is not always necessary to polish before applying a sealant unless the paint needs correcting or enhancing. However, decontaminating the paintwork with clay and then polishing, can help the sealant to bond to the paint and maximise the durability.

Can I apply a sealant over a glaze?

Applying a sealant over a glaze will reduce the durability of the sealant. Sealants need to properly bond to the paint surface and glazes interfere with the bonding process. Waxes are much better instead at being layered over glazes.

Can you layer two sealants?

It is possible to layer sealants over the top of each other, however the durability of the top layer of sealant will be reduced as it is unable to properly bond to the paintwork.

Can you layer two waxes?

It is possible to layer waxes over the top of each other, however you will only see the surface characteristics (finish, water repellency etc.) of the wax on top. Applying two layers of wax will not provide double the amount of protection.

Take a look at this article on how many layers of wax is optimal to learn more about this topic.

Thanks for reading! I hope you’ve found this article useful. Don’t forget to take a look around the rest of the website to learn everything you need to about car detailing!

• Sealants vs Ceramic Coatings
• How to Prepare a Car Before Applying a Sealant

I first became interested in car detailing around 4 years ago and learnt all the main techniques on my very first car. I spend a lot of time detailing my current car, and trying to keep my family’s cars looking presentable too!

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Auto Care HQ

Welcome to Auto Care HQ. Take a look around the website to find how-to guides, recommended products and top tips to make your car look its best. Thanks for visiting!

Disclaimer

Autocarehq.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.ca and amazon.co.uk. Autocarehq.com is also a member of other affiliate programmes. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.