What Is the Best Wax for Restoring Car Paint?
by Richard Rowe
There is great irony in the fact that manufacturers make vehicles out of something as sturdy as metal then cover it with a substance so fragile that everyone frets over the tiniest scratch. Fortunately, there are a number of products on the market engineered to beautify this coating and reduce the appearance of scratches.
Waxes and Restoration
Waxes cannot actually restore a car's paint; only polish can permanently and physically smooth the paint itself. Wax can only fill small imperfections, giving the appearance of a smoother finish.
Natural and Synthetic
Waxes fall into one of two categories: natural and synthetic (polymer) types. These should never be confused with "sealants," which protect the paint but don't impart much shine.
Luster
Because they form such a thick coating, carnauba waxes impart a deeper and much more lustrous shine than liquid polymer types.
Tone Quality
Carnauba wax is preferred for its deep, rich tone on reds and yellows. Synthetic wax is a light blue in color, making the car's pigment appear somewhat cooler than it really is.
Shine Quality
Thicker carnuba waxes will impart a deep gloss and liquid shine to the paint, and are preferred for bodies with more curve and flow. Thin synthetics give a very hard and mirror-like shine, making them best for boxy or faceted body shapes.
References
Writer Bio
Richard Rowe has been writing professionally since 2007, specializing in automotive topics. He has worked as a tractor-trailer driver and mechanic, a rigger at a fire engine factory and as a race-car driver and builder. Rowe studied engineering, philosophy and American literature at Central Florida Community College.
