Waxes and sealants both provide valuable protection and enhance the shine of your vehicle’s paint. Waxes have long been the dominant form of protection but they are being replaced by new synthetic sealants. Sealants and waxes are both great products and knowing the differences between them can help you select what product or combination of products works best for you.

Waxes are primarily made from properties found in nature like carnauba wax. Waxes have fine water molecules in them, which make them more sensitive to heat than sealants. Once the clear coat temperature reaches 125 – 200 degrees the moisture inside the wax starts evaporate and the wax will melt, leaving the paint without protection. If a wax is melting it becomes soft and contaminates in the air can settle in the wax. As the wax cools the contaminates can become trapped in the wax. Natural waxes will generally protect your vehicle from 2 – 14 weeks. If you apply a wax to a dark colored vehicle and let it sit in direct sunlight continuously it will melt quickly, but if you have a lighter colored vehicle and store it in a garage you can get up to 3 months of protection.

Sealants are made in labs from artificial properties like polymers, resins, acrylics, etc. Creating a sealant basically takes ordinary polymers and removes properties that do not add more shine or protection to the formula by reducing the presence of water and other unnecessary elements. Sealants will only begin to melt at several hundred degrees and will last 3 – 12 months. Sealants are generally much more resistant to nature’s harsh elements and abrasions. Applying a sealant to your vehicle would be ideal to give it maximum protection for the winter months.

Sealants add a great shine and make the surface feel very slick. Sometimes right after applying a sealant the surface is so slick that moisture doesn’t really bead up it sheets off. Sealants tend to be very reflective. So why would anyone use a wax then if sealants provides such superior protection and a great shine? Waxes typically provide a deeper and glossier appearance that makes the paint look endlessly deep. This look is sometimes referred to as “wet” or “hard candy” and looks stunning when done right. Typically a pure carnauba wax is used to give off this effect and produce the deepest shine possible. When automobile manufacturers display new models they will often apply multiple coats of a carnauba wax so their vehicle is sure to be eye catching.

So now we must evaluate what form of protection works best for vehicle owners. If you have a daily driver we recommend applying a sealant to ensure that you have a strong layer of protection for months to come. If you detail your vehicle regularly (at least once a month) or you have a vehicle that’s not regularly driven you may want to just use a carnauba wax. With regular applications and/or light driving, the carnauba wax will give you the protection you need and the shine you want. To have the best of both worlds top off a coat of sealant with a layer of carnauba wax. This will give you the enduring protection of the sealant along with the rich and glossy appearance of a wax for a show car shine.

We hope this information helps you better understand waxes and sealants and the differences between them. Thank you for reading.

Since we live in a world where cleanliness is becoming of great importance, we do our best to keep our possessions in sanitary & pristine order. Whether it’s our house or our prized vehicles, we want these things to stay nice and well maintained. Most of us tend to take better care of our vehicles than we do ourselves! As odd as that may sound, it could be due to the innumerable car cleaning products at our disposal. Whatever your polishing requirements are, you will definitely find a quality car cleaning product that will do the job for you.

If you venture out to any fine auto store or even Wal-Mart, you will be overwhelmed with car cleaning products. Then comes the picking and choosing. How do you know which ones are the best, and which ones are a better choice for your car? Well, it’s time to turn head online for your research. The Internet can provide you with very useful and relevant feedback on a variety of car cleaning products that have been used by others like yourself. Check and see how each product is rated by them.

In our society there is an ongoing joke regarding the men and their cars. Men often pull out all the stops when it comes to their SUV or sports car. In fact, car cleaning products are no laughing matter. Luckily, these days there is everything from high quality car waxes to get the paint job in perfect condition, to shampoos that will leave the interior of your ride smelling like new.

When it comes to car cleaning products, many like the aesthetic results, but may not consider the preservation aspects. By taking good care of your vehicle, you definitely prolong the life of the car. For example, if you wax your car once a month and give the paint that ultimate protection from the elements, then it will most likely not show as much damage down the road. The nautral elements will have trouble penetrating the shield and protection given by your car wax.

All this is well worth it in the long run. This goes the same for your car’s interior. The sun can be damaging to your dashboard, vinyl or leather. If you keep it clean and protected, it is much less likely to crack. There are a number of car cleaning products that can help you with this feat. No matter the extent of obsession with your vehicle, you don’t have to fight the battle alone. On the internet, you can find car cleaning products galore with specifications to suit your needs, no matter what vehicle you own. The life and beauty of your car is important to you, not to mention if you intend to sell it later. Quality car cleaning products are a must when it comes to owning and caring for a vehicle.

(NC)-The winter months can play havoc on one of your most important investments — your car. Whether you drive a brand new sports car or a reliable family vehicle, regularly cleaning and protecting the car from harsh elements will help maximize the vehicle’s value and longevity. The automotive experts at Canadian Tire have these tips to help give your car a fresh start heading into spring and summer.

Wash and dry

• Rinse entire vehicle before washing to remove loose debris.
• Do not use dish or laundry soap as they strip away protective wax and natural oils in paint. For best results, use specially formulated car wash soaps like Simoniz Car Wash.
• Always use a clean soft wash mitt, brush or chenille pad, rinsing frequently to remove harmful debris. The Simoniz Details Accessory Kit, available at Canadian Tire, has everything you need to safely and efficiently clean your car without harming the paint.
• Use two buckets - one for your car wash and use a separate bucket for rinsing the wash mitt.
• Start drying immediately after washing and rinsing to prevent water spots using a soft microfibre or cotton towel, chamois, PVA towel, or a silicone squeegee.
• Don’t forget to dry doorjambs and under the trunk lid.

Wax and polish

• Automotive waxes create a protective shield for the car’s paint against harmful elements like acid rain, UV rays, bugs, tar and tree sap.
• For best results, wax in warm dry weather in a shaded area. Do not wax the vehicle in direct sunlight.
• Always apply wax with a clean, fresh applicator and buff with a terry towel or diaper cloth.
• For a truly superior shine, clean your paint prior to waxing with a clay bar from Meguiars or Mothers.
• To help reduce time and effort, use an electric polisher. For an effective and more consistent application, try any of the Simoniz Random Orbit Polishers. They use less wax than working by hand and avoid causing paint damage from overbuffing

Interior & Exterior Cleaning

• Tire dressings restore the glossy black look of tires. Michelin’s Tire Care replaces ingredients in your tires that are depleted over time.
• Use only ammonia-free glass cleaner on your car’s windows, as ammonia will damage window tinting.
• Protectants help to nourish the vinyl and rubber on your car and protect it from UV ray damage. Try using protectant on the car’s weather-stripping, it will help protect it from the elements and prolong its life.
• Keep the air inside your car clean and fresh with an air purifier specially designed for drivers. The 12 Volt Air Purifier / Ionizer neutralizes unpleasant odors, smoke and other pollutants and plugs directly into the 12V cigarette lighter socket.

Source: News Canada

Every winter drivers should take active steps to protect their car from road salt.

Road salt is necessary for safe transportation when snow and ice accumulate on roads and highways and cause dangerous driving conditions.

Salt was first used in the 1930’s in snow and ice control to make roads safe and passable by creating a lower freezing temperature of the water. It is the most available and cost-effective de-icer. It is easy to store, handle, and apply.

Some 15 million tons of de-icing salt is used each year in the U.S. and about 4-5 million in Canada.

Salt keeps snow and ice from bonding to the pavement and to allow snowplows to remove accumulations quickly and efficiently.

Studies show that salt use reduces accidents by 88%.

Washing your car during wintertime is one of the best things you can do to maintain the value of your car. Mud, salt, rain, sleet, and snow can damage your car’s clear finish. Mud and salt caked on the undercarriage promote rust, especially in older vehicles, and can also affect how well your car drives.

To prevent winter damage, it is recommended that you wash your vehicle every 10 days. Wash your vehicle whenever the temperature is 40 degrees F. and above. Do it during the day so that it dries completely before freezing evening temperatures begin.

Immediately after washing the vehicle, open and close all doors, the trunk, and other parts of the car with locks several times before parking it to prevent locks from freezing.

Always wash your car right after a snow or rain shower. Rain and snow collect pollutants in the air and drop them as acid rain which can damage the cars protective finish. Snow and sleet also include the corrosive road salt.

Wash the underside of your car often during the winter months in car washes that do not use recycled water.

Avoid driving through large puddles of standing water which is saturated with road salt.

Any paint chips that are larger than the tip of a pen should be taken care of immediately.

Wax your car at least every six months. Put a good heavy coat of wax on your car before the winter storms hit. This heavy coat will protect your paint from the corrosive salt and cold temperatures.

More frequent waxes are needed if your car is red, black or white because these colors are more susceptible to acid rain and UV rays.

When spring time rolls around, treat your car to a good wax job again. Be sure to remove all road grime and salt off of the car before you begin waxing.

For more information:
http://www.apluswriting.net/gasmiles/5starshine.htm

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Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the environment. Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net

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Article (c) 2005 Marilyn Pokorney