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Choosing Paint Protection
Once cleaned and polished, all painted surfaces should be protected with either a good quality natural carnauba wax or a synthetic polymer sealant if the long-term quality of the finish is to be preserved. In this guide, find out about the differences between natural carnauba waxes and synethetic polymer sealants, how to tell how well protected your paint is, how your choice of last step product can affect the appearance of your paint, and which sealants and waxes we think work best on various coloured cars ...
Once cleaned and polished, painted surfaces then require protection against the elements if the long-term quality of the finish is to be preserved. Protection comes in the form of natural carnauba waxes, synthetic polymer sealants and products that combine the two, and may be defined as an invisible barrier that adheres to the surface of your paint and shields it against every day dust and grime, industrial fallout, honeydew, bug splatter, bird droppings and UV radiation. Obviously any protection that you apply to your paint, whether it be a sealant or a wax or even a combination of the two, is subject to chemical and physical erosion by the weather. As such, it will be gradually worn away over time, necessitating periodical reapplication if a high level of protection is to be maintained.
How do we measure or test how well our paint is protected? All types of protection create an invisible surface layer that repels water and contaminants. This water hating or hydrophobic layer causes water droplets to either bead up on or sheet off of the paint surface, depending on the type of protectant in question. Natural carnauba wax finishes are extremely hydrophobic and tend to repel water more strongly than synthetic polymer sealants. As a result, it is usual for waxed finishes to bead up strongly in wet weather, with water droplets literally appearing to be pushed upwards off of the paint surface. In contrast, sealed finishes tend to be much slicker and less hydrophobic, meaning that water droplets don't tend to bead up as much but instead run off quickly and freely. Both of these characteristics are indicative of a high level of paint protection. In contrast, if water just sits on your car without beading or running off, then the chances are the level of protection is low.
As we mentioned at the outset, paint protection comes in three different forms that offer varying degrees of gloss, reflectivity, slickness and durability. If you are relatively new to detailing and have visited any of the major detailing forums you may have been a bit baffled by the meaning of such terms in discussions about last step products (which is the all encompassing term for paint protection products). In addition, you may be feeling overwhelmed by the broad choice of last step products on offer in our store. In the rest of this guide, we will define what these descriptive terms mean and attempt to show you how your choice of last step product can affect the appearance of your paint. We hope that this information will enable you to choose suitable products and achieve the look you desire from your paint. However, before we go on we should take a minute or two to summarise a little more about the differences between natural carnauba waxes, synthetic polymer sealants and products that combine the two.
Carnauba wax is derived from a type of palm tree that is native to Brazil and is nature's hardest, purest and most transparent wax. Many show car owners and car care enthusiasts (we'll call them the purists) have long argued that natural carnauba wax produces a richer, darker, glossier finish than other types of last step product, particularly when used on darker coloured cars. A coating of carnauba wax always beads water nicely and can help to mask minor defects in your paint. However, in most cases the durability of carnauba wax is quite low; under our climate in the UK a coat of an average quality carnauba wax will typically last somewhere between two to three months, depending on the time of year, the mileage you do and whether or not you garage your car overnight.
In contrast to naturally derived carnauba wax, synthetic polymer sealants are the product of modern technology and typically comprise very complex formulas containing either polyamino-siloxane or polyethylene-acrylic polymers. Many car care enthusiasts (we'll call them the realists) have long argued that synthetic polymer sealants are superior to other types of last step product, as they produce an ultra slick finish that is extremely durable. Under our climate in the UK, a coat of synthetic polymer protection will typically last somewhere between three to four months, depending on the time of year, the mileage you do and whether or not you garage your car overnight. However, the finish produced by sealants is typically less glossy and far sharper looking than that produced by carnauba wax and can actually highlight defects rather than mask them.
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In recent years, a number of last step products have been released onto the car care market that comprise advanced blends of carnauba waxes and synthetic sealants. These products are typically marketed as offering the glossiness and warmth associated with traditional carnauba waxes and the clarity and durability associated with synthetic sealants. In our experience, these claims are not far off the mark and such products have certainly added another dimension to choosing paint protection that has made things more interesting. However, a very similar effect can also be achieved by layering a carnauba wax over a synthetic sealant. The thinking here is that the sealant forms a highly durable basecoat and the wax then endows the finish with glossiness and warmth. In our experience this works well, but you have to be careful when it comes to layering products and remember not get things the wrong way around. The golden rule is that it is fine to layer waxes over sealants but not the other way around, simply because sealants rarely bond to waxed surfaces very well.
In our professional experience the choice of last step product can make a subtle yet significant difference to the overall look of a car. This is because waxes and sealant layers have different physical properties (texture, density, opacity, thickness, etc) and thus reflect and refract light differently. In real terms, natural carnauba waxes do indeed tend to produce a much softer, warmer, glossier finish, while synthetic sealants tend to produce a sharper, cooler, shinier finish. Therefore, it is possible to tailor the final look of your paint depending on what last step product you choose, and some colours are more susceptible to this effect than others. This being the case, a key question arises; how do you know which wax or sealant to choose to produce the best possible finish on a particular colour?
The answer to this question can only really be provided by lots of hands-on experience of sealing and waxing many different coloured paints using many different commercially available last step products. Indeed, this is exactly how we have acquired our own in-depth knowledge of last step products and the results they give on various popular paint colours, and we are happy to share our experience so that our customers may benefit and achieve the best possible results without wasting time and money through unnecessary trial and error. Accordingly, what follows below is a series of recommendations on which last step product(s) you should use to produce the best possible finish on various paint colours. These recommendations are based entirely on our own professional experience and assume that the paint in each case has been washed, cleaned and polished to perfection.
Many people find it difficult to achieve an excellent finish on solid white and light metallic/pearlescent colours, no matter how well they prepare their paint. This is because the lightness of tone precludes a high degree of reflectivity and thus makes it hard to achieve a finish with any real clarity and depth. Furthermore, this lack of reflectivity can also limit how wet the paint looks, as fewer highlights are shown up in the finish. However, these problems can largely be overcome by choosing a synthetic polymer sealant instead of a natural carnauba wax as the last step product. This is because sealants tend to lay down an exceptionally smooth, highly dense surface coating that reflects light far more efficiently than a microscopically rougher, less dense natural carnauba wax coating, and this can add a significant amount of wetness to the appearance of the paint, as more highlights are shown up in the finish. Moreover, the same smoothing properties also minimise any scattering of light caused by micro-structures in the surface of the paint, meaning that reflections are afforded greater clarity and depth, and that metallic and pearlescent flakes receive more transmitted light and thus appear to stand out more from the base colour (a phenomenon commonly referred to as flake pop).
Out of the various synthetic polymer sealant systems we stock, we favour the Werkstat Acrylic Kit for optimal results on solid white and light metallic/pearlescent colours. This is because it delivers an incredible level of reflectivity characterised by amazing clarity and depth, and makes metallic and pearlescent flakes stand out from the base colour more than any other product we have ever used. Indeed, on some light metallic colours we have worked on, it has literally made the flake appear to explode out of the surface of the paint when viewed in direct sunlight. Further benefits afforded by the Werkstat Acrylic Kit include terrific ease of use, even in cold and damp conditions, and excellent durability, with a single application of the three component system typically lasting for around three months on a daily driver, although this can be extended almost indefinitely if regular quick detailing is undertaken. If your budget is too small to stretch to the Werkstat Acrylic Kit, there are two alternative options worth considering. The first is Blackfire All Finish Paint Protection, which delivers an equally intense wet looking shine, albeit with a little less flake pop. The second is Poorboy's EX-P Sealant, which delivers a sharp wet looking shine with good flake pop and offers excellent value for money.
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Many people find it relatively easy to achieve a soft, warm, glossy finish on solid mid-tone colours like reds and yellows, and this can be explained as much by the characteristics of the paint as by the choice of last step product used. This is because the basecoat layer in such colour systems is usually twice as thick as in lighter and darker paint systems respectively, and also comprises light absorbing pigments that serve to minimise reflectivity and thus enhance colour intensity. It is possible to counter this effect to some extent by choosing a synthetic sealant instead of a natural carnauba wax as the last step product, and in many cases this will enhance reflectivity significantly, but unfortunately usually at the expense of colour intensity and gloss. In our opinion, it is better to work with the characteristics of the paint rather than against them, and for this reason we recommend using a natural carnauba wax as the last step product on all solid mid-tone colours. This is because natural carnauba wax layers are microscopically rougher than smoother, denser sealant coatings, and thus scatter a greater proportion of incoming light, meaning that reflections are afforded less clarity and depth, and that colour intensity is enhanced (a phenomenon commonly referred to as jetting). In real terms, this translates to the paint taking on a much softer, richer, glossier appearance.
Out of the various natural carnauba wax systems we stock, we favour the Werkstat Carnauba Kit for optimal results on solid mid-tone colours. This is because it delivers an incredible amount of jetting that makes solid mid-tone colours literally look like they are about to pop in front of you; no other product we have used makes such colours look as rich and intense. Further benefits afforded by the Werkstat Carnauba Kit include terrific ease of use, even in cold and damp conditions, and excellent durability, with a single application of the three component system typically lasting for around three months on a daily driver, although this can be extended almost indefinitely if regular quick detailing is undertaken. However, if you would prefer to use a paste wax as opposed to a spray wax, then the Raceglaze Signature Series '55' Kit is well worth considering. This high quality carnauba wax also delivers a high degree of jetting on solid mid-tone colours with even more outright gloss, and is also easy to use and highly durable. If your budget is too small to stretch to either the Werkstat Carnauba Kit or the Raceglaze Signature Series '55' Kit, then there is one further alternative option worth considering. The combination of Poorboy's EX Sealant with Carnauba topped with multiple layers of Poorboy's Natty's Paste Wax delivers a rich, warm finish with excellent gloss levels, and offers excellent value for money.
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Compared to their lighter counterparts, mid-tone metallic/pearlescent colours have enough additional colour depth to give them a significantly greater degree of reflectivity. Not only does this make it far easier to achieve a finish with much greater clarity and depth, but it also enhances how wet the paint looks, as more highlights are shown up in the finish. Consequently, it is not difficult to achieve an excellent finish on such colours, and most last step products will produce good results. However, we believe it is always better to work with the characteristics of the paint rather than against them, and for this reason we recommend using a synthetic sealant instead of a natural carnauba wax as the last step product on mid-tone metallic/pearlescent colours. This is because sealants tend to lay down an exceptionally smooth, highly dense surface coating that minimises any scattering of light caused by micro-structures in the surface of the paint, meaning that metallic and pearlescent flakes receive more transmitted light and thus appear to stand out more from the base colour (a phenomenon commonly referred to as flake pop). Moreover, the same smoothing properties also ensure that light is reflected far more efficiently than would be the case with a microscopically rougher, less dense natural carnauba wax coating, meaning that reflections are afforded much greater clarity and depth.
Out of the various synthetic polymer sealant systems we stock, we favour either the Werkstat Acrylic Kit or the Blackfire Wet Diamond Kit for optimal results on mid-tone metallic/pearlescent colours. The Werkstat Acrylic Kit delivers an incredible level of reflectivity characterised by amazing clarity and depth, and makes metallic and pearlescent flakes stand out from the base colour more than any other product we have used. Indeed, on some mid-tone metallic colours we have worked on, it has literally made the flake appear to explode out of the surface of the paint when viewed in direct sunlight. Further benefits afforded by the Werkstat Acrylic Kit include terrific ease of use, even in cold and damp conditions, and excellent durability, with a single application of the three component system typically lasting for around three months on a daily driver, although this can be extended almost indefinitely if regular quick detailing is undertaken. Alternatively, the Blackfire Wet Diamond Kit delivers an equally outstanding finish, characterised by slightly less flake pop but greater jetting and outright gloss. Further benefits afforded by the Blackfire Wet Diamond Kit include terrific ease of use and excellent durability, with a single application typically lasting for around three months on a daily driver, although this can be extended almost indefinitely if regular quick detailing is undertaken.
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Whilst solid dark colours are undisputedly harder to maintain to a high standard than lighter colours, they do offer the luxury of more choices when it comes to choosing last step products to tailor the final look of the paint. This is because the intense colour depth gives a very high degree of reflectivity, which not only makes it far easier to achieve a finish with much greater clarity and depth, but also enhances how wet the paint looks, as more highlights are shown up. Consequently, it is not difficult to achieve an excellent finish on such colours, and it is quite straightforward to tailor the look of the final finish by choosing last step products that significantly enhance either reflectivity or gloss. By doing the former with a synthetic polymer sealant you can produce a sharper, cooler, shinier finish, while by doing the latter with a natural carnauba wax you can produce a softer, richer, glossier finish. This is because sealants tend to lay down an exceptionally smooth, highly dense surface coating transmits light very efficiently and maximises reflectivity, while natural carnauba wax coatings tend to comprise a microscopically rougher, less dense surface layer that scatters more incoming light and maximises colour intensity and gloss.
If maximising reflectivity and producing the sharpest possible looking finish on a dark solid colour is your ultimate goal, we recommend choosing the Werkstat Acrylic Kit as your paint protection system. This is because it delivers an incredible level of reflectivity characterised by amazing clarity and depth, and makes solid dark colours look razor sharp. However, this high degree of reflectivity and sharpness can be counter-productive in terms of colour intensity and gloss, and can leave some dark solid colours looking somewhat cold and sterile. Thus, it is not a finish that will suit all tastes. In contrast, if maximising colour intensity and gloss on a dark solid colour is your ultimate goal, we recommend choosing the Raceglaze Signature Series '55' Kit as your paint protection system. This is because it delivers an incredible amount of jetting that makes solid dark colours literally look like they are about to pop in front of you; no other product we have used makes dark colours look as rich and intense. Further benefits afforded by the Raceglaze Signature Series '55' Kit include terrific ease of use and excellent durability, with a single application typically lasting for around four months. If neither of the above options appeal, and you would rather produce a more balanced looking finish, we recommend choosing Blackfire All Finish Paint Protection, as it delivers an intense wet looking shine with excellent reflectivity and gloss.
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If there is an optimal colour group to work with in the world of car care, then dark metallic/pearlescent colours has to be it. Not only do such colours easily yield highly reflective, incredibly wet looking finishes with terrific clarity and depth, but they are also fairly forgiving and far easier to maintain than solid dark colours. Unsurprisingly, it is not difficult to achieve an excellent finish on such colours, and most last step products will produce good results. However, we believe it is always better to work with the characteristics of the paint rather than against them, and for this reason we recommend using a synthetic polymer sealant basecoat topped with natural carnauba wax layers as the protective system on dark metallic/pearlescent colours. This is because the sealant basecoat lays down an exceptionally smooth, highly dense surface coating that enhances reflectivity and flake pop, while the subsequent layers of natural carnauba wax maximise colour intensity and gloss. The overall effect of this two stage approach is to produce a beautifully balanced finish that enhances the look of the metallic/pearlescent flake whilst simultaneously jetting the base colour. In our opinion, there is little point paying extra for a metallic/pearlescent colour unless you are going to properly show it off in this way!
Our favourite last step product system for producing optimal results on dark metallic/pearlescent colours is the Blackfire Wet Ice Over Fire Kit, which contains both Blackfire All Finish Paint Protection and Blackfire Midnight Sun Paste Wax. Blackfire All Finish Paint Protection delivers an intense wet looking shine with excellent reflectivity, and sharpens up the look of dark metallic/pearlescent colours brilliantly. Further benefits afforded by Blackfire All Finish Paint Protection include terrific ease of use and excellent durability, which makes it ideal for use as a basecoat for subsequent layers of Blackfire Midnight Sun Paste Wax. The addition of multiple layers of Blackfire Midnight Sun Paste Wax over a basecoat of Blackfire All Finish Paint Protection adds a rippling liquidity and intense vibrancy to dark metallic/pearlescent colours that is on par with the finish produced by bespoke high-end waxes costing thousands of pounds; it is a deeply impressive product that has few, if any, serious rivals at the same price point. If your budget is too small to stretch to the Blackfire Wet Ice Over Fire Kit then a good second choice is a basecoat of Poorboy's EX-P Sealant topped with multiple layers of Poorboy's Natty's Paste Wax Blue. This duo delivers a rich, warm looking finish with a high level of gloss and no muting of the metallic/pearlescent flake, and offers excellent value for money.
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