Wax is an essential part of car care for your ride, especially here in Florida. The summer sun can do a number on your car paint if you're not careful, and while parking under shade is a great way to ward it off, wax is another excellent line of defense from fading and other sun damage. However, which type of wax should you use and why? Here's a quick guide to car wax from our experts at our Orlando Toyota parts store.
The two main types of car wax
The first thing to know is that there are two main types of car wax - synthetic and natural.
Natural wax is made from - you guessed it - natural elements. The most common type is carnauba wax, made from a palm tree that grows in Brazil. These car waxes tend to cost a bit more but offer great protection AND a very glossy shine. The only downside? They usually wear off a little bit more quickly than their synthetic counterparts.
Synthetic wax is made from artificial ingredients. They're cheaper than natural waxes and are usually easier to apply; they also tend to last a little bit longer. However, some think that they don't offer the same glossy shine as natural types.
Which form of this product should you use?
Now let's talk about form - there are four main options when it comes to car wax, including paste, spray, liquid, and rubbing compounds.
1. Paste: This type of car wax has been around the longest and has a hard texture. You're most likely to find natural products in this category. They offer great gloss and also are formulated to make water bead off; that being said, they don't last as long as synthetic options and can cost a bit more.
2. Spray: This particular type of car wax is great when it comes to ease of application since you do exactly what the name signifies - spray it on your car. This means you can be as precise as you'd like with your application, and they also offer a great shiny finish. However, out of all the options they last the shortest amount of time and aren't best for long-term solutions.
3. Liquid: This type of wax is the longest lasting because it's almost always made from synthetic materials. It's also smoother, but it can be difficult to apply because it dries so quickly. It's the most commonly used kind of wax.
4. Rubbing compound: This car wax is old-school - in fact, many drivers of classic cars use it because it can even cover some small imperfections in the paint.
There's also always the option of colored wax. This product is supposed to help cover superficial scratches by blending in with the paint as well as offer protection and shine. However, some think it doesn't really work because most scratches are in the clear coat, which doesn't have any color in it.
Choose the right wax with Toyota of Orlando
Still not sure which car wax is best for you? Let our Orlando Toyota parts experts help you choose. We're open seven days a week at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall.