Car Paint Sealant
Sealant is not wax; wax is not sealant

Trying to find the best car paint sealant is like trying to hit a moving target in the dark! It is an area full of bad information that is continuously spread around from one misinformed person to another.

Not to put the entire blame onto the misinformed public, but we are forever at the mercy of marketing and advertising that has one agenda only; to sell you more and more product!

Whether you are looking for the best rated car wax, or the best car paint sealant, unless you know the difference between these two very distinctly different products, you will be making misinformed decisions. I want you to become part of a select group of people known as the informed!


Car Wax vs. Car Sealants

turtle wax hybrid products

Let me take you through a question and answer session that will leave you a much more informed decision maker so that you will get the desired results that you are looking for when it comes to the beauty and protection that is possible with the right car paint sealant.

Q. Is there really a difference between a car wax and a car paint sealer?

A. Yes. Was that simple enough for you? But that hardly answers your real question does it? What we really want is to know the actual difference between a wax and a sealant.

Q. So what is the difference between a wax and sealer?

A. Wax products will have some form of a natural wax product contained as part of the ingredient list which may include, but not limited to carnauba, bees wax, Montan, etc. Sealants will be made using synthetic ingredients. To add to an already confusing area of car paint care, people as well as the industry itself forever interchange terms like polish, wax, and sealants. Unless you are part of the informed, and you read package labeling carefully, it is often hard to know what you are getting.

Q. I heard that carnauba wax is the best auto wax to use.

A. Let me do my best to explain how this works. 'Best' of anything will be a person to person judgement call based on what their goal is. For example, do you want the "best" visual enhancement of your cars paint, do you want the "best" in protection, or does "best" mean the easiest to use for you? Unfortunately, we have to pick and choose as the technology does not exist in which a single product comes with every possible benefit. Remember, we have already noted the difference between car waxes and synthetic sealants.

carnauba wax raw stateThis is what manufacturers have to start with when making their type of a car wax that has been formulated using carnauba wax

There many types of "natural" waxes used to make car waxes, eg. bees wax, carnauba yellow, carnauba white, etc. Most often car wax products will use carnauba wax as the main wax ingredient since this form of wax is marketed as the hardest of all wax forms. The misleading part of this is the fact that carnauba wax is rock hard in its natural state, and is completely unusable. It must be refined with other ingredients such as petroleum distillates, etc. to make usable. So when a manufacturer is labeling a car wax product as 100% natural, or 100% pure carnauba, they are referring to the purity of the carnauba wax used within the product, versus the overall content of product as a whole.

Q. What would be the reason to use a sealer over a wax?

A. Sealers are the place to go for ultimate in durability and protection. Sealers contain polymer technology and are the result of advances in chemical engineering. These products last the longest, are usually easier to use, and add a slippery and slick feel to your paint that is unlike that of natural carnauba car waxes.

best car paint sealant

Q. What are the best uses for sealants?

A. Sealants are perfect for people looking to wax or seal their cars less often, rather than more often. Also ideal for such as water craft and RV applications where most people are looking to have the longest lasting protection due to the conditions these large items must endure, and for the basic fact that they are large and make frequency of wax applications unlikely.


Q. What are the draw backs to using car paint sealant versus carnauba waxes?


A. While a car paint sealant is the ultimate in protection and durability, you will compromise on visual results that carnauba paste waxes are known for. Paste waxes have always been associated with the ultimate in depth creation and glossing for paint.

Q. Can I get the best of both worlds by applying a car paint sealant first for durability, then apply a car wax over the sealant for visual performance?

A. YES! Many enthusiasts and professional employ this technique and is one practiced by many of those with dark colored cars.


"Darren, I now know and understand the difference. So tell me what you use and recommend as a professional."


If you are looking for my complete write up and comprehensive review in the best car waxes, you can go over to best auto waxes.



Cerakote Paint Sealant

I will start with my first choice in a car paint sealant.

Initially, Cerakote focused on creating ceramic-based coatings that offered exceptional durability, corrosion resistance, and customization options. These coatings have been applied across various industries, including automotive, firearms, high-end electronics, eyewear, and more.

Cerakote has grown to be among the top 25 largest paint and coating manufacturers in the United States, serving a diverse customer base in technology, aerospace, sporting goods, and the automotive industry.

Cerakote ceramic sealant

Cerakote Ceramic Sealant on Amazon

  • UNSURPASSED SLICKNESS – You simply have to touch it to believe how slick this finish is
  • MAXIMUM GLOSS AND SHINE – Hands down the highest level of gloss and shine you will ever experience; Achieve mirror-like results in a simple application, right in your own driveway 
  • EXTREMELY HYDROPHOBIC – Cerakote's true ceramic technology repels water, road grime, mud and dirt making your car stay cleaner, longer!
  • QUICK AND EASY TO APPLY - Simply wash and dry your vehicle as you normally would; Then evenly spray a light coat directly to a panel or small area of your vehicle;, then, just lightly buff the coating to an incredible shine! It really doesn't get any easier than this!


Nexgen Ceramic Spray

Nexgen is a company specializing in automotive detailing products, particularly known for its ceramic-based solutions.

The company has been involved in the automotive care industry for over 20 years, collaborating with scientists and professional detailers to develop high-quality products

Nexgen car paint sealant

Nexgen Car Paint Sealant on Amazon

  • Nexgen Ceramic Spray – Professional-Grade Protection
  • Ultimate Protection & Shine – This premium ceramic coating forms a durable shield using high-grade SiO2, preventing streaks, scratches, and paint degradation while delivering a mirror-like shine.
  • Fast & Easy Application – Protect your vehicle in just three steps: spray, wipe, and buff for a deep, lustrous finish with UV protection.
  • Versatile Use – Safe for metal, paint, glass, plastic, rubber, vinyl, wheels, leather, and more—ideal for cars, trucks, RVs, boats, motorcycles, and ATVs.
  • Defends Against Contaminants – Repels dirt, mud, salt, acid rain, bird droppings, bug splatter, and more, extending your vehicle’s clear coat lifespan.
  • Long-Lasting Coverage – One 8 oz bottle coats a sedan up to 5 times, a truck up to 4 times, or a motorcycle up to 10 times.

Turtle wax Ceramic Graphene Wax

Turtle Wax graphene paste wax
  • Ceramic + Patent-Pending Graphene - Contains Ceramic and Graphene technologies for incredible slickness, shine and long-lasting durability
  • Low Dusting Formula - Easy to apply and does not leave any powder residue upon removal
  • Protect Against the Elements - Product creates a barrier of protection from environmental and chemical contaminants that maintains gloss, clarity and water resistance that lasts for months
  • Multi-Use - Can be used on wheel surfaces, headlights, clear plastics, and exterior metals like chrome and aluminum
  • Application Tip - Can be applied in direct sunlight, on warm or cool paint finishes (applicators and towels are not included)


You and Your Car Paint Sealant:
Darren's Professional Tips

top rated car paint sealant

The feel of a car that has been sealed with paint sealant is a different experience than that of a carnauba wax product. When you follow the following steps, the silky smooth and slick feel of paint sealant is like no other.

  • Wash car.
  • Remove any surface contaminants using a clay bar kit. (I cannot stress enough how important this step is - don't ignore this!)
  • Apply your choice in one of the above car paint sealants.
  • Let your family and friends know that the ear to ear smile on your face is not due to mischievous behavior, but the sheer delight of silky smooth car paint done right!


Pay Car Paint Sealant Forward

Understanding the difference between a car wax and a car sealant, you can now make an informed decision.

You can help me by paying it forward and sharing this information to your favorite social media site and let others learn from the information I have spent much time compiling. And don't forget to tune into my YouTube channel for all my video tutorial and product reviews!

Sincerely,

Darren Priest




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