Protection - Carnuba Wax Vs. Sealant

Mike....



I took a number of glass panes (4'' x 10") and waxed them with various products...just as you would a car. I left one panel un-waxed as a control.



I dont want this simple experiment to become some kind of benchmark...it was just done to find out if carnauba wax did have UV protective capabilities...and the simple answer is yes....it does.:)
 
DETAILKING said:


There is really no scientific way to measure the amount of protection UV inhibitors give in a product. I suppose one can do a fading comparison (all things equal) and report results, but that would take a long time unless they had the means to do an accelerated test and expose years worth of UV light in a short amount of time.
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I've used an instrument called a UV/VIS Spectrometer. It measures the absorbance (actually transmittance) over a range of wavelengths from the visible spectrum well into the UV spectrum. Regular window glass has a UV cutoff at a wavelength of around 0.3 microns (shorter wavelengths are not transmitted). The visible spectrum is around 0.4 to 0.7 microns. I am not sure what wavelengths are damaging to paint, but if somebody knows them, it might lead to a very easy experiment.
 
Very interesting discussion. Here's my practical take on things....



1. Synthetics are the durability champ and in the case of Zaino can look beautiful and glossy.



2. Carnaubas are more work but to my eyes are worth it given their wet look which can be quite rich adn luscious.



I prefer carnauba for now but realize that I must touch up the wax or put on a new coat every 2-3 months. I can say that P21S and S100 have kept my Lexus in showroom quality for almost 10K miles.



In my opinion if you go synthetic Zaino is the first choice. However applying it is tricky first time out.



On the other hand, a good carnauba like P21S/S100 or Pinncacle Paste Glaz/Souveran is far easier.



So durability goes to synthetic but look and user friendliness go to carnauba.



Just my opinion...
 
"I took a number of glass panes (4'' x 10") and waxed them with various products...just as you would a car. I left one panel un-waxed as a control......... "These newspaper experiments were not sealed in plastic..the were simply placed on a pallet...with open slats...plenty of air available...."

 That wasnt made clear until now........
 
I am biased here, but I would never put a sealant before a pure carnauba in terms of protection and quality of finish. Period.
 
Summer - caranuba.



Winter - sealant.



I don't know if anyone else follows this, but that's how I do it. I'm using S100 right now, but the car will have Zaino, Blackfire, or FMJ on it for the New England winter months. The sealants stand a much better chance of living through the time when detailing is pretty much impossible.
 
tailwind said:
Summer - caranuba.



Winter - sealant.



I don't know if anyone else follows this, but that's how I do it. I'm using S100 right now, but the car will have Zaino, Blackfire, or FMJ on it for the New England winter months. The sealants stand a much better chance of living through the time when detailing is pretty much impossible.
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I do that to the wife's vehicles. My car gets a lot of experimentation, so it may have wax one month and sealant another. I plan on getting my garage remodeled next spring, so I'll be able to wax year-round. :D
 
I'm also kind of seasonal in my product choice, although for me, it's been



winter: Zaino

fair weather: license to experiment



I might give FMJ a shot at my winter protection this year, though . . .



Tort
 
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