A sealant is a type of modern protection for your car’s paint. It is different from a traditional carnauba wax for a few reasons. The main difference being that a sealant is synthetic, or man-made, and carnauba is natural (from the carnauba palm tree). This makes a sealant much more durable because it chemically bonds to the clear coat, while carnauba merely lies on top of the clear coat.
Most carnauba waxes will last around 4 weeks before deteriorating, while sealants can last anywhere from 3 months to 6 months, depending upon environmental factors. This is especially good for winter months when you will be less likely to wax your car as often.
One disadvantage some people see with sealants is that they don’t have as much gloss, or shine, as a carnauba wax. While this may be true, it is only a very slight difference that many actually think is imperceivable. However, some choose to top their sealants with carnauba in order to add extra gloss.
The application of both products is essentially the same. They are wiped onto the surface of the paint and buffed off after a few minutes. However, some sealants may recommend a longer wait, or cure time, than carnauba in order for proper bonding.
Having a clean surface is also essential for proper application either product. The surface of the paint needs to be smooth and clear of any bonded contaminants. If the paint feels smooth like glass, then you are ready for application. If the paint feels rough or bumpy, then it needs to be clayed until smooth. Once the sealant is applied and buffed, it can be maintained for longer durability by topping it with a drying aid after maintanence washes.