Carnauba or Sealant?

[JasonD]

Here's an interesting poll for you guys.



Do you prefer the richness, gloss, and depth of a carnauba, but at the expense of short lifespan and the *stickiness* a wax will bring (dust attraction), or do you prefer to stick with the longevity, slickness, and reflectiveness of a sealant?



Obviously, most people just do both by topping a sealant with carnauba, but that's not the question here. If you had to pick only one, what would it be?



FYI, this is just for kicks. :xyxthumbs

 

[Soarer V]

Carnauba (PS) on Black single stage paint.

 

[MongooseGA]

It depends on the season.



Do I get to trade in each one for the winter/summer? :lol



Overall, the carnuba. It's not that much work to wax a car as long as you don't screw up the finish.

 

[imported_Sullybob]

Jason I picked Sealant becuase if I could only have "one" I would want durability and I think that a Sealant wins that hands down. Plus some of the Sealants are looking pretty darn good.

 

[stevet]

Collinite Insulator Wax. The carnauba that lasts like a sealant

 

[imported_memnuts]

Sealant. I just do not get the longevity of the "just detailed" appearance with a carnuaba. My sealant of choice presently, with a anal prep (required for all protectants for maximum appearance qualities) gives me the "just-out-of-the-paint-booth" appearance I am looking for. Day after day after day until I wash them again. There is nothing like driving thru a rainstorm and arriving with only the tires (rims are sealant protected also) looking waste for wear and the paint showing minimal signs of the trip. :xyxthumbs

 

[Bill D]

I stopped using carnuaba for a long time but started up again after getting a new black car. I love the look and a regular re application regimen is a lot of fun for me. I call it "The Main Event" of detailing :xyxthumbs

 

[cwcad]

i would have to go with the sealant if i had to choose just one. FMJ has produced great results on my black truck. klasse SG is also a great product that i currently have on my wife's pewter olds bravada.

 

[imported_Sullybob]

blkZ28Conv I do like the way rain water almost washes my car.



Bill I know what you mean. I find that after I wash the car I want to do more to it and about the only thing left on my small car is the under carraige. I'm not sure if I want to go there or not. I think at that point my wife will have me commited I topped my SGx4 with S100 last weekend. It was fun to do but I will have to use it some more before I decide if I want to go with a carnuba topper or just SG.

 

[Bill D]

Bill I know what you mean. I find that after I wash the car I want to do more to it and about the only thing left on my small car is the under carraige. I'm not sure if I want to go there or not. I think at that point my wife will have me commited I topped my SGx4 with S100 last weekend. It was fun to do but I will have to use it some more before I decide if I want to go with a carnuba topper or just SG.

Nah, just neighbors will look at you strange when they see a pair of legs sticking out from under the car :xyxthumbs

 

[imported_memnuts]

I will admit guys that I do miss using a carnuaba (over 40 years of using such products) but with many new sealants the application process is almost the same with the faster drying products that are available today.

 

[imported_memnuts]

Nah, just neighbors will look at you strange when they see a pair of legs sticking out from under the car :xyxthumbs

.... and after a few episodes they will get used to it. Besides Sully, your wife will know where to find you.

 

[JasonD]

Since I started this poll I guess I should have been the first to answer.



My choice would be sealant since you get far greater durability and less maintenance. I love the look of a carnauba but not on a daily driver or any car that lives outside.



Besides, it seems that sealants are starting to take on more of a carnauba *look* every day so you really can't beat them. My waxes are slowly being pushed to back of the detailing cabinet and my sealants are all starting to be grouped right in the front.

 

[1 Clean WS6]

I'm a carnauba kinda guy...especially the high end ones from companies like Pinnacle. Why??? I love the look and I like waxing my cars any chance I get!!! :dance

 

[imported_dpeezy415]

How 'bout EX sealant w/ carnauba?



Seriously I think technology is blurring the line between the two (as far as looks go) and sealants have surpassed carnaubas considering durability issues.



But there's something about the PROCESS of applying a paste wax that I love so much.

 

[JasonD]

EX is still more sealant than it is carnauba, so it would be in the Sealant category and I fully agree with you. The technology for sealants is improving daily.



For this poll, "carnauba" will be defined as 100% pure carnauba in either paste or liquid form, and "sealant" will be defined as anything with more sealant than carnauba, again in any form. Sound fair?

 

[DrSauekraut]

Why not both carnauba and sealant? Brilliance, depth, gloss, and longevity . . . why say no when it feels so good to say yes?



Here are a few of my favorite combinations . . .



AIO and #16 (x2)

EX-P and #16 (x2)

GW and Nattyâ€â„¢s (x2)

GW and #16

HGSG (x2) and #16

NXT (x2) and #16

NXT and Nattyâ€â„¢s (x2)

 

[JasonD]

Sealant + Carnauba is a good combination, but I'm limiting this particular poll to one or the other.



Also, keep in mind that waxes attract dust, and can sometimes mute certain colors, so a carnauba isn't always the *best* choice for looks alone.

 

[spotpad]

My choice would be sealant since you get far greater durability and less maintenance. I love the look of a carnauba but not on a daily driver or any car that lives outside.



Besides, it seems that sealants are starting to take on more of a carnauba *look* every day so you really can't beat them. My waxes are slowly being pushed to back of the detailing cabinet and my sealants are all starting to be grouped right in the front.

Less maintenance?! You mean you don't wax your car every week? What?! That's sacrilege! :LOLOL



I wax every 6-9 weeks. I ain't waxin', I'm QDing - after every wash, of course - which is about 2-3x a week.



I myself am a sealant + carnauba guy. The sealant will still be around after 12-18 weeks which gives me about 2-3 wax sessions before going AIO x2, SGx2 (24 hours apart), carnauba paste wax x2 (24 hours after SG, 24 hours apart) all over again. Darn thing takes 4 days to complete! And that's just the exterior!



I'm no pro but wouldn't you want your clients to keep coming back for a wash n' wax only job?

 

[Accumulator]

Guess I can't really vote on this one; half our vehicles have sealants and half have carnaubas. Not even a matter of garage queen vs. daily driver either.