Carnauba wax

V

vwlover

New member
hi,



"The higher the Carnauba Wax content the better the Wax"



Is this quote correct? Please Discuss. :getdown
 
Depends how you look at it, I think.

Too much carnauba content makes it difficult to apply and remove.

I'm more concerned about how much carnauba goes onto and stays on the car. In reality, only so much will actually stick to the paint, the rest just buffs off. So higher carnauba content probably means you can apply it thinner.
 
Mad iX said:
Depends how you look at it, I think.

Too much carnauba content makes it difficult to apply and remove.

I'm more concerned about how much carnauba goes onto and stays on the car. In reality, only so much will actually stick to the paint, the rest just buffs off. So higher carnauba content probably means you can apply it thinner.
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I'll go along with that
 
I dunno about how important it is...there are a lot of other ingredients in "carnauba waxes" and I bet that they matter at least as much as the carnauba content. Some makers trumpet the carnauba content of waxes like it's the miracle ingredient, the only thing that matters, and I don't see a reason to believe that. I don't have any hard, objective proof that carnauba does or doesn't make the crucial difference so I'm guessing that it's only one of many determining factors.



I suppose the classic example is Zymol's high-carnauba content waxes. Some people say there's nothing that compares to them but others have tried them and said they're nothing special. I haven't tried them (and don't intend to, no bare-hands application for me!) so I can't say. But I'd love to see a side-by-side comparison with something like Souveran.



And then there's always the definition of "better" ;)
 
wannafbody said:
and just maybe less carnauba and more polymers make a wax more durable :confused:
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Are you sure mate as the higher carnauba wax content waxes usually last alot longer than the polymer ones?
 
I dunno...not many waxes will beat the durability of Meguiar's #16 or Collinite 845 and 476S, but all of those have a high percentage of non-carnauba ingredients. In the case of Collinite 845, it's sure not the carnauba that gives it durability, it's the stuff that I generally hear described as "resins". And don't foget carnauba's sensitivity to high temperatures- high carnauba content waxes look great on my XJS's ss paint, but they don't last long at all on the hood, what the heat from that V12.
 
I agree that the Carnuaba does not last long on a hood. Have been doing a personal test on the hood of my truck using carnuabas. It has not been a month and I can see the shine, clarity, texture diminishing. These last two weeks the carnuaba is starting to get grimey texture that I can see and feel. A wash has taken it off but it was not a concern on the rest of the vehicle.



Looks good. Doesn't last. I did think that it would last longer on my vehicle.
 
vwlover said:
Are you sure mate as the higher carnauba wax content waxes usually last alot longer than the polymer ones?
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carnauba will evaporate away-I'll place my bet that it's the resins and synthetic ingredients that protect and last longer than the carnauba (which often is added for beading)
 
wannafbody said:
carnauba will evaporate away-I'll place my bet that it's the resins and synthetic ingredients that protect and last longer than the carnauba (which often is added for beading)
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Why are these high grade high volume carnauba waxes so dear?
 
Neothin said:
Straight carnauba's provide depth and wetness unmatched by synthetics, especially on darker colors.
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exactly-that's why people love the look of Souveran but only get a month or so out of an application
 
wannafbody said:
exactly-that's why people love the look of Souveran but only get a month or so out of an application
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I've never really expected to get more than 2 or 3 weeks out of a carnauba wax.
 
Carnauba will last a decent amount of time on your car. In hot climates the shine and slickness ingredients in a carnauba wax formula will wear quicker on a paint surface than in a milder climate. The actual wax residue, however, doesn't wear away easily. You will find that you would've accumulated a substantial amount of this residue, along with dirt and oxidation, on top of your paint, despite whether it has lost the sheen and luster that is commonly associated with a "fresh" coat of wax.



I have found that carnaubas that have accumulated by layering (deposits for the naysayers) over a period of a few months will last a very long time. I am currently surviving on my deposits from the past spring on both cars, with my daily driver being exposed to the elements uncovered.



I have also found that the higher content waxes have been able to produce a richer texture and a more intense shine quality, as well as a sharper color rendering than the typical over the counter wax products. That's not to say, though, that you have to spend a lot of money or specifically feel the need to buy a high content wax. There are some very good otc waxes available that will give you nice results despite having a relatively low carnauba content. IMO, I prefer the deeper shine and paint resolution qualities that I've experienced with a few of the high content waxes I've used so far.
 
lbls1 said:
Carnauba will last a decent amount of time on your car. In hot climates the shine and slickness ingredients in a carnauba wax formula will wear quicker on a paint surface than in a milder climate. The actual wax residue, however, doesn't wear away easily. You will find that you would've accumulated a substantial amount of this residue, along with dirt and oxidation, on top of your paint, despite whether it has lost the sheen and luster that is commonly associated with a "fresh" coat of wax.



I have found that carnaubas that have accumulated by layering (deposits for the naysayers) over a period of a few months will last a very long time. I am currently surviving on my deposits from the past spring on both cars, with my daily driver being exposed to the elements uncovered.



I have also found that the higher content waxes have been able to produce a richer texture and a more intense shine quality, as well as a sharper color rendering than the typical over the counter wax products. That's not to say, though, that you have to spend a lot of money or specifically feel the need to buy a high content wax. There are some very good otc waxes available that will give you nice results despite having a relatively low carnauba content. IMO, I prefer the deeper shine and paint resolution qualities that I've experienced with a few of the high content waxes I've used so far.
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In other words the best waxes are the high carnauba volume ones, i.e Zymol and Swissol?



Also what wax do you use mate?
 
I know where you are coming from with the Zymol / Swissol suggestion - they aren't thought of too highly over here though and most people will consider things like Pinnacle Souveran when they talk about high content carnauba's



From my experience, the carnauba's look best, but have low durability. - i.e. Souveran looks amazing, but lasts a week or two before you want to top it up. on the other hand, synthetic sealants such as Zaino and even Autoglym EGP seem to last forever in comparison to the 'nuba's. The exceptions to this rule are #16, Collinitie IW and (i would include) Clearkote CMW - and I would agree with the previous post in that I would doubt it is the carnauba content that provides durability in those waxes.



Graham
 
vwlover said:
In other words the best waxes are the high carnauba volume ones, i.e Zymol and Swissol?



Also what wax do you use mate?
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Well....I caution the word "best" because a real good wax isn't that good if its too expensive to purchase. So in other words, if you can't buy it, then where's the (beef!) shine?



I am just giving my opinion in terms of my experience with various waxes. For my cars, IN MY BIASED OPINION, a high content carnauba will bring the best results and last the longest. I am a firm believer in "The Powers of Zymol". Like I said earlier, that doesn't mean that you can't get good results from proven products and excellent prep work, with products such as meguiars and mothers. I am also a fan of P21S. That wax IMO should be a product that a potential wax user should look into. It gives excellent results, and it is higher in price than most otc waxes, but its price is still reasonable, and (to me) it will dominate many otc products available.



Good luck though in your trial and error efforts!
 
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