do waxes really provide uv protection

N

njcarting1

Dewey,Cheatem & Howe ESQ.
this is what the pro's say...:inspector:

Some waxes do contain UV-protection agents, but the amount of protection that a microscopically thin layer of wax can provide is limited

The primary goal of a wax is to protect the top layers of paint that contain UV-protection agents from the paint manufacture. If you wash and wax your car regularly, your paint will be protected and you should suffer no major UV damage over the normal course of the life of the car.

Don't be fooled by some companies that lead you to believe that it is the UV protection in a wax that protects your car's finish from fading and failure, this is dishonest and simply not true. Taking care of the paint you presently have will go further to protect your finish than relying on protection supplied by a liquid you pour out of a bottle, or a wax you scoop out of a can. UV protection in a car wax formula is only an extra-dose of preventative maintenance, not the end-all, cure-all that some companies would lead you to believe.

UV protection for paint is much different from UV blocking ingredients for human skin. The two formulas are nothing alike and work in drastically different ways. There is no correlation between the ratings applied to the different levels of sun blocking protection for products intended for use on human skin and the ingredients available for use in an automotive wax formula. Sad to say, much of what you see advertised about the protective qualities of most car care products on the market today is simply over-exaggerated hype used to separate you from your hard earned dollars.

Taken from a true profesional detailers mouth, Guess who?:notme::howdy
 
I think their is some truth to that for dam sure the part about the HYPE.

However we all know that a freshly detailed car looks better than one just washed.
 
Thinking simply, I have to think that a panel with something laying on top of it (i.e. a wax) stands a better chance of being protected from the elements (UV, light, sun's rays, whatever) than one that's bare paint.

Do I think there's a lot of marketing going on? Absolutely. Is any of it true? Sure.
 
I'd say about all of it is true :hmmm: wax/ sealants are sacrificial layers to the elements and are there to protect on a limited temp. basis ...
I can't recall seeing a mfg. claiming that is the end all of end all :hmmm:
but then again i don't get out much :D

On a side note, there was a vendor here a long time ago that claimed their vinyl dressing had SPF protection :lmfao NOT!!! :hmmm: unless your vehicle has skin graphs :crazy:
 
Poorboy said:
I'd say about all of it is true :hmmm: wax/ sealants are sacrificial layers to the elements and are there to protect on a limited temp. basis ...
I can't recall seeing a mfg. claiming that is the end all of end all :hmmm:
but then again i don't get out much :D

On a side note, there was a vendor here a long time ago that claimed their vinyl dressing had SPF protection :lmfao NOT!!! :hmmm: unless your vehicle has skin graphs :crazy:
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I think the SPF comment was to try to emphasize the amount of protection but obviously meaningless since SPF is based upon skin reddening, etc.

For example, 303 makes lots of claim about UV protection and backs these up with endorsement (how these endorsements come I do not know).

If there was a common way to compare UV protection in car care, it would be nice. From discussions, the UV additive in products is expensive so it is easy to put less than more in to keep the cost down but yet tout UV protection.
 
Bunky said:
For example, 303 makes lots of claim about UV protection and backs these up with endorsement (how these endorsements come I do not know).

If there was a common way to compare UV protection in car care, it would be nice. From discussions, the UV additive in products is expensive so it is easy to put less than more in to keep the cost down but yet tout UV protection.
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yes there are UV A & B absorbers and/ or blockers available to be put in products and they are expensive :cool:
 
Wax does not contain UV properties......its a clear product. It must be added.

If you wash and wax your car regularly, your paint will be protected and you should suffer no major UV damage over the normal course of the life of the car.
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Not completely correct. The UV system in OEM paint has a half life of 5 years so after 5 years half of the UV system has broken down or has decayed. In 10 years, if just doing normal washes/waxes, you have cut that back to around 25% and so on. The UV blockers break down and will not last the lifespan of the car.....yet then again the lifespan of each car is different but safe to say that in 20 years of just normal car washing/wax your UV blockers have left, why? Because wax in and of itself has no UV protection.

Anthony
 
Anthony O. said:
Wax does not contain UV properties......its a clear product. It must be added.




Not completely correct. The UV system in OEM paint has a half life of 5 years so after 5 years half of the UV system has broken down or has decayed. In 10 years, if just doing normal washes/waxes, you have cut that back to around 25% and so on. The UV blockers break down and will not last the lifespan of the car.....yet then again the lifespan of each car is different but safe to say that in 20 years of just normal car washing/wax your UV blockers have left, why? Because wax in and of itself has no UV protection.

Anthony
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I assume you are talking about a vehicle that sits outside 24/7
If that is true then mine sitting in the garage 95 percent of the time will last longer than I will.
 
Anthony O. said:
Inside, outside.....pretty much all cars. There are determining factors of course but in general they will break down.
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I have a friend that has a all original 32 Ford and the paint while not perfect still looks pretty good.

He also has a 1914 Model T with original paint that still shines nice but it has some minor hair line cracks on the front fenders.

Under the right conditions I think paint can last much longer than the time frame you are talking about.

The paint on the model T would not be nearly as good as what we use today and look how long it has lasted.
 
black bart said:
I have a friend that has a all original 32 Ford and the paint while not perfect still looks pretty good.

He also has a 1914 Model T with original paint that still shines nice but it has some minor hair line cracks on the front fenders.

Under the right conditions I think paint can last much longer than the time frame you are talking about.

The paint on the model T would not be nearly as good as what we use today and look how long it has lasted.
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actually Bart as someone who has done a lot of Antique car shows over the last 20+ years and have talked to the owners of the same types of cars you are mentioning, I really believe that the Laquers and Enamels of those vehicles were much more durable (if well maintained) than today's clear coats. There was no UV protection other than the lead and other chemicals in the paints :cool:
 
Poorboy said:
actually Bart as someone who has done a lot of Antique car shows over the last 20+ years and have talked to the owners of the same types of cars you are mentioning, I really believe that the Laquers and Enamels of those vehicles were much more durable (if well maintained) than today's clear coats. There was no UV protection other than the lead and other chemicals in the paints :cool:
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That is interesting if I had it to do over I would have put single stage on my Corvette the clear coat when damaged needs the whole panel redone single stage can be spot repaired.

I know single stag will last longer than what David posted.
Here is a link to a photo of my daily driver with single stage paint at 18 years old..

I think that kinda blows Davids theory all to hell






http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Y8VYCVwelRU/SvdKvmw3NQI/AAAAAAAAAHU/ATBLVdz_JDE/s400/1992 Explorer_9_9.JPG
 
nice Exploder :cool: ... I think in the early years of cars the paint was also thicker and had to last longer as there were fewer repair shops ..
I've worked on quite a few original paint jobs that were over 50 years old and most came back very easily with minimal abrasives. Old Laquers mostly cracked and checkered but were able to show a pretty good shine.
The Enamels seemed to be the best at lasting, especially the ones from the 50's and early 60's, except the ones with metallic flake (silvers and light blue)
Just my observations :bigups
 
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