I've noticed over the past week or so several posts about carnauba. Some here seem to praise it, while others miserably ridicule it claiming it will not last long at all and the oils are the only thing that make it special. My question is, what seems to be the overall opinion on it? Sometimes I find it discouraging to even consider putting Blitz (which I thought was a great wax) on my car as some claim it attracts too much dust and won't last long at all. I even shelled out a good amount of cash for Souveran and now some claim that this wax isn't the best either because it's durability is lacking. I'm one of those people that loves to wax and I don't mind doing it so often. But I sometimes get the feeling from this board that carnauba waxes are "bad", and that the possibility that it could "melt" off my car during an afternoon in the sun leaves me worried that I might be exposing my car to possible contamination if I do choose to use a carnauba wax. Sometimes I don't even feel comfortable mentioning the word "carnauba" on this board anymore... :nixweiss
What's the general consensus of carnauba wax on this board?
- Thread starter truvette
- Start date
imported_BretFraz
New member
Why not create a poll and let Autopians vote on this subject? This is one of those philosophical discussions that seems to get recreated monthly. I think if you do some searching you'll find many threads with Autopians extolling the virtues of their favorite product while dissing everything else. Just the way life is with car care products.
Go to Member Polls and create a new one. Then you can see what everyone thinks.
Personal Note: What you're asking is strictly personal preference. Everyone has an opinion but expecting some kind of consensus is a tad naive. Seems to me you're worrying about too many things, many of which are out of your control. Lighten up and enjoy the process and results. This is supposed to be fun, remember?
Go to Member Polls and create a new one. Then you can see what everyone thinks.
Personal Note: What you're asking is strictly personal preference. Everyone has an opinion but expecting some kind of consensus is a tad naive. Seems to me you're worrying about too many things, many of which are out of your control. Lighten up and enjoy the process and results. This is supposed to be fun, remember?
Jngrbrdman
New member
That is an interesting perception. From what I've seen on the board people still really like carnuba. I'll never be without it. I haven't experienced any downside of it. It does everything that I expect it to do. The people that are getting dissapointed with it are people that are expecting it to do something that it won't. If you expect carnuba to last for 6 months then you are setting yourself up for disappointment. It provides a beautiful wet look and a glow that is really amazing. I can't live without my carnuba. I take the good with the bad as far as that product is concerned.
DETAILKING
New member
carnuba's are not BAD, but they have a place in detailing. With today's polymer technology, they are quickly becoming "old school" when considering the best and safest protection for your car. I would not use carnuba wax on an outdoor daily driver. It does not provide the protection, durability, and UV protection that today's paint's need. The only reason why I would use a carnuba wax on a garaged car was if it was because I preferred the muted look they have over a polymer system which tends to be more reflective, look like fresh paint, and show the paint as it really is. The Blackfire writeup gives a good review on when, and where carnuba's fall short.
Preachers Sheets
New member
JM19 said:
Anyone who bash's wax doesn't really know too much about detailing. It is true, the main reason why people use wax nowadays is because of the shine, not the protection. Ever since polymers came out you have the protection aspect covered. Wax cannot top a polymer in protection but it CAN top it in shine. That's why it's used. There are also people like myself who do not drive there cars alot and WANT to detail their car every weekend. Those people like to use wax because it shines better, they don't care about how long it'll last, it's actually FUN because it goes on so easy and comes off as easy as it went on.
I doubt you'd lose 100% of your wax on one hot sunny day, it'll take alot longer than that. It's true, if it's hot and your car is a daily driver, your best bet is a polymer. Even if it is 95 degree's everyday and your car is sitting in the sun all day, all you need to do is apply one layer of wax a week and your car will always looks great. You could possibly go two weeks.
You car is exposed to oil, tar, sun, bugs, bird crap and every other thing you wish never could touch your paint on a daily basis whether you have a polymer or not. Last time I checked the acid in bird crap will go through your polymer sealent in 5 minutes under the right conditions.
Wax is great, it is as good or better than polymer's depending on how you manage your car. I could not live without it. Some people don't need a polymer. Your getting alot of people talking badly about wax because they have everyday cars that need protection. If you go to a fourm with people who hardly drive their show cars that sit in their garage for weeks or months at a time they'll tell you that you an put the polymer on the shelf and they'll stick with their wax.
It's about what you need.
Preachers Sheets
New member
ALAN81 said:
Alan81 is like me, he is out there every weekend. There's not much a polymer can do for him that a full detail once a week can't handle.
Jngrbrdman
New member
I don't mind putting a layer of carnuba on every 2 or 3 weeks. It helps me know my car better. I've named every door ding in my car by now. 
Carnuba is for people that don't mind spending the time with their car. If you want to be lazy and just want to wax your car once a year or something, then definatly stay away from carnubas. I really don't think such a product exists that will give you shine and protection for a full year with one application anyway.
Carnuba is for people that don't mind spending the time with their car. If you want to be lazy and just want to wax your car once a year or something, then definatly stay away from carnubas. I really don't think such a product exists that will give you shine and protection for a full year with one application anyway.imported_memnuts
New member
There is nothing wrong with carnuaba waxes. There are some great products out there. The polymer/ carnuaba wars are about preference of appearance. There is no comparison in terms of durability. I use both types and even use both on one of my cars (P21S and Zaino). On my garage queen I use a polymer sealant not for the durability but for its appearance :nixweiss. Even though I love Zaino I think the best combination is probably Klasse with the optional carnuaba topper. This way you get your polymer and carnuaba fixes.
The bottom line is there is nothing wrong with carnuaba if used properly and within its limitations ( durability, lack of UV protectant,etc) and expectations ( evenness of finish, trueness to color hue, reflectivity, etc.).
Dust.... Dust will settle on both polymered and carnuaba'd cars. It just does not stick to polymers.
The bottom line is there is nothing wrong with carnuaba if used properly and within its limitations ( durability, lack of UV protectant,etc) and expectations ( evenness of finish, trueness to color hue, reflectivity, etc.).
Dust.... Dust will settle on both polymered and carnuaba'd cars. It just does not stick to polymers.
I completely agree 110% with joed1228, great post and well said!
There's nothing inherently bad from using a carnauba, unless it's loaded with the wrong types of silicones. It's all about presonal preference and needs in a car care product. Some like the looks of certain carnaubas, some strictly prefer polymers, others prefer polymers with carnauba toppers, still others prefer poylmers that mimic the look of carnauba. The choices are endless, and that's what makes every finish unique.
To add to SL's motto, I like to say, "Use what you like, and like what you use!"
:xyxthumbs
There's nothing inherently bad from using a carnauba, unless it's loaded with the wrong types of silicones. It's all about presonal preference and needs in a car care product. Some like the looks of certain carnaubas, some strictly prefer polymers, others prefer polymers with carnauba toppers, still others prefer poylmers that mimic the look of carnauba. The choices are endless, and that's what makes every finish unique.
To add to SL's motto, I like to say, "Use what you like, and like what you use!"
:xyxthumbs
imported_Intermezzo
New member
JM19 said:
It's way too early to tell, but after having Blitz on my wife's black bimmer for 4 days I haven't noticed any extra-amount of static or dust than before. But again, it's way too early to make that kind of assessment.
Souveran isn't one of your more durable waxes but I certainly didn't think the durability was so poor that using it on a daily driver was impractical or unmanageable. I just consider it a trade-off with its ease of use. A lot will also depend on how you wash your car. If you don't mind applying it once a month, then you won't have any problems.
With that said, let me also say that my Zaino'd car is on the opposite end of the spectrum. I hardly ever worry about it...I pile on the Z-7 when washing it, I never have to check for diminishment in shine or estimate when it'll need a new coat and I know it will always have the best protection available at all times.
Joed,
Did you get hit with a moment of clarity and enlightenment?
Great post!! :upPreachers Sheets
New member
Intermezzo said:Joed,
Did you get hit with a moment of clarity and enlightenment?
I have all these great idea's in my head but I can't ever get them out, I don't know, I guess I'm slow when it comes to explaining things. Once in a while I'll just word something I am thinking the right way and everyone will understand. It's rare but it does happen, 2 good post's out of 1,000 + is pretty good for me.
I like carnauba and have always been an advocate of its protection from the elements. It absorbs ultra violet light as well.
If you're super concearned, putting some Klasse on before the carnauba will allow you to have a protected car, while not having to give up your love for carnauba or applying it.:up
If you're super concearned, putting some Klasse on before the carnauba will allow you to have a protected car, while not having to give up your love for carnauba or applying it.:up
vettefan67
New member
YoSteve said:
Carnauba absorbs UV light? That sounds great . . . can you point me to some additional info on this?
Thanks!
imported_Indy YZF
New member
Would you recommend using it over AIO, or AIO plus SG, then the Carnauba? Using this latter regimen, since hte SG is getting a coat(s) of carnauba over it, could you use just one coat of it, followed by the Carnauba? Would much be gained by piling up the layers of the SG first, and then donig the same with CArnauba?
Thanks guys, this was the type of info I was looking for. Hope I didn't give anyone the wrong impression here. I just wanted a straight-forward answer and wasn't looking to cause any trouble or start a flame war.
I understand now why people choose certain products based on their preferences, driving habits, etc.
I have KLASSE already and I think it is great if one would choose to go the sealant route. My only concern is am I compromising the true shine of carnauba by having a base of KLASSE versus if I just used carnauba with nothing under it? I was thinking of trying to go with KLASSE topped with Souveran so I can get the best of both worlds, durability and a warm, deep shine.
Thanks again.
-JM
I understand now why people choose certain products based on their preferences, driving habits, etc.
I have KLASSE already and I think it is great if one would choose to go the sealant route. My only concern is am I compromising the true shine of carnauba by having a base of KLASSE versus if I just used carnauba with nothing under it? I was thinking of trying to go with KLASSE topped with Souveran so I can get the best of both worlds, durability and a warm, deep shine.
Thanks again.
-JM
puterbum said:
Justin, the answer to you question is simple, but I didn't say it, David B. did. You proabably find more information if do a search on it.
http://www.autopia-carport.com/Detailing-Articles/What IS Carnauba.htm