Posts: 34
Since: 6/12/2007
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Once you have finished cleaning your car we recommend applying a final step product after each wash to help protect the paint against the many elements found in the atmosphere such as water, UV radiation, dust, dirt, industrial fallout, tree sap, insects, bird droppings...the list goes on.
Protection is available in many different forms including natural carnauba waxes, synthetic sealants and products that combine both. Final step products typically offer varying degrees of gloss, reflectivity, slickness and durability.
Our favourite and recommended final step product is carnauba based wax. Carnauba is a natural wax obtained from the leaves of the carnauba palm that is native to Brazil and is nature's hardest, purest and most transparent wax, in its natural state it is harder than concrete. There are many different carnauba waxes available ranging in price depending on carnauba content percentage. Basically, the higher the percentage of carnauba in the wax determines how durable and how much gloss and shine the wax provides. Carnauba wax prices range from about £15 up to a staggering £8000 for the highest carnauba content wax in the world, which incidentally is the wax Sportscar Protection uses on all its details as the final step product
In contrast to carnauba wax, synthetic sealants are the product of modern technology and comprise either polymer-based formulas or acrylic resins. Many car care enthusiasts have long argued that synthetic sealants are superior to other types of last step product, as they produce an ultra slick finish that is extremely durable. However, the finish produced by sealants is typically much less glossy than that produced by carnauba wax and some of the cheaper brands can discolour over time, going milky or turning yellow.
When it comes to actually applying a wax the procedure couldn't be simpler...wax on, wax off
The higher percentage carnauba waxes recommend that you warm the wax in the palm of your hand and then rub over the paint with your fingertips, but this can cause scratches if your hands aren't completely clean! We have found that the best and easiest way of applying the wax is to use a foam applicator pad which gives an thin even coverage and then buff the wax to a shine with a microfibre towel. Always apply and buff the wax in straight lines and out of direct sun light. A good tip is to have a spray bottle filled with detail spray, if the wax goes streaky, simply spray and wipe.
The more layers of wax you build up the better the finish will become but if you decide to apply more than one layer in one sitting leave the first layer at least 30 mins and anything upto 5 before applying more, depending on the grade of wax you use
Thanks
Dave
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