What Is Carnauba Wax? Benefits and Uses in the Auto Industry

A car’s paint helps protect the metal below from rust and other forms of corrosion. But what protects the paint? UV rays, dirt, wind, and acids are constantly wearing the vehicle's exterior and weakening the paint. Carnauba wax has a long history in the car care industry thanks to its protective value. Understanding the carnauba wax uses popular today will help you decide what role this and other car wash chemicals should play in your business.

An Overview of Carnauba Wax

Most car washes use carnauba wax as a finishing touch after washing and rinsing steps. 

What Is Carnauba Wax?

Carnauba wax is one of many natural waxes used for various industrial applications. It’s a refined wax that stays hard and shiny even at warm temperatures. This makes it a good choice for applying to painted surfaces in need of protection from the elements, including car exteriors. It’s a type of palm tree wax, and outside the car wash industry, it’s used for personal care products and even food.

Where Does Carnauba Wax Come From?

This wax comes from the leaves of the carnauba palm, a tree native to Brazil. The leaves form the wax as a protective layer that keeps them from losing moisture when there is no rain for an extended time. If you dry and beat the leaves, you’re left with the perfect wax for adding a natural shine to furniture, surfboards, and cars alike. There’s no need to damage the trees to harvest the leaves for wax.

What Is in Carnauba Wax?

Like all natural waxes, carnauba wax is a combination of esters and fatty alcohols. Although it’s a naturally derived product, the wax needs some refining and bleaching before it’s used for industrial purposes like coating cars. Food-grade carnauba wax is even further refined, but that’s unnecessary for products designed for automotive use. Some car wax products combine this natural wax with other oils and glycerin to make it less firm and easier to spread over the surface.

4 Carnauba Wax Benefits for Car Wash Businesses

With so many synthetic products on the market today for waxing cars, it’s a wonder that many car wash owners still stick with a natural option. That's because carnauba wax has benefits that synthetic wax products can’t offer. Even if you plan to sell synthetic options, you’ll want to stock carnauba wax as a finishing option for car owners who prefer it over the alternatives.

Provides a Glossy Appearance

Carnauba wax for cars became popular originally because of the glossy shine it produces. Polishing a car with this natural wax restores the original shine of the clear coat used over the paint, even when that coating has long since worn away.

Protects Paint

Waxing a car doesn’t just give it a shine that turns heads and highlights the paint color. That shiny, glossy finish also protects the paint from sun, rain, snow, and airborne dirt. Adding a protective layer of wax regularly is the best way to keep a vehicle's finish looking like new. Of course, you need a wax that won’t damage the paint or other parts of the car in the process. This is one of the big reasons natural carnauba wax remains such a popular choice, even when synthetic products are available. Most silicone-based synthetic waxes cause fish eye effects in the paint and shorten the lifespan of rubber materials used to seal glass and doors. You can trust that carnauba-based car wax products won’t cause this kind of damage.

Durable and Long-Lasting

Applying a layer of wax over a car’s paint is the best way to protect it from all forms of weathering and damage. Carnauba is a good choice because it hardens to create a scratch-resistant layer without affecting the color of the paint. A coating of this wax can last three months or longer before it needs refreshing, although intense sun exposure or sand weathering can shorten this lifespan. Few other waxes available for use on car exteriors can last as long as carnauba wax. Some of them can be blended with this palm wax to extend their durability as well.

Eco-friendly and Biodegradable

If you mention eco-friendly car wash products in your marketing, you’ll definitely want to highlight that you use carnauba wax. It’s produced in a sustainable way from palm trees, unlike synthetic alternatives, which can have a negative effect on the environment.

Tips for Using Carnauba Wax for Cars

Preparing the surface for the wax will maximize the final gloss while minimizing the risk of scratching or swirling. Check the instructions on specific carnauba wax products for more details.

• Wash the car well and make sure the surface is free from dust, dirt, and debris.
• Dry the car completely before applying wax.
• Apply just a thin layer of wax at a time, working on a single section, with a foam applicator or your hands.
• Buff each section with a clean and dry microfiber cloth to spread the wax around and remove any excess.
• Give the wax at least two hours to dry between coats.

FAQs

What is the purpose of carnauba wax?

Carnauba wax is designed to add gloss to your vehicle while protecting the paint.

What is carnauba wax best for?

This wax works best for boosting the shine of the finish while protecting the vehicle from weathering.

How long will carnauba wax last?

Carnauba wax lasts about one to three months, depending on the exact product and the amount of weathering the vehicle experiences.

Improve Customer Satisfaction with Carnauba Wax Products

Your customers want their vehicles to shine, and carnauba wax helps make it easy. Contact us today to learn more about how AP Formulators can help by pairing you with the very best wax products and more for your car wash business.