Teflon Car Wax:
Are we being mislead as consumers?
Teflon car wax is a topic within the world of auto detailing filled with a whole lot of really bad information, false ideas, and endless hype!
But today is a different day than when Teflon was first introduced to the world. The term "Teflon" itself is now a label cloaked in bad press and infamy.
I am old enough to remember when Teflon and the endless wonders of this space age coating came onto the scene. The more popular it became, the more places it turned up.
Companies were putting this Teflon coating on anything they could get their hands on. The fervor seemed to explode into Biblical proportions!
The mystical appeal of this space-age "chemistry" attracted virtually every sector of business in some form or fashion.
Teflon Auto Wax:
Guilt by association
This practice is used by far more than the car care industry. Known as the celebrity effect, this is an effective marketing strategy used by virtually every industry of life.
Teflon and all its intrigue became the celebrity! And everyone wanted to be part of it.
This marketing strategy proved very effective for any product, tool, or utensil willing to parade this technology on the runway of consumerism.
The Teflon car wax is no longer relevant or even available today. The numerous companies that leveraged the notoriety of this brand name, have all become extinct.
But in their place is a massive play ground of new products that have grown at an exponential rate ever since.
Cosmetic Car Care Products:
Drowning in a sea of choices!
The cosmetic car care industry continues to fabricate more and more hyped-up words that instantly appeal to our emotions.
Terms and labels that appear sophisticated and meaningful at a casual observation, and yet come up empty by anyone willing to apply even the slightest degree of critical thinking.
The term Polymer still remains as one of the most over-used terms despite it being a massive generalization understood by very few people.
- Exotic crystalline polymers
- Polymer technology
- Thin-film polymer technology
- Hydro-slide polymers
- Polymer enzymes
The hype used to part you with your money makes my head spin and my eyes roll back with frustration and confusion!
There simply seems to be no boundaries as to what a company will do in the name of marketing to get a product into your hands in exchange for some of your money.
Teflon Car Wax:
What you need to know
Because DuPont and Teflon is such a well known name and used in so many applications, it was simply a matter of time that the car care industry started to use this well known name to sell more and more products to ignorant people.
What You Really Need to Know....
- Searching for a true DuPont Teflon car wax will be an exercise in frustration as the product virtually is non-existent these days.
- There are far better products on the market than the original Teflon car wax
- The majority of car waxes will be a hybrid blend of both natural carnauba wax and synthetic ingredients
- Since I have yet to see any reliable standard of testing as to how long any car wax or paint sealant can "last", I don't overthink this part of the equation shop for, and use a car wax that simply delivers exceptional results, and delivers a great user experience
Best Car Wax:
What Would Darren Do (WWDD)
If you enjoy roaming the Internet for hours reading one car wax review after another, trying to decide on the best car wax or the best car sealant...
then by all means, have at it!
But if you are really looking for time tested and proven products that promise to perform and want to get down to business, let me offer my professional recommendations:
Since I have a very diverse audience base, I am frequently asked to simply things for people. people who don't really want to read the endless reviews available online, but want to knw what I would do as a professional.
Q-7 Spray Wax:
MY "go-to" car wax
- My top choice in a car wax for the past 15+ years
- Only recently made available on Amazon
- Body shop safe
- Non-staining formulation (won't stain black trim)
- Can be applied in direct sunlight, on hot paint
- Can also be used on the interior of your car (plastic/vinyl door panels, coated car leather, dashboards, door threshold plates, etc.)
Darren's Tips: It is hard to know where to begin in talking abut my favorite car wax. It is the most versatile wax I have ever used, and remains my "go-to" car wax to this day after 15-plus years of using.
One of the most significant features of this Teflon car wax alternative is its non-staining capabilities. Which is a term most beginners do not understand when discussing car wax. Most of us grew up with the understanding that you never get wax on black trim as it will stain.
Due to the advanced chemistry of this product, it is not only completely safe for any black trim, but I apply it deliberately to all the black trim and rubber gaskets on the exterior of my car. Just as this car wax will be good for your paint, it is also good for any of the many black trim or rubber gasket pieces around your car.
I even use this wax on many of the interior materials of my car which makes it even more versatile:
Synthetic Car Paint Sealants:
Traditional paint sealants
I hate using the word "traditional" when talking or recommending any of the current car paint sealants. Since anyone over the age of 30 grew up with carnauba car waxes being to tradition, paint sealants themselves are counter to the long-standing accepted way of protecting your car paint.
Synthetic sealants have long been praised as being superior to natural-based carnauba car waxes. But some people simply prefer these synthetic sealants due to a few key factors that only 100% synthetic sealants are capable of delivering:
- They can create a slicker feel to your car paint
- Can be easier to apply and remove
- Claim longer durability
- Claim to create more hydrophobic protection (this is water-beading effect)
And for this reason I offer up my Teflon car wax alternatives to those of you that are fans of these synthetic car paint sealants, but also want to stay with products considered more conventicle due to the companies that make them.
Chemical Guys WAC_118_16 JetSeal Anti-Corrosion Sealant and Paint Protectant (16 oz)
- A favorite for all car guys regardless of your level of experience (car owner, car enthusiast, professional detailer)
- Chemical guys is a massively popular line of car care from complete beginner to hard-core professional!
- I have yet to try a Chemical Guy's product I didn't like
- Highly rated on Amazon
Mothers 05716 California Gold Synthetic Wax - 16 oz.
- A quality car paint sealant put out by a well known and trusted name.
- Labeled as a synthetic wax (which is a direct contradiction)
- I was first introduced to this by a fellow detailer that convinced me that it will perform to professional standards despite it being what is considered a retail product (I was happy to verify its abilities)
- Super easy to apply and remove
Wolfgang WG-5500 Deep Gloss Paint Sealant
- Wolfgang has a huge following among professionals and enthusiasts alike
- Not only have I been pleasantly surprised at the performance of their products, but also here the same enthusiasm from other fellow detailers regarding this car paint sealant
- Massive amount of positive reviews on Amazon
Synthetic Car Paint Sealants:
Professional Grade
The world of car paint sealants becomes increasingly saturated with more and more products. Especially with the latest introduction to ceramic coatings, SiO2 technology (Silicon Dioxide), and even TiO2 (Titanium Dioxide).
In many ways it's as though the industry were a bunch of two year olds all vying for the attention of their parents. "Hey dad, look what I can do." The endless marketing done in the name of geting you to step up and part ways with some of your money.
DuPont Teflon did it with Teflon car wax, as did frying pan manufacturers in their Teflon coated frying pans.
But at the end of the day, the industry continues to impress me with some seriously great products.
CarPro Reload Spray Sealant 500 milliter with Sprayer
- One of the latest and greatest in synthetic chemical engineering
- Professional grade paint sealant
- A trusted name among detailing professionals
- Highly rated on Amazon and in detailing forums
Mothers 01024 CMX Ceramic Spray Coating, 24 fl. oz.
- What most professional detailers would consider as retail grade paint sealant
- Excellent results
- Excellent reviews
- Manufactured by a long-standing company known for quality products
Teflon Auto Wax Summary
If the idea of synthetic car paint sealants are a new concept to you, I think you are in for a real treat. Use this checklist to see if they might be for you:
- Synthetics create a more slippery "feel" than that of traditional carnauba based car waxes
- Professionally accepted as providing more durability over natural carnauba based car waxes
- For people looking to wax as little as possible (assuming you buy into the sealant versus car wax debate)
- Make sure to prep your car first with a quality clay bar. (If you are a beginner you will likely want to skip this part due to your inexperience. I cannot stress enough the importance of preparing the surface of your car first with detailing clay)
Teflon Car Wax Summary
If you have made it this far to the end, I congratulate you!
If you are too young to remember the days of Teflon, or Teflon car wax you are probably lucky.
Hopefully you are now a much more informed person and car owner in a much better position to make an informed decision.
Whether you continue your quest for a true Teflon car wax or not, I wish you much success in your detailing efforts!
Sincerely,
Darren Priest
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