Car Wax, Glaze and Paint Sealant: What's the Difference?

Once a car has been washed, clayed and polished, there are several options for the finishing step of a paint correction job. With so many car care products on the market, it's hard to know which is the best for your car.

For a great, eye-popping shine, car wax is often the best way to go. There are several types of wax. Made from the leaves of a Brazilian palm tree, people love the deep mirror-like shine that carnauba wax provides. Perfect for show car day, it may require frequent application, usually four to six weeks. Take a look at Griot's Garage Best Of Show Wax.

Other waxes use man-made polymer technology to imitate the glossy wet-look of natural waxes. Synthetic wax jobs lasts longer, but may forfeit some of that incredible natural brilliance. Meguiar's Ultimate Liquid Wax is a great choice.

After polishing but before wax and sealant, sometimes it is appropriate to apply a glaze. The purpose of car glaze is to enhance the appearance of car paint by filling in remaining scratches or imperfections. It does not provide protection and it does not remove swirl marks. Check out Jescar Top Finish Machine Glaze. We recommend to apply car wax or sealant on top of the glaze.

A car paint sealant can protect protect from uv rays and acid rain. Its shine and protection can last a long time, often three to six months. Top picks are Jescar Power Lock Paint Sealant and Malco Paint Sealant.