Car care: What’s the goal? What’s the bottom line? From the novice who frequents the local drive-through car wash to the car care enthusiast who meticulously attends to every detail of proper auto care, we’re all after one thing—protecting the paint. In years past washing and waxing were thought to be sufficient. Unfortunately, not.

Stating it simply, a complete regimen for protecting a car’s paint has three main components: washing, decontaminating, and protecting. Washing removes the majority of dust, dirt, and other visible grime. No automatic or hand car wash, regardless how thorough, can remove bonded or embedded contaminants which ultimately eat away at the paint or clear coat. Likewise, no wax or paint sealant can prevent paint contamination. These airborne pollutants come from a variety of sources—brake dust, rail dust, overspray, sap, and tar—and must to be exfoliated from the paint before applying any kind of protectant. The only effective, non-abrasive method of paint decontamination is claying and polishing. Claying, done about every six months, attracts foreign matter from beneath the surface and pulls them away safely for a deep down clean. Clay even removes particles invisible to the naked eye for a glass-smooth finish. Polishing works in accordance by rejuvenating the top layer, smoothing tiny scratches and swirl marks with fillers, and restoring the paint’s deep vibrant colors. Skipping this step before protecting the paint locks in paint-fouling dirt, causing more damage down the road.

There are only two means of paint protection: waxing and sealing. Traditionally, the much sought-after, liquid-like, deep shine is attained through a pure carnauba paste wax. But, even car buffs will admit that carnaubas are moderately difficult and time consuming (up to twelve hours to cure!), tend to streak, haze, and deteriorate in high humidity and temperatures, and most have solvents that eventually dry and dull paint. The biggest complaint concerning waxes is their short life span of eight to ten weeks, at best.

Liquid paint sealants, unlike waxes, are quick and easy to apply (under an hour), suitable for extreme climates, resistant to salt, UV rays, and humidity. The most dramatic difference between a paint sealant and a paste wax is the duration of the protection it offers. A paint sealant lasts five to six months, even in the southern-most states. The biggest complaint about typical paint sealants is the cold, superficial shine.