Carnauba wax is a hard natural wax that is valued for its hardness and high melting temperature. It's used as a vegan food-grade polish and as a hardening or gelling agent, which is great for automotive.
Carnauba wax can be found only in the leaves of one particular type of palm tree that grows only in northern Brazil. This tree is not indigenous to Brazil—it was introduced from Asia by Portuguese explorers in the 1500s. Today, it's still grown primarily in the northeastern regions of Brazil, where it thrives in sandy soil and grows to heights of 20 feet (6 meters). The carnauba palm produces large clusters of yellow flowers followed by fruit that consists of a single seed surrounded by a sweet pulp known as "carnauba gum." The gum is collected from fallen fruits when they fall from trees, and then dried for use later on.
The carnauba tree has many uses: its leaves are used as roofing material; its wood is used for furniture making; its sap yields an oil used in cosmetics manufacturing; its seed yields carnauba wax; and the leaves are sometimes roasted and eaten like spinach!
Lets get back on the topic of cars. When deciding whether to use a carnauba-based wax on your car, versus some other type of wax or coating, you should know the pros and cons of the different types of products. Of the natural waxes, most people find carnauba wax to be the best performer for durability and shine. As a natural ingredient, it has an indescribable glow that’s difficult to recreate with synthetic products. But, while it is durable compared to other natural waxes, carnauba wax isn't as durable as silicon-, ceramic- or graphene-infused coatings. It also doesn’t provide as much protection and chemical resistance, as a synthetic product. Choosing the right one for your detailing job can come down to how you use your car, what you’ll likely run into when driving and how often you plan to detail your car.
Carnauba Wax: Pros & Cons
Pros: Carnauba wax is extremely durable, which means that it will protect your vehicle from UV rays and oxidation better than other natural waxes. It also provides a high shine that will last for months on end if properly maintained with regular maintenance sessions by applying another coat every six months or so.
Cons: Carnauba wax isn't as durable as silicon-, ceramic- or graphene-infused coatings. It also doesn’t provide as much protection and chemical resistance, as a synthetic product.
When comparing the pros and cons, its always a safe bet to have a carnauba based wax on hand as its easy to apply, and helps let your vehicle glow with shine. Check out AG's Strawberry Lemonade Wax.
