Teflon Wax
The science behind the name

Let's start out by defining exactly what Teflon Wax is. For starters, if you tend to be on the A.D.D. side of life, I have compiled my professional picks over to the right with my secure ordering links. When it comes to protection and durability for all things gelcoat and fiberglass, you simply cannot get any better than synthetic polymer technology. Today we have both choices in liquid and paste versions put out by numerous manufacturers. While I personally prefer the ones to the right put out by Meguiar's, these are not the only one's available; but I know these work and they are easy to get.

Boat Wax and RV Wax

Also important to note is the fact that many companies will label and market their polymer sealants as specially formulated RV or Boat wax. This is simply a strategy of companies to sell more product to an ignorant society. The same science behind polymers formulated into car care products, is the same science formulated into RV and boat products. So any product containing and formulated using polymer technology, is suitable for cars, boats, or RV's.

DuPont Teflon Wax

Teflon is the brand name of the DuPont company for polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)most commonly associated with non-stick cookware. PTFE is a thermoplastic polymer that is a white solid at room temperature.Just like carnauba wax in its natural state, it is unusable until it is processes for use in various industries.
Think of it this way: we all know that sunscreen for your skin works to protect your skin from harmful UV rays from the sun; this would be the same as polymer technology. We have car wax products made from carnauba based ingredients that create a clear layer on your cars paint to protect from the elements just like sunscreen for your skin. Synthetic polymers are simply another form of protection available for your cars paint, gelcoats, or fiberglass. Teflon is simply an actual brand name for this polymer (PTFE) science put out by the company of DuPont.

Teflon Wax: Guilt by Association

There is a time tested strategy of marketing that is called "guilt by association". Companies do this all the time and this is why we have celebrity endorsements. Excuse me while I get cynical for a moment, but as society, we are under the assumption that celebrities, due to their status of money and power, must surely be more intelligent and know more than us "Simpletons". So companies use these celebrities to sell more and more product to a naive, impressionable, and gullible society; the same holds true in virtually ever industry with car care being no exception! This is why we have a few companies trying to sell car care products under the guise of the Teflon brand name. We generally will asssociate this name with non-stick cookware and automatically assume that the same coating can be applied to our cars paint surface and create the same slippery, non-stick coating....

Not true!

Just the Truth About Teflon Wax Darren

What is true is the science behind these synthetic polymer (PTFE) sealants. Through chemical engineering, scientists are able to formulate these polymers into chemical bonds that link together to create a protection that is much more durable than that of carnauba based car waxes. But like every other area of life, you generally have to trade one benefit at the sacrifice of another; until recently. Originally, the only way to get the added protection of synthetic polymers was in a liquid form. While this was the ultimate in protection, it typically created much dusting during removal, and does not hide superficial flaws like a quality carnauba paste wax could do. But with advances in chemical engineering, we now have choices!

Just What Does Darren Recommend for Teflon Wax Replacements?

You can get the protection of Teflon wax (polymer sealant) in 2 basic forms: liquid and paste. Let me take you through the different versions where I will outline the benefits and my professional recommendations.

Liquid Polymer Sealants

I am under the opinion that the ultimate in the way of protection is with the liquid versions of polymer sealants. I base this on research and experience. If your first and only priority is protection, then shop using one of the secure links below, or from any of the links to the right.

Nu Finish Car Polish

Marketed as the "Once a year car polish", this product is really not a polish at all, but is labeled as such as simply a by-product of marketing to an ignorant public. Since this is 100% synthetic containing no waxes of any kind, this is truly a sealant and not a Teflon wax product. It looks and acts like most any other liquid car wax product, but is really a sealant.

Nu Finish Once-A-Year Auto Polish

• For use on any colored car for ultimate in protection if protection is your only requirement.
• Perfect for use on big projects like boats and RV's where size is an issue.
• For use on gelcoats and fiberglass when in good to excellent condition only.
• Will create a certain amount of dusting upon removal.

Darren's Recommendations

If you consider yourself less critical as a person, and you have easy access to this product either with one of my links or at your local store, then by all means go with it! But if you have more of a discerning eye for quality and you generally accept that we get what we pay for, then keep reading below for another product. I have used Nu Finish and do know that it works though.

Meguiar's #20 Liquid Polymer

I have long been a big fan of Meguiar's products. I recommend them so often I am continually asked if I am a paid spoke person for the company, to which I answer "no". I simply recommend them so often due to the following:

• The products deliver excellent results.
• I use them professionally.
• They are easy to get.

"No", they are not the only products that work, but as I just stated, they meet my criteria.

Meguiars Mirror Glaze #20 Polymer Sealant

• The product I recommend first and foremost.
• As a rule, we usually do get what we pay for.
• Will create some dusting during removal.
• Perfect for RV and boat use on those bigger item "toys" of ours.
• Not recommended for gelcoat and fiberglass unless in good to excellent condition.
• For any colored car for anyone looking to wax less often, rather than more often.

Darren's Recommendations

As a big Meguiar's fan, I do recommend this product over the Nu Finish. You can't beat this product for ultimate protection and I always use a liquid polymer when doing boats and RV's in good to excellent condition. If you are working on a car and want to do the very least in requirements of car paint protection, use this Meguiar's #20 right after you have used one of my recommended clay bars. You will have fulfilled the bare bones requirements of car paint care in just two products!

Prima Epic Synthetic Liquid

Prima makes some seriously quality products, and their version of synthetic liquid polymer is no exception. Prima even goes so far as to put serious consideration into their packaging to make it the most user friendly experience. Not the cheapest on the block, but as the saying goes, we generally get what we pay for.

Prima Epic Synthetic Wax 16 oz.

• Can be left on car paint for curing purposes if you enjoy this kind of interaction with your sealant.
• Perfect for the person looking to wax less often with the added level of protection from a polymer sealant.
• Suitable for use in all automotive, marine, RV, and aero applications
• I am a big fan of the Prima line of products.

Darren's Recommendations

Prima has gained an almost cult following with enthusiasts due to their quality products and general appeal of their enhanced packaging that make for a user friendly experience. Have tried most of their products and know they deliver excellent results. Not the cheap product on the block, so if you like the appeal of a name brand product that delivers professional results, then this would be a good fit.

Mothers FX Synwax

Mothers makes great products and their version of Teflon wax (remember we are really talking about polymer sealants) is no exception. If you are a die-hard Mothers fan, then you will want to go with this version of a liquid polymer.

Mothers FX Synwax 16 oz.

• Same benefits and recommendations as products above.
• Would make #2 or #3 position on my list of favorites when it comes to liquid sealants.

Darren's Recommendations

Like I said above, if you are a true Mothers fan and want to tay loyal, you will not go wrong with their version of Teflon wax (liquid polymer sealant). I just personally prefer the product of Meguiar's.

Paste Polymer Sealants

With the recent advances in chemical engineering, we now have the protection of polymers, blended into a paste wax. What this means to you and me is that now we can have the visual perfection usually reserved for paste waxes only. There are 3 examples I can recommend to you, with my personal choice being from that of Meguiar's. If I need the visual perfection of a paste wax and want the protection of polymers, this is for you. Not quite as durable as the liquid version of Teflon wax, or liquid polymer to be precise, but the next best thing!

Meguiar's Ultimate Paste Wax

Meguiars Ultimate Paste Wax

• One of my all-time favorites.
• Ideal for any dark or black colored car.
• Can be used on boats or RV's but less practical due to size.
• Can be used in direct sunlight on hot paint.
• No dusting.
• Is as easy to use as any product you will find; truly exceptional!

Darren's Recommendations

As you can see from the bullet point list, I am a big fan of the Meguiar's Ultimate Paste wax! This is truly one of the products I recommend professionally if you were here looking for Teflon wax. I use this product on all the high end cars of my detailing customers. Also can be the single wax/sealant product you lick if you are looking to keep your life simple and want to do the bare minimum when it comes to car care; simply use this after using one of my recommended detailing clays.

Mothers FX Synwax Paste Wax

Mothers FX Synwax Paste Wax

• A great choice if you are already a Mothers fan.
• Get the durability of polymer with the visual results of a paste.

Darren's Recommendations

This Synwax from Mothers is their unique blend of polymer technology into a paste wax. Once again, if you are a Mothers enthusiast and are here looking for Teflon wax products, then this is the product for you! While I tend to learn towards Meguiar's, I am a big fan of Mothers as they do make quality products. If you prefer someone to make a decision for you, go with the Meguiar's then as this is my personal choice even though it costs more. I have found I generally get what I pay for so as a general rule, I shop the more expensive item first withing reason.

Teflon Wax Conclusion

We have learned that Teflon wax is simply a brand name polymer selant product formulated by the company DuPont. You can get the durability of this synthetic science in many versions manufactured by other companies such as the one's I have recommended on this page. If you are looking to simplify your life, I have compiled my list of essentials over in the column at the right. Having each of these tools of the trade will not only cover the requirements necessary for proper car paint care, but can also be applied to the essentials of boat and RV care with the addition of the synthetic polymer sealants.

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