In the same way that car wax and polish are not the same thing, wax and paint sealant for cars are not either. Though waxes and sealants are both forms of car paint protectants, they differ in their strengths and weaknesses, and in some cases, the way they’re integrated into the product.
Wax is a natural product. Its abilities as a protectant are good, but it also really helps to show off a good polish. Meanwhile, a sealant is synthetic. When applied to a car’s paintwork, it bonds very strongly and creates a durable layer that protects against UV, acidic bird poo, and even light scratches. In many cases, they can even bring out a bit of a rich tone to your car’s paintwork and really make it gloss.
As a protectant, it somewhat surpasses wax, but generally won’t be as good at letting the deep gloss from a polish shine through. The labs are at work on this though, and the synthetic sealants are getting better at showing the shine. There are even wheel sealants available, which will make alloy wheel cleaning much easier on your next car wash.
The best paint sealant for cars 2024 at a glance:
The best paint sealant: Gtechniq EXO V5 – buy from Amazon
Editor’s pick: Autoglym Ceramic Wash and Protect – buy from Amazon
The best paint sealant for longevity: Gyeon Q2 Mohs EVO Ceramic Coating Kit – buy from Amazon
We have selected the best paint sealants that all have different strong points in order to recommend something for everyone. They all range in price, purpose, and type – meaning they will have a different application and lasting time to one another. If you are insistent on maximum protection though, have a look through our guide to ceramic coating.
The best paint sealant for cars 2024:
The best paint sealant
Simply apply it with a foam pad like any other coating. It gives really tough resistance to road grit and doesn’t come off with washing.
Pros
- Up to two-years of protection, guaranteeing a lasting effect
- Very easy to apply, and comes in an efficient, compact package
- Strong hydrophobic layer that makes car washing easier
Cons
- One bottle for one use, so in theory, you only get one chance at a time to get it right
Editor's pick
At the time of writing, I've been using it for nearly six months on my Mercedes 230E, and it could go on for weeks and hundreds of motorway miles at a time without ever needing a wash. It stunned me of just how much protection it offers, given its primary use is a car shampoo. I've only washed the car three times in that six-month period, simply because the protection it offers was so long-lasting.
It should be mentioned that I keep the car under an all-weather cover, so some elements can't reach it most of the time. But it should still cater very well for a daily-driven vehicle.
Pros
- Great value for money compared to other options on this list
- Enhances some gloss on your car's paintwork and makes the body slick
- Provides a ceramic layer of protection against dirt and elements, while also being a capable shampoo
Cons
- It's not a thorough ceramic sealant by form, meaning it isn't as strong as other options
Best ceramic coating kit for longevity
The process consists of simply washing and decontaminating the car in question before degreasing each panel thoroughly before you apply the coating panel-by-panel. You're not advised to apply it in direct sunlight, but you can do it outdoors so long as it's dry.
Pros
- Lasts a very long time of up to three-years (36-months), which makes it very efficient and good-value in the long run
- Easy to apply once you've fully decontaminated the vehicle
- Great quality, hydrophobic layer that repels dirt and other elements from the paintwork
Cons
- The process of application is slightly more thorough than some others
The best value ceramic coating kit
Consisting of UHD Preparation and UHD Ceramic Coating, you can expect a lot from this kit. Once you have cleaned and polished your car, you can apply the UHD Preparation, which will remove any wax, sealants, or oils on the paintwork.
Once you have done this and wiped away residue, you can apply the UHD Ceramic Coating. Apply it one panel at a time, or even half a panel. Then buff it off once a film has formed.
Pros
- Better value for money at £50 than Gyeon's ceramic coating kit
- You get a lot of kit included, which makes applying it more approachable
- Great quality coating, as per Autoglym's products
Cons
- Requires a bit more effort than others to apply
The best mid-range paint sealant
It can be applied either by hand or using a machine and should last for up to 12 months.
It can be applied to a variety of vehicles and paint types and should also give a nice deep shine to your paintwork too.
Pros
- Long-lasting protection of up to 12-months at a time
- Protects your paintowrk from UV rays and the outside elements
- Represents slighy better value for money than some ceramic coating kits
Cons
- Isn't as thorough as some other options
Most versatile paint sealant to apply
Bilt Hamber recommends doing it no more than once a month but regular top-ups will be required to keep the layer of protection effective. The treatment also shampoos the car as you clean it making it a great option for quick but effective protection.
Pros
- Great value for money at under £20 for the sealant
- Provides a hydrophobic layer of protection for your paintwork
- Can even be applied via a pressure washer, if you wanted to
Cons
- Isn't as protective as the other options on this list, but that's reflected in the price
Best simple paint sealant
It provides up to six-months protection and is incredibly easy to apply, only requiring a clean microfibre towel to spread and buff after spraying the product onto each section. It also adds a lovely sense of gloss, akin to the Autoglym shampoo, while making the paintwork nice and slick.
Pros
- Incredibly easy application with a simple spray and wipe method on each panel
- Great value for money at a hair under £20 for 500ml
- The quantity is good enough for two or three large cars
Cons
- Isn't as protective as some others available
Best paint sealant to apply with a polisher
While the Meguiar’s sealant can’t match the EXOv5 for durability or longevity, it claws points from another area: gloss. What it lacks in durability compared to Gtechniq's product, it makes up for in shine.
It also comes in a 473ml bottle, which means you don’t go through all of it in one go. Once you’ve applied it, it not only shines up your car but generates a hydrophobic beading too.
Pros
- Provides a great sense of gloss on your car's paintwork
- Can either be applied using a machine polisher or by hand, depending on your preference
- A durable hydrophobic layer is applied which protects your car's paint thoroughly
Cons
- Is more akin to a polish rather than a paint sealant
The best value ceramic spray
In terms of longevity, you can expect about six months. Like all the others above, apply it to a clean and dry paint surface before buffing lightly. Having done that, you can enjoy effective water beading and added protection.
Pros
- Great value for money at just £15 for the whole bottle
- Provides a long-lasting protection of around six-months at a time
- Very easy to apply, thanks to spray and wipe method
Cons
- Protection won't last as long as some others, but this is reflected in the price
The best value ceramic shampoo
Turtle Wax’s ceramic shampoo, unsurprisingly, incorporates some ceramic polymers into a shampoo and applies the coating and cleaning in an all-in-one type deal. It’s very convenient and is noticeably better than a standard shampoo. It does leave a protective coating, evident in water beading.
That said, the trade-off of convenience is effectiveness and durability. For that, choose one of the others above.
Pros
- Ceramic coating (mild) doubles up as car shampoo, which makes car cleaning easier between applications
- Hydrophobic layer protects the paint against the elements and encourages water beading
- Great value for money at just £15 for the bottle
Cons
- Isn't as protective as Autoglym's ceramic shampoo
The most therapeutic paint sealant to apply
It creates a hydrophobic layer on the bodywork, making it harder for dust, water, and dirt to cling to it. As such, it doesn’t offer a protective sealant against UV and grit as it's not a bespoke paint sealant, or at least not one that's as thorough as others on this list, such as Autoglym's own ceramic coating kit.
Pros
- The fact the paint sealant is also a snow foam makes applying it very exciting
- Helps to agitate pre-wash and clean your car as well as protecting the paint
- Comes in a large one-litre bottle, which is good value for £17
Cons
- Isn't a bespoke paint sealant, meaning it's protective qualities are limited
FAQs and things to remember with paint sealant
What is a paint sealant?
Fundamentally, a paint sealant is a solution you apply to your car’s paintwork that generates a protective layer. A protective layer that keeps harmful things at bay – essentially most everyday substances that can degrade your car’s paintwork. It differs from wax because sealant products aren’t natural and are instead synthetic. Quick detailers can also provide a layer of protection, but their purpose is slightly different from a bespoke protectant.
Paint sealants are most often a solution you apply by hand, or sometimes with a polishing machine. They can also be sprays for convenience. Products vary in terms of durability, shine, and ease of application. They all have pros and cons and it depends on your priorities as to which is best for you.
Is paint sealant worth it?
If you’re not keen on using car was to provide a layer of protection on your paint, and perhaps want something a bit simpler or long-lasting to apply, then paint sealant is very much worth it. Any hydrophobic layer on paintwork is a good one, and they help to repel dirt and standing water, providing a barrier against the elements which helps with rust protection and UV damage.
Is wax better than paint sealant?
Car wax is built on similar, if not the same, principles as paint sealant. Where we recommend wax, especially carnauba-based ones, the most is for single stage paint on a classic car. Spray waxes simply aren’t as effective, but paint sealants are suitable for all paint types – especially ceramic coatings.
Aaron Hussain is a commercial content writer at Bauer Media writing for Parkers and CAR. He is obsessed with classic cars and anything with a fascinating story to tell.
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