Carnauba

Carnauba is a type of wax extracted from the Carnauba Palm Tree found in Northern Brazil. The leaves of the tree are dried and then beaten to collect the wax, which is then purified and bleached for different industrial applications, with purer grades being used in cosmetics, food or medicine (It may be the coating that prevents your chocolate melting in your hand).

Carnauba is very durable, has a high melting point, is glossy and has long been used in car waxes, which form a protective sacrificial barrier to protect against moisture, UV and chemical contaminants, and of course provide a shine.

Marketeers of automotive waxes have given carnauba a near-mythical status as an ingredient, with manufacturers boasting how much carnauba is in their product, or how pure their carnauba is, and charging a premium as a result, despite bags of T3 grade carnauba being available for about £3 on eBay. Like most products, waxes are a blend, and they need a mix of hard wax, soft wax, oils, solvents, and preservatives to be effective, and carnauba is just one ingredient amount of many.

With that said, carnauba paste waxes are the favourite among car detailers for producing a high shine with good durability and life, they are hard to beat, although synthetic waxes are giving them a run for their money. Some people might argue that synthetic waxes don't have the warmth of natural waxes, and there is something to be said for tradition.

What it means

Raw carnauba flakes are refined and mixed with solvents, oils and other waxes or polymers to make usable products. It lays a thin, hydrophobic film that enhances gloss and the “wet look”, especially on darker colours. Modern “hybrid” waxes combine carnauba with synthetic polymers for easier application and slightly longer durability.

Why it matters

• Appearance: prized for warm, deep gloss and tight beading.
• Ease of use: forgiving to apply and remove when used thin and on cool panels.
• Maintenance: useful as a quick cosmetic top layer on cars that are not ceramic coated.
• Expectation setting: beauty product first - durability is weeks to a few months depending on wash routine and weather.

Where you’ll see it

Paste wax tins and liquid waxes, “hybrid carnauba” products and show-car routines aiming for a deep, rich finish.

Context

Car Paint Protection; Waxes; Last Step Protection (LSP); Materials

Common mistakes

• Expecting ceramic-like durability or chemical resistance from a carnauba wax.
• Applying thick layers - hard to buff and can haze or “bloom”, especially in humid conditions.
• Waxing over bonded contamination - decon first for better look and bonding.
• Getting residue on textured plastics - can leave white staining.
• Using under a ceramic coating - oils and waxes inhibit coating adhesion.
• Polishing or waxing matte/satin finishes - alters sheen and appearance.

Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 10/11/2025 17:10