Non-stick / PTFE claims

Quick answer: These are marketing claims that a wax or sealant contains PTFE (often branded “Teflon”) to make paint non-stick. PTFE can add slickness, but it does not form a cookware-style non-stick layer on car paint at room temperature.

A little history...

Just as there has been some resistance to ceramic and graphene coatings from the traditional wax aficionados, there were also a lot of criticisms against professional polymer sealants. This wasn't helped by a whole lot of snake oil from some manufacturers of those coatings. Therefore, one some manufacturers started to add PTFE to coatings, the cry of the naysayers was, "You need to bake on Teflon; otherwise it would slide off the car - it can't possibly work".

There is some truth to this. To get a non-stick Teflon coating like a frying pan, you would need to bake it on, and some of the claims from polymer sealant brands which were exaggerated. However, professional polymer sealants were and are very good, and those claiming to contain PTFE were just as good if not a little better.

What it means

PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) has very low surface energy, so it is associated with easy-clean behaviour. In car care, tiny PTFE particles may be blended into waxes or polymer sealants. They sit within the product’s resin binder rather than sintering into a solid PTFE film. Real PTFE coatings on cookware are created at high temperature and are not comparable to wipe-on automotive products.

Why it matters

Expectation-setting: PTFE on the label does not make paint scratch-proof or permanently non-stick.
Performance drivers: durability and water behaviour depend more on prep, resin chemistry and application than on PTFE content alone.
Comparisons: modern ceramic coatings and high-quality polymer sealants usually outperform PTFE-labelled waxes for longevity.
Clarity: “Teflon” is a registered trademark; presence of the word does not imply cookware-grade technology or endorsement.

Where you’ll see it

Retail waxes and dealership “paint protection” packages that highlight non-stick or Teflon-branded ingredients, often alongside beading claims.

Context

Car Paint Protection; Sealants; Marketing claims

Common mistakes

Assuming PTFE-labelled products create a true PTFE coating like cookware.
Judging protection only by beading or slick feel on day one.
Skipping decontamination and panel wipe, which affects bonding more than PTFE content.
Believing PTFE guarantees chemical resistance or long durability without regular maintenance.

Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 10/11/2025 16:10