totally noob question, how do you know if a product is a sealant?
That's actually a great question because the marketing departments of car detailing products throw around terms like "wax" or "sealant" and often confuse the two.
At a very basic level, here is the difference:
"Car waxes are derived from natural ingredients (such as carnauba) and produce a warm glow that enhances the colors below. Paint
sealants are entirely synthetic polymer-based solutions which produce a candy or glass-like look and provide longer lasting protection for your car's paint."
So if the product is made of synthetic polymers, it is a sealant.
Carnauba wax provides the warmest glow, but is not as durable as sealants. Carnauba wax won't last as long and will degrade more when exposed to heat.
There are products on the market that actually combine natural and synthetic waxes with polymers. For example, Turtle Wax Seal and Shine combines polymers and carnauba wax.
Up until recently, the most advanced type of sealants were ceramic. They have SiO2 in them that gives them even better performance. Within the last few months, graphene-infused sealants have made their appearance and are the latest and greatest technology available right now.