If you detail cars, you are familiar with car wax. However, if you make car parts, you are also familiar with mold-release wax. These two products have much in common, yet they are very different in function. One is used for creating parts, the other to make them shine and protect them.
Mold release wax is applied to the inside of a mold for a car part. This waxing process does not affect the shape of the part. When the metal or material poured into the mold dries, the wax allows the mold to break free from the part more easily. It is a friction-less surface that prevents the mold from binding to the casting material.
Car wax is applied to the surface of the car with a soft pad. This type of wax is used to protect the paint from scratches and fading. Waxes give the surface of a car a shiny, glossy shine when applied properly. They are used in detailing and finishing of the car exterior metal surfaces, including the hood, doors and roof.
The basic types of mold release wax include those that are used in cured molds and new molds. Most mold release waxes are designed for use with epoxy molds that create fiberglass parts. Meguiars and Mann are two companies that produce mold release waxes.
Car waxes are divided into two categories: natural and synthetic. Synthetic waxes are manufactured using petroleum products or plastics. They are in the same category as sealants and provide lasting protection for paint. These last longer than natural waxes, which come from plants like the copernica plant. They last up to 60 days, while some synthetic waxes last 90 days or more.
Both waxes have similar properties, but these properties are enhanced for different purposes. A release wax is designed to last for multiple mold castings. This means it must resist heat and pressure, rather than offer a deep, glossy shine. The car wax, on the other hand, must be more resistant to ultra violet rays, as the car is exposed to these rays more than the interior of the mold will be.
