Carnauba wax is one of the most popular waxes used in vehicle finish products. Some people actually think the name carnauba comes from the word car. Actually, it is a natural wax that comes  from the Carnauba palm tree.

While the environmental impact of many products derived from palms have been called into question recently, this wax is not one of them. It was determined over 70 years ago that wax harvesting the wax from these trees is harmless to the environment.

The popularity of carnauba wax in the auto industry comes from its extreme hardness and superior shine. In it’s pure form, carnauba wax is actually harder than concrete. This creates a lasting finish, and a good protective layer over the paint.

The percentage of carnauba wax varies among different car care products, although products containing more than 40 percent are too hard to be applied directly. In waxes, 25-35 percent is considered ideal. Some cleaning products, such as Sour Power by Dodo Juice, contain small amounts of carnauba to maintain the finish in-between waxing.