What the Detailing Industry Got Wrong About Wax

What the Detailing Industry Got Wrong About Wax

Author: Jimbo Balaam interviews guest like Barry Meguiar, Jason Rose, Yvan Lacroix, June 24, 2026 Duration: 25:52

Wax is not dead. The detailing industry just got it wrong.

For years, brands tried to evolve car wax by making it last longer, act more like a ceramic coating, or compete with ceramic sprays. But I think they missed the real point.

People still love waxing their cars.

They love the gloss.
They love the slickness.
They love the water beading.
They love the feeling of protecting their car after a wash.

The problem is wax became too much work.

In this episode of the Auto Detailing Podcast, I talk about what I think the detailing industry got wrong about wax, why simplicity matters, and why wax did not need to disappear — it needed to evolve.

Wax does not have to last forever to matter.

It just has to be easy enough that people actually use it.

That is the idea behind Wax 'N Relax.

It is not trying to be a five-year ceramic coating. It is not trying to replace Tough As Shell or The Gloss Boss. It is simply the fastest, easiest way to add gloss, slickness, water beading, and protection after a wash.

If you have a car, truck, RV, boat, work vehicle, or daily driver that you want to protect without overthinking it, this is the conversation for you.

PRODUCTS TALKED ABOUT: 

Wax 'n Relax: https://jimbosdetailing.com/WnR - Use code RELAX for 20% OFF

Bundles: https://jimbosdetailing.com/collections/bundles

The Gloss Boss: https://jimbosdetailing.com/TGB

Tough As Shell Ceramic Spray: https://jimbosdetailing.com/TAS or on Amazon https://amzn.to/4r5UxYr

The Super Soaper: https://jimbosdetailing.com/TSS or on Amazon: https://amzn.to/49KEM2d

Picture Perfect Polish: https://jimbosdetailing.com/PPP or on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4sQWpWu

Microfiber towels: https://jimbosdetailing.com/products/orange-wash-microfiber or https://jimbosdetailing.com/products/everyday-microfiber

Cut & Finish Pad: https://jimbosdetailing.com/products/cut-finish-pad or on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3LsxJ69

Finishing Pad: https://jimbosdetailing.com/products/black-finishing-pad or on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJNDCPTG

SHOP ALL JIMBO'S DETAILING ON AMAZON: https://amzn.to/3LX3mVE

car wax, spray wax, wax n relax, jimbos detailing, auto detailing podcast, car detailing podcast, car wax vs ceramic spray, ceramic spray, easy car wax, best car wax, spray on rinse off wax, car detailing, paint protection, tough as shell, gloss boss, ceramic coating, car care products, detailing products, wax is not dead, how to wax a car


Hosted by Jimbo Balaam, The Auto Detailing Podcast digs into the craft, business, and culture of making cars look their absolute best. This isn't just about a quick wash; it's a deep, practical conversation for anyone whose passion or profession involves paint correction, ceramic coatings, and everything in between. Jimbo connects with legendary figures and working pros-voices like Barry Meguiar, Jason Rose, and Yvan Lacroix share their hard-won knowledge directly. You'll hear specific techniques for achieving flawless finishes, discussions on streamlining a detailing operation for profit, and honest talk about products and processes that actually deliver. The dialogue is grounded and focused on real-world results, whether you're perfecting your own vehicle in the driveway or scaling a full-service business. Each episode of this podcast builds on a simple idea: there's always a better method to learn, a smarter tool to use, or a fresh perspective to consider. The focus stays on actionable advice and efficiency, cutting through the hype to talk about what truly works. For enthusiasts and entrepreneurs alike, the podcast serves as a reliable workshop, offering a blend of inspiration and nitty-gritty detail that can be applied immediately. It's about the pride in the work and the community built around it.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Auto Detailing Podcast
Podcast Episodes
What I've Learned After 2 Years of Owning a Car Care Brand [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:46
Two years ago, I launched my own car care product brand. I thought I knew what I was getting into. I didn't. In this episode, I break down the real lessons I've learned after two years of owning a detailing product compa…
What I'd Do Differently If I Had to Start Detailing Over Today [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:16
If I had to start detailing from scratch today, I'd do somethings differently. In this video, I break down what actually matters when starting a car detailing business or learning detailing the right way. From simplifyin…
7 Detailing Products I'd Buy Again & Again... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:20
After years of testing detailing products, tools, and methods, these are 7 detailing products I would absolutely buy again. No hype, no gimmicks—just products that actually work, save time, and deliver real results. In t…
7 Detailing Products I'll Never Buy Again... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:24
There are countless car detailing products on the market, but not all of them are worth your money. In this video, I break down 7 detailing products I'll never buy again after years of real-world testing. From overhyped…
DIY Detailing Products You DON'T Need... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:29
Are you buying detailing products you don't actually need? In this episode, I break down the most overhyped DIY car detailing products that are pushed hard by marketing—but don't make sense for real-world car care. We co…
Detailing Products you DON'T Need and SHOULD NOT Buy... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:22
STOP wasting money on detailing gear that gathers dust. In today's episode, I'm stripping away the "ego buys" and showing you the 6 expensive tools you should NEVER buy—and the things you should invest in immediately to…
The #1 Reason Your Ceramic Coating Is Failing... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:25
Is your ceramic coating failing? The #1 reason isn't the product—it's the maintenance. Today I'm exposing the biggest ceramic coating lies and showing you how to fix a clogged coating using Tough as Shell. The industry w…
5 Overrated Detailing Steps You Should Stop Doing... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:54
Are you still doing detailing steps that don't actually make your car cleaner, shinier, or safer? In this episode, I break down the MOST overrated detailing steps that modern chemistry has made totally unnecessary. These…
The #1 Complaint I Get About My Detailing Products..... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:09
The number one complaint I get about my detailing products has nothing to do with performance or durability. It's that they are too easy to use and they actually do what the label says. In this video, I break down why si…