August 31st, 2022 by Sarah Miles

Waxing your car is an extra task when cleaning it and at a time when people are time-poor, you may question whether it’s really worth the hassle. We take a look at waxing and explore what it does and the benefits to see whether it’s really something that you need to be doing.

What does wax do?

When we talk about wax, there are a couple of different types and it’s worth knowing the difference. Natural wax generally means carnauba wax and is plant-derived and usually comes in paste form. It is widely considered to be superior due to the standard of finish that you can achieve. However, it is more expensive, takes more work to apply, and doesn’t last as long. Synthetic wax tends to be easier to apply, because it often comes in liquid form, and doesn’t require the same work to buff up. It’s also cheaper and lasts longer but doesn’t quite give you the high-end shine that carnauba offers. This is really a subjective choice, depending on your priorities.

While they have the differences outlined above, what they both do is give your car extra protection. Wax really reinforces the protective layer of clear coat that your car’s paintwork has, preventing it from wearing and therefore exposing the coloured layers underneath. Environmental contaminants can inflict significant harm on your car should it not be appropriately protected: sunlight, road treatments, dirt, bird droppings, acid rain, tree sap etc can cause fading, discolouration, and surface damage which can lead to rust.

Wax also creates a really smooth surface which not only repels dirt and contaminants but protects the paintwork from becoming scratched when these particles move over it, for example when cleaning it.

Wax, therefore, offers the following benefits:

• Protection from damage
• A high-end showroom-equivalent finish
• Keeps paintwork cleaner in between washes
• Keeps paintwork in great condition for longer
• Retains high resale value

How often do you need to wax your car?

There is no prescribed optimum time span between waxes as it very much depends on environmental conditions. Basically, the more exposed it is to all the things described above, the more you will need to wax. For example, it will need doing more in the winter than in summer and more if kept outside rather than in a garage.

The type of wax that you use is also a factor. As already mentioned, a synthetic wax will last longer than a natural one.

Knowing when you need to reapply wax

 You can take some of the guesswork out of scheduling your wax application if you recognise the signs that the previous layer is becoming thin again. One method is to drip some water onto the paintwork. Wax creates a water-resistant surface that forces moisture to bead and run off. The fewer the water beads, the thinner the wax layer has become.

You can also assess by touch. Wax feels smooth to the touch so run your fingers over the surface. The smoother it is, the more easily your hand will glide across it. If you sense some resistance, it’s time to reapply