October 21, 2013

How Often Should I Wax My Car?

Most recent car-buyers appear to be on the same page regarding the need to maintain their vehicle's engine and internal workings. But what about the exterior? It is mostly common knowledge that in order to keep up the appearance of your vehicle, particularly the paint color, you need to be laying on a good coat of wax every now and again. But how often is needed, exactly? And can you wax too much? Read on for tips to determine how long you should wait between waxes.

How Often Should I Wax My Car
Generally, a Polish and Wax, or buff and wax, as it is sometimes called, is recommended once a year;  it safely removes many contaminants on the vehicle’s paint surface like road tar, tree sap, and other materials that can harm your paint and clear coat.  Now, if your car sees it's fair share of harsh conditions, like excess rain, dirt, salt or snow, you may need to wax your vehicle more often to ensure any damage being done to the paint surface is repaired, and to halt any long-term damage.

It is important to keep in mind that the prior maintenance of your car's exterior can make a difference in how often you need to wax as well. A vehicle that has been cared for and waxed habitually will retain it's shine for longer, and you can go longer between waxes compared to a vehicle that is only run through the car wash monthly. Whether or not your vehicle resides in a garage is another factor. Those tucking the car in at night will decrease the environmental factors affecting the car's paint, therefore increasing times between waxing.

Viewpoints differ depending on the level of expert, or do-it-yourselfer, you ask. Wax manufacturers typically recommend waxing more often than others, around once a month. If you happen to have the money and resources to spend getting your car waxed that often, than kudos. Just be sure that the wax used does NOT contain any cleaners or abrasives. If it's just a basic sealant wax with no cleaners, then there is really no such thing as waxing too often.

The time you wait between waxes relies on a variety of factors. The best way to determine how long you should wait is by weighing all of these, and deciding a course of action. Then, tweak your process as needed, using trial and error.

You can also use a simple water-bead test to determine if it's coming around time to lay on a coat of wax. Toss a bucket of water onto your vehicle, and monitor the water's behavior. If the water is beading up nicely, preferably no larger than about 1/2" diameter, than it appears your last wax job is still working for you. If you see the water run off in large puddles or sheets, than it is definitely time to bring it in.

by: Nicole Fleming