How Often Should You Wax Your Car?
Your car’s exterior has plenty of enemies — from the harsh sun to rain, snow, salt and even bird droppings.
One of the best ways to protect your car’s exterior from the elements and environmental hazards is by regularly hand waxing it. Waxing preserves and protects the clear coat from harsh elements, It increases resale value at trade-in time it’s easier to clean between waxing. Car wax offers a layer of protection for cars by protecting the clear coat. Failing to hand wax can cause the paint to fade, and allow more chances for cosmetic damage, potentially decreasing the car’s resale value.
How often to wax your car
Waxing four times a year, or every three months, to protect the vehicle’s finish is recommended, minimum of twice a year. Once in the spring just before summer and in the fall just before winter. Wax helps protect cars from harmful UV rays in warm weather and protects them from harsh elements in cold weather.
How Do I Know If My Car Needs Wax?
The easiest way to tell if your vehicle needs waxing is to splash a small amount of water on it. If the water beads up, you don’t need waxing. If it doesn’t, it does need waxing.
How To Wax Your Car
It is recommended to apply wax in a shaded area to prevent the wax from drying too quickly. This can cause a lot of extra work for you to break down “Set” wax and reapply. Always apply car wax or paint sealant to a dry vehicle. Droplets of water on the paint will cause the product to streak and it will be unnecessarily tough to buff off. Wax in a vertical or horizontal method to prevent swirls. Try not to apply the wax too heavily, a little should go a long way. Try not to force the wax into the cracks and crevices where it will be difficult to remove. Take care that the wax is applied evenly and then gently buff the wax off with a microfiber towel when finished.
Machine Waxing (For Best Results, Use A Random Orbit or Dual-Action Polisher)
1. Select a foam or microfiber finishing pad to apply wax. These pads teamed with a RO or DA Polisher will give a swirl free mirror like finish . It’s perfect for any type of wax, even paste wax.
2. If you are using a paste wax, spread it onto the pad like you’re buttering a piece of bread. If you’re using a liquid wax or sealant, dispense 3-4 1”circles of wax in a square or triangle ¼ of the way from the edge of the pad.
3. If you’re using a liquid wax or sealant, press the polisher to the paint and spread the wax over a panel before turning the machine on. This will lessen the likelihood of splatter.
4. Start at the lowest speed while slowly spreading the wax around the area. I like to work sections at a time equal to my shoulder width. Overlap sections halfway for full even coverage. Once spread, set your dual action polisher to a maximum speed of 3. Check the label of your particular wax for specific directions, but generally this is the fastest speed you need to apply wax. Spread the wax over the panel until it is evenly covered. Turn off your machine before lifting it off the paint.
5. Buff with microfiber. Some products allow you to apply wax to the entire vehicle before buffing, but many do not. If your wax does not, buffing by hand may be most efficient.