What Does Car Waxing Do? Benefits of Waxing Your Vehicle

Have you ever wondered what purpose wax serves when it comes to your vehicle? Does smearing that paste-like substance on your car’s exterior really make a difference or seem kinda pointless?

Well, let me tell you, applying a fresh coat of wax works wonders! Waxing not only protects the paint, but also makes your car shine like new while helping to repel dirt and water.

In this extensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about car wax and its benefits. You’ll learn about:

• The many perks of waxing for your paint and finish
• Different types of car waxes and what they do
• Step-by-step instructions for waxing your vehicle
• Pro tips for getting the longest-lasting, best results
• How often you should be waxing your car

So grab some wax, a few microfiber cloths, and let’s get that baby shining!

Why Bother Waxing Your Car?

Before jumping into the nitty gritty details of car wax types and application, let’s first cover why it’s worth your time and money to wax in the first place.

What are the benefits of waxing your car and how does it help protect the paint?

There are quite a few advantages that a fresh wax job provides for your vehicle’s appearance and protection:

1. Protects Against Sun Damage

Wax creates an extra layer of protection between your car’s paint and the harsh UV rays of the sun. Over time, the sun can cause oxidation, fading, and dulling of the paint’s color and finish.

2. Guards Against Environmental Contaminants

Things like bird droppings, sap, dirt, pollution, and road debris can stick to and eat away at your car’s clear coat. Wax gives an added layer of defense against these environmental contaminants.

3. Repels Water and Makes Cleaning Easier

Wax causes water to bead up and roll right off your car’s finish. This makes it less likely for water spots to form during rains or washing. Your car stays cleaner longer.

4. Provides a Deep, Vibrant Shine

The right wax adds tons of extra glossiness and reflection to your car’s paint for that coveted wet look. It makes the color pop more. Even older cars can shine like new again with wax.

5. Helps Hide Minor Scratches

Wax fills in and masks very fine swirl marks and scratches better than paint alone. It diffuses light to make them virtually disappear. Light polish may still be needed for deeper scratches.

6. Extends the Life of Your Vehicle’s Paint Job

All of these benefits of wax add up to protecting your car’s clear coat and extending the life of its factory paint job. Proper waxing prevents the need for a full repaint for years longer.

7. Preserves the Car’s Value

A Vehicle that has been well maintained with regular waxing will hold its value for resale better than one that has a dulled, oxidized paint job. Wax keeps it looking its best.

So in a nutshell, waxing provides immense protection for your car’s appearance, helps maintain its value, and makes caring for the exterior much easier. Let’s look closer at the different types of car wax now.

The Various Types of Car Wax Explained

Much like lip balm or shoe polish, car wax comes in a number of different consistencies and formulas. Some provide more protection, others aim to create maximum shine and reflection. Some are meant as a base while others are made for spot treatments. There are also synthetic and natural ingredient options.

Confused yet? Don’t worry, we’ll break down the major categories to make your buying decision easier:

Cleaner Waxes

As you may have guessed from the name, cleaner waxes aim to gently wash your car as they deposit wax. They have more cleaning agents and lubricants in the formula allowing you to clean and shine in one step, saving time and effort.

Cleaner waxes provide a nice boost of gloss between full wax jobs but don’t last nearly as long as pure waxes. Think of them like a wax-infused car wash soap. Common brands are Meguiar’s Gold Class or Chemical Guys All-In-One.

Pure Waxes

Pure waxes contain no additional cleaners or additives – their main purpose is long-lasting protection and unparalleled shine. Traditional carnauba wax and modern synthetic polymer sealants fall into this category.

Carnauba Wax

Carnauba comes from the leaves of the Copernicia prunifera, or carnauba palm tree, indigenous to Brazil. Carnauba wax is considered the hardest, most lustrous natural wax. When it comes to water beading, clarity, and longevity, carnauba is tough to beat.

However, it can be more labor intensive to apply than synthetic waxes. Popular brands are P21S Carnauba Wax, Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax, or Meguiar’s Gold Class Carnauba Plus.

Polymer / Synthetic Wax

Synthetic waxes are formulated with polymers, silicone, or other synthetic ingredients. They often provide more durability, longer lifespan, and better water beading than natural waxes. Ease of application is a plus too.

Paint sealants are a type of synthetic wax without any natural ingredients like carnauba. Meguiar’s Ultimate Liquid Wax and Chemical Guys JetSeal are popular options.

Hybrid Wax

As you can probably deduce, hybrid waxes blend the best aspects of natural carnauba wax and synthetic polymers. This gives you the amazing shine and depth of carnauba coupled with the protection and water beading of polymers.

Hybrid waxes provide the best of both worlds. Meguiar’s Ultimate Wax is the standard bearer when it comes to hybrid formulas. Chemical Guys Wet Mirror Finish is another great choice.

Paint Sealants

Paint sealants deserve their own separate mention even though they fall into the synthetic wax category. Where waxes sit atop your clear coat, sealants actually bond to it for longer protection.

Sealants contain no carnauba or other waxes – just intense synthetic polymers and acrylics. This allows them to withstand weathering and washing longer than a traditional wax, often 8 months to a year before needing reapplication!

Optimum Opti-Seal, Chemical Guys JetSeal, and Meguiar’s Ultimate Paint Sealant are all popular sealant products that give amazing gloss and protection.

Now that you know your waxes, let’s get into the all-important step of actually using the stuff to shine up your ride…

How to Wax a Car by Hand for Best Results

Prepping your paint properly and applying the wax in precise steps is key to getting that pristine, professional grade shine that’ll have your friends and neighbors jealous.

Here is the full process for waxing a car from start to finish:

Step 1 – Wash the Vehicle Properly

It should go without saying that any good wax job starts with a fresh and thorough car wash. This ensures your paint is squeaky clean so the wax can properly adhere and bond.

Make sure to use a quality car wash soap and not dish detergent which can strip wax. Do a contact wash with a microfiber mitt to safely lift dirt from the surface. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely with microfiber drying towels.

Step 2 – Clay Bar the Paint

Even after washing, you’d be amazed at the contaminants that remain stuck to your paint like sap, rail dust, and vehicle exhaust. Using a clay bar removes embedded grime so your wax looks best.

Spray your paint with clay lube or soapy water. Rub the clay bar back and forth over the wet surfaces to safely lift away stuck-on gunk. Rinse then dry the car again after claying.

Step 3 – Apply Car Wax in Thin, Even Coats

Once prepped, it’s finally time to lay down some wax! Using a foam or microfiber wax applicator, put an even 4″ x 4″ section of wax on the surface. Use back and forth motions to spread thinly and evenly across 2′ x 2′ sections.

Less is more here – too much wax won’t cure right and leads to a cloudy haze that’s hard to remove. Slowly build even coverage in this manner.

Step 4 – Allow Proper Curing Time

Exact curing time varies by brand, but 5-10 minutes is average. This allows the solvents to evaporate and the wax to partially harden so it wipes off easily. Don’t allow it to cure too long or it becomes gummy and sticky.

Step 5 – Buff Off the Wax Haze

After the recommended cure time, use a fresh microfiber cloth to buff off the hazy wax residue. Apply light pressure in straight back and forth motions until it disappears evenly.

Flip to clean sides of the towel frequently to prevent swirl marks. Look for a perfectly smooth surface with no haze remaining when done.

Step 6 – Do a Second Layer

For best durability and shine, apply a second round of thin, even wax just as you did the first. Cure and buff it off. Remove any excess wax on trim or windows with a detailing spray.

And that’s it – stand back and admire that reflective, wet-looking shine! Just keep in mind that waxes don’t provide permanent protection. We’ll cover that next.

How Often Should You Wax a Car?

With regular use, most waxes provide protection for 1-3 months before the effects start wearing off. Carnauba waxes sit on top of the clear coat so tend to need reapplying more often than paint sealants that actually bond to the surface.

Here are general guidelines on car waxing frequency:

• Pristine Show Cars – 1 month
• Daily Drivers, Garaged – Every 2-3 months
• Daily Drivers, Outside – Every 1-2 months
• Older Vehicles – Every 1-2 months

If water no longer beads well on the surface, that’s your sign it’s time to re-wax. More frequent waxing extends the life of your paint by keeping protection intact.

Now let’s get into the nuanced art of really mastering that flawless wax shine…

Pro Tips and Tricks for Getting the Best Results

While the basics of wash, prep, apply, and buff are straightforward enough, there are some extra techniques the pros use to take the results to the next level:

Only Wax Out of Direct Sunlight

If you wax in full sun, the heat causes the product to cure too quickly which leads to hazing and other issues. Always wax your car in shade or on a cloudy day. The temperature should be between 50-90°F.

Use a Damp Applicator Pad

Dampen your foam or microfiber applicator with water before putting wax on it. The moisture helps the wax spread more thinly and evenly rather than dragging.

Choose the Right Wax Type for Your Car

Carnauba wax gives the ultimate shine on show cars and darker paints. Synthetic sealants provide longer protection on daily drivers. Hybrid wax is the ideal blend.

Don’t Let Wax Sit Too Long

If you allow wax to cure for too long, it becomes gummy and nearly impossible to fully buff off. Follow the product directions for maximum haze time.

Use Light Pressure When Buffing

A heavy hand leads to swirl marks in the finish. Apply gentle, even pressure when wiping off wax with your microfiber cloth. Flip it frequently to prevent haze buildup.

Wax Trim Pieces For Added Protection

The plastic trim on your bumpers, door sills, and wheel wells can fade over time. Wax them right along with the paint for UV protection and restored darkness.

FAQs – Common Car Wax Questions Answered

We’ll wrap up this complete car waxing guide by answering some of the most frequently asked questions about the process:

Does Waxing Remove Scratches?

Light swirl marks and very fine scratches can be hidden and minimized with wax. But deeper scratches require polishing compound or touch up paint for true removal and repair.

Can I Wax Over Old Wax?

Absolutely. You do not need to fully remove old wax layers before applying fresh wax or sealant on top. The new wax will adhere just fine over faded existing protection.

Does Wax Prevent Rust?

Not directly. Wax seals the clear coat to protect the paint underneath from oxidation and contaminants. But rust forms on exposed metal if the paint is compromised by scratches or chips.

How Do I Remove Wax From Trim?

Use a detailing spray like Meguiar’s Ultimate Quik Detailer or a silicone/rubber care product to remove any wax that got on trim or rubber seals during application. Avoid solvents.

Does Wax Prevent Acid Rain Damage?

Wax and sealants help protect from environmental contaminants, but acid rain is very aggressive. Best practice is to garage your car or use a car cover if acid rain is frequent in your area.

Let Your Car Shine On with a Fresh Wax Job

Well there you have it – everything you could possibly need to know about making your car gleam like new with a professional grade wax job!

We covered the many benefits wax provides, from protecting your paint to making washing easier and adding insane gloss. You now know the differences between cleaner waxes, pure carnauba, polymers, sealants and more.

The step-by-step process provides all you need for flawless prep and application. And those pro tips will help take your waxing skills to the next level. No more wishing you could get a shimmering showroom shine.

Treat your ride to a soothing wax treatment every few months and it will continue protecting and shining for years to come. Your efforts will pay off in compliments and turn heads in the parking lot.

So grab your preferred car wax or sealant, prep those surfaces, and let the shining begin! Your car will thank you for it.