August 31st, 2022 by Sarah Miles

We all like our cars to look nice and clean but waxing requires additional time and effort, so is it really worth it? The simple answer is yes, it is if you want to protect your car’s paintwork and keep it in great condition.

Why do you need to wax when car paintwork already has a layer of protection?

It is true that the top coat on a car’s paintwork is a clear layer of lacquer, also known as a clear coat. It has no pigment and is there purely to protect the coloured layers of paint underneath. So, if you have this, do you really need to apply wax as well? The answer is yes, you do because it is this very layer that you are reinforcing.

The clear coat protects the car from contaminants and corrosive elements such as pollution, bird droppings, rain, salt from the roads, tree sap, and UV rays. However, it does wear over time, and this will make the paint underneath vulnerable to fading and discolouration. Waxing protects the protection, preventing the clear coat from wearing. It also guards against scratching, which can easily be done when cleaning the car from the particles of dirt and grime on the surface.

How often should you wax your car?

There really is no recommended frequency for waxing your car as it depends on a number of factors. The primary thing you should consider is how exposed your car is to the elements. For example, a car that is primarily kept in a garage will require fewer waxes than one that is kept outdoors. Likewise, winter weather throws up more threats to a car’s surface than summer and cars kept on the main road will experience harsher conditions than those tucked away on a drive in a quiet area. Consider storage, weather, and the conditions in which you use your car to guide you.

A great tip is to familiarise yourself with recognising when the wax is wearing and needs to be reapplied. One of the primary ways a wax protects the car is by adding a water-resistant coat. This makes water bead and rolls off the surface. Drip a little water onto it and observe how effectively it beads. The less it beads and rolls, the thinner the layer of wax has become and it’s time to wax again. A waxed surface will also feel different to the touch. It will feel much smoother when there is a good layer on and more resistant to sliding your hand over it when it’s getting thin again.

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Which wax to use?

If you are now sold on the idea of regularly waxing your car, you may be wondering which one to use. This is really a personal choice as there are pros and cons to each type. You can really split waxes into two categories – natural and synthetic.

Natural wax is, as the name suggests, derived from a natural source which will primarily be carnauba wax (made from the Brazilian Copernicia cerifera plant). This is widely regarded as the wax that offers the best finish for your car. However, the trade-off is that it requires more effort to apply and won’t last as long. It’s also more expensive.

Synthetic waxes won’t give you quite the same high-end finish as carnauba, but they are cheaper, easier to apply (as they often come in liquid or sprayable form rather than paste which requires more working in), and will last longer between applications.

If you really are looking for ease and speed, a combined shampoo and wax product will kill two birds with one stone.

Tips for applying wax

The main thing that you need to do when detailing your car with wax is to wash it thoroughly first. Otherwise, you risk moving dirt particles over the surface of the car which could scratch it. Wash and dry off before applying.

A natural wax will require buffing off after you have applied it so use something soft like a microfibre cloth.

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