Do You Really Need to Wax Your Car?
With the evolution of car painting, most people think that car waxing is a waste of time nowadays. In the past centuries, waxing was deemed important because it protected the paint. Nowadays, car manufacturers add a clear coat on top of the paint to offer more protection to the paint. So if the paint is safe, what is the point of waxing? Waxing is important because the clear coat ages with time, and when it does, the paint won't withstand the environmental pressure. Waxing gives the paint as well as the body of your car protection and a longer lifespan.
What Is Car Waxing?
Waxing is the act of applying car wax on the body of a car. Wax is a substance that is obtained from hydrocarbon materials such as the carnauba plant, coal, and palm. Wax is solely made for protection; it protects the paint of your car from certain environmental elements like the sun's ultraviolet rays, bird droppings, and air pollutants.
How Do You Tell That Your Car Needs Waxing?
To determine if your car needs some wax, carry out the bead test on the car. Pour some water on the surface of your car and observe its behavior closely; if the water beads up nicely into small pockets, you do not need to wax. But if the water fails to bead and instead it forms large sheets on the car, you definitely need to wax your car.
How Do You Wax Your Car?
Waxing your car is not that hard and can be done in two steps:
- Step 1: Washing The Car
Begin by washing the car using a car wash product and a microfiber washing mitt. Avoid using laundry soap, household cleaners and rags; they may damage your car's finish and strip away the wax . Also avoid washing the car in direct sunlight because the sun can soften the paint making it vulnerable to scratching. When you are through, let the car dry before moving on to waxing.
- Step 2: Waxing The Car
Just like when you were washing, use a foam applicator or a microfiber-covered pad to apply the wax. Apply the wax in small, circular, overlapping strokes. Start the application at the top of the car, move down, then up again as you move forward. Repeat the process until you cover the whole car. Finish the job by removing the wax using a microfiber towel.
If the body of your car is painted with modern paints, waxing may not add much to the shininess of your car. However, it will increase the protection of your car's body and will prevent the paint from chipping. It does so by reducing friction between the paint and objects that hit the body of the car such as little stones. The wax will also make the scratches on the body of your car appear less noticeable.