Cars are a major investment, and one of the best ways to protect that investment is by waxing your car. Waxing your car helps to protect it from the elements and keep it looking shiny and new for years to come. In this blog post, we'll explore what men need to know about the benefits of using car wax on their vehicles.
What Is Car Wax Anyhow?
Car wax is made from a variety of chemicals as well as natural ingredients like Brazilian palm leaves (carnauba wax), which help protect your car's paint from UV rays, dirt, dust, tree sap, bird droppings, and other environmental contaminants. While different waxes contain their own unique formulas, this combined blend of carnauba wax mixed with beeswax, natural oiles, and sometimes petroleum distillates as well as colors and sometimes scents as well to make it more marketable.
Car Wax Benefits
There are three big benefits of waxing: better looking car, protection from environmental damage, and easier to keep clean.
Keep Your Car Looking Shiny And New:
Wax can make your car look great by giving it a deep, glossy shine. It also helps to fill in any minor scratches. While you might not recognize these small scratches are damaging your new car, scratches occur by simply driving around. While car polish can erode the clear coat and paint, allowing the paint job to be smooth and flawless again ... waxing your car regularly offers a similar benefit by filling in those sometimes microscopic imperfections.
Protection Your Car from Environmental Damage:
Regular waxing will help protect your car’s paint from sun damage, and other harmful elements by adding a thin layer that car owners will appreciate since the expensive paint will be able to resist damage that slowly eats away at that beautiful new car shine that you cherish.
Waxing your Car Regularly Helps Make It Easier To Clean:
Adding a wax layer to your car helps keep your car clean by making it more difficult for road debris, road salt, or even pollen to stick to your car. This means that while you might normally need to scrub your car to get it clean, a well-waxed car may come clean with just a rinse to restore that new car look.
Another one of the benefits of waxing is that it can improve gas mileage. While the benefit here may be small, it isn't insignificant. Just as by filling in those small scratches helps dirt slide off - it also allows the car to be more aerodynamic and slide past air just a bit easier.
What About Clear Coating?
Your car's clear coat is a protective layer that is applied on top of your car's primer and paint at the factory. It provides a layer of protection from the elements, but is not as impervious to damage as car wax. Wax helps to fill in any imperfections in your car's clear coat and protect it from further damage.
Let's Compare Different Types Of Car Wax
When it comes to choosing a wax for your vehicle, there are several different types available. The most popular type is paste wax, which provides a deep shine and protection against the elements. Liquid waxes are also popular because they're easy to apply and provide long-lasting protection against dirt and dust. Hybrid waxes combine liquid and paste formulas to protect against UV rays and other environmental contaminants.
Spray Wax:
Spray wax is the longest lasting and is designed to be sprayed on to your car's surface using a bottle similar to what you might use to spray windshield washing detergent. This is the cheapest car waxing product and it is the easiest to apply since you just have to spray it on the car's paint and wipe it smooth.
Liquid Wax:
Liquid car wax is thicker than spray wax and offers a good compromise between protecting your car's paint from sun damage and dirt, while also being easy to apply. Like spray wax, it is typically made from a blend of synthetic ingredients though some use a higher percentage of natural carnauba wax. Don't be afraid of the word synthetic here though.
The synthetic polymer elements found in liquid wax complement the natural waxes by offering a much longer-lasting product. Though the visual result is often less shiny than the result offered by a properly applied paste wax, it is a good option for most people.
Paste Wax:
Paste Wax is the classic car wax that is made from mostly organic elements, in particular carnauba wax that is secreted naturally from the a Brazilian palm to protect it's own leaves from damage. It is quite literally nature's own way of protecting itself and now you are applying those benefits to your car's surface.
It can be more difficult to apply than liquid or spray waxes since you'll need to spread it manually, ensuring that it fills in all the clear coat scratches, then you must allow it to harden before removing any excess by buffing it out with a polishing pad.
The result however is a superior protective coating that offers a uniform appearance that will fully protect and add shine to both the paint and metal surfaces of your vehicle.
No matter what type of wax you choose, it's important that you apply it correctly in order to get the best results. Start by washing your car with a mild soap or detergent before applying the wax. This will help remove any dirt or debris that could interfere with the application process. Once you've washed your car thoroughly, dry it off with a microfiber cloth or towel before applying the wax in an even layer across all surfaces of the vehicle. Allow the wax to sit for 10-15 minutes before buffing it off with a clean microfiber cloth or towel in circular motions until you achieve a glossy shine.
Car Wax vs. Ceramic Coatings Which Offers A Better Protective Layer?
Ceramic coatings or liquid glass car waxes are car paint sealants, not waxs. While some people may be confused, they actually contain no wax at all. Instead, what they do is create a thin layer of sealant that fills in the gaps and crevices caused by clear coat scratches. These can sometimes be invisible to your naked eye but makes it easier for dirt and grime to stick to you car's paint.
While a good wax may last a matter of days, a ceramic coating like this can last for months. You can think of this almost like adding a new clear coat layer.
It's important to note that while getting your car waxed can help protect your vehicle from damage caused by UV rays and other environmental contaminants, it won't last forever. This means that you will have to take care of your car regularly. For maximum benefit, plan to have your vehicle waxed on a monthly basis. (or more often if possible)
Additionally, if you live in an area where snow is common during winter months, use a dedicated snow sealant product instead of regular car wax. This will provide additional protection against ice build-up on your vehicle's exterior surfaces as well as protect your vehicle's paint from road salt that can cause rust damage and damage your vehicle's resale value.
Is It Enough To Just Add The Wax Option In A Car Wash?
While getting the wax option added to your standard car wash is probably better than having no wax at all, it isn't enough to just add wax to a car wash. For maximum protective benefit, you need to apply the wax by hand.
To offer the best protective layer that will protect your car's surface, it is necessary first to make sure that your car's paint is completely clean and free from any natural oils, bird droppings, or road debris that may have collected on your car's exterior. While most automatic car washes will do a good job of making your car look sparkling clean, they typically add wax at the same time - rather than giving you a chance to spot-check body and paint condition before adding a wax layer.
By doing thing by hand with carnauba wax or another option, you will be able to keep your car's paint in excellent condition. Ultimately, your properly waxed car will also stay cleaner than one that doesn't have that extra protective layer.
Overall, using a car wax can help keep your investment looking new for years to come! We hope this blog post has given you more insight into the benefits of applying car wax and how to do so correctly.
Overall, car wax is essential to keeping your vehicle looking its best - so make sure you take care when selecting a product and applying it correctly! With proper care and maintenance using quality products like those mentioned above, you can ensure that your vehicle looks great for years to come!
