Benefits of Waxing Your Car - AutoZone

For the most optimal experience please enable JavaScript and refresh your browser. Get help enabling JavaScript Eligible Ship-To-Home Items Only. See Details. Use Code: SAVINGS4U On a pleasant weekend, it’s common to see your neighbors outside, buffing their vehicles to a streak-free shine. Add a little paste or liquid wax, and it really brings out the brilliance. But it’s more than just another step in performing a full detail in your car – there are benefits to applying a coat of wax that you might not realize. Some natural car wax products contain carnauba wax, beeswax, and natural oils. Others have synthesized ingredients including petroleum products, polymers, and silicones. Others yet contain ceramic, graphene, or Teflon. No matter what you choose, car waxing is a great way to take care of your vehicle and make it last longer. In this article, explore five benefits of waxing car finishes and what you can do to make your waxing job last as long as possible. Applied properly to the whole vehicle, following the instructions on the container, most types of wax can last for three to six months before a reapplication is necessary. And while the coating is in good shape, these are the top benefits you’ll see. Wax might be an invisible, microscopically-thin layer on your car’s painted surface, but it’s a powerful protectant against light abrasions and scratches. It acts as a slippery surface and, when a material comes into light contact with the paint, it can allow it to glide over top rather than dig into the clear coat or paint. A mark can often be left behind that rubs out since it’s only affected the wax. Keep in mind that any moderate or firm pressure is likely to cut right through the soft wax layer and into the paint, so it might not be feasible to expect it to repel car keys in the hand of an enemy. While you can’t see it, a car’s paint job has microscopic pores and is rougher than you’d expect. Dust and dirt can attach to the rough surface relatively easily. But when you wax your car, the surface is smoother, more consistent, and slick. Dirt and grime have a more difficult time attaching to the surface. As a result, your car looks cleaner for longer. This effect is best immediately after waxing your car, and as time passes, the soft wax coating wears away and allows dirt to get a grip. When that happens, it’s one of the signs it’s nearly time to wax your car again. After waxing your car, you’ll notice that water droplets bead and run off the surface. Wax is considered hydrophobic, meaning it repels water. Atomically, wax has a polar charge opposite to water, so it’s like two magnets opposing each other. That’s especially helpful since most dirt, mud and other grime are waterborne, so they are repelled also. The small pores in your car’s paint can allow moisture to penetrate under the surface and corrode the metal underneath. And if you have a scratch, exposure to air and moisture will make it oxidize and rust. When you apply wax over top, it seals both the moisture and air out, keeping the metal surfaces underneath safe from corrosion. Those properties dissipate as the wax layer wears away with exposure and car washes, which is why routine waxing is necessary. And of course, the gleaming shine of a fresh wax application is a huge benefit for most car owners. Especially right after it’s applied, the smooth waxed surface has a mirror-like reflection that can make a paint job look good as new, hiding the swirl marks and imperfections from view for a time. Washing your car often is absolutely essential to maintaining your car waxing. Use a pH-neutral soap solution with warm water and a soft microfiber cloth. When you dry it, use a different, clean microfiber or chamois. You should also avoid using harsh chemicals when washing your vehicle since these may strip off protective layers from the surface, and the abrasiveness of an automatic car wash with brushes can wear it off quickly. Even though waxing itself isn’t necessary every time you wash the car, it’s still important to make sure that you rinse off any remaining soap residue after cleaning. Otherwise, leftover traces of soap could act like sandpaper and cause more damage than good. For optimal results, try using a quick detailing spray during this step as these products contain unique ingredients like polymers that helps add some extra gloss to surfaces in just minutes. Whenever possible, keep your vehicle in shaded areas whenever possible as too much exposure to direct sunlight can cause premature fading due to UV light exposure. Remember that sun reflects off surfaces so even nearby trees or buildings may not provide enough shade. Find a wide selection of car wax at AutoZone, along with any other products you might need to detail your car. Keep your ride in pristine shape by using high-quality products, and feel free to ask an associate for recommendations.