Rain, sun, dirt, salt, dead bugs and bird droppings – these things can cause wear and tear to your car. This is why washing your car regularly is recommended. But what about waxing your car? How often does it need a fresh coat?
Experts recommend applying wax at least twice a year. Once before summer comes along, and another one just before winter arrives. However, if you really want to make sure your car is protected from the elements, doing it 4 times a year is best.
Signs Your Car Needs Waxing
It can be tricky trying to figure out whether or not you should take your car to Brown Bear for a wax. That’s usually because the shine and protective layer reduces slowly and if you drive your car every day, it may be difficult to notice the difference.
Here are factors to help you decide when it’s time to get it done:
- Season: During the summer, wax will have a much longer lifespan. Less rain and warm weather means it’s ok to wax your car every 4 months or so. But winter, on the other hand, means you need to wax every 2 months especially in areas with very high levels of salt, screen wash and road grime as these things degrade the protective layer of your car fast.
- Age: Another factor that will determine how often you should wax your car is its age and how well you have maintained it. New cars won’t need much work, but an old or used car with paintwork that is dull and scratched will need regular waxing and polishing to help get rid of dullness and bring back its shine and color.
Steps for Waxing Your Car
If you don’t have the time or patience to wax your car, you can always take eat to a car wash center that offers waxing as an add-on service. But if you want to do it yourself, here are the steps:
First, wash your car and dry it.
Before applying wax, your car should be clean and dry. Use a good-quality car shampoo to wash your car and follow the two-bucket method. Doing so will prevent particles and grit from damaging the car’s paintwork. Dry it with a microfiber towel or chamois.
Now you can wax your car. Experts recommend using hard car wax which provides excellent protection for your car’s paintwork. Just apply a sufficient amount on a clean cloth and focus on one area at a time. Use another cloth to buff this section before you move on to the next area.
Tips for Easy Application
- Park your car in a shaded area so the wax doesn’t dry fast.
- Make sure the mitt you use is clean and free from debris.
- When drying your car exterior, use a microfiber towel as this helps prevent water spots which can make your car look dirty.
- When waxing, use a horizontal or vertical method so prevent the formation of swirls.
- Apply only a small amount of wax. Heavy applications means longer drying time plus excess wax could go into crevices and cracks.
- Buff the wax with a clean microfiber towel.
Applying wax on your car 2-4x a year is not just about maintaining its shine, it’s also to protect the paintwork and exterior, which in turn will maintain the value of the car.