Dieterich: (217) 925-5331Some people may see a wax job as an extra for their car, but waxing your car is actually something that should be done on a regular basis. While neglecting the paint job may not lead to mechanical performance issues, it will result in a lower resale value. Regular exterior maintenance will keep your car looking new for years after your purchase. Regular waxing helps to protect the paint job and clear coat on your car by preserving oils in the paint that help to prevent oxidation. The result from not waxing is a dulled finish, and waxing can help to prevent this ugly process. Regular waxing also protects the paint from the daily wear and tear our cars get from being exposed to the outside world such as; bird droppings, wind, rain, hail, tree sap, smog, ultraviolet rays from the sun -- you name it.
One may ask, how often should I wax my car? Many wax manufacturers suggest waxing your car every 2-4 months. Truthfully this depends on how much sunlight and exposure your car receives on a daily basis. One of the easiest ways to tell if your car needs waxed is to see how well water beads up on the surface. If water beads up well, the wax is still protecting the paint. On the other hand, if the water does not bead up that would be a good indicator that your car needs waxed.
Another question often asked is, do the drive thru car wash waxes provide the same protection as hand waxing? My answer to that is hand waxing provides the optimum protection for waxing. The car wash waxes do provide a little protection but they do not replace the old fashion hand wax. If you have no intentions of hand waxing your car then I would definitely recommend buying the extra spray wax at the car wash.
