Should I Wax My Vehicle?
Harsh weather, salt, tree sap, ultraviolet rays, and pollution are all working against the finish on your car. Not to mention the "gifts" birds leave for you. While neglecting your car's paint job might not lead to mechanical issues, it will result in a lower resale value when the time comes. Instead of thinking of a wax job as something saved for special occasions, consider it as part of your regular maintenance routine in order to keep your car looking as fresh as the day it rolled off the assembly line.
Wax not only gives your car a gorgeous shine, but it also adds an extra layer of protection. Without wax, corrosive substances have a better chance of damaging the clear coat on your car and exposing the paint below, which leads to rust. It also becomes harder to clean your car. Scrubbing an un-waxed car with a cloth or pad to get it clean can scratch right through the clear coat and into the paint as well. Too much scrubbing can result in visible surface scratches and swirls in your paint job. Fair warning: many automatic car washes will offer ‘wax’ for your car, but these are generally just a thin-coat application that won't give you the same cover as a full wax job.
And waxing your car isn’t just for looks. Regular waxing helps protect the paint job and clear coat on your car by preserving oils in the paint that help to prevent oxidation. Waxing puts the kibosh on a dulled finish and protects your car from the daily wear and tear of exposure to the elements.
How often you should wax your car will depend on your preference as well as how you drive and store your vehicle. Cars parked in a garage can go longer between wax sessions compared to those that sit outdoors. Take your cue from the water beading test: during your next car wash, look closely at the water droplets on the surface of your car. If it's easy to see individual beads of water, then your last wax job is still working. If the water doesn’t bead and looks more like clumps or puddles, it’s time for a wax. Basically, a vehicle parked in a garage needs to be waxed twice a year to protect the paint. However, a car that is frequently exposed to precipitation, road salt, and sun could benefit from being waxed every three to four months.
Conclusion
Waxing your car gives the paint job an added layer of protection. As a result, when you wash your car, the wax protects your clear coat, which in turn protects the beautiful paint underneath. If you want your car to continue looking new for far longer than most, keep that exterior looking shiny with regular cleaning and waxing.
Need a great wash and wax? The BMW of Silver Spring Service Department knows exactly how to give your car the TLC it deserves. Contact us online to schedule any service, including a regular wash-and-wax!