Pros and Cons of Waxing Your Car

Last Updated on April 4, 2022 by

It may be hard to imagine that there could possibly be a downside to waxing your car, but as with most things in life there are advantages and disadvantages. Not even the best car detailer online will tell you that waxing your car is the answer to all your problems! 

Let’s take a closer look at these pros and cons of waxing your car:

Pro: Waxing Protects the Clear Coat

The very top layer of your car’s paint job is referred to as the clear coat. The clear coat is like a standard protective coating that every car gets nowadays to help protect the paint from things like the sun’s UV radiation which discolours it, and from mud, dirt, bird droppings and the myriad other things that threaten your car’s paint on a daily basis. The thing is, it’s not a super-tough polymer coating like a ceramic coating, which means it starts succumbing to wear and tear quite quickly.

That is…unless you apply wax! Wax creates an added layer over the top of the clear coat which helps “give the clear coat a rest” for a period of time, restoring the surface and taking the brunt of the contaminants for a while.

Pro: Lasting Effects and Affordable

The effects mentioned above aren’t as lasting as something like ceramic coating or paint protection film — both of which can last 2-5 years — but then again wax doesn’t cost anything like that either. A tub of paste wax, for instance, is eminently affordable and can last several months, with each application delivering anywhere from 3-12 weeks or protection depending on the product and environment you’re in.

Waxes that prioritise protection tend to last longer, while those that prioritise shine and appearance may not last as long. You can balance how long the effect lasts with how much benefit to shine and appearance you want according to your specific needs.

Pro: Stunning Shine

When using natural wax products like carnauba wax, the level of shine and glow you get from the paint is truly stunning to behold. If you ever wondered how car showrooms get that pristine level of shine, then you’ll discover how when you start using these kinds of wax products on your own car. As we’ve mentioned, sometimes the waxes that bring out the most colour may not offer the most protection, but you can easily find a balance that works for you. 

Con: Time-Consuming

The first main drawback of waxing your car is the time it takes. You first have to carefully and evenly apply the wax, which then takes up to 30 minutes to work, and then remove it all. The task can be made somewhat easier physically using tools like a rotary buffer, but that presents new difficulties and a lot can go wrong if you use the wrong kinds of applicator pads.

If you have a larger car, the job takes even longer, even when you’ve intelligently divided the car into sections. This disadvantage has been somewhat diminished by the arrival of some spray-on waxes that provide quick protection and easy and even application, but spray-on waxes won’t deliver the enhanced colour and look.

Con: Expensive When Done Professionally

Finally, if you decide to ever have your car waxed professionally, then it rarely comes cheap. The main reason for that is the point we just mentioned — it’s time-consuming! It also involves more skill and experience and is rarely a task assigned to a junior detailer. The factor of your car’s size and “luxury” status will likely also come into the price. The fancier the car and the wax, the more it all adds up.

Read More: Wax On, Wax Off: Is It Better to Wax or Shave Your Face?

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