Is waxing necessary?

[RamFan]

I've tried to research this and haven't found much more than opinion. From what I've seen though most people say that waxing is a must for long paint life, however as I stated above all of this is based on opinion more than science.

I wash my car every week or two. I typically use Mequiar's Gold Class but other times I'll use something like their Ultimate Wash & Wax or something similar containing wax/conditioner depending on price. Since I wash so often, wouldn't the smaller amount of wax/conditioners in these washes have the same effect of a wash and seperate wax every month or two?

 

[SLCraig]

It's something I wonder too.
I always use WAX-AS-U-DRY while drying my car and it always looks great. I occasionally wax it, but generally that is my regimen. Wash a couple times a week in the summer months. One thing I never do is use dish soap on a car.

 

[wallyuwl]

I think waxing is important to protect the paint from the sun, though I'm not sure if it does much for other things (salt, other debris). I don't have any "proof" other than personal experience with cars that have and have not been waxed, or that have clearly not been waxed before I've owned them and the paint not getting worse with being waxes when I have owned them.

 

[440Magnum]

Waxing hasn't been truly necessary since the days of lacquer paint. Clear coats definitely don't need wax, and I think its debatable whether it even makes the paint last longer or takes life AWAY from the paint. But the bottom line is that it does make the shine deeper and does clean the paint surface, even on clear-coat. I tend to wax cars VERY infrequently- like once or twice a year. Partly because I absolutely hate the job, but also because I really believe frequent waxing does more harm than good on modern paints.

 

[kkreit01]

It is. Have you not seen 10 yr old vehicles that have never been cared for? You can tell the difference. They don't need beauty wax, but a good sealant is necessary. Driving through a touchless wash every week is not going to save your paint.

 

[Volvo_ST1]

Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
Waxing hasn't been truly necessary since the days of lacquer paint. Clear coats definitely don't need wax, and I think its debatable whether it even makes the paint last longer or takes life AWAY from the paint. [snip] I really believe frequent waxing does more harm than good on modern paints.



Any finish needs protection from the elements and from acidic contaminants. Wax or polymer coatings prevent surface etching by providing a sacrificial barrier.

Less contaminants and particles stick to a slick surface. Run your hand over the roof of your car. All the coarseness you feel are particles stuck to the finish. If you feel such roughness it's high time to clean and seal the finish.

 

[Volvo_ST1]

Originally Posted By: RamFan
I've tried to research this and haven't found much more than opinion. From what I've seen though most people say that waxing is a must for long paint life, however as I stated above all of this is based on opinion more than science.


Maybe you are discounting common sense.

 

[440Magnum]

Originally Posted By: Volvo_ST1
Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
Waxing hasn't been truly necessary since the days of lacquer paint. Clear coats definitely don't need wax, and I think its debatable whether it even makes the paint last longer or takes life AWAY from the paint. [snip] I really believe frequent waxing does more harm than good on modern paints.



Any finish needs protection from the elements and from acidic contaminants. Wax or polymer coatings prevent surface etching by providing a sacrificial barrier.

Less contaminants and particles stick to a slick surface. Run your hand over the roof of your car. All the coarseness you feel are particles stuck to the finish. If you feel such roughness it's high time to clean and seal the finish.


I seriously doubt that waxes provide any sort of "sacrificial" barrier, at least not for more than a day or so, and I've seen plenty of routinely waxed cars develop "clear coat cancer." No amount of care will protect from that type of paint flaw. And my two 10 and 11-year-old Jeeps that have never spent more than a few days under any shelter in their lives and weren't EVER waxed until I bought them (one 4 years ago, the other a year-and-a-half ago) suggest that modern paint finishes are more than durable enough without any waxing at all. Modern paints have acid buffers and UV protections built right in that are far more effective than anything you can put on top of them.

But note that I did say TOO FREQUENT waxing is the only way to cause any harm. Occasional waxing does clean the surface thoroughly and certainly improves appearance- but it doesn't really do anything the paint itself doesn't do 100x better. Paint companies like DuPont, Sikkens, and Spies-Haecker have far bigger and better R&D departments than Meguire's and Mother's do.

 

[SteveSRT8]

I have shiny clear coat on 2 vans, one is an 04 and one is an 06.

Never been inside ever. Never been waxed. Bright and shiny.

I wax my cars, but I do not imagine that I am somehow laying down some sort of heavy duty protective barrier!

 

[rg200amp]

If you care about your finish, yes it is needed.

Wax provides protection. REAL wax (not the wax as you dry or wash and wax) works.

The proof is in the pudding. Wax a car then spray it with water. You see it bead up and run off.

A unwaxed paint surface can and will be etched and/or damaged by sun, acid rain, hard water, bird droppings, bug splats, ect. . . . .

This is not opinion. This is fact.

 

[RamFan]

Originally Posted By: Volvo_ST1
Originally Posted By: RamFan
I've tried to research this and haven't found much more than opinion. From what I've seen though most people say that waxing is a must for long paint life, however as I stated above all of this is based on opinion more than science.


Maybe you are discounting common sense.


And it is comments like yours that turn people away who are trying to gain some knowledge.

 

[Volvo_ST1]

Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
I seriously doubt that waxes provide any sort of "sacrificial" barrier, at least not for more than a day or so


Do you accept that water beads off a waxed finish? Does this beading effect last for merely "a day or so"? if it lasts three months, what does that indicate?

 

[Volvo_ST1]

Originally Posted By: RamFan
Originally Posted By: Volvo_ST1
Originally Posted By: RamFan
I've tried to research this and haven't found much more than opinion. From what I've seen though most people say that waxing is a must for long paint life, however as I stated above all of this is based on opinion more than science.


Maybe you are discounting common sense.


And it is comments like yours that turn people away who are trying to gain some knowledge.


I can't help it if the truth hurts.

Maybe look into your vehicle's manual and see what it says about maintenance of the finish.

If you choose to not wax or to apply a polymer sealant, the finish will feel like sandpaper in no time. If you enjoy oxidation, you'll be happy.

 

[poiuy223]

I may not have sufficient knowledge whether waxing is necessary or not, but having owned a black car, waxing does indeed keep the dark color dark. When I first got my black CL-S, I kept it waxed for the first few years. Then I got lazy and only did washes. By the end of the car's life, the paint was noticeably different. It no longer shined and was dull. Thing is though, you probably wont be able to see this impact on a silver colored car. I guess personal preference then?

 

[poiuy223]

Originally Posted By: Volvo_ST1

If you choose to not wax or to apply a polymer sealant, the finish will feel like sandpaper in no time. If you enjoy oxidation, you'll be happy.

I agree with this. That's how I test whether my car needs waxing. Get any regular bottle of water and stand it on the hood. If it stays put, the car needs a wax. If it starts sliding, your car still has a good layer.

 

[Capa]

I'm sure waxes and sealants do provide some form of protection, however, it wouldn't surprise me if the degree of protection is exaggerated. But there is no question that if you polish and wax a vehicle (especially with a DA buffer) it will bring out the shine, even on a silver car. I got asked today when did I get the new silver Lexus. It brought a smile to my face when I told them that it was a 1999 Lexus that I had recently polished, sealed, and waxed.

 

[Sbailey294]

A good wax or sealant will without question, will assist in making you paint last longer and look better.
If the clear coat/ top layer of paint fails, its much more likely to continue to the metal and to rust in that spot.

What you feel when you paint is not glass smooth is actually embedded contaminants in the paint! These work down and (depending on the year of the car/ paint technology) kill the clear coat and can start rust by reaching the metal.

Long story short, if your the non-DIY type; hiring a professional detailer every 4 years will remove this contamination, compound/ smooth the paint, an the apply a good paint sealant. This will almost always help you retain the value of your car for a longer run as well... isn't that why your on an Oil web site too

I'm a wax/ detail product fanatic by the way

If you want great looking results, and protection; this is the best lazy-mans product ever...
http://store.vacmotorsports.com/advanced-techniques---wet-paint-automotive-glaze-p1623.aspx


I love this stuff, its got a permanent home in my detail products along with about $600 in other waxs, sealants, compounds, polishes, etc.
Seriously amazing stuff.

 

[440Magnum]

Originally Posted By: Volvo_ST1
Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
I seriously doubt that waxes provide any sort of "sacrificial" barrier, at least not for more than a day or so


Do you accept that water beads off a waxed finish? Does this beading effect last for merely "a day or so"? if it lasts three months, what does that indicate?



It means that water beads off the waxed finish. Nothing more, nothing less. It does NOT mean that the wax is "protecting" the paint in any way, other than perhaps also beading up bird poop for the few seconds minutes it takes for the bird's digestive juices to overcome the wax. So if you find the bird poop within 5 minutes of it happening, then MAYBE wax helped the paint a little bit. But if you don't find it for an hour, the wax might as well not have been there.

My point isn't to say that wax is useless- it does make paint look prettier for the first few days, and it does buff out minor abrasions and scratches. And there was a time when regular waxing definitely did help protect lacquer and early enamel finishes... but there is SO much more acid resistance, UV resistance, and even abrasion resistance built into modern automotive paints that wax is almost entirely cosmetic nowdays.

 

[SkyGod]

Waxing has both advantages and disadvantages.
I choose to wax and deal with the slight scratches that waxing puts into the thin layers of clear coat.
I have guys at work that don't wax,and they have near zero scratches in their finish,but the paint will fade and rust quicker.

 

[Russell]

Yes-Wax and/or sealant is needed. My 15 year BMW dark green paint is in excellent condition and very glossy. It is because the car is garaged at night, is washed at least every two weeks, bird poo is taken off whenever it is found and finish is protected several times a year with a synthetic polish/sealant.

I currently use Duragloss which i think has some UV protection. I do clay about once a year and remove scratches when found.