Every car owner knows that basic washing and waxing helps to maintain the lustre of a car’s paint. Along with regular vacuuming of the interior, this can go a long way in keeping the interiors fresh and attractive.
However, it requires plenty of effort to keep your car looking as good as new. After all, a clean, well-maintained car can fetch a higher resale value than a car with a peeling coat and dirty cabin.
To maintain the upkeep of your car’s exterior, regular car grooming includes two of the most common aspects of auto detailing – polishing and waxing. Both are equally important to give your car’s paint the best appearance and protection.
In this article, we’ll be discussing how often you should wax your car and the importance of regular car wax in Singapore.
How Often Should You Wax Your Car?
Car wax works like nail polish which is to protect the clear coat of your car from the nasty stuff in the air, UV rays, and water. Water is of particular concern because rainwater and water sprays from the roads contain pollutants that can easily transfer/stick onto your car paint. So, the best way to protect your car’s original paint is to give it regular waxing.
Types of car wax
Essentially a product that protects and enhances a car’s paint coating, car wax is best used after washing and polishing your car. That said, there are two main types of car wax and they differ based on their ingredients – natural and synthetic.
Natural car wax, as the name suggests, is made of natural ingredients, commonly from plants. However, the only downside to using natural car wax is the need for regular application since it tends to wear off fairly quickly, after four months at most.
Synthetic car wax, on the other hand, is made of chemicals that can bond with paint, giving your car the shine and protection that can last for up to a year. Unlike natural car wax, synthetic wax is less time-consuming, making it highly preferred among everyday drivers.
Different forms of car wax
There are various forms of car wax – paste, liquid, spray, and rubbing compounds.
- Paste wax is the oldest form of car wax which provides a beautiful gloss and water beading due to its natural oils. But, you’ll be required to apply it more frequently than you do with liquid wax.
- Liquid wax has a smoother texture than paste wax and offers long-lasting effects due to added synthetic polymers. But, it tends to dry quickly making the application somewhat challenging. Despite that, it’s commonly used by daily drivers.
- Spray wax enables a precise application thanks to its practical packaging which makes it simple for treating problematic spots or giving your car a quick wax. However, the easy application doesn’t guarantee lasting results.
- Rubbing compound is also one of the oldest forms of car wax that contains yellow-brown flakes. As it can significantly enhance the look of the car and cover some small paintwork imperfection, this car wax is a favourite among owners of old cars.
As to how often you should wax your car, this will have to depend on the type and form of car wax that you choose for your car. It also depends on the sort of driving you’re doing. Do you drive your car to construction sites or for casual drives around the island?
Importance of Regular Car Wax
While there are various forms of car waxes, they’re usually a blend of carnauba wax, beeswax, natural oils, synthetic polymers, petroleum distillates, and resins. Here’s a brief explanation of the ingredients:
- Carnauba wax is a natural substance that works to protect the car’s paintwork.
- Beeswax is commonly found in honeycombs. It helps carnauba wax to adhere to the paint.
- Natural oils are emollients that add lustre, shine, and protection to the surface of the paint’s clear coat. The most common type of oil mixed with car wax is linseed oil.
- Synthetic polymers are a primary ingredient in paint sealants. It provides the durability that carnauba wax lacks but with lesser shine.
- Petroleum distillates are broken down from crude oil, making the wax easier to apply.
- Resins are usually used in paint sealants, but it also works to extend the durability of the car wax.
Hence, these ingredients work together to provide a longer-lasting, higher level of protection, and maximum level of shine for your car.
Car Wax vs Car Polish
Many people tend to confuse car polish with car wax and vice versa. While the two are essential in any car detailing process, there’s a huge difference between the two when it comes to automotive detailing. In fact, polish and wax are almost opposites in nature.
As we mentioned earlier, car wax works to protect the clear coat of your car from the nasty stuff in the air, UV rays, and water while car polish helps to remove the top layers of protection on your car.
If you have scratches on the surface of your car, you can remove them by polishing your car. Unlike car wax, car polish doesn’t protect the paint. This is where car wax steps in. If you’re looking to protect your car’s paintwork, use car wax. In fact, you should wax your car right after you polish the exterior to preserve the effect.
As to whether which of the two is better when it comes to enhancing your car’s appearance, it’s quite impossible to put the two as they both benefit your car in different ways.
Hence, if you’re looking to keep your car as good as new, you should send your car for regular grooming that includes both polishing and waxing. That way, you can protect the paintwork from external pollutants.
Get your car professionally groomed at Lambency Detailing
Giving your car occasional grooming is your best bet at keeping it looking clean and new always. If you’re looking for professional car grooming in Singapore, Lambency Detailing is a one-stop automotive centre for all your car needs. We offer comprehensive car detailing packages that use only 100% genuine SONAX products from Germany to ensure the quality of your car’s surface.
Find out more about Lambency Detailing’s different products and services here. Book an appointment with us to get your car interior detailing now! WhatsApp: (65) 9658 5808 Email: lambency@quantum-globe.com
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