What Does Wax Do For a Car?
Ever wondered why people wax their cars? If you haven’t followed suit, we have all the details on why you should consider it!
Written by Andrea Barrett
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Regularly waxing your car is a cost-effective way to protect your vehicle against scratches, preserve the paint, and safeguard it against corrosive elements like snow, rain, road salt, and UV rays. The benefits far outweigh the risks—and waxing your car is simple enough to do at home!
If you’re like most people, the extent of your car-care stops at washing and vacuuming. Most people aren’t aware of the benefits of waxing their car apart from giving it that spit-shined appearance, but this extra step helps fight fading paint, discoloration, and even rust. In other words, waxing your car is a key part of keeping your car in tip-top shape.
Not convinced that waxing is worth it?
Jerry
, the comparison app and most trusted licensed broker
that makes finding affordable car insurance
easy, is here to walk you through everything you need to know about waxing your car.Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds (Title in payload)
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversWhat is car wax and what does it do?
Car wax—sometimes referred to as automotive wax—is a natural or synthetic product designed to offer protection to the body parts of a car. Essentially, car wax is all about protection—it puts a “hydrophobic” (or water-resistant) barrier between the clearcoat of a vehicle and the outside world. This helps fight off the elements, all while enhancing paint depth and increasing your car’s shine.
Most wax blends you’ll find are a blend of carnauba wax mixed with natural oils, beeswax, and petroleum distillates or are a fully synthetic product. Newer products may even use synthetic resins and polymers as hardeners and shine-enhancing catalysts.
Once you’ve buffed the wax after drying, it will become a semi-permanent protective layer resistant to scratches, contaminants, UV rays, and other environmental agents that could damage the paint.
The benefits of waxing your car
Most car owners know the benefits of washing and vacuuming their car but opt to skip the wax part. Here are the benefits they’re missing out on!
Protects against scratches
Protecting your car with a coat of wax helps to prevent small grains of dirt, dust, and other particles from damaging the body and leaving scratches on the paint. Wax also encourages dirt and liquids to slide off instead of grinding into the paint.
Protects your vehicle’s paint from exposure
Unless your car is locked up in a garage day in and day out, it’s likely exposed to many different elements—dirt, sand, dust, tree sap, bird droppings, rain, salt, and everything else. Unless these compounds are deterred by wax, they’ll slowly undergo oxidation on the surface of your car, eating away at the chemicals in the paint until it begins to separate, crack, and peel.
Saves you money
Experts recommend waxing regularly and making it part of your
regular scheduled maintenance
to avoid expensive paint jobs. Taking care of your car’s exterior can significantly extend the paint’s lifespan, reducing the need to have your vehicle repainted (or touched up). Improves your car’s resale value
The condition of your car’s interior and body are two big factors when
appraising the retail value of your car
. Paint that’s chipped, fading, or showing signs of age or rust damage
will reduce your car’s resale value. However, adding a layer of wax every now and then will maintain that “new car” look, lessen the chances of exterior damage, and better maintain the value of your car.Improves your car’s appearance
You can’t go wrong with a vehicle that sparkles. Many of the waxes available today are quick to apply and easy to wipe off, leaving your car looking shiny, clean, and brand new as you cruise down the road turning heads.
Types of car wax
There are a few types of wax that you can use on cars, and each has its own advantages (and disadvantages!). Let’s take a look at the most popular ones.
Paste wax
Paste wax is the most traditional form of car wax—and about as old school as it gets. Once heated and applied to the car body, it creates a thick, resilient shell that protects the paint and makes your car incredibly shiny thanks to the addition of some natural oils.
- Pros: Longer lasting than other forms of wax
- Cons: Takes longer to apply
Liquid wax
Most liquid waxes are composed of a mix of natural wax and synthetic polymers, but they’re far more durable and resilient than paste waxes. Liquid wax often comes in squeeze bottles, making it easy to apply and equally as easy to remove. It’s incredibly affordable and offers good protection against UV rays.
- Pros: Affordable, durable, widely available
- Cons: Only lasts about eight weeks, not as shiny as other waxes
Liquid polymer
This type of synthetic wax made from man-made chemicals isn’t really a “wax” but has the same properties. It’s easier to apply and offers a similar level of protection as wax, though it doesn’t result in the same shine.
- Pros: Easy to apply
- Cons: Reapplication needed every 3 to 4 months
Carnauba wax
Carnauba wax is made from oils of the common Palm Tree (Copernicia Prunifera). It’s packed into small metal tins and is one of the world's most widely used automotive waxes. It’s incredibly resilient and creates a thin layer of protection that resists heat, repels moisture, and rejects contaminants.
- Pros: Widely available, great for shine, pure product
- Cons: Only lasts about six weeks, requires more frequent reapplication
How often should you wax your car?
There is no concrete answer as to how often you should wax your car—it largely depends on what kind of wax you’re using. Some waxes require more frequent applications (every 4 to 8 weeks), whereas others can last for months before needing to reapply.
The harshness of the environment also influences the time interval for waxing. You don’t need to apply wax as often on cars kept in climate-controlled spaces. But a more frequent wax interval might be a good idea if your car is constantly parked on the street in direct sunlight or exposed to salt trucks.
The most obvious way to tell your wax is thinning is by looking at how water beads fall from the car’s surface. If beading doesn’t occur, then the wax layer is gone and the clear coat is unprotected. You can also run your finger over the vehicle’s surface—a waxed surface feels different than an unwaxed one.
How much does it cost to wax your car?
So, how much does protecting your car cost? Surprisingly, not as much as you’d expect.
You have two options when waxing your car: DIY or get it done professionally. If you choose to use a little elbow grease and DIY, you can purchase a good quality wax for less than $25. Getting your car professionally waxed, on the other hand, can cost anywhere from $55 to $150 or more since you’re also paying for the labor to apply it.
One of the big benefits of doing a DIY wax job is getting more than one application from the wax. Generally speaking, a wax bottle could last five uses, whereas a professional wax is a one-and-done.
How to protect your car with great car insurance
Protecting your car with high-quality wax is one of the best ways to ensure a long life for your vehicle and avoid expensive paint jobs. Another way to reduce car expenses and protect your vehicle is with a solid car insurance policy—
Jerry
can help you find one! As the #1 rated super app and a licensed insurance broker, Jerry partners with over 55 top insurers to find you the most affordable car insurance rates without sacrificing coverage. All you have to do is download the app, plug in your driving details, and scan your personalized quotes. If you find a rate better than your current one, a Jerry expert will get you switched over in no time. Best of all, the average Jerry user saves over $800 a year on car insurance!
“You must get this app! It’s my first time getting my own insurance, so I called a few companies myself. Their rates priced me around $600/month. I usedJerryand my rates went down to $250/month. I’m so happy!” —Melissa C.
Are you overpaying for your car insurance?
Are you overpaying for your car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds
4.717k Ratings5M+Drivers Joined
7M+Cars Garaged
Should you apply car wax after the car wash?
Yes—the best time to apply car wax is on a clean, dry car. Starting with a clean vehicle is important to remove any dirt, grime, and contaminants on the car’s surface that can cause the car’s clear coat to become scratched when applying wax.
How long does car wax last?
How long car wax lasts largely depends on the type of wax you use. For example, carnauba wax usually lasts around six weeks, whereas synthetic wax (liquid polymer) will last three to four months. The life of your wax also depends on where your vehicle is kept and the climate you drive in.
Estimate your repair costs for free with GarageGuard™
Simplify your car maintenance with Jerry.
4.7You might also be interested
