Auto Body Answers from a Collision Repair Technician
Nice summer weather can make washing your car less of a chore. If you’ve always wondered whether it’s worth it to follow up that wash with a restorative layer of wax, this article is for you. Is waxing your car truly worth it?
For answers from the experts, Automotive Training Center is taking a closer look at these questions with our Collision Reconditioning Technology instructors. Keep reading to see what they have to say.
Waxing 101: What Wax Does
When that car rolls off the factory line looking all shiny, what makes it look like that? Wax, of course! It lays on top of your car’s protective clear coat, sealing in the paint job underneath.
As you add miles on, leave it outside for extended periods of time, and let nature take over, the clear wax coat can begin to wear. That’s what it’s there for, though, protecting the primary color paint layer from any damage like chips and scratches and environmental workings like tree sap, dirt, and bugs.
It also protects fading, discoloring, and oxidation from sun damage. Even if you live in the sunniest climate in the world, your car is safe.
How Long Does Wax on Cars Last?
Since wax acts as your vehicle’s most exposed outer coating, it won’t last forever. How long it lasts depends on a variety of factors, including the weather and where you park it at night. If you park your car in the garage instead of outside, it may last longer.
As time and the seasons change, the wax layer is used up and the clear coat becomes susceptible to accelerated wear. When the factors mentioned above wreak havoc on your car without wax, you might notice your car starting to lose the luster it once had. Our collision technicians recommend waxing your car after a wash twice a year.
Car Waxing Benefits
There are many reasons to wax your car. Here are a few to consider.
Keep your car looking new. Waxing maintains the glossy, eye-catching new-car look of your vehicle’s exterior for the long haul.
Get the most out of a paint job. Reapplying your vehicle’s protective wax coat every six months keeps the fundamental paint layer intact. Otherwise, with every wash, you’d actually be scrubbing the paint.
Save money on touch-ups. The paint-matching process has evolved quite a bit over the years, and filling in scratches and chips has become easier. However, minor scratches and dings can cost a pretty penny. Prevent paint-level scratches from the start by applying wax at recommended intervals.
Waxing is able to protect your car’s paint and keep it looking glossy and fresh. After a panel is sanded and repainted by a collision repair technician, a final coat of wax will be applied to preserve that hard work.
Explore the Collision Repair Program at ATC
Sometimes, no matter what you do, a vehicle needs a new paint job or other repairs. The Collision Reconditioning Technology program prepares Automotive Training Center students for a career as repair technicians.
To learn more about our program, check out our Roles & Responsibilities of a Collision Repair Technician eBook for more information.
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