Regular car waxing can protect your car’s bodywork from the effects of UV rays, acidic contaminants like bird droppings, and airborne particles that can scratch the surface. Choosing which car wax to use, however, can often be more time-consuming than the actual buffing and polishing.
While some might reach for the most expensive option, that’s not always going to mean a significant difference. To find out the right car wax formula for your car maintenance routine, read on for our full guide.
Types of Car Waxes
Before investing in any car wax formula, it’s vital you understand the different car wax types and which will hide light scratches or leave a white waxy residue. Car wax comes in three main forms: liquid, paste, and spray.
Liquid Car Wax
This is by far the most common car wax applied due to the sheer variety of options available. Liquid car wax is good for cleaning, durability, and gloss but it can be more difficult to apply evenly and then buff out. Most will dry to a haze within a minute or two, but time will vary depending on the thickness of application, wind, and sunlight.
Paste Car Wax
Paste car waxes are often the go-to option of antique car collectors and mechanics. If you want to make your car look brand new, using a paste car wax will up the chances for success. The one downside is that this wax needs the most maintenance and is not exactly the most durable option.
Spray Car Wax
A good option for a new car with an excellent finish. Nothing is simpler and faster than applying spray wax so if you’re looking for convenience, this is your choice. As it says on the box, you spray this wax directly on the car’s paint, wipe it, and allow it to dry.
Spray wax doesn’t need hours of buffing but it’s not known as a car maintenance wax so will require frequent applications.
How to Choose the Right Car Wax
All the listed car wax options will require some elbow grease, time, and patience. What might work for one type of car might not be appropriate for another. Here are some additional tips to help you choose the right car wax and avoid those risky automatic carwashes.
Consider Your Car’s Age
A newer car will still have a good finish so an easy spray car wash might be all you need. If you have an older car that needs some care or one whose finish has embedded grime or begun to oxidize, a liquid car wax is often the best choice.
Watch Out for Abrasion
The tiny particles in a car wax can leave fine scratches or a haze on the finish of your car since waxes can be abrasive. Darker-colored cars will show scratches much easier than lighter ones. Most car wax packaging will indicate whether it is safe for clear-coat finishes.
Find the Best Auto Detailing Services
Now that you’ve got some solid advice under your belt, it’s time to get out there and decide on the best car wax for you. If you’d rather leave it to the professionals, that’s where we come in.
If you’re in desperate need of auto detailing and are in the Texas area, contact us today and get a free quote.