How To Choose the Right Wax For Your Car
Choosing the right wax is essential if you want to get the best results. A lot of times, the reason people end up disappointed with a particular car detailing product is because they chose the wrong one! There are a lot of different factors that you should consider when choosing the right car wax.
The first, and most important thing to consider is your experience level. Unless you’re an auto-detailing expert, stay away from the carnauba-based waxes and polishes, which are generally a bit more challenging to work with. You will need a bit of experience to apply and remove these.
So you’re not very experience (since if you were an auto-detailing expert you likely wouldn’t even be reading this, but that’s not meant to be disrespectful to your level expertise; the more you learn the better). In any case, most car waxes promise two things: shine and durability/protection.
You have to prioritize and decide whether you care more about shine, or if you care more about durability/protection, because no product will give you the best of both worlds. Even the best products have a slight compromise. Here’s a few things to take note of:
How much (or what intensity of) wear does your vehicle experience?
- How many miles you typically drive in a month
(more than average? less than average?) - What types of road conditions do you typically drive on?
Dirt roads? Wintry salt? Highways? - How is the temperature/climate in your area?
Is it hot? Is it cold?
If you drive more, and under harsher conditions, then it may be more important to choose a wax that protects your paint from such conditions. On the other hand, if your car is mostly for show, and you don’t mind waxing it more often, then you should consider a wax that produces lots of shine.
Another last note is that regardless of how well a car wax claims to protect against UV rays, that does NOT mean you can apply it in sunlight. You should always apply car wax in a shaded, cool place, away from direct sunlight, regardless of what the product claims. You’ll save a lot of headache this way.
Lastly, if you are unsure of what type of product to use, just pick up the phone and call a local auto detailing shop. Tell them about your driving habits and the types of condition your vehicle is subject to, and ask them to recommend a product. Sometimes they will even give you better (free) advice if you drive over and let them take a look at the condition of your paint or clear coat finish.
