In order to extend the life of the wax you can also use a top-up quick detailer spray after every couple of washes.Ĭheck out my guide to caring for a waxed car to learn more. However, in some cases a stronger alkaline pre-wash may be needed if the car is very dirty in order to prepare it safely for a contact wash. Ideally, only pH neutral pre-wash/ snow foam and shampoos should be used on a wax to prevent it from degrading. It’s really a balance of preventing too much contamination from building up, and battering the wax with chemicals. Washing the car more frequently could cause the wax to degrade prematurely though. Maintenanceįinally, ensuring that the wax is maintained properly is vital if you want it to last as long as possible.Ī waxed car should be washed every 1-2 weeks in order to prevent the wax from clogging up. To get the best level of durability, the surface should be contaminant free before applying a wax.Ĭheck out my complete guide to preparing a car for waxing to learn more. If there is already another product on the car’s paintwork such as another wax, sealant, glaze or even gloss-enhancers from a shampoo used previously, then the wax will typically not last as long. This is why they should be applied out of direct sunlight. Conversely, if it is very hot then some waxes will not work properly either. It’s also worth noting that applying a wax in cold temperatures can affect the curing process as some waxes find it very difficult to cure if the temperature is below 5☌ (41☏). Waxes also ideally need to be left alone for a few days after application so shouldn’t be subjected to any chemicals to ensure it can fully cure. There is a huge level of variation in the way that different waxes are applied so its vital that you follow the manufacturers instructions which dictate the number of layers and curing time required. If a wax isn’t applied in the correct way then it will not last as long on the paintwork. Typically, paste and liquid waxes that are applied to the paintwork and left to cure then buffed away last longer than spray waxes that are wiped on and buffed off almost instantly. The state and consistency of the wax will also make a difference too. Part of the reason for this is that the synthetic components are often more chemically resistant compared to natural waxes which means they’ll be able to withstand more washes. In general, waxes that contain natural components such as carnauba wax, beeswax and montan wax are less durable compared to waxes which contain synthetic components such as PTFE and silicon dioxide. Some of the most common are: carnauba wax, beeswax, montan wax, silicon dioxide, and PTFE. ![]() There are four factors which influence how long a wax will last on a car’s paintwork:Ĭar waxes can be made from many different chemicals. Why Do Some Waxes Last Longer than Others? It is rare to get a purely natural wax, although you can get a purely synthetic wax quite easily. In reality, a lot of the waxes have both synthetic and natural components. ![]() ![]() However, this refers to what the product is marketed as. I have listed in the table above, whether the wax is classified as natural (Carnauba-based) or synthetic.
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