The practice of using wax to protect a car’s paint job and metal exterior actually dates back to the 1800s, when a German carriage maker developed a wax derived from animal fat to protect the black lacquer-type paint used on horse-drawn carriages. It just so happens that the paint used on these vehicles was the same type later used on Henry Ford’s classic automobile, the Model T.
Two main types of car wax on the market are paste wax and liquid wax. Either one is as effective as the other, although some car owners find a paste easier to manage than a liquid. Many of these protective products use carnauba, which is the wax from the leaves of the Brazil palm, as the basis for their formulae, and may mix in beeswax, other natural oils and sometimes petroleum distillates. Other waxes are made from synthetic polymers. Although these are more durable than carnauba, they result in considerably less shine. Both natural and synthetic waxes may contain resins to make the wax stronger when it is applied to your car’s finish.
Car wax is referred to as a sacrificial barrier. This means that over time, the layer of wax breaks down and wears away due to exposure to the elements. The life expectancy of a coat of wax depends on how well the surface was prepared to accept the wax, the climate conditions of the local environment, the condition of the paint, the amount of time exposed to the elements, the quality of the wax used and the method of application.
In order to see if your car needs to be waxed, observe how water behaves on its surface. If the water rolls off in beads, that is a sure sign that your paint is well-protected. If the water begins sheeting and spreads across the paint, then your car needs its protective layer of wax maintained.
To prepare your car for waxing, wash and dry your car thoroughly. Car wash soap is best used instead of dishwashing soap, as the latter is designed to degrade wax and grease.
Experts recommend that the best possible protection comes from having three thin coats of wax upon your car’s exterior. However, owing to the law of diminishing returns, you will not create exponentially greater layers of protection with each application, but three thin coats of wax will ensure a uniform layer to safeguard against the elements if applied every six months as per recommended.