General Question

2davidc8's avatar

Is it really important to wax your car?

Asked by 2davidc8 (10189points) September 27th, 2019

Wouldn’t it be sufficient just to wash your car, and the paint would be fine?
Don’t we sometimes do things out of habit, or just because “everybody” does it?

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13 Answers

stanleybmanly's avatar

Or shine your shoes, or make your bed ? All of it depends on the relative importance the necessity for such drudgeries play to your model of your own self worth. For that matter, why wash the car?

KNOWITALL's avatar

@stan is right. You also preserve the paint and appearance of the vehicle.

If you drive something older, it tends to feel less important though. I’ve had new and used, but I’ve waxed my fair share. Looks nicer.

Patty_Melt's avatar

I would never wax my car! I would feel guilty each time I pull off a strip.

ARE_you_kidding_me's avatar

Not so much now but back in the day it both preserved and made car finish look better. Modern automotive paint has really negated the need for that.

Tropical_Willie's avatar

@ARE_you_kidding_me Even modern “Clear coat” paints need to have a wax and sealant put on a several times a year, waxing protects the clear coat from breaking down (these people are not selling wax.)

stanleybmanly's avatar

A car’s exterior certainly fares better when waxed. Though, I can remember in my youth, hot rods and such where the paint had actually been rubbed away through waxing. Those were the days!

kritiper's avatar

It may depend in the type of paint used. Enamel may require waxing after a few years. The same may be true with acrylic paint. But polyurethane should not need waxing ever.

lucillelucillelucille's avatar

It was when I was still in love with it.

stanleybmanly's avatar

Great answer! I remember such a time.

ucme's avatar

Only when it grows hairs in embarrassing places.
However, we do of course have staff for that.

ARE_you_kidding_me's avatar

I have not put a drop of wax on my daily drivers for like a decade. The clear coat shows no sign of any wear or breakdown. They stay parked outside. Automotive paint seems to have come along way in the last 20 years.
What does not fare well are the plastic bits. Headlights, trim etc…

janbb's avatar

@ARE_you_kidding_me I’m with you on this.

jca2's avatar

I don’t was my cars, unless you count the hot was that is put on at the car wash. I put the car in the car wash about two or three times a year. My cars’ paint is always fine.

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