How Often Should a Car Be Polished and Waxed?

[MatthewMarie]

Cars frequently parked in garages only need waxing every six months. For vehicles parked outdoors exposed to wind and rain, it is recommended to wax every 2-3 months. As for car paint polishing, it should be done whenever minor scratches appear on the paint surface, with no fixed interval required. Below is relevant information about car maintenance: 1. Introduction: Car maintenance refers to the periodic inspection, cleaning, replenishment, lubrication, adjustment, or replacement of certain parts as preventive work, also known as car servicing. 2. Purpose: Modern car maintenance primarily includes the engine system, transmission system, air conditioning system, cooling system, fuel system, power steering system, etc. The goal of car maintenance is to keep the vehicle clean, ensure normal technical conditions, eliminate potential hazards, prevent faults, slow down deterioration, and extend the service life.

[EverlyLee]

My car is three years old, and I find waxing it quarterly to be the most cost-effective. Parking outdoors is the most damaging to the paint, as things like bird droppings and tree sap can stain the paint within days if left unattended. Dark-colored cars are especially prone to this, and swirl marks are particularly noticeable. Always rinse the car thoroughly before waxing, as small particles can scratch the paint. As for polishing, it depends on the situation—my advice is not to rush into polishing a new car, as the factory clear coat is too valuable. For older cars with severe swirl marks after five years, consider polishing, but limit it to no more than twice a year. Otherwise, the paint will only get thinner. Car washes often push for monthly polishing, but that’s just a money-grabbing tactic.

[McPatrick]

As a seasoned mechanic with over a decade of experience running a repair shop, polishing truly depends on the vehicle's condition. A garage-kept car can last half a year with just waxing, but it's a completely different story for vehicles that constantly run on construction sites. When the car body feels gritty to the touch, it's time for waxing. Only when spiderweb-like fine scratches appear is polishing necessary. Waxing can easily be done yourself—just buy a bottle of solid wax and a microfiber towel, apply a thin layer, wait for it to turn white, then wipe it off, saving you 300 bucks compared to shop prices. As for polishing, always leave it to the professionals. If the machine's speed or pressure isn't right, you can burn through the primer in no time.

[DeMary]

Last time I heard the 4S shop technician talk about this, it made a lot of sense. For regular family cars, waxing three to four times a year is sufficient, with each application spaced no more than three months apart. When water no longer beads up like lotus leaves on the paint, it's a signal that it's time to wax. Polishing should ideally be done no more than once every three years, unless there are severe scratches that need repair. Don't fall for the beauty shop's pitch about regular polishing—each polish removes about 0.03 millimeters of paint. My old LaCrosse has only been polished twice in ten years, and the paint still looks very shiny.