Is Car Waxing Useful in Winter?
2 Answers
Car waxing is useful in winter. Below are the benefits of winter waxing and precautions to take: Benefits of winter waxing: Winter waxing can effectively protect against acid snow and resist corrosion. As temperatures drop in winter, the frequency of car washing decreases, making waxing in early winter the best strategy for paint maintenance. A waxed car body is less prone to water adhesion, reducing the likelihood of ice formation from condensation in winter. Precautions for winter waxing: Before waxing, wash the car body with car shampoo to remove dirt and dust. Avoid blindly using dish soap or soapy water, as the sodium chloride content can erode the paint layer, wax film, and rubber parts, causing the paint to lose its shine and rubber parts to age.
I've been driving for seven or eight years, and I always wax my car before winter. In the north, snow and de-icing chemicals are the most damaging to car paint. After waxing, the car body is like coated with a protective film, making it harder for de-icing agents to corrode the undercarriage and preventing water stains from freezing into ice. Once after a heavy snowfall, my neighbor's car was covered in white salt stains, while mine was clean after a simple rinse. Waxing also makes washing the car easier, as snow doesn’t stick to the smooth waxed surface. Water-based wax is the best choice for winter use, but it’s important to apply it in a garage—waxing outdoors in low temperatures can cause clumping, leading to uneven coverage. Waxing also slows down paint oxidation, so when you remove the car cover in spring, the gloss is still well preserved.
