Is Summer Suitable for Waxing?
2 Answers
Summer is suitable for waxing. Waxing your car in summer is quite beneficial as it provides basic protection for the paintwork, and the season doesn't significantly affect the process. You can wax your car anytime, but avoid doing it under direct sunlight or, especially, during rainy days since wax is sensitive to water. If it rains after waxing or if you wash your car four times, the wax's effectiveness will diminish. For better paint protection, consider opting for paint sealing or ceramic coating. Benefits of Waxing: Heat Protection. Car wax can reflect incoming light from various angles, preventing it from penetrating the clear coat. This helps prevent the base paint from aging and discoloring, thereby extending the paint's lifespan and preventing fading. UV Protection. Similar to heat protection, UV rays from sunlight can damage the car's paint. Wax minimizes the harm caused by UV rays. Drawbacks of Waxing: Prone to Oxidation. Car wax, which uses petroleum as a solvent, is highly susceptible to oxidation. It typically starts oxidizing within about two weeks and fully oxidizes within a month, meaning it cannot provide long-term protection for the paint. Paint Wear. If the waxing is performed by an unskilled technician, it can easily leave fine circular scratches on the car's surface.
Summer is actually the perfect time to wax your car. I make it a yearly routine to wax mine every June. Intense UV rays and high temperatures can accelerate the aging of your car's paint. A layer of wax forms a reflective protective film that effectively deflects sunlight and reduces the paint's temperature. With frequent rainstorms during this season, tree sap and bird droppings become more corrosive. A waxed car body becomes smoother, allowing dirt to rinse off easily with just a light spray. Just remember to choose a shady time for waxing—midday sun is too harsh and can cause the wax to dry too quickly, making it harder to spread evenly. After waxing, you'll notice you need to wash your car half as often, and watching raindrops bead up and roll off the roof is oddly satisfying. Waxing isn't a hassle—buying a bottle of liquid wax for around 30 yuan can last you three to four applications, making it quite cost-effective.
