What is the impact of rain after waxing a car?
2 Answers
There is not much impact because the function of waxing itself includes waterproofing and protection against acid rain. The role of car wax: Car wax can reduce the amount of water droplets adhering to the car body, approximately by 50%-90%. Therefore, rain after waxing can actually help prevent corrosion. Additional information: In addition to the aforementioned waterproofing and anti-corrosion effects, car wax also has anti-aging, gloss-enhancing, and anti-static effects. The anti-aging effect mainly reduces the damage of ultraviolet rays to the paint surface, while the gloss-enhancing effect improves the cleanliness of the car paint to varying degrees, making the car body color more vibrant. The anti-static effect reduces damage to the car paint caused by friction with dust, wool fabrics, synthetic fibers, etc., in the air. However, it should be noted that waxing itself can damage the car paint, so it should be done in moderation.
I just waxed my car and then it rained—what a bummer! If the wax hasn’t fully dried, the rain can dilute the protective layer, quickly cutting the shine in half or even leaving water spots, which is just frustrating. The real issue is that if the wax film hasn’t cured before rain hits, the water can trap dust on the surface, leading to stubborn stains that are a pain to clean. Ideally, you should wait a few hours after waxing to let it dry completely—then raindrops will bead up and roll right off, actually protecting the paint. My advice? Dry the car with a soft cloth as soon as possible after rain to prevent water spots from building up. Long-term, regular wax touch-ups are key to avoiding corrosion.
