Why does the car look dirty after rain when waxed?
2 Answers
Car looks dirty after rain when waxed because the car body has already oxidized before waxing. Here are the details about car body oxidation: 1. Definition: Car waxing is one of the traditional items of car beauty. The function of waxing is first to waterproof and prevent acid rain. Due to the protection of car wax, the adhesion rate of water droplets on the car body is low, and the effect is obvious. 2. Notes: The frequency of car waxing should be well controlled. Due to the different driving conditions and parking lots, the time interval for waxing should also be different. Before waxing, it is best to wash the soil and dust on the surface of the car body with car wash water. Do not blindly use detergent and soapy water to avoid damaging the car body.
After waxing, the car's surface becomes smooth with a protective layer. The wax is water-repellent, causing rainwater to form beads that roll off instead of spreading and soaking in. Rainwater contains dust, dirt, and pollutant particles from the air. When these particles are carried away by the water beads, some stick to the wax surface and cannot be completely removed. As the water beads roll off and dry, they leave behind dirty marks, making the car appear even dirtier. I've experienced this myself and found it particularly annoying. Initially, I thought waxing would make the car shine beautifully, but rainy days ended up requiring more cleaning. When the wax's hydrophobic properties are too strong, it tends to attract more impurities. Choosing high-quality wax can mitigate this issue, and rinsing the car immediately after rain can reduce marks and prevent long-term buildup. In short, while protecting the car's paint, it's also important to consider how environmental dirt affects its appearance.
