Waxing protects against weather damage

Car wax and interior conditioners help to maintain a like-new appearance

Turtle Wax

Car dealers know how important it is to make used cars look good. Customers don’t want to buy a previous owner’s dirt, any more than they want to inherit mechanical problems. In addition to enhancing resale value, car wax and conditioning products protect vehicles against damage from pollution, moisture and sun.

When I was a kid, tuning up and waxing the car were semi-annual rituals. While paint finishes have come a long way since the carburetor days, it’s still important to wax the car regularly, and maintain vinyl and upholstery with appropriate conditioning products.

The folks at Turtle Wax have put together a list of five common car care myths and the truths behind them.

1. New vehicles don’t need to be waxed: Not true say the polish experts. Car waxing cleans and protects the car’s finish against pollution, moisture and sun damage.

2. Dishwashing detergent is safe to use as car wash: True, but not recommended. While dishwashing detergent will clean the surface, it can also strip the finish of polymers. Use a car wash detergent diluted with water to avoid rubbing paint off the car.

3. The longer the duration of a wax job, the better the shine and protection: True. In general, the quality of a vehicle’s appearance is proportional to the time and care spent detailing it. Note that the protective and shine qualities of various wax products differ, as well as their application methods.

4.  Waxing once a year is enough to protect the vehicle’s exterior: False. Use beading as an indication of when the car needs to be re-waxed. If the beads are smaller than a quarter in a rainstorm or after washing, the wax barrier is still active. If water starts to form elongated beads or a thin sheet on horizontal panels, it’s time to re-wax.

5. Using a protectant too frequently can cause leather and interior plastics to dry out and crack: False. Interior conditioners prevent stiffening and shrinking of interior materials to maintain their like-new condition.

There is one situation in which car owners should avoid waxing: after collision repair that includes repainting. A good body shop technician will know how long the paint needs to cure before it’s safe to apply wax. For more information on Turtle Wax, visit the company’s web site.