When to wax again?

[mis3]

My car is usually in tip top condition and the surfaces are silky smooth. I usually wax once a month and I think it's OK.

I am just curious that is there any way to tell it's time to wax?

[akimel]

Re: When to wax again?

I like Accumulator's counsel on this question: wax again whenever something that you value (gloss, wetness, beading, slickness, etc.) diminishes to a level you deem unacceptable.

[spence82]

Re: When to wax again?

when water is not beading as much as it was.in the spring-fall i usually do a month to 2 months.sometimes sooner if im bored and have the time.

[davey g-force]

Re: When to wax again?

There is actually a method to determine this and there was a thread about it but I can't find it for the life of me!

From memory, the procedure goes something like (someone correct me if I'm wrong):

* Wash and dry your car;
* Take a clean MF or terry towel cloth and fold it into four to form a pad
* Press down lightly and "twist" the cloth against the finish with your hand. If you hear a squeaking sound then its time to wax again. If no sound is heard, then you still have some wax on there.

Can anybody confirm this or find the thread I'm referring to?

[mis3]

Re: When to wax again?

I am more concerned about the winter months. Because my garage is not heated, I have a hard time to wax my car. I still manage to wax it once every 2-3 months.

Let's say what if I don't wax it for the whole winter, 4-5 months? Would the wax last this long?

[akimel]

Re: When to wax again?

Let's say what if I don't wax it for the whole winter, 4-5 months? Would the wax last this long?

Your best chance to get 4-5 months is to use Collinite 476s or 915 or Finish Kare 1000p.

Some folks here on MOL swear by M20's durability. Or (assuming you live in the U.S.) you could smuggle in a tin of M16.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: When to wax again?

There is actually a method to determine this and there was a thread about it but I can't find it for the life of me!

From memory, the procedure goes something like (someone correct me if I'm wrong):

* Wash and dry your car;
* Take a clean MF or terry towel cloth and fold it into four to form a pad
* Press down lightly and "twist" the cloth against the finish with your hand. If you hear a squeaking sound then its time to wax again. If no sound is heard, then you still have some wax on there.

Can anybody confirm this or find the thread I'm referring to?

Your dead on. This is the way it was explained to me, along time ago.

[akimel]

Re: When to wax again?

The Squeak Test - How to test for the presence of wax

[Murr1525]

Re: When to wax again?

I tend to watch for how the water runs off after washing, and how spray detailers/spray waxes apply.

The sprays tend to get a bit tougher to apply as the base coat of wax is gone.

[davey g-force]

Re: When to wax again?

Thanks J.A. Michaels and akimel - I knew I wasn't imagining things!

[Markus Kleis]

Re: When to wax again?

I usually start to notice that it is more difficult to wash and dry the vehicle. A well waxed surface will require no pressure to wipe contaminants away during the wash, and drying is more effective with less streaking.

I figure the time spent waxing is easily earned back in the washing and drying phases that follow, plus I know the vehicle is better protected and looks better too