First car wash on new car.

[rusty bumper]

Nice writeup PC.

In short, I guess you could say that wax is meant to be a temporary shield to protect the finish in-between washings & such, since it's not really feasible for most people to wash their cars every day.

[silence]

Thanks for the feedback. I have a better understanding.

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by the other pc
It's not a stupid question at all. In fact, to understand it accurately and in fine detail requires a PhD in Chemistry, which I don't have so the best I can do is sort of a generalized explanation.

Wax is a microscopically thin and relatively inert sacrificial barrier that helps resist, or at least slow down, chemical breakdown of your paint caused by the environment.

UV radiation from sunlight, atmospheric oxygen, chemical fallout, bird bombs, environmental pollution, tree sap, water impurities and all manner of substances and compounds degrade the integrity of a finish. Waxes (and synthetic sealants) interfere with those chemical attacks an help preserve the finish.

They can't stop all chemical attacks but they can significantly reduce the effects of many and provide at least some protection from most.

The layer is really, really, really thin. It can't provide any significant protection from mechanical damage like scratches, swirls, chips, pitting, etc. The only way to avoid those is to well, avoid them. Which is of course impossible on a car that is actually driven but you can reduce the amount of them with good washing and handling and repair some of them with detailing.


PC.

That's very good Paul!

I would add that waxing or polishing often maintains your car's finish in a like new, or better than new appearance. It's only when you let the finish go that it starts to degrades...