Minimum Wax Application Frequency?

G

Gekko

New member
I know this is probably posted elsewhere, but after doing multiple searches, I could not find it.



What is the MINIMUM Wax application frequency you would recommed? In other words, how often should one apply wax to their car? I have heard 3 months, 4 months, and 6 months. This would be for someone with a brand new silver car (daily driver, no garage, Northeast) who will be having a professional detailer apply the (3M) wax each time. Money is not an object. I want the car to look good but I am more interested in protecting the paint for a long life. I just don't want to overkill.



Will once every 6 Months be OK? (May and November?)



THANKS!!!
 
Are you set on using only 3M wax, or is that the only thing your detailer will use? As a general rule of thumb, waxes last 1-3 months, depending on conditions. Sealants have been mentioned as lasting 6-9 months (beading). (Yeah, some say 5 years or forever, but let's not go there right now). If you wanted better longevity, a sealant may be the way to go, and you can put a wax over sealants, if you prefer that look. This way, even if the wax died, you'd still have some protection 'till the next waxing (in case issues arose that prohibited a more frequent recoating).



In terms of twice a year with just wax, I don't think that's often enough for a "for sure there's still wax left" peace of mind.



Just my thoughts.
 
Ge the detailer to use a good plolymer sealant on it and do it 3 times a year .. and at the same time learn a good washing protocol so you don't mar it all to heck.
 
Gekko- Accumulatorette prefers the look of 3M Showcar Paste Wax on her A8, so I know a bit about it. If it's gonna be outside 24/7, you'll have to rewax pretty often, like every two months or so. MAYBE three, but that would be a gamble. And that stuff doesn't provide much of a "sacrificial barrier" agains bird bombs, etc. It's really not a good choice for your application.



Even if you don't want to go the sealant route, you could buy your own wax (e.g., Collinite, Meg's #16) and have the detailer apply that instead. MUCH longer lasting. Those would go maybe three months, depending on conditions, which is about all you can expect with waxes. Sealants DO last longer, but you should probably have a "full detail" done several times a year anyhow.
 
OK - so what should I ask for? Polymer Sealant and a Wax every 3 months??? This is a brand new Lexus so money is not an object to keep it nice/protected - but the hassle of bringing the car in and losing the car for a day is a slight issue, but if it needs to be done, so be it. Please advise on ideally what I should ask for and how often. Also, what should a good detailer typically charge for what you suggest? THANKS!!!!!



p.s. I should add that the only "wash" it will get is 2-4x per month at the coin-op manual spray (no brush!!!) and also when the detailer will see it before the regular detailing.
 
My guess is that a wax that lasts 3 months, is not exposed to harsh weather - hot or cold. The coin washers tend to use strong chemicals so they will help diminish any wax you have added.
 
My $.02, if money is not an object, find a detailer and set up a weekly hand wash schedule and then have them wax it every month. It should only take about 15 minutes to wax it. Then every 6 months, do a full detail.



OR



Read up here and do it yourself!
 
Does a sealant (like Klasse) provide BETTER protection than a wax, or is the main advantage it has over a wax just its longevity?
 
04Runner- Opinions vary on this, but *I* find that *numerous* layers of SG generally provide more protection from bird bomb etching, and perhaps even marring, than regular waxes. The vehicles I use SG on seldom need anything except a wash. Some people (especially those with red cars) feel that good sealants provide better protection against UV damage than carnaubas.



But a good coat of a "heavy" wax like Meg's #16 or Collinite will give good protection too. My single stage Volvo is outside 24/7 and isn't even washed all that frequently, but those waxes protect it just fine. No oxidation, chalking, etching, nothing- and I've been treating it this way for years.



Note that there may might be a correlation between longevity and protection, at least as far as some specific contaminants (like the bird bombs and acid rain) are concerned. The same properties that make products durable might help them hold up against such things.
 
Are you familiar with this detailer, or are you open to trying others? I ask this because you stated the issue would be being without the car for a day. Would hiring a mobile detailer be an option? At least in the spring-fall months? This way they would come to your car and have it done while you're working. Just trying to think of some alternatives for you.
 
I would read here, specifically Dave's book, and then armed with that info have a talk with your detailer.



I would want a claying every 6 mo. Wax every month. Wash every week.



If I did have a person detailing mine, I would like for them to try different things. Zaino or Klasse or whatnot. But, I do it myself.



For a person who likes to detail their car, asking how often you can go without waxing is like asking how long you can go without kissing your wife before she notices.



Many of the folks here, me included, are of the "no one touches my car" demographic. I don't have anything super wonderful, and wouldn't want to make the payments, but here in the magical land of Autopia, old S10 drivers and Diablo owners talk on equal terms.



Oh, and I'd make sure the guy kept my wheel wells clean. Nothing says slack like dirty wheel wells. (Unless maybe it's "wash me" written in the dirty paint...ouch)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top