What is the point to using car wax? Well, besides the fact that it’s going to make your car shine, and look good, it’s also going to protect the surface and the paint from dust, dirt, weather stresses and the sometimes acidic content of bird droppings.

The only problem most car owners run into, is deciding which is the best car wax to buy for that particular automobile. If you ask a dozen drivers, they’re likely to give you 12 different answers. Just walk into an auto supply store and gaze at the aisle of car wax that stretches for miles.

Do you go for high price and fewer polishes, or a mid-range price, knowing that the product has a reputation for quality, and means you will only wax 2-3 times a year? That can be a hard decision, and one of the things you should base it on, is what kind of surface your car has.

Most automobiles made today, have a clear coat surface that is sealed, and meant to protect the paint. That doesn’t mean that it will shine forever, though. Once it starts to age, and acquires some dirt on the surface, you’ll find that water stops beading and running off. That means the water dries on the surface of the car and gathers in between the particles of dirt, which can eventually lead to coating or paint damage.

The best car wax for clear-coated automobiles, is one that is non-abrasive. No car wax should scratch the coat, but there are products that are meant to remove grit that remains after a wash, so be careful not to confuse them.

No car wax, whether it is polymer or carnauba, lasts forever, regardless of the claims by manufacturers. What will affect the life of your car wax application, is the weather where you live, the areas in which you drive, and whether your car is garaged, or stays outside. A good car wax will keep your car shining for 4-6 months. When water stops beading on the surface, you need to wax it again.