How Long Do Car Waxes Last?
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Before applying any type of paint protection to your car, you should know how long it will last. One type of paint protectant is car wax. Today, I decided to show you how long car waxes usually last.
Key Takeaways:
- Car waxes usually last from 4 weeks to 5 months
- The type of wax (natural or synthetic) and quality of it affect the longevity
- How well you maintain your vehicle also affects its longevity (regular washing, keeping the car in the garage, using the right products for washing, etc.)
How Long Do Car Waxes Last?
As I already said, car waxes usually last between four weeks and five months.
The main factor for car wax longevity is the wax type. As you may know, there are two main types of car waxes:
- Natural carnauba waxes: last shorter than synthetic waxes. You can expect them to last between 4 weeks to 4 months.
- Synthetic (polymer-based) waxes: better longevity and durability. They can last up to 5 months, and some even longer.
Besides that, the form of wax also affects their longevity:
- Spray waxes: they tend to last the shortest, mostly up to 2-3 weeks.
- Liquid waxes and paste waxes: they’re similar when it comes to longevity, with paste waxes having a slight advantage
Other Factors That Affect The Longevity of Car Waxes
Besides the wax type, you should know other essential factors before buying a new wax to protect your car’s paint.
Various factors have an impact on car wax longevity:
- Product quality: cheap waxes won’t last even a week, while some better waxes will last up to 5 months, especially if we’re talking about synthetic waxes (sealants).
- Methods of washing your car: by using proper methods to wash your car, you’ll increase the longevity of car waxes. One of the most important things is using microfiber wash mitts instead of sponges and high-quality automotive soap.
- Where you park your car: if you park outside, your car is exposed to outside elements all the time, reducing its longevity. Car wax can last much longer if you have a garage.
- Climate you live in: If you live in a place with constantly bad weather, don’t expect the wax to last as long as claimed by the manufacturer.
Longevity of Most Popular Car Waxes
Here I decided to make a table and show you the average lasting times of some of the best car waxes out there. These data are both from my experience and the reviews of thousands of users worldwide.
I’ll mention five popular and high-quality products. The table below consists of 3 columns: car wax, car wax type, and average lasting time.
| Car Wax | Wax Type | Average Lasting Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Collinite NO. 845 Liquid Insulator Wax | Natural Carnauba Wax | 3-5 months |
| 2. | P21S 12700W Carnauba Wax | Natural Carnauba Wax | 6-8 weeks |
| 3. | Meguiar’s Ultimate Liquid Wax | Synthetic Wax | 3-6 months |
| 4. | Car Guys Premium Liquid Wax | Synthetic Wax | 3-6 months |
| 5. | Chemical Guys Butter Wet Wax | Natural Carnauba Wax | up to 3 months |
Longevity vs. Shine – Which One Is Better
Synthetic car waxes last longer than natural car waxes. However, you can’t compare the shine of any car sealant to some natural carnauba wax.
Natural carnauba waxes will always have a deeper shine (if you’re using a high-quality product).
To increase the durability, manufacturers had to change the formula by adding polymers into the waxes, reducing the shine it gives to the car paint.
Should you pick wax with better longevity or shine?
There’s no definitive answer to this question. It’s entirely your choice. Some people prefer longevity (durability), and some people prefer shine.
I’d always go with a higher amount of shine when choosing the car wax for my car. I think it’s not a problem to reapply wax every 4-6 weeks to keep the car shiny all the time.
However, if you don’t have time to take care of your car often, choosing a sealant that will last longer is probably the best choice.
Long story short, if you want long-lasting protection, choose synthetic car wax or a blend of synthetic and natural.
On the other hand, if you want the best and deepest shine for your car’s paint, always choose natural carnauba wax. Nothing can beat it.
How To Make Your Car Wax Last Longer
I wanted to show you a few simple tips you should implement in your auto detailing routine to increase the longevity of car waxes, whether they’re natural or synthetic.
Here is how I increase the longevity of waxes on my cars:
- Buy car waxes from reputable brands. This is one of the most important things. Without high-quality wax, you’ll hardly get some great durability.
- Apply wax properly. You should apply wax properly in the first place. That’ll allow it to bond to the car’s surface, hence making it last longer.
- Regularly wash your car. Even though car waxes protect your car from various elements such as acid rain, UV rays, bird droppings, and others, you should regularly wash your car to keep it as clean as possible. All that will help wax to last longer.
- Use gentle car wash methods. Using pH-neutral soap, microfiber wash mitts, and microfiber drying towels is extremely important if you want to keep your car wax lasting longer. Don’t forget to avoid using automatic car washes because they’ll strip your wax.
- Store the car in a garage. Avoid parking your car under trees or constantly under the sun if you can. If you have a garage, keep your car parked there as much as you can.
Conclusion
As you can see, there’s no straightforward answer to your question about how long car waxes last. besides the quality of the product (which is, of course, the most important factor), additional external factors affect the longevity of automotive waxes.
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