How Long Do Car Waxes Last? (Detailed Answer)
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Before applying any type of paint protection to your car, you should know how long will it last. One type of paint protectant is car wax. Today, I decided to show you how long car waxes usually last.
Car waxes usually last from 4 weeks to 5 months, depending on the type of wax, product quality, and other factors that affect the longevity of car waxes.
As you can see, there’s no definitive answer to this question. The longevity of car waxes depends on various factors.
Keep reading to get a more detailed answer.
How Long Do Car Waxes Last?
As I already said, usually, car waxes last anywhere 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, and
- Synthetic (polymer-based) waxes
Natural carnauba waxes usually last shorter than synthetic waxes. You can expect natural carnauba waxes to last anywhere from 4 weeks to 4 months.
Synthetic waxes, on the other hand, last longer and have better durability. They can even last up to five months (some of them even longer).
However, it’s not so simple. Many other factors affect the longevity of the car wax.
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 that have an impact on car wax longevity:
- Product quality
- How you wash your car
- Do you have a garage
- Climate you live in
Product Quality
Product quality is what affects the longevity of the car wax the most. You can’t expect great results from the cheapest products out there.
That’s why I always recommend you buy some of the best car waxes that are proven to give your car excellent protection and that last long enough.
Some high-quality natural waxes last up to 5 months. That’s excellent durability even for some synthetic waxes (Sealants).
Check my recommendation for high-quality car waxes here.
How You Wash Your Car
Improper washing of the car will strip even the best car waxes from the paint. If you want to increase the lasting time of the wax, you should know the proper way to wash the car.
Here are some of the most common mistakes:
- Using wrong wash soap (such as dish soaps, etc.)
- Washing car at a car wash service that uses brushes
- Using too hot water when washing the car
- Not using a three-bucket method
- Doing contact wash without the pre-wash
Check out my Complete Guide For a Proper Car Wash. It’s a step-by-step guide where I teach you exactly how to wash the car properly. In that article, I also share which products you should use for the safest car wash.
Do You Have a Garage
When not driving your car, the best option is to keep it away from external influences such as weather, dirt, dust, etc.
Keeping your car in a garage will extend the lifetime of the car wax.
If you leave your car outside all the time, car wax or sealant won’t last as long as if you keep it in a garage.
Climate You Live In
The last factor I’ll mention is the climate. If you live in a place with bad weather all the time, expecting shorter car waxes longevity is entirely normal.
With that said, you’ll have to re-apply car waxes more often than someone who lives in a climate with more excellent weather.
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 For You
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, which reduces the amount of shine it gives to the car paint.
Should you look for 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 from 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 very often, choosing a sealant that will last longer is probably the best choice for you.
Long story short, if you want long-lasting protection, choose a synthetic car wax, or 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.
Conclusion
I hope that now you have a better picture of how long waxes last on your car’s paint. As you could see, many factors are affecting that, and you should have them in mind when buying waxes for your vehicle.
In the end, the most important thing is to protect the vehicle’s paint from all external factors, whether it’s a wax, a sealant, or a ceramic coating.
Always make sure to have your paint protected, and it’ll last longer and look better for years to come.
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