Car Detailing 101: Spray Wax Versus Paste Wax
Most car owners don’t do proper maintenance on their car’s exterior. From washing to detailing, cars require a surprising amount of attention — and, let’s be honest, it’s not always realistic for every car owner to dedicate as much time to their car every month as it needs. Besides the mechanical needs of the car, it’s easy to skip over things like washing and waxing, but if you do make the time, even if it isn’t as frequent, is there really a big difference between the two popular types of waxes when it comes to maintenance?
Don’t skip the wax
Waxing your car might seem like a total chore, but it’s actually an incredibly part of maintenance. If you don’t opt to have protective coatings like ceramic coatings or clear vinyl put on your car, the wax is the only thing protecting your car’s clear coat from the harmful UV rays of the sun. These UV rays are what cause eventual failure of the clear coat, causing spotting and problems that can ruin your car’s appearance.
Spray wax
Spray wax, according to Capitol Shine, is the easier of the two options. Which, when you think about it, makes sense. Just because it’s easier to apply doesn’t necessarily mean it isn’t as good of a product as paste wax. For spray wax, you can simply apply it to the microfiber towel you are using to dry the car and wipe the car down like you usually do. It doesn’t have to be worked in and buffed off like paste wax, making it the quicker option.
The secret behind paste wax
Most people think that paste wax is the superior product simply because it requires more work, which, just like assumptions about spray wax, also isn’t necessarily true. Paste wax does, on average, last longer than spray wax but is much more of a time commitment upfront. So, the real answer behind which product is better, spray wax or paste wax, is really up to each individual detailer.
Capitol Shine recommends that each owner tries both products before deciding which option they prefer. Really, the theory here is that any wax is better than not waxing at all. Spray wax a great low-maintenance option that may need to be applied more often, while paste wax requires more time and effort upfront for longer-lasting results.
