**flamesuit on**: does wax really matter other than for protection?
12-12-2004, 04:56 PM
#1
**flamesuit on**: does wax really matter other than for protection?
[ notes:
* i was going to post this up on autopia, but i thought i'd start here first.
* while i focus on wax, i think the same is true of sealant. however, i do not have firsthand experience with sealants. ]
like everyone else, i've been conditioned to think that while wax is primarily about paint protection, it also plays a
critical role in determining the overall shine, clarity, and "personality" (if you will) of the paint.
however, i'm starting to think that, if a car's paint is otherwise extremely well cared for, this is nonsense.
now, before you flame me, note that i did say <i>"otherwise extremely well cared for"</i> -- and this is the crux of my
argument. to wit, i think for "most" folks (even many of you on this forum), wax does play an important role. for
instance, if the paint has any sort of micromarring, then the fillers in the wax can smooth or otherwise obscure them,
creating a better looking shine. the same applies, to a lesser degree, with contaminants in the paint and "dull spots"
in the paint, which can be somewhat masked.
then there's the all-important "psychology" behind wax: initially, as you apply the wax, you can see the paint grow
"deeper" in color, and then finally when you're done and run your fingers over the buttery-smooth freshly-waxed paint --
it's gotta be doing something, right? but i wonder, how much of that initial "depth" remains after you buff off the
residue? further, what's the real relationship between the "feel" of the paint and the way it shines? i'm starting to
think that in both cases, the improved shine is more about perception than reality.
of course, a picture speaks a thousand words, so let me offer one up: here's my m3 at bavarian autosport's 2004 show and
shine. believe it or not, i ran out of time prepping the car and it had <b>no wax</b> on it in this picture. i achieved
the shine solely with menzerna's polishes and a prima claybar (oh, and about a day straight of backbreaking labor ;-)
<img src="http://www.capitalaudi.com/gallery/albums/bavauto/DSC_9659.jpg">
* i was going to post this up on autopia, but i thought i'd start here first.
* while i focus on wax, i think the same is true of sealant. however, i do not have firsthand experience with sealants. ]
like everyone else, i've been conditioned to think that while wax is primarily about paint protection, it also plays a
critical role in determining the overall shine, clarity, and "personality" (if you will) of the paint.
however, i'm starting to think that, if a car's paint is otherwise extremely well cared for, this is nonsense.
now, before you flame me, note that i did say <i>"otherwise extremely well cared for"</i> -- and this is the crux of my
argument. to wit, i think for "most" folks (even many of you on this forum), wax does play an important role. for
instance, if the paint has any sort of micromarring, then the fillers in the wax can smooth or otherwise obscure them,
creating a better looking shine. the same applies, to a lesser degree, with contaminants in the paint and "dull spots"
in the paint, which can be somewhat masked.
then there's the all-important "psychology" behind wax: initially, as you apply the wax, you can see the paint grow
"deeper" in color, and then finally when you're done and run your fingers over the buttery-smooth freshly-waxed paint --
it's gotta be doing something, right? but i wonder, how much of that initial "depth" remains after you buff off the
residue? further, what's the real relationship between the "feel" of the paint and the way it shines? i'm starting to
think that in both cases, the improved shine is more about perception than reality.
of course, a picture speaks a thousand words, so let me offer one up: here's my m3 at bavarian autosport's 2004 show and
shine. believe it or not, i ran out of time prepping the car and it had <b>no wax</b> on it in this picture. i achieved
the shine solely with menzerna's polishes and a prima claybar (oh, and about a day straight of backbreaking labor ;-)
<img src="http://www.capitalaudi.com/gallery/albums/bavauto/DSC_9659.jpg">
12-12-2004, 05:00 PM
#2
Hmm, alrighty then, instead of switcing to P21S in the summer I'll stop using wax :)
This is an interesting topic that I was considering today, well, more of a general topic anyway. Does all the work that we put in to keep our cars looking good make any difference long term? If I end up keeping my TT for 20 or 30 years will the paint be in better condition down the road than if I didn't polish and wax it regularly?
12-12-2004, 05:08 PM
#3
polish definitely is bad in the long-term ...
i mean, we're stripping away clearcoat. do it enough and you eventually run out and the only choice is a repaint. this is why i try very hard to avoid micromarring in the first place (for instance, i prefer to rewash my cars in many situations where others would quick-detail). this is also why i'm a big fan of 4" spot pads when working on a particular scratch -- the more focussed the work, the less clearcoat is pointlessly buffed away.
for wax, i'd be surprised if there were any negative long-term effects, assuming you were careful about only applying to painted surfaces.
for wax, i'd be surprised if there were any negative long-term effects, assuming you were careful about only applying to painted surfaces.
12-12-2004, 05:41 PM
#5
Well, I'd think mild polishes once a year would be good to prevent oxidation...
or does the waxing assist with that? Really the less you touch the paint, regardless if its for washing, waxing, quick detailing, the better off you are I think.
12-12-2004, 05:42 PM
#6
Protection....
Wax acts as protection from fallout/spotting/marring/swirls etc. It's a sacrificial barrier. Better to "punish" this rather than your clearcoat. This is the best reason to wax.
As far as looks, you be the judge, but every finish I have ever done looks better/shinier and feels slicker with wax than without.
As far as looks, you be the judge, but every finish I have ever done looks better/shinier and feels slicker with wax than without.
Trending Topics
12-12-2004, 05:55 PM
#8
hmm, interesting. looks pretty deep to me but maybe i'm fooling myself
check out near the front wheel -- the reflection of the ground looks near-perfect, and the reflection off the bumper behind the rear wheel is wicked (imho).
12-12-2004, 06:10 PM
#9
Hard to compare between these two pics...
but the depth in the door here is outstanding, I'm not sure that the M3 matches it.<ul><li><a href="http://m3.mayzurk.com/meem/tt/tt-album/slides/tt-copley-2.html">http://m3.mayzurk.com/meem/tt/tt-album/slides/tt-copley-2.html</a</li></ul>
12-12-2004, 06:18 PM
#10
AudiWorld Super User
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 18,425
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, wax as protection,
polish removes any hazing, oxidation, fallout on the clear coat.
For example, a guy in town has several Audis and Porsches. I ran into him at a local Lowes. He was driving his 03 911 T. He says he never waxes it, and just takes it to a touchless car wash, then dries it.
You could see tons of swirls, and the paint was fading significantly. He thought it looked great. Wax adds protection from environmental fallout/maybe uv depending on product.
Wax is essential. Your finish will always look great after just a polish--you've taken the junk off the surface and have a fresh-looking clear coat to show off the base.
For example, a guy in town has several Audis and Porsches. I ran into him at a local Lowes. He was driving his 03 911 T. He says he never waxes it, and just takes it to a touchless car wash, then dries it.
You could see tons of swirls, and the paint was fading significantly. He thought it looked great. Wax adds protection from environmental fallout/maybe uv depending on product.
Wax is essential. Your finish will always look great after just a polish--you've taken the junk off the surface and have a fresh-looking clear coat to show off the base.