How does wax wear off?

[theory816]

Im curious as to how wax wears off ones car. Say you've just applied a coat of wax to a car, you drive it for a couple of months. Does the wax chip off piece by piece? How can you tell theres no more wax?

 

[Mike Phillips]

If you're talking specifically about traditional types of car waxes and synthetic paint sealants then the protection ingredients are micro-abraded off anytime the surface is touched, like wiping and washing and normal exposure to time and the elements.

Nothing lasts forever.... not even you and I


Instead of trying to figure out when all the wax is gone so you can apply some more be proactive and apply a fresh coat of wax on a regular maintenance schedule.

Kind of like you change a car's engine oil before the engine grinds to a halt.

 

[Ricorocks]

Very true Mr. Phillips it's an interesting question, the process of removal. Science tells us water is the universal, solvent, and will dissolve anything over time, even gold & diamonds. I guess the nature of all, is to revert back to elemental form. Neil young said it best "Rust Never Sleeps", or metal becomes ore.

 

[FUNX650]

Nothing lasts forever.... not even you and I

Instead of trying to figure out when all the wax is gone so you can apply some more be proactive and apply a fresh coat of wax on a regular maintenance schedule.

I'm in total agreement with Mike's above listed
Wax-philosophy---I'll paraphrase and call it:
"Staying ahead of the game".

Just to note:
All too often I've heard mention of car Waxes
succumbing to the dreaded: WIGIGEV!!

(When-It's-Gone-It's-Gone...Erosion Virus!!)


Bob

 

[theory816]

If you're talking specifically about traditional types of car waxes and synthetic paint sealants then the protection ingredients are micro-abraded off anytime the surface is touched, like wiping and washing and normal exposure to time and the elements.

Instead of trying to figure out when all the wax is gone so you can apply some more be proactive and apply a fresh coat of wax on a regular maintenance schedule.

Kind of like you change a car's engine oil before the engine grinds to a halt.

I see I see. This is for the bolded. I thought wax is like a protect-ant layer over the clear coat. So as the outer most layer, its the one getting hit by rail dust,iron,etc etc, so if you are just applying new wax over old wax, arnt you just covering up the dirt embedded in the old wax? Isn't it better to just wash the car and then when the wax is down to a low level, remove it with paint cleaner and then reapply?? i mean unless a dried coat of wax is impervious to iron particles then washing and reapply makes sense.

 

[FUNX650]

I see I see. This is for the bolded.

I thought wax is like a protect-ant layer over the clear coat.
So as the outer most layer, its the one getting hit by rail dust,iron,etc etc,

so if you are just applying new wax over old wax, arnt you just covering up the dirt embedded in the old wax?

Isn't it better to just wash the car and then when the wax is down to a low level, remove it with paint cleaner and then reapply??

i mean unless a dried coat of wax is impervious to iron particles then washing and reapply makes sense.

RE: This is for the bolded

•IMO:
-The definitive words in the above Mike Phillips
posting---that you bolded are:
"regular maintenance schedule".

-That entails way more than just
re-applying Wax to a vehicle.


Bob

 

[theory816]

I see I see

 

[FUNX650]

I see I see

OK.
By The Way:

:welcome: ...to AGO!


Bob

 

[Paul A.]

Just to extend this discussion and a curiosity i have always had, seeing as abrasion is the #1 culprit, i always thought wax/sealant lasted longer with it frequently cleaned. My understanding was that accumulated dirt, road film etc abraded it faster. Now i'm thinking the abrasions of my frequent washing and drying (once a week, sometimes twice) may be reducing durability more. No?

I am not trying to justify washing any less frequently...i wouldn't and couldn't drive a dirty car but just asking whats more abrasive, residual dirt or washing and drying?

 

[Ricorocks]

I am not trying to justify washing any less frequently...i wouldn't and couldn't drive a dirty car but just asking whats more abrasive, residual dirt or washing and drying?

It's a cumulative effect, washing, drying, abrasive dirt, wind, heat etc... All chip in to wear the wax or coatings away.

The coatings we apply are "sacrificial" in that they take the hit, whatever it may be, instead of your clear coat or paint.

 

[Rsurfer]

It's a cumulative effect, washing, drying, abrasive dirt, wind, heat etc... All chip in to wear the wax or coatings away.

The coatings we apply are "sacrificial" in that they take the hit, whatever it may be, instead of your clear coat or paint.

Good analogy, Rico.rops:

 

[Ricorocks]

Thanks! Amigo

 

[Paul A.]

And i get that, Rico but was curious as to what wears it down faster...leaving it dirty or washing and drying frequently. The only way to tell would be to apply an LSP to each half of a car and do a durability test with washing one side frequently and washing the other side less frequently.

However, yes, great analogy! I have always liked that description i.e. a sacrificial barrier between the environment and the vehicles paint. Used it with customers to explain the benefits. Thanks.

 

[Ricorocks]

My guess would be water, that removes, the most as it will dissolve everything. Universal solvent.

Leaving it dirty probably, removes nothing, as it just sitting there. The removal of the objectionable dirt, cause also removal of the protecting coat. Soap is a beneficial lubricant, probably a reason for adding waxes to soap.

Remember those As Seen on TV ads, our wax (whatever) survived 100 car washing(s). Water, mechanical action brush, plus the dislodging of the dirt particles, all would normally help remove the protective coat.

So I believe it would be water, followed by wind abrasion of dirt, or any mechanical action to the coating

 

[Paul A.]

Good reasoning and all logical. Thanks again, brotha! I've often wondered down here in FL when we get wicked torrential downpours...dirty cars with grit, road crap etc. get blasted with aggressive rains that probably also contribute greatly to not only removing any LSP but attack clearcoats too.

Another big contributor down here is the UV attack.

Thanks, Rico, your reasoning makes sense. :xyxthumbs:

 

[Ricorocks]

Thanks You as well!!!! What's a E92?

Geez! I remember driving back from OK to TX, it rained so hard you could not see, out the windshield, just slow down & hope for the best. Arrive home I could see "lines" running up the hood, from the wind & water, I could see the lines when it was dry. She had a coat of CG's Jet Seal, actually two coats, + Black Wax, mother nature, removed those protect-ants, in a heart beat.

 

[Paul A.]

E92 = the factory code for a BMW 335 Coupe.

And i'm sure Texas is as bad as Florida when it comes to what the environment can throw at our paint and LSP's. I abandoned carnauba waxes on my black car when i first got it. I would argue that if you apply it and that same day take it somewhere and leave it outside in this sun and heat for say an hour or two (say a restaurant, movie, mall etc.) it's turned to mush. And whatever may be left is quickly dispatched off the vehicle in the torrential downpour driving home. Sealants or coatings only for me and even my new fav Blackfire is somewhat perishable down here. At least it lasts longer than my old carnaubas.