How Often Should I Apply Wax/Sealant?

[The Critic]

I recently moved and I am now forced to park my car outside. Unfortunately, the area has lots of trees and any parking spaces are under trees.

So, I started washing my car weekly with ONR New Formula.

In the past six weeks, I have used the following LSPs:

Duragloss #105
Blue Coral Revive-It
Collinite 915 (currently)

So far, I have been apply a sealant or wax about every two weeks. I've noticed that the slickness goes away after one week, but I understand that the loss of slickness does not mean the protection is gone. But since I do not have access to a garden hose to check for beading, how do I know when the protection is gone?

Given all of the information, how often do you folks think I should be waxing or sealing my paint? Every two weeks?

Thanks.

 

[Rsurfer]

When washing with ONR you can see if it's beading. Don't know about Blue Coral, but 105 or 915 should give you 6 weeks+.

 

[JohnnyC]

anywhere between 4-6 weeks.

 

[akimel]

I would be surprised and disappointed if you did not get more than six weeks from either DG 105 or Colly 915. I'd certainly expect to get 2-3 months from the Collinite.

The question "When has my wax stopped protecting?" does not appear to be an easy question to reliably answer. As you note, the disappearance of slickness does not prove anything; nor do changes in beading, which is an effect of surface tension and can be compromised by contamination and UV degradation. But what else does one have to go on?

The best advice I have found is from Accumulator over at Autopia: add a fresh coat of wax whenever something that you like about the wax changes for the worse, whether that be gloss, beading, slickness, etc.

You might consider using a WOWO spray wax after washes to supplement your existing wax protection (e.g., DG Aquawax, Megs' Ultimate Quik Wax).

 

[ScottB]

every environment is different. Being outside 24/7 presents some unique issues and all the elements from sunlight, dew, and even rain and such. Thats means you will likely need to wax or seal more often or move to the most durable products (Collonite, Klasse Twins)

just remember slickness is only one indicator of a sealant, beading and other elements stay long after it suggesting its still protecting. Consider using a wash with a booster (Duragloss) and a spray product between sessions. These will help protect longer and also readd the slickness your missing.