Is waxing necessary on vehicle with Clearcoat?

Jetydosa · 06-03-03, 11:37

Hello all, I have a coworker that was told by relative that it was unnecessary to wax modern vehicles because of todays clearcoat finish.

Needless to say, I strongly disagree with this statement, as I believe the wax acts as a protectant to the clearcoat. Would like to just get some feedback from you guys/girls about this.

Jngrbrdman · 06-03-03, 11:46

Bwahahahahahahhahahaahhahahahahahah!!!! That's kind of like saying that with modern enamel it is not necessary to brush our teeth. Bwahhahahahahahhah!

That is such bunk. Of course you need to wax you car. That is how you keep it protected from UV rays and oxidation. Wax isn't nearly as effective as a sealant is but they both help. Waxing is done more for enhancing the appearance of the vehicle rather than protecting it these days. Sealants have taken the job of protecting and bumped it up a notch. You should still protect your car with something. Suggesting that cars shouldn't be waxed is the most rediculous thing I've ever heard.

4DSC · 06-03-03, 11:51

Wait, you're asking Autopians what they think about this question?!? Boy, talk about a biased poll!

It's a sad state of affairs when there's still this myth going on about how clearcoated cars don't need waxing. Go out and show him some older car with clearcoat failure and see how great it looks.

You should add a 3rd voting option: "You're kidding right?"

Nagchampa · 06-03-03, 12:10

Clear coat is just clear paint. It still needs to be taken care of like regular paint. Most people selling cars understand very little about properly maintaining cars. That is why the "no wax paintjob" term came to be so popular. Now that people are finally starting to realize that even clearcoated paint needs protection, dealers are starting to offer 5 year "warrantees" for paint sealants without mentioning that it needs to be reapplied periodically.

Lynn Matthews · 06-03-03, 12:17

Here is a simple answer...

Your clearcoat is clear paint, not an invisible barrier that protects your car from evil.

Oh, you could also check out Mike's half & half on that BMW at http://www.showcargarage.com/blackmirror.html Imagine what it would have looked like if the car had nothing ever done to take care of it...

Lynn Phillips

Intermezzo · 06-03-03, 12:31

Quote:

Originally posted by Jetydosa
Hello all, I have a coworker that was told by relative that it was unnecessary to wax modern vehicles because of todays clearcoat finish.

Well, today's cars with a two-stage polyurethane finish are more durable than the acrylics and enamels of the past, but that certainly doesn't mean they won't benefit from a good layer of protection.

A car with modern paint parked in the sun everyday without being waxed will most likely not fade within a year the way older paints will, but you can be sure the source of that car's UV protection (outermost portions of the clear-coat) will be gone much sooner than in a waxed/sealed car.

Jetydosa · 06-03-03, 09:57

Thanks for the feedback guys. I dont know why he didnt just take my word for it when I told him

So who chose "no" to the poll question?

DavidB · 06-03-03, 10:16

This is a joke, right?

CRXSi90 · 06-08-03, 11:48

The myth is no joke.

I painfully took part at a car wash fund raiser for a trip I may be taking this coming winter. The lady that was in charge and one of the other people's moms were agreeing how modern paints with clearcoats don't need to be waxed. Oh well, I hope they learn...one of them had a Acura TL, I hope she learns before it is too late. I didn't feel it was my place to butt into their conversation, though.

IndigoGTI · 06-09-03, 08:30

Who voted no?!!

lawrencea · 06-09-03, 09:01

When you buy a new car the first thing you see is how the car LOOKS why woundnt a person want to keep the good looks for as long as possible . I guess this is not very important to most people . It is very important to me .

butchdave · 06-09-03, 10:45

Quote:

Originally posted by Jetydosa
So who chose "no" to the poll question?

Let me say its wasn't me, but I think the question is a little ambiguous. As Ginger said, if you use a sealant then wax is not necessary and so you could answer No...

And I have clearcoat failure on my 1989 Volvo (well I think its clearcoat failure - I suppose its just possible someone has put a layer of something on it that is failing - not tried to really polish it yet)