It doesn’t just give your car that glossy, well-cared-for finish and protects against the pressures and contaminants that will degrade your paintwork over time. But when it comes to timing your use of wax, car maintenance advice varies. Read on for our guide to using it most effectively in Bowie, MD.
How Often Should You Wax a Car in Bowie, MD?
Best Intervals to Wax Car
You might not be able to tell when your car needs waxing by looking at it, so it’s a good idea to schedule waxes alongside your existing maintenance regime and pencil it in with routine checks such as oil changes and tire rotations. The minimum number of waxes your car should receive to protect it from the environment is two a year, so about once every six months.
However, your car will benefit most from four wax applications a year, about once every three months, to give it maximum protection and a year-round deep shine. If you usually keep it in a garage or under cover, it will need waxing less, and new cars need less wax than older ones.
The Protection Offered By Waxing
Car wax effectively tops up your car’s clear coat and keeps the paint sealed and defended. This protects it from the sun’s UV rays, which can leave it faded and dull, and rain, sleet, and snow can cause rust. Environmental contaminants such as tree sap, pollen, and road salt can also affect your car, so waxing provides an extra layer of defense against those.
Maximizing the Protection of Waxing by Season
Waxing protects against the UV rays of sunlight in the summer and the harsher weather in winter. It’s best to ensure that you wash away the contaminants and apply a layer of wax before each of these seasons commences. If you’re planning to wax your car four times a year, then it’s a good way to mark the changing of each season.
However, winter is the harshest season for your car. Ice, snow, and hail can breach the clear coat. Mud mixed with road salt and grit might stick to the car, bringing corrosive contaminants in direct contact with the car’s paint. It might benefit from shorter intervals between waxes at this time of year, while the milder summer conditions mean that you can leave it for longer in the warmer months.
Waxing keeps your car looking sleek and well-loved, but it also prevents the development of long-term problems and protects the resale value. And to ensure that the rest of your maintenance schedule keeps your car healthy and running smoothly, you can contact us at DARCARS Honda to discuss your servicing requirements.


