Spray waxes provide a convenient way of maintaining shiny paintwork.
Some car owners swear by them.
Does that make them better than traditional liquid and paste waxes?
WHAT MAKES A WAX BETTER?
Saying that traditional waxes are better than spray waxes (or vice-versa) begs another question.
How exactly is one type “better” than the other?
Some car owners want something that’s relatively affordable.
Other’s want something that’s easy to use (apply and buff off).
Some enthusiasts want the most durable product.
Generally speaking, spray waxes are “better” because they are less expensive and easier to use.
EASY TO WAX ON AND WAX OFF
Many car owners like spray waxes because they’re an “instant” product.
You spray it on a clean surface, wipe off any excess and step back to admire the shinier finish.
WITH REGULAR WAXES…
In comparison, applying traditional liquid, paste or hard waxes take more time.
They’re not as easy to work with. You have to use as little product as necessary.
Traditional waxes also need more time to cure.
That means you can’t use your car immediately after applying a coat (or two).
It’s even more complicated when you opt for ceramic coatings.
The curing time can be up to 24 hours!
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SPRAY WAXES HAVE CERTAIN DRAWBACKS, THOUGH
One of their downsides is that they typically don’t last as long as traditional waxes or synthetic sealants.
So, if you don’t apply it regularly, the coating will wear out sooner rather than later.
But since they’re so convenient to use, it’s easy to apply them regularly (i.e. once a week).
Another downside is that not all spray waxes can be used on wet surfaces.
Despite their “instant” nature, some products can only be applied to dry panels.
So, you can’t save time by drying and waxing your vehicle at the same time.
Also, not all spray waxes can be applied to the whole car.
Depending on the brand, the formula could leave white stains on plastic and rubber trimmings.
Always read the warning labels first!
If in doubt, it is better to mask or tape the trimmings that you feel may be at risk.