Most car owners do all they can to keep their cars in top shape at all times and one of the things they turn to is car wax. Car wax is very essential to any vehicle owner and has many benefits as far as car maintenance is concerned. It shields the car’s paint against dirt, stains, and grease, making it resistant to corrosion.
Car wax also proves crucial when you want to protect your vehicle against bad weather. Due to the numerous benefits, it is normal for car owners to buy large cans of car wax that may end up lasting a couple of months if not years. So how do you make sure that your surplus car wax doesn’t deteriorate in quality during storage?
In this article, we will tell you how to properly store unused car wax. Keep on reading to find out more!
Does Car Wax Go Bad or Expire?
While it should be noted that car wax cans don’t come with a printed expiration date, most people still don’t know how long they can continue using it. This may lead to some level of confusion among those who are not exactly sure of what to do. The fact is that car wax does not expire!
Nevertheless, the quality of the car wax tends to deteriorate over time as it gradually loses its protective abilities as a result of exposure to heat. This is to say that the amount of protection that freshly bought car wax offers will significantly vary from that you get from an old car wax can.
Storing your wax in more temperate conditions helps to reduce this deterioration, although the results will be less than desirable after a few years. According to some experts, a high-quality can of car wax will continue serving you for up to two years. What most people don’t know is that the assumption here is you’re storing the wax in the ideal conditions whenever it's not in use.
Furthermore, if you’re buying from the low-quality car wax brands in the market, you’ll have much less time to use your car wax. This is because the ingredients used to manufacture may differ between brands and we can’t determine for sure how long each will work.
So, what is the ideal way to store unused wax?
How to Store Car Wax Safely
Knowing how to properly store your can of car wax will go a long way to ensure you get the best results out of it. It is not advisable to throw the remaining wax in a dirty corner in the garage after waxing. This is because the heat can easily damage the wax and this will be evident from the results you get when you use the wax.
Ideally, you want to store your wax in a cool area that is shielded from direct sunlight. Some people go as far as storing their car wax in the refrigerator to properly store the wax. You’d be interested to know that this is something that actually works in practice. In fact, a mini-fridge would be the best place to store your idle car wax can in some cases.
The important thing here is to make sure that the can is sealed tightly if you decide to opt for this storage method.
Alternatively, you can find a temperature-regulated environment that won’t get too hot. This will keep the quality of your wax from degrading.
One thing to note, if you choose to go the refrigerator way, is that the next time you want to use your car wax, remember to allow it to warm up naturally before you can apply it to your car. This can be done by taking it out and allowing it to warm up under room temperature conditions a few days before your planned car waxing.
It will also be much convenient for you and avoid the challenge of applying wax when it's still cold.
How Often Should Car Wax be Applied?
The rule of thumb is that car wax should be applied two times in a year, although it is common to find people doing this more often. On the other hand, some people may do this just once in a year. At the end of the day, it’s up to you to figure out what is best for your car, depending on the frequency of use.
For those who are keen on protecting the paintwork on their car, it is natural that you’d want to wax your vehicle more frequently.
Aside from enhancing the appearance of your paint job, the wax also protects the car from harsh elements such as UV rays, salt, and harsh weather.
If you reside in an area that experiences a lot of snow or is close to the ocean, it is advisable to apply your car wax more often. This is because the build-up of such elements can easily lead to rust issues and subsequent damage to your car. A good time to wax would be after giving your car a thorough wash up.
How to Prevent Cases of Unused Car Wax
The best way to avoid the dilemma of storing unused car wax starts from the time you decide to buy a can from the store. If you know that you’ll only wax your vehicle twice in a year, then make sure that the size of the car wax you buy is just enough for your requirements.
This way, you won’t have a large amount of unused wax that needs to be stored. Furthermore, you can be sure that the wax you use is in its best shape and while still offering the desired protective qualities.
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Conclusion
All things considered, the frequency with which you apply car wax to your vehicle should be determined by how often you’re behind the wheel and the environment around you. The more frequently you drive the car, the more you should apply the wax.
If you have any left-over wax, the above guide provides you with all information you need to properly store the wax to retain its protective qualities.
Remember that for the best results, buy your can of car wax from a high-quality brand!