After waxing your car, you may love the way your vehicle shines and glistens in the sun. However, waxing does more for your car than making it shiny. Below are four benefits of applying wax to your car's paint job on a regular basis.

Increases Time Between Car Washes

If you like to keep your car clean, it can seem like an uphill battle during certain times of the year. In the spring, mud constantly splashes up from the road. Then, in the winter, the salt and sand used on the road during snowstorms cling to your vehicle's paint job.

However, when you regularly wax your car, you find that you do not have to wash it as often. The slick surface the wax gives your car's paint makes the dirt and grime slide off. Many times, just spraying your car with a garden hose is all that is needed to shine up your car's finish.

Keeps Moisture Away from the Paint

Along with dirt and grime, the protective layer that wax gives your car also keeps moisture away from the paint. Not only does this protection keep the paint from deteriorating, but it can also serve as a barrier between rainwater and your car's body.

When the paint starts breaking down due to excess moisture, it eventually exposes the underlying body of your vehicle. This exposure subjects the metal to the moisture, increasing the risk of oxidation. Any area that becomes bare could rust over time, compromising the structural integrity of your car's body.

Keeping your car waxed prevents the breakdown of paint. With the double protection of the wax and paint, the body is able to resist rust and can possibly stay intact for many years.

Protects Your Paint from Sunlight

Moisture is not the only threat to your car's paint. When exposed constantly to the rays of the sun, areas of the paint can become dry and faded. Many times, this fading does not happen in a uniform pattern, depending on how you park your car. You may end up with a hood or trunk that is lighter than the rest of your vehicle.

When the paint becomes faded, it doesn't just affect the cosmetic attributes of your car—the paint also becomes dry and brittle, increasing the risk of chipping and peeling. Eventually, the faded paint will come off of your car's body, exposing it to rain and snow.

However, when you keep your car waxed, it is much like putting sunscreen on your skin. The wax provides UV protection from the sun, decreasing the sun's exposure and reducing the amount of fading.

Camouflages Small Scratches and Chips

If your vehicle has small scratches and chips in the paint, they can detract from the beauty of your car. As discussed above, they also leave your body vulnerable to moisture and rust. Waxing your car can help with both scenarios.

When you apply a layer of wax, the light reflected off of your car's surface keeps the eye away from the scratches. This increase in light seems to blend the paint around the blemishes, reducing their appearance.

The wax can also serve as a temporary protective layer over any bare metal. However, it does not cling to the metal as well as it does to the paint. Scratches and chips should be touched up or repainted to prevent future damage to the body.

Keeping your car clean and waxed can help protect your car's paint job. However, if your car's paint is deteriorating or has started to fade, contact an auto body repair shop to discuss your options for repairing the damage and restoring your vehicle's appearance.