Wondering about waxing

[sclifrickson]

I don’t particularly care for waxing. I view it as a necessary evil, and am jealous of those who enjoy the task.

So I spent today doing the deed, and as I did I found myself wondering, “Gee, if leaving a microscopically thin coat of wax on gel coat or paint is good, then wouldn’t a thick coat be even better? And if so, is there really any need to rub it off, besides aesthetics?”

I pondered this, and the only downside I could conjecture, besides aesthetics, is that maybe, perhaps, the rougher surface might hold onto dirt more than a smooth, polished wax surface. But is that just another aesthetic issue, if underneath that the wax is keeping things from oxidizing or getting UV damage? Maybe the dirt itself has UV absorptive properties!

Thoughts?

[rbryan4]

I would think you buff off the wax on a trailer for the same reason you buff it off a car or truck - to produce a smooth and shiny surface that repels dirt and water. The UV properties of any wax are overblown, but the wax does fill the pores in the surface and helps prevent oxidation. I think the key is just to do it periodically, regardless of the surface or the product used.

[wetzk]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

I would think you buff off the wax on a trailer for the same reason you buff it off a car or truck - to produce a smooth and shiny surface that repels dirt and water. The UV properties of any wax are overblown, but the wax does fill the pores in the surface and helps prevent oxidation. I think the key is just to do it periodically, regardless of the surface or the product used.

Wax left on would have a similar appearance to grabbing a cheap brush and painting your trailer with a gallon of cheap flat latex paint.
And it would really grab the dirt.

I noticed the first time we cleaned ours the bugs were easy to clean off the truck which we wax regularly and required a lot of work to get off the trailer. Now that I've waxed it twice the trailer is easier to clean. Note, easier, still not something I look forwards to

I think the slight abrasive action of most wax products is what is keeping the chalking from showing on the gel coat. It is removed when you wax.