Noob wash/wax question

[Critical]

Ok I used to wash my car with dish-soap, but I havnt done so in about 15 years. Why wash and wax a car? Does this process serve any purpose above just making it look good and shiny? Im dont care much for clean cars, as long as they drive well. So..what are the benefits of washing and waxing it? After all its not like its going to rust or anything if I let the road salt and dirt build up, and let the rain wash it away. Please tell me its 100% asthetics.

[NEMINI]

if you don't take care of the clearcoat on top of the paint it will oxidize and cloud over in time and basically look like S**T and devalue your car if you ever wanna trade/sell it

[obehave]

Quote: Originally Posted by Critical

Ok I used to wash my car with dish-soap, but I havnt done so in about 15 years. Why wash and wax a car? Does this process serve any purpose above just making it look good and shiny? Im dont care much for clean cars, as long as they drive well. So..what are the benefits of washing and waxing it? After all its not like its going to rust or anything if I let the road salt and dirt build up, and let the rain wash it away. Please tell me its 100% asthetics.

BLASPHEMER!!!

Ok, got that out of my system.
If you don't mind the car looking all dull and crappy just let it rot but please don't post here about your neglect. My father in law is like that and it kills me.

And yes washing and waxing WILL prevent rust and unless you live in Arizona, it'll rust.
Accumulated grime traps moiture, moisture is a breeding ground for rust. Salt is alkaline. Alkali substances are some of the most aggressive solvents on earth. Why do you think soaps are all alkali based? (yes there are exceptions).

Is is NOT 100% asthetics. That's as absurd as never changing oil and saying "well it has oil in it why do I need to change it?"

I do not want to be the guy that gets your used cars

[Critical]

hmm....paint turns to s**t over time? this is 2003, not1970...the paint finishes on cars are pretty sturdy now. You telling me i have to put a layer of parafin over my cars surface to protect it from "oxidation"? come on, japanes cars built in the 1980s still have excellent finishes through 10 owners and 23 years of abuse.

[Critical]

obehave, salt is not "alkaline", its neutral and alkaline substance are not "solvents" - alkaline substances are aqueous - water based by definition. alkaline things dont rust, unless they are also oxidizers(salt isnt). Acetone, kerosene, gasoline etc are solvents, salt water is not - orgnanic solvents will dissolve your finish, they wont rust it... cars built since the early 80s have supperiior rust protection. Tell me it prevents paint chips or something, but dont give me that.

[obehave]

Quote: Originally Posted by Critical

hmm....paint turns to s**t over time? this is 2003, not1970...the paint finishes on cars are pretty sturdy now. You telling me i have to put a layer of parafin over my cars surface to protect it from "oxidation"? come on, japanes cars built in the 1980s still have excellent finishes through 10 owners and 23 years of abuse.

You're wrong but you don't seem like you want to listen so why did you ask the damn question in the first place.
My brother was a car detailer and is still very good. I learned from him and you're wrong about the Japanese cars as well. Besides I wouldn't exactly consider someone that washes their car with dish soap and never waxes it, qualified to judge a paints condition.
Excellent finishes??........... It is to laugh

Tell you what, you go to http://www.autopia.org/ and tell all the people on that forum they're wrong.

[NEMINI]

clear coats do not stay clear without regular cleaning and care

[Critical]

your missing the point.....wash your car for 10 years with "no-tocuh" wahes and wax it...or wash your car with rainw ater for 10 years then aply a coat of wax a buff it up...I think it will look the same....it only adds asthetic value while its there, someone tell me it somehow protects a 2003 paint finish! what Im driving at, is does it protect your cqar from scrathces and paint chips due to gravel on the road, etc?? if it doesnt then it is jsut for asthetics?

[Critical]

sorry for the spelling, i typed too fast

[obehave]

Quote: Originally Posted by Critical

obehave, salt is not "alkaline", its neutral and alkaline substance are not "solvents" - alkaline substances are aqueous - water based by definition. alkaline things dont rust, unless they are also oxidizers(salt isnt). Acetone, kerosene, gasoline etc are solvents, salt water is not - orgnanic solvents will dissolve your finish, they wont rust it... cars built since the early 80s have supperiior rust protection. Tell me it prevents paint chips or something, but dont give me that.

OK I'm not a chemist so what. Yes I should have said caustic. You're still wrong.
A cut and paste job:
"In general, salts are ionic compounds which form crystals. They are usually soluble in water, where the two ions separate. Salts typically have a high melting point, low hardness, and low compressibility. If molten or dissolved in water, they conduct electricity. "

And of course alkali things don't rust only things with iron rust but that's not what I said.

And why don't you tell all the people that live in the "Rust Belt" in New England that all their dangling holey, fenders are figments of their imagination and can't be there because Critical says salt and moisture have no impact on the longevity of body panels.

And superior rust protection is valid but that doesn't mean nothing will happen if you ignore it.

[KJ_daGreenMini]

Quote: Originally Posted by Critical

your missing the point.....wash your car for 10 years with "no-tocuh" wahes and wax it...or wash your car with rainw ater for 10 years then aply a coat of wax a buff it up...I think it will look the same....it only adds asthetic value while its there, someone tell me it somehow protects a 2003 paint finish! what Im driving at, is does it protect your cqar from scrathces and paint chips due to gravel on the road, etc?? if it doesnt then it is jsut for asthetics?

washing protects the car, if done properly, i.e.. rinse to remove loose dirt and then wash with quality shampoo. The wax also protects. In some cases it'll help remove the circular scratches you get if you wash the car without rinsing it first. It'll also provide a microfilm on the surface of the car to protect it from various chemicals and corrosives present in the air. It'll also help reduce the effects of the weather and rain water will just run straight off the car. its a lovely site to see.

I say it how it is, but the science is important also, but i'll leave that to the others.

[Critical]

Ok but do you know for a fact that getting rid of that grime protects the car? or is the same finish underneath, regarless of what is covering it (wax or dirt)? Im getting my MCS in under a month and I want to really know if I need to keep it clean to prevent any kind of damage....noone has convinced me that wax and wash does anything.....and no I wont trust the guys at autopia.com....they make thier livings off detailing cars..they want them TO LOOK GOOD NOW!

[NEMINI]

birdcrap will eat through the paint, so you should get unlazy and at least wash that off

[KJ_daGreenMini]

GMINI is right. Especially seagul crap, because apparently grit forms a high portion of their diets and once that gets on your paintwork, youre in trouble. Also, i have known of bird muck to eat through paintwork and leave permanent marks. Wax will protect the car against this to a certain degree.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/classic/A890598

read the last paragraph of that article.

[KJ_daGreenMini]

also read this FAQ on car washing and waxing, it may be of some use.

http://waxdepot.safeshopper.com/faq.htm