To protect your car's exterior appearance, you need to wax it regularly. Wax acts as a protective barrier from the elements, including dirt, leaves and other debris, as well as sunlight and insects that hit your car while you're driving, as all of these can degrade the overall quality of the paint job. How often you should wax you car depends on a variety of factors including the age of the vehicle, your location and the climate. If you live in the New York/New Jersey area and own an older model or a used car, you'll probably want to consider waxing your vehicle this spring. Not only have you been driving on icy and salted roads, but the coastal region also faces salty air conditions that can erode the metal of your vehicle and cause it to rust.

As the weather grows warmer and the days get longer, your car is going to be spending a lot more time under the sun, so it's a good idea to seal in the paint job with a good wax early into the season. This will help protect against fading, and the protective layer of wax will also prevent sand, dirt and other debris from scratching the surface. You might not be able to see these tiny indentations, but they can contribute to oxidation that leaves a car looking dull and lifeless. Regularly waxing a vehicle helps keep it looking shiny and new.

If your vehicle is already starting to lose its luster, you might want to think about using a car polish to remove any grime and restore the original shine before waxing. It's important to note that polish and wax are not interchangeable, as polish won't remain on the surface – it only serves to get rid of preexisting scratches and dirt.

Waxing a car is an important part of getting it ready for spring, but drivers should also think about getting regular maintenance. The experts at NJ Auto Auction's Total Car Care garage can handle everything from oil changes to routine maintenance to repairs.