From Our Expert Technical Consultant:

Regular waxing will keep a car looking new for many years. A ten-year-old car that has been waxed twice a year will probably have a better shine then when it was new. It will also command a higher resale value and be easier to sell.If rain water does not bead on the painted surfaces of your car, it's time to wax it. How often you have to wax your car is dependent on the type of wax you use and how good you want your car to look. Some of the new synthetic waxes will last more than a year.If you decide to wax the car yourself, make sure you start with a clean car and never work in direct sunlight on a hot day. Before you start, run your hand over the surface, it should feel smooth like glass. If it feels rough or gritty like there are bits of sand embedded in the paint, then you should first use a non-abrasive cleaner to clean the paint before waxing.Make sure you only use products designed for automotive finishes and follow the instructions on the container. After you finish waxing the car, you should go over the entire surface to look for wax residue, especially around trim and body seems. A tooth brush or Q-tips work well for this. If your car has black trim, try to keep the wax away from it. Some waxes may leave a chalky film on dull black trim, such as rubber and some plastics, that can be hard to remove. Look for products that are made for cleaning black trim.