Learning how to wax a tractor will climb your priority list as soon as you learn all the benefits a well-applied coat of wax provides.
You might doubt whether the effort is worthwhile. Isn’t waxing for fancy cars? Why should you wax your tractor when it’s going to be tackling dusty and dirty farm work the next day?
Well, tractors aren’t inexpensive. Think of waxing as taking care of your investment. Waxing can keep your tractor looking nice for years to come, potentially raising its resale value.
3 Benefits of Waxing a Tractor
The benefits of waxing a tractor include:
1. Protection from UV rays. Waxing protects against harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays that can otherwise fade and degrade paint.
2. Protection against grime, corrosion, and more. Waxing creates a layer of protection against dirt, grime, residue, water, bird droppings, etc. that might otherwise damage the surfaces of your tractor. It can also help guard against corrosion and oxidation.
3. Protection from scratches. Waxing helps protect your tractor against the scratches that come with life around a farm, such as when driving around brush and low-hanging tree branches.
How to Wax a Tractor
Before waxing your tractor, carefully and thoroughly clean the exterior surfaces so they’re free of dirt and debris. Otherwise, there’s a good chance the grime will damage the paint in subsequent steps.
Speaking of which, once your tractor is clean, you’ll want to polish it. This will help remove minor scratches and make the paint shine.
Now you can tackle the actual waxing. Don’t wax your tractor out in the sunshine; park in a shady location. Wait for a warm day, and don’t attempt to wax in cold weather—definitely not if the temperature is below freezing.
Exactly how to wax a tractor will depend on the type of wax you use. There are natural waxes (like carnauba wax), synthetic waxes, and combinations of both. Some are pastes, some are liquids, and some can be sprayed on. Paste waxes tend to last the longer, but they’re the hardest and most time-consuming to apply.
Whichever wax you choose, follow the instructions carefully. If a particular wax shouldn’t be applied to some types of surfaces, you may need to cover parts of your tractor for protection prior to waxing.
Based on the instructions, make sure you have all necessary tools and supplies before you begin. You’ll likely want to have a microfiber cloth on hand, as a well as a tool for buffing the wax. A powered buffing tool can reduce the time and effort involved.
How Often Should I Wax My Tractor?
Knowing how often to wax a tractor is just as important as knowing how to wax a tractor. If you let the wax coating wear off, you’re tractor will no longer be protected.
Many factors influence how often a tractor needs to be waxed. A tractor that spends all its time outdoors in the weather and sunlight needs to be waxed more often than one that lives in a warm garage. Plus, different types of wax can last for different lengths of time. How much wear/tear/dirt/grime your tractor encounters on a daily basis plays a role too.
Figure on waxing your tractor at least twice a year, and even more often if—for one reason or another—the wax coating isn’t lasting. Drop a small amount of water on one of the waxed surfaces; if the water forms small beads, the wax layer is in good shape and doing its job. If not, it may be time for a new wax application.
Cleaning, polishing, and waxing a tractor takes time. But the benefits are worth the effort.
This article about how to wax a tractor was written for Hobby Farms magazine. Click here to subscribe.
