I wax a min of 4 times a year. I will do more, but it depends on the bead of water on the car, overal apperance after a bath, and stains from bug guts bird droppings, tree sap, etc. I use an orbital for applying the wax and then I hand buff it off with a soft cloth. A friend of mine that has a detail shop told me about using the orbital to apply the wax, I never need to use a cleaner wax then. This method has been working great for me for years. I only use Turtle wax Emerald series 100% pure Carnuba, Meguires Gold Class, or Mothers.