How to Wax a Car

Car waxing is the process of applying a coat of wax, which is a combination of several oils and polymers, on the exterior of the car. This wax reflects the sunlight, thus adding a sleek shine to the exterior of the car. Not everyone uses the car as an asset, some people are passionate about their cars and take immense care of the same. For such people, who love their car, car waxing is an important aspect of vehicle care.

Choose a Good Quality Car Wax

The sparkle added to the car largely depends on the quality of car wax you use, and hence it is wise to use a good quality car wax. Low quality car wax may cost you less, but it will lose its shine within a few days, and hence will require frequent waxing. While a good quality car wax may be a bit expensive, but its effects will last for a longer duration, thus cutting down the need of waxing a car frequently.

Car wax is available in liquid as well as paste form, both having its own advantages. Liquid car wax is popular as the shine lasts for a longer duration, whereas the paste is popular as it gives a better shine. Another important aspect is to follow the instructions given by the manufacturer, some varieties of car wax require a wax buffer, while some varieties just need a car wash to remove the wax.

Before You Wax a Car

You need to war your car before you start applying wax - this will help you get rid of all the dirt that has settled on the exterior. If you don't wash away the dirt, there are chances that you may rub the dirt on the exterior of the car, thus creating scratches on the car finish. The dirt will also show up, when the coat of wax is applied, spoiling the beauty of the car. If there are any scratches on the car, fix them with a polishing compound. It can be a tough task to remove the wax, if it seeps into the crevices on the exterior of the car. You can use a masking tape to cover these crevices, so that the wax doesn't seep into them.

Wax Your Car by Hand

After washing the car, wipe it dry, and park it in shade to wax it. When you apply wax to the car, apply it to one section of the car at a time. Make sure that you use the right amount of wax, as applying more than the required amount will make a mess of your car waxing activity. Take a cotton cloth, and apply the required amount of wax on its surface. Most of the people do a common mistake of applying the coat of wax in circular motion. This technique often ruins the effect of the wax. The right technique is to apply car wax in straight lines. You can either apply the coat in horizontal straight lines or vertical straight lines. Once you are done with the entire body of the car, take a little break, in order to allow the wax settle, but make sure that it doesn't dry up. Once the coat of wax turns to slightly opaque haze, you can start the removal. Use a terry cloth to wipe the wax off the vehicle.

Wax Your Car Using a Buffer

Using an electronic buffer makes the job of waxing your car much easier. Before you put the buffer on, spread the wax on the buffer using a buffer pad. Slowly move the buffer on the area on which you are working. The buffer will work on its own to apply the coat of wax, you just need to grip it firmly, and move it over the exterior. Make sure that you don't apply much pressure on the buffer, as excess weight may damage the car finish. After you have applied the coat on all the sections of the car, allow it to settle before you begin removing it. To remove the wax off the exterior, put the wax removal cloth on the buffer and move it on the car surface. Make lengthy strokes in a single direction for effective removal.

The sign of a well protected car is water bead formation on the surface of the car. Applying wax to the car exterior enhances its look, preserves the longevity of the car paint and protects the exterior from tiny scratches. It helps you add to the sparkle of your car, and grab all the eyeballs out there.