How To Wax A Car (Best Way)

Once you have done that nice polishing job, the next thing to do is to make sure it is sealed to last there for some time. Waxing is the part of car detailing that helps to seal that wonderful polish job, it is essential in keeping the paint protected from the external environment by preventing contaminants, pollution and industrial fallout from embedding itself into the paint, preventing expensive damage to the paint.

It is recommended to wax your car at least twice a year to ensure sufficient protection towards your car’s paint job. Waxing can either be done by hand or machine depending on the suitability of the condition as well as user preference. It is recommended to use hand waxing for curved surfaces and edges, while using the machine for large and flat surfaces in order to create an even and complete wax layer for your car.

Hand Application Technique:

1. Apply car wax or paint sealant in under a shade as because if the product dries too quickly or sits on the vehicle too long, it may be difficult to buff off.
2. Always apply car wax or paint sealant towards a dry vehicle surface. Droplets of water on the paint will cause the product to streak and it will be unnecessarily tough to buff off.
3. Apply a thin and sufficient coat instead of a thick one; if you desire more shine and depth, you’re not going to accomplish it in one thick coat. Instead it makes the wax or sealant difficult to remove and streaky. Buff one coat off before applying a second slightly thinner coat. Check the label to see how long one coat has to cure before applying another (usually around 12-18 hours).
4. Poly foam wax applicators are best for achieving a thin, even coat. It’s absorbent, durable, washable, and reusable. They are affordable in price, so don’t hesitate to discard them when they get really soiled.
5. Buff the haze away with microfiber. A microfiber towel will buff your paint to a stunning shine as you remove the wax residue. The static-charged, woven fibers capture wax residue so there is less dusting needed. Microfiber does not shed lint and the tiny, manmade fibers polish the paint while you buff. Rotate your towel frequently to reveal a clean side. Keeps an extra towel lying around in case the first one becomes saturated with wax.
6. If you do get streaks or an uneven shine, it’s easily corrected with a quick detail spray.

Machine Application Technique (Similar to Polishing):

1. Select a foam finishing pad to apply wax. The pad should be soft and absorbent, but firm enough to withstand the pressure of the machine. It’s perfect for any type of wax, even paste wax.
2. If you are using a paste wax, spread it onto the pad like buttering a piece of bread. You may try turning the jar of wax upside down and slide the wax out into a plastic sandwich bag to rub it onto the pad, or you can use a clean putty knife. If you’re using a liquid wax or sealant, dispense three 3” lines of wax around the edge of the pad.
3. If you’re using a liquid wax or sealant, press the polisher to the paint and spread the wax over a panel before turning the machine on. This will lessen the likelihood of a splatter.
4. Set your polisher to a maximum speed of 3. You may check the label of your particular wax for specific directions, but generally this is the fastest speed you need to apply wax. Spread the wax over the panel until it is evenly covered. Turn off the machine before lifting it off the paint.
5. Buff with microfiber cloth. Some products allow you to apply wax to the entire vehicle before buffing, but many do not. If your wax does not, buffing by hand may be most efficient. If your wax can be applied to the entire vehicle before buffing, you might prefer to buff by machine using a microfiber or terry cloth bonnet rather than a lambs-wool pad for cushioning as microfiber doesn’t shed lint like terry cloth.

Is waxing the final step? Well… That’s up to you. If you want to give others a really good impression especially your passengers, cleaning the interior of your car is as important as outside and only takes few minutes. Read the next part at Car Interior Detailing.  From this article, you will learn quick steps on how to detail your interior.