How to Wax a Car
Most car owners want to drive a clean, shiny car with that smooth, gleaming finish that makes it look and feel brand-new. A professional auto detailing and cleaning job can cost a lot, but you can easily get the same results by waxing your car. Waxing a car is an important part of regular car maintenance (Tips on how to maintain your car), and it’s very simple and very easy to do:
Choosing the Right Wax
A good-looking car begins with a good car wax. There are many kinds and brands of waxes available on the market today. The kind of wax you buy depends on the kind of paint job your car has:
Solid wax. Solid waxes and car waxing paste is best for cars without clear coat, like flat matte finishes and metallic finishes on older cars. Solid wax takes a bit of effort and skill to apply, but
Liquid waxing polish is best used for cars with clear coat, pearling, and high-gloss paint. You can also use liquid polish for older cars for extra protection. Liquid waxing polish is easy to apply, and gives you that shiny finish with very minimal effort.
Materials and Tools
To wax your car, you need the following tools:
Car wax
Hose
A bucket of warm soapy water (use liquid soap, not bar soap or powdered soap)
Applicator sponge
Chamois cloth (synthetic or natural)
Soft, clean cotton cloths for buffing
Steps
Work under the shade, like a garage or a shaded driveway. Do not wash and wax your car under direct sunlight, or on a dusty place.
Clean off dust and debris by hosing down the car. Wipe the excess water off with a chamois cloth.
Allow the car to dry completely before applying the wax.
Use a small amount of wax to spread a thin, even layer on the surface of your car. It helps to “divide” your car exterior to quarters or fractions that will help you apply wax more evenly.
Allow the first layer of wax to dry completely before buffing it with a cotton cloth. You may need to top off the waxed surface with another layer of wax to protect the paint job.
You don’t need to take your car to a professional car care shop to have it waxed and polished. With these simple steps to wax your car, you can have that clean, brand-new look with very minimal expense.