Waxing a car is one of the easiest ways for enhancing the paint gloss and adding an extra layer of protection against the elements. In this article, you will learn about different wax types and how to apply them to your car.
Types of Waxes
First, and the easiest to use is the spray wax. As the name itself implies, you spray it on your car and then wipe it off with a cloth. However, this wax will not give maximum paint shine and don’t last as long as other forms of waxes. The main purpose of spray wax is to perform quick and final touch-ups on cars that already have a good coat of wax. With lifespan ranging from several days to a week, they are more suitable as a layer of protection after every car wash.
The other two forms of waxes, liquid, and paste types, give maximum effect in terms of visual effect, duration and paint protection. Despite different forms, both types are made from carnauba, a natural extract of a Brazilian plant. Out of two, the liquid one is easier to apply. This is because you can use a polishing machine for this job. And, as it is more durable to outside conditions, you can wax your car in any environment. With it, the paint on your car will get a bright shine that will last long.
However, if you want to take your shine to the highest level, then the paste option is what you need. These have additional natural extracts, which enhance the shine and give an extra color depth. This is the reason the paste wax is a favorite choice among car collectors and enthusiasts. Still, have in mind that you can only apply paste waxes by hand. As this takes time and effort, make sure to have both of them if you choose this alternative.
Sealants or Waxes
By now, you have heard about sealants and may ask yourself how they fit in this story. Using synthetic polymers, sealants take the natural and durable protection of carnauba wax to the next level. While waxes will last between one and three months, sealants will protect your car up to a year. You can apply it by hand or machine, and it will give your car enhanced and durable protection against UV rays, water spots, and any other contaminants. As an additional benefit, sealants fill in all small paint scratches and cracks.
However, sealants give less shine to the paint when compared to traditional ones, and that is their major downside. To get the best of both worlds, you can combine waxes and sealants. First, apply a coat of sealant, which will give long-lasting protection. After that, put on a coat of your favorite wax to bring out the shine.
Hand or Machine?
You have two ways of applying wax to your car. The first one is doing it manually, using your hands and muscles, to some extent. For this, you will need an applicator pad, made from a foam or a microfiber cloth. And after applying the wax and letting it cure, you need to remove it. For this, always use the highest quality microfiber towels. It is important that the towel you use is plush and thick as well and that there are no edges, so no possibility of scratching your paint.
Another option is using a dual action polisher, which rotates and moves in various directions at the same time. This eliminates the possibility of swirl marks in wax coats. To apply the wax, you need to use the softest finishing foam pad, as there is no need for cutting or abrasive powder. Always set the dual action polisher to the lowest speed. Always make sure you read the instructions in the back, regardless of which wax you’re applying. This is very important because some waxes have specific ways of application and removal.
How to Wax Your Car?
The first step is to prepare the car. Wash it and make sure it is free from any defects or embedded contaminants. If after washing and drying the paint, you can still feel any contaminants embedded into the clear coat, do mechanical decontamination. For this, use a clay bar and a suitable clay lubricant. If your paint has scratches and other imperfections, polish them out. For more information about this step, check out our previous article.
The second step is optional but useful as it removes any leftover oils and any other loose contamination that might still be on the paint. There are cleaners designed for this purpose in the form of isopropyl alcohol mixtures. Always perform this and next steps in a garage or shade. Apply wax only on a cool surface and never work in direct sunlight, as this will help ease the application and removal process.
If applying the product by hand, you need to use either a microfiber or foam applicator pad to spread the wax on the paint. Make small overlapping strokes while maintaining a light pressure to the pad, as that ensures even coverage. After applying the wax, you need to wait a few minutes until it dries.
Have in mind that paste waxes dry faster, and it’s hard to remove. If you work with paste wax, divide body panels into smaller sections and cover them one by one. When the wax dries to a dull hazy look, you can remove it. For this step, called buffing, you will need a high-quality microfiber towel. Using either a circular motion or a straight line technique, remove the excess wax off the paint. Again, apply light pressure and repeat the process until you achieve that high shine.
The other application method, using a dual-action polisher and a soft foam applicator pad, is even more simple. You just need to soak the pad with liquid wax and set the polished to one of the lower speed settings. After that, lay the pad down onto the body panel and, using no pressure, spread the product onto the paint.
With liquid wax, you can work your way around the vehicle before it dries. Once ready for buffing, you can use a microfiber polisher pads to remove the wax. When using a dual-action polisher, work in a crosshatch pattern, performing passes up and down and then left and right. This ensures proper coverage and eliminates swirl marks, which are noticeable on black and dark painted cars.
Get the best wax for your car and protect its paint and shine.