The Benefits Of Waxing Car and How To Do It The Right Way
Every car owner takes pride in a well-cared vehicle; especially if it stays shiny and shimmering all throughout, and the best car wax can help you achieve that. So, it’s best to try them out for yourself and learn how to wax a car.
But car care isn’t just about your ride’s physical appearance (although it plays a major role). It’s also about protecting your finish and ensuring its longevity.
Car waxing may not seem like an important step but waxes and polishes give so many benefits that you didn’t know you needed.
How does car wax work? Read on to find out!
In the detailing and maintenance of your car’s paint, car wax is your superstar. It is a paint sealant so everything paint-related falls under it.
Many of its variations are infused with carnauba wax which is the most durable natural wax available today. This allows the product to give your ride’s surface that deep, liquid pool-like effect that many auto-enthusiasts dreams of.
But its awesome feature’s does not stop there. It also provides your auto with added defense against contaminants you may encounter while out driving.
So you don’t need to worry about acid rain or the sun because you’d be coated with great water repellency properties and fantastic UV protection.
So, in this article, we’ll explore:
- How to polish a car?
- How to wax a car by hand?
- How to wax a car with a buffer?
- Benefits of waxing car?
- How often to wax car?
How to Polish a Car
If you’re new to car detailing, car polish is the product you use to refine your vehicle’s coat and remove minor scratches. Polishing is done best before putting on car wax, and there are so many ways you can do this.
Firstly, you need to decide whether you want to use an orbital buffer or if you want to do it by hand. If done manually, you have better control over how much polish goes onto the surface and how much pressure you’ll wipe it with. But it will take a lot longer to finish. If it’s your first time, it might be better to do it without any machines first.
Next step would be to thoroughly wash your ride with specialized car shampoo (don’t use dishwashing soap) and water. After you’ve done this, dry it thoroughly. Now, there can be contaminants already stuck in your car that won’t come off as easily. You may want to apply a buffing compound or use a clay bar kit first. Remember to wipe gently so as to not accidentally scrape off too much paint.
Now, apply polish with a soft foam pad and wipe in a circular motion. Take your time and do this in sections if you’re polishing you’re entire auto. You’d need to be careful as it can create swirl marks which are more visible in dark-colored cars. So the owner of black cars and red cars, beware! It’s less noticeable on white cars but it can still do damage.
How to Wax a Car by Hand?
Like the process above, you can pick whether you want to wax by hand or by machine; and if you’re a novice, it’s recommended to try it out by hand first. There are many types of car wax out there that you can try, and they each have their pros and cons. A spray wax will be easier to apply but will take longer to cure. A paste wax, on the other hand, will need more effort but will better give you that high gloss you want.
What’s so amazing is that whichever brand you get, a Meguiar one or Turtle Wax or whatever you fancy trying, most are already infused with carnauba; so paint care is now a whole lot easier and better.
This part of auto detailing goes after car washing and polishing, so keep that in mind. Once you’ve thoroughly removed the polish, get a clean foam pad and apply your wax in a circular motion. Take your time once more and do it in sections.
Take a little break after each section to let it cure. Then, gently wipe it off with a microfiber cloth to reveal the amazing shine beneath.
How to Wax a Car with a Buffer?
If you don’t have a lot of time to spare, you may want to invest in a good car wax polisher. An angle grinder with a polishing disc can do the trick but it will require more technical expertise since it’s a bit harder to maneuver.
Just to be safe, if you are a novice detailer, use a dual action random orbital buffer. This type of buffer polisher is created more specifically for a waxing job and is easier for buffing and beginner friendly too. Here are a few good models you can check out:
[amazon box=”B009UKUURO,B003UW1IQU,B001DB0NVG” orderby=”rating” order=”desc” star_rating_link=”none”]All the same steps as the above apply. When you buff the sealant, keep it at a parallel angle with the surface to avoid ugly swirling. It might be a good idea to put your speed on medium as well; so you can have equal pressure everywhere.
Remember to avoid specific parts of the car like vinyl, rubber, and chrome as most waxes aren’t made to be used on them. If you’re still having doubts, why not watch this video below to ease your worries.
Benefits of Waxing Car
Car wax is a truly revolutionary product that every autogeek will swear by. It not only gives your car paint the ultimate gloss you need, but most wax products will also give you an added layer of defense against many imperfections that can lessen the awesome look your ride has.
Let your showroom winning paint shine on since waxing offers dual action against the harmful effects of the sun and rain. When you wax your car, water will roll off your coat in beads even after a number of storms. Plus, you can expose your vehicle out in the sun for longer and wouldn’t need to look for a shady area to park since you’d be protected against oxidation and photodegradation.
All you need to do is simply spray (or wipe) and take off with a microfiber pad to get all these amazing benefits. So getting your car waxed definitely is a great and affordable investment.
How Often to Wax Car?
One great thing about car detailing is that you don’t need to do it very often (just regularly!). Since polish contains abrasives that can do more harm than good if used a lot, this step should only be done only once a year (twice if you live somewhere hot).
But waxing is a gentler process and this paint correction step can be done more frequently. A simple four times a year routine or once every three months is enough to keep your ride stunningly shining all-year round!
That’s all awesome and great if your car’s a few years old but you must be having doubts about waxing your brand new ride. The question in a lot of people’s mind is: should you wax a new car right away?
Well, you can if you want to. New cars already have an added coating that protects its paint from fading but it’s better to practice prevention. As soon as you feel the need for it, take out your car wax and a microfiber towel and start waxing. Another thing you might want to invest in if you want to prolong your auto’s finish is a durable car cover.
