A good waxing does more than make your car gleam in the sunshine: It also protects it from the elements. So how do you make your finish look its best—and last its longest?
You don’t have to wax every time you wash your car- a couple of times a year should suffice. If the finish begins to look a bit dull, or if water is no longer beading on the surface, then it’s likely that a new wax job is in order.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
-
A freshly washed vehicle. Wax adheres better to a clean surface. And leaving surface dirt on before waxing means you’ll work the particulates into the finish, causing scratches.
-
A non-abrasive wax and sponge.
-
Cheesecloth, micro fiber cloths, or cloth diapers for buffing. Avoid using old towels. Their stitching and detailing is done with polyester fibers that will scratch the surface.
-
A shaded work area. Hot sun can bake the wax into the paint and damage the finish.
-
About 30 minutes a little patience, and a lot of elbow grease.
HOW TO APPLY
-
Use your sponge as the applicator, applying small amounts at a time and working it in well. Avoid using heavy globs. Larger amounts of wax don’t absorb any better. You’ll only be wasting your product.
-
Work in small areas of 2-3 square feet at a time. This ensures each section is coated evenly, and prevents the wax from hardening in one spot while you’re still working on another.
-
Use up and down strokes instead of a circular motion. This prevents swirls.
-
Read the product label for the manufacturer’s recommended drying time. When dry, buff the surface with your clean cloths. If the residue doesn’t buff easily, you either used too much wax or need a fresh cloth.
WAXING TIPS
-
If you used too much wax, let your car sit in the sun for about 10 minutes. This will melt the wax and allow you to rework the surface. Use this same tip if you have streaks.
-
Shake out your cloths as you use them to prevent wax buildup.
-
Wax your car every 3-4 months. No product will last for up to a year, as many of them claim—unless you do minimal amounts of driving and garage-keep your car.
-
Comments
Post has no comments.