Since most of us are unable to dedicate our time to car repairs, what we want most is to find a car wax that does the hard work, so we don't have to.
What's the difference between car wax and polish?
Car wax and car polish are two very different things. Although automotive polish is used to remove defects from the "coat" of a car, automotive wax can protect that coat. Car wax is essentially a protective layer that keeps cars looking shiny and new, regardless of age.
Or, when you use car polish, you are using an abrasive (and, therefore, want to be on the wax coating of the car and not on the paint itself). Many people use polish to remove grease, dirt, and minor scratches from the paint (to reveal the undamaged paint underneath).
Good car wax can completely reduce the need or frequency of car polishing.
What kind of car wax is best?
You will notice that automotive wax comes in the form of paste, liquid, spray, etc. They both provide protection and gloss, but sprays apply the fastest. Pasting can be more difficult and time consuming, but provides more lasting results. In between, we have liquid. Many car enthusiasts believe that the more effort you put in, the better the results, but all car wax is worth the price.
Car wax is often made from natural sources (such as the carnauba plant) or synthetic silicone. Usually, the paste is natural and the liquid is synthetic, using artificial polymers or resins instead of oils.
In general, light vehicles work better with synthetic wax and dark vehicles work better with natural wax.
How to wax a car
1. Wash your car. Wax works best on clean surfaces. You don't want to capture any dirt, grime, or grit under one of its layers. A quick car shampoo will go a long way; Just remember to keep the water clean so it doesn't reintroduce dirt that has already been washed off.
2. Assess their condition. Are there swirls or scuffs in the paint job? If so, you need to polish your car before proceeding with waxing.
3. Move your car to the shade. You don't want the wax to be affected by the elements while working.
4. Apply the car wax of your choice one layer at a time (but follow the instructions). The best way to spray it is to spray it on your car, wipe it down with a microfiber towel, then turn the towel over to polish it. It is important to pace yourself to make the most of the wax work on each panel.
Liquids and pastes tend to require foam pads for best application, but take longer.
5. Complete. Take a clean microfiber towel and give it one last wipe.