Even with a great improvement in the quality of your car paint, you still need to protect your car's thin clear coat from oxidation and environmental damage. That means you need to know how to polish a car and how to wax it. Regular waxing protects your car from damage caused by sun, rain, air pollution, road grime, tar, bugs and the inevitable bird droppings - keeping your car shiny for longer.
If the water doesn't bead up on your car's painted surface, it's time to wax. You should wax your car twice a year to protect it from chipping and damaged paint. Waxing your car also makes the surface smoother, which means easier cleaning and prevents scratches.
How to Polish a Car to the Perfect Gloss
Our first professional car waxing tip is to thoroughly wash and polish the car before starting the waxing process. This will remove all traces of dirt and texture to really get the best benefits of waxing your car. You can find more information on which car wash solutions and cleaning appliances to use on our car wash page with expert tips.
polish your car
When determining how to polish a car, it's important to note that polishes contain abrasives that can "strike off" unwanted contaminants from the painted surface. Be gentle when using these products, as rubbing too hard can damage the clear coat. Apply the polish in a similar fashion to wax (see below), but not too hard, as the abrasive in the polish can cause damage if applied incorrectly.
Different types of car wax
What is the best wax for your car
Before waxing, one of the most important car waxing tips is to look for a non-abrasive wax that is safe on the clear coat.
Many car enthusiasts prefer carnauba waxes because they are one of the purest and toughest natural waxes and produce a deep, shimmering shine.
Paste waxes are the hardest to use, but they provide great protection over the long term. Most paste waxes come with a foam applicator pad, but in the absence of a pad, a terry cloth will do the job.
Synthetic wax is also a good option. They offer ease of use and durability.
No matter what type of wax you use, apply the product in the shade. Polishes and waxes can dry out too quickly if the car's surface is too hot.
Car Waxing - Tips and Tricks
Tips for using car wax
As far as automotive waxing techniques are concerned, thicker coats are more preferable to thin, uniform wax coats. Divide the car into small sections and apply a small amount of wax to one section of the car at a time to make sure the wax or polish doesn't dry out too long before polishing.
When applying wax, you can prevent streaks by making a side-to-side motion parallel to the seam, unless the product instructions say otherwise. Polishes and waxes can dry quickly if the surface of the car is too hot, so make sure to perform your car waxing procedure in the shade on cool days.
polishing wax
After applying the wax, polish in an overlapping circular pattern to remove residue and reveal a gloss. The longer the polishing time, the better the gloss. If you have finished polishing and still see some residual patches, leave the car in the sun for 10-15 minutes. By heating the wax, polishing becomes more effective. Just don't let the car get so hot that the wax will soften in the sun.