A freshly waxed car, with the sunlight reflecting off its paintwork… That’s a sight for any car enthusiast!
Waxing is often considered a painstaking and troublesome task, and not something easily done at home for that very reason. However, modern car waxes are extremely easy to apply and wipe off, so they can no longer be blamed. The majority of the time spent waxing a car is currently dedicated to washing and preparing the car for waxing.
We’ve put together comprehensive instructions for you, so you too can achieve professional-level results right in your own driveway!
1. Car Wash
For this procedure you will need: Car Shampoo, a wash mitt, and a wash bucket.
Car waxing always begins with washing the car. A thorough car wash is an important part of waxing, ensuring a clean surface for the wax to cure and last as long as possible. We have previously written instructions on thorough car washing, which you can find HERE.
2. Tar and Iron Removal
For this procedure you will need: Iron Remover, Tar Remover and Microfiber Cloths.
Next up is tar and iron removal. A car's paintwork collects a surprising amount of tar and iron particles, which are often very firmly attached to the paint surface. We have also prepared instructions for this, which can be found HERE. When performing tar and iron removal, it's important to remember that iron removal should ideally be done first, as iron particles are extremely sharp and could potentially scratch the paintwork during tar removal.
3. Thorough Drying
For this procedure, you will need: Microfiber cloths and a fluffy drying towel.
Now that the car's paintwork is completely clean, it's important to dry every crevice and nook on the car to prevent water from dripping onto the paint surface when applying car wax. It won't be the end of the world if a couple of drops fall, but when you do it, do it properly, and the wax will last longer. If you happen to have a leaf blower, compressed air, or even a hairdryer at home, these are excellent for blowing out any wash water hidden under trim pieces.
4. Car Waxing
For this procedure you will need: Car wax, an applicator pad, and microfiber cloths.
And finally, everything is ready for car waxing. The surfaces are clean, the easiest part is left, and then you can go for a drive! At this stage, it's important to remember that more is not better. The wax should be applied in as thin a layer as possible so that it cures properly and is easy to wipe off. Start by applying to 2-3 panels at a time with straight strokes, up and down and side to side. Circular motions should be avoided, as if dirt gets caught in the applicator pad, circular motions can cause unsightly scratches. Once you have finished 2-3 panels, wait for the wax to start drying. When wiping off the wax with a microfiber cloth, you will notice if the wax is still "tacky", so wait a little longer. Depending on the manufacturer, the drying time is 2-10 minutes. Once every surface of the car has been treated first with wax and then wiped off, do a final inspection around the car to ensure no wax has been left on the surfaces.
(Always read the manufacturer's instructions for wax application before applying the wax)
Now the car is waxed and the surface shines beautifully! Nothing left but to drive!
