If you’ve tried scrubbing your car to make it look nice and shiny but it always seems to collect dirt quickly, you might want to try applying wax to the paint. Automotive wax is specially formulated to protect and seal your car’s paint to restore its original luster as well as protect it from future damage and dirt. If you would like to go an extra step further after waxing, you could look into ceramic coating Maryland if the exterior is in need of some extra protection.
Clean First, Wax Later
Before you jump right into waxing, you’ll need to make sure that the surface of your car is clean and free of dirt and grime. Waxing a dirty car just adds insult to injury because you could potentially scratch or damage the paint permanently while buffing. To avoid this, wash your car as you normally would but be sure to use specialist shampoo from your local store that is formulated for cars only.
The next step that is often overlooked in washing your car is drying your car. It might seem silly since the sun and air will do the job for you, but you’ll want to make sure that all the water spots are removed before waxing. Left-behind hard water streaks can negatively affect the waxing process if you don’t use a microfiber towel to dry your car immediately after rinsing.
Choosing the Right Wax
Most car wax comes from Brazilian palm leaves and is refined into carnauba wax, which is then augmented with other natural and synthetic agents to allow the product to adhere to the vehicle. The most popular types of waxes on the market are paste, liquid, and spray wax.
Paste wax is the easiest to apply and also the most commercially popular. It is mostly used by antique car enthusiasts who are looking for that worn, yet original look.
Liquid wax typically will give your car the longest-lasting shine and is applied in the same way as a paste wax. This type of wax is the most durable, as it stands up to everyday use and does not need to be re-applied as frequently as paste or spray wax.
Spray wax is the quickest to apply, as the name suggests. Using this type of wax is the best way to restore your vehicle’s shine between more involved coatings.
Now that you know these tips on caring for your car, wait for a sunny afternoon to wash and wax your car and it will be back to that original shine in no time.