For those of you who want to go the extra mile in car maintenance, we highly suggest routinely giving your car a wax. It’s not necessarily something that has to be done, but if you want to keep your car looking like new, this is the best way to do it. There are many types of automotive wax in the market, but we feel that the brand name is not important—the most important thing about wax is applying it properly. So how do you properly wax a car? Read on to find out!
List of Materials You’ll Need
Ready to get started? Before we begin the step-by-step process of how to properly wax your car, you’ll need to gather the necessary and essential materials to get the job done right. You’ll also need to set two hours aside for the job, have access to a cool, dry, and shady area in which you’ll park your car, and lastly have access to a water hose. Once you’ve got the time and space, go ahead and gather the following items:
- 1 Bottle of Automotive Wax
- 2 – 4 Microfiber Towels
- 1 Bucket
- 1 Bottle of Automotive Soap (Dish Soap is a great alternative)
- 1 Chamois (2 – 4 Drying Towels are a great alternative)
- 1 – 2 Soft Sponges
- 2 – 4 Rags (Shop Towels are a great alternative)
- 1 Pair of Chemical-resistant Disposable Gloves
Three Easy Steps to Wax Your Car
Step 1: Wash Your Car Meticulously
To get started, you’ll want to fill up your bucket with water (warm if you can) and add your automotive soap. Once your bucket of soapy water is prepped, go ahead and hose down your car from top to bottom. After it’s wet, take your sponge(s), dip it in the soapy solution in your bucket, and begin washing your vehicle. Start from the top of your car and work your way down cleaning off all the dirt, bugs, tar, and whatever contaminants you find on the surface. When you’re certain that your vehicle has been thoroughly cleaned, rinse it off. After it’s been fully rinsed, you’ll need to dry your car by hand using your chamois (or drying towels). Be sure to check the grill, the car’s side mirrors, under the window trim, and above the license plates as these are areas where water is often missed.
Step 2: Apply Your Car Wax
Your car is ready to be waxed! Take your automotive wax and your microfiber towels and begin. You’ll notice that the wax you’ve selected has directions on the container—be sure to follow those instructions to the letter to get the best results. We recommend taking your microfiber towels and layering on a nickel-sized amount over the surfaces of your car one section at a time. It’s easier to do this by sections because it ensures that no spots are missed within the sections before moving on to the next one. Apply the wax by moving your microfiber towel in circular motions. If any spots are missed, simply keep applying wax until you’re certain the entire section has been completed.
Step 3: Remove the Wax Off Your Car
After the wax on your car has dried off, it’s time to remove it! Read the wax’s container to determine how long you should wait before wiping the wax off. Typically, we’ve found that the wax can dry off as quickly as within 10 minutes of application and takes no longer than 30 minutes—this largely depends on the climate of the day. Use one of your remaining clean microfiber towels to remove the wax. You may need more than one towel, depending on the size of your vehicle, so be sure to keep an extra towel handy. After you’ve finished going over the surface of your car to remove the wax, we suggest going over it again just to make sure that all nooks and crevices have been taken care of and no longer contain wax.
Visit Kirmac Collision for Any Of Your Auto Body, Glass, Or Collision Repair Needs!
For any other tips on how to care for your car, visit our blog! Alternatively, if you’re looking for an auto shop that can take care of auto body repairs and glass repairs, let Kirmac take a look! You can schedule an appointment online or visit one of our 18 locations found all around Vancouver and British Columbia. Let our technicians take a look—we promise that you’ll be more than satisfied with the results. See you soon!
