Step-by-Step Guide to Waxing Your Car
Gather Your Supplies
Before you start waxing your car, make sure you have all the supplies you need. You'll need a wax stripping car wash, we recommend Turtle Wax Max Power car wash for professional results, however Dawn dishwashing soap works too, provided you take special care not to let it dry on the paint. Beyond this, you will need some microfiber towels or wash mitts to wash your car properly, a bucket for the soapy solution, and a microfiber drying towel (MUST be microfiber, regular cloth towels will scratch and swirl the paint).
Finally, for the waxing process you will need an applicator pad (preferably an orbital machine with an appropriate pad attached, however it can be done by hand for less optimal results), the type of wax you are going to use - we recommend a paste wax for older cars and ones with more scratches which will be hid with the thick coating of wax - or modern liquid waxes and paint sealants that work much better but are more suited for newer cars with paint that is in better condition. Learn more about the different kinds of wax here in this blog post: COMING SOON
Prepare Your Car
As previously stated, the first step is washing your car with the appropriate wax stripping method you decide to use. This removes all the dirt and grime from your paint, and strips any remaining coatings on the paint that could interfere with the new coat.
After you wash your car, make sure to thoroughly dry your car with the afformentioned microfiber drying towels, or at the very least let your car drip dry in the shade as this will produce the least amount of water spotting out of a few bad options. Either way, make sure your car is completely dry before heading to the next step.
Optional Step:
For a truly professional finish that makes your paint like new, there are many different paint correction products and processes you can do. However, due to the simplistic nature of this article and the assumption that most people reading do not have the time, experience, tools, or want to engage in things like scratch removal and polishing - we will only cover one here.
Clay Bar paint decontamination removes subsurface contaminants that can not be removed from your paint by simply washing. The easiest way to tell if you need to clay bar your car is simply run your finger along the surface of a given body panel, and if it is rough and gritty instead of smooth - you have a prime candidate for clay barring. This kit can be had at Walmart for roughly 20 dollars and includes pretty much everything you need. We recommend however that you avoid using any spray on products that you get with these kits and instead use either the soapy car wash solution or a dish soap solution in a spray bottle to lubricate the clay bar in the process of decontaminating your paint.
Make sure that your lubricant is generously applied to the panels you intend to use the clay bar on, and work back and forth in one linear motion to avoid swirling the paint.
Read more about the clay bar process in this blog: COMING SOON
Here is a video by the chemical guys showing a visual walkthrough of this process:
Apply the Wax
First, make sure your car is in the shade, preferably in a garage or under a canopy - however if this is not an option doing this during early morning or late evening hours when the sun is not too hot nor too high in the sky will make this process a lot smoother.
Take your foam applicator pad, whether that be handheld or attached to a machine, and apply your type of wax to it. A little goes a long way, but don't worry about it too much, as you apply you will start to get a feel for how much wax you need to avoid creating too thick a coating, however I would avoid using too thin of a coating as swirling and marring of paint would be more likely in this scenario. For paste wax, I generall use another microfiber towel to dab some out of the can and on to the applicator.
Use a circular motion to apply the wax no matter if you are doing it by hand or with a machine. Spread the wax out evenly over one panel at a time. If you are in the sun, the wax will dry and cure much faster and so you may only be able to get one or two panels done before you have to wipe the wax off to avoid imperfections, otherwise if shielded from the sun and elements don't be afraid to wax large portions of the car at once and come back to wipe off each panel later.
Buff the Wax
Of course, make sure the wax is dry before doing this, you will generally know when it is dry because it will look hazy and it will come off leaving behind a pristine shine. Use a microfiber towel and wipe the wax off back and forth, this time avoiding circular motions to minimize risk of swirls in the paint.
Repeat the Process. Continue until you've covered the entire car.
Of course, depending on how many panels and your environment this will take a varied amount of time. Just repeat the simple process until everything has been coated, dried, and buffed.
Final Touches
Once you've finished waxing, take a moment to admire your work. Your car should have a deep, glossy shine. If you see any missed spots, go back and touch them up.
Store your supplies properly for next time. Keeping your wax and towels in good condition will make future waxing sessions easier and make your buck go a long way.
Enjoy the Shine
Now that your car is waxed, it will be protected and hold up better to the elements. Regular waxing can help maintain your car's appearance and value, and keep your paint in good condition.
The last step is to stand back, and enjoy your work!
Or - call the professionals next time so you can sit back and watch us work for you. Thank you!