How to Wax Your Car

Did you really want to physically know how to wax your car, or do you really have other questions like:

• Do I really need to wax my car?
• What is the best car wax to use?
• Can I really learn to do this myself?

The severe results of not waxing your car

Interesting how such a basic topic of proper paint care has been complicated and confused to the point where many people actually do nothing! Follow along below, and let me simplify a topic of car care that is full of bad information, and can be far more simple than you think.

For most of you, proper paint care only requires (2) specific products.

The Two Products Needed

Three Required Steps

• Wash car weekly.
• Clay bar car as needed.
• Wax car every 4-12 weeks.

It really is this simple! Now you know the two (2) products needed, and the three (3) steps required for proper paint care. If all you were to do is follow these basic steps, your car would not only look better than 98% of the other cars on the road, but would probably outlast your own interest in the car itself.

Now that you have the basics down, let me add some additional insight regarding "Clay bars" and car wax. I have even added an introductory overview for all you A.D.D. people out there who want information at light speeds!

Clay Bar

A.D.D. Overview

• Clay bars are good.
• Clay bars strip away surface contaminates, commonly referred to as "fall-out".
• Creates a smooth, clean surface, prior to waxing.
• Clay bars need to be used periodically to keep your paint pollution free, and smooth.

1. The clay bar is a surface preparation bar used prior to waxing.
2. The clay bar is like a small, palm sized brick of firm "Playdoh" or "silly Putty".
3. The clay bar is part of the cleaning process of correct paint maintenance.
4. The clay bar is used by rubbing back and forth on your cars paint until pollution has been removed. (imagine using an eraser to clean off a big chalk board)
5. Some form of lubricant, usually sold with the clay bars themselves, must be sprayed onto paint surface to keep the clay bar from sticking to paint while using.
6. The clay bars purpose is to remove contaminates that are attached to your paint.How to Wax Your Car
7. These contaminates which are usually referred to as pollution or fall-out, can be seen as tiny rust specs on light colored paint
8. Fall-out can always be felt on any colored paint as a surface texture, that feels as though there are tiny specs of dirt stuck to your paint.
9. If you don’t remove the fall-out, or pollution prior to waxing, then guess what, you will officially be waxing over the pollution; this is not the recommended plan.
10. Every car will always get a certain amount of pollution, or “industrial fall-out” (glorified term for pollution)on it. Just as every city has different levels of pollution in the air, so it is with the amount of pollution each car gets.
11. Normal washing and waxing will not remove fall-out.
12. Using a buffer to remove fall-out is never recommended.
13. The clay bar is abrasives suspended in a synthetic material.
14. By using the clay bar, you are literally shearing away, and pulling out contaminates and pollution, that are attached to the surface of your paint.
15. Fall-out will continue to embed into your paint further and further, the longer it is allowed to remain.How to Wax Your Car
16. Despite what manufacturers of clay bars will tell you, the clay bar will scratch, but this really depends on your interpretation of scratching.
17. Sometimes in life we must simply choose between the lesser of evils; in this case “scratches” or pollution. We either live with the “pollution” that will continually become part of your paint, or to do some micro-scratching by using the clay bar to remove the pollution. Professional car detailers are unanimous in this area, and agree that use of the clay bar is acceptable and the trade off is truly minimal.
18. Remember that wax is meant to “fill” in ultra fine scratches, imperfections, and scuffs, just the kind that is possible with use of clay bars.
19. We need to remember to always stay realistic, and this area is no exception.The surface of your paint is made up of tens of thousands of ultra fine scratches. Don’t get so fixated on an unrealistic expectation of your paint, to the point where you think you are actually making the better choice, and that is to do nothing. Because I can promise you that doing nothing, will absolutely guarantee you unacceptable results long term.
20. Some "experts" will tell you that using the clay bar too much, or too often will be damaging to your paint; this is untrue and verified by myself through years of first hand use.
21. Just like any area of life, there is always some moron that ruins it for everyone else; there are morons that could ingest too much water and kill themselves, even though water is essential to maintain life itself.

Wax

A.D.D. Overview

• Wax is good.
• Wax protects your paint from the elements of weather.
• Wax enhances the appearance of paint by creating a uniformed reflective layer that fills minor imperfections and scratches.
• Wax needs to be used periodically as it will "wear off" over time.
• The days of hard to use paste waxes are gone.
• Spray waxes will offer the winning combination for most of you out there.

1. Wax is used to protect and enhance paint visually.
2. No wax or sealant lasts forever; despite what you have been lead to believe.How to Wax Your Car
3. All waxes/sealants wear out over time due to sun and dirt exposure.
4. Not all waxes are created equal.
5. I personally prefer the spray waxes of today that offer the best blend of natural and synthetic ingredients.
6. Water by itself is nature’s most prolific solvent; this means it will also degrade the wax on your paint through simple washing.
7. Wax enhances your paint by “filling” in scratches and blemishes, and helps to create a consistent, uniformed, and flat reflective surface.
8. Waxes and polishes are not the same, despite many who comingle the terms; each has a specific purpose that is unique.
9. Wax should be applied to your paint every 4-12 weeks based on two things: Sun and dirt exposure; the more of both, the more waxing will be needed.
10. Sun and dirt are paints worst enemies; the more exposure to these, the more often waxing your car will be necessary.
11. Micro fiber towels are the recommended choice in applying and removing wax; not baby diapers.
12. While not necessary with the advance spray waxes of today, it will make your job a bit easier by applying wax to a cool surface.
13. Since wax is also used for visual enhancement, wax as often as you like to create that winning look. While the fear has been spread, it would be hard to wax the paint off your car through too many applications.

More Tips on How to Wax Your Car

• When using the clay bar, I personally prefer using a dampened chamois along with the spray lubricant. I hold the clay bar beneath a wet chamois while I spray the paint surface with the lubricant. The surface will stay wet with the chamois, while at the same time I am rubbing with the clay bar.
• Since detailing is all about the details, remember to get all the “details” of your paint. Meaning, if you don’t force the clay bar into the many nuances of your body panels like creases, character lines, etc., you will be leaving this “fall-out” remaining in these crevices.
• Since the clay bar is moldable, when there exists difficult areas to access, you can mold the clay into a shape that is much more user friendly; anything goes here. Remember, it is like stiff “Silly Putty” or “Playdoh” you are working with, so get creative, and mold into crease lines and tight corners accordingly.
• The “fall-out” or pollution you are trying to remove comes from the air, and “floats” around the air just like dust does. So just like dust settling onto your cars surface, fall-out does the same. So any areas that seem to get dustier than others, the same will hold true for fall-out. The top surfaces, and the rear end of your car, will be the heaviest of fall-out concentration.
• The clay bar can and should be used on the exterior glass windows; at least if you want to have smooth and pollution free windows.
• The clay bar is suitable for any flat, solid surface incl. but not limited to paint, glass, chrome, etc.
• The clay bar is also used to remove paint over spray.

I hope these "How to Wax Your Car" tips will help you achieve professional results for yourself.

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