Beginners Guide To Waxing Your Car

Who knew that most people would learn about waxing their cars from an iconic Hollywood film? The “wax on, wax off” scene in the 1984 film Karate Kid carries a lot of nostalgia, but it’s also a very good reminder to do just that: wax your car. Not only does waxing prolong the life of your vehicle by protecting the exterior, but it also keeps the appearance looking sharp, which can result in higher value if you need to trade your car in. If you’re looking to develop a habit of waxing your car regularly, which you should, here’s a beginner’s guide to waxing your car.

Appearance Kits Are a Must Have

Before you get started, make sure you have all of the equipment and products you need to take care of your car’s exterior, including an appearance kit. Sometimes referred to as a detailing kit or a combination of car care products, these kits contain all the essentials for refreshing your car’s appearance. Some of the items you’ll find inside include: 

Car washing liquid or spray

Car wax or paint sealant 

Bug and tar remover 

Tire washing liquid or spray

Glass and window cleaner

Leather and interior cleaner

There are many reasons you should look into appearance kits. However, the most important thing to think about is that by purchasing all of your car care products together, you can be confident in the knowledge that you’re getting quality products that work well together.

Wash Then Wax

Before you can wax your car, you have to wash it. This step is vital, but it’s also easy to forget if you think that waxing your car is an independent process you can do at any time. If you try to wax your vehicle without thoroughly cleaning the grime off the surfaces, you’ll end up sticking wax over bugs, dirt, and other unwanted materials. Don’t even consider waxing until your car is clean, down to the nooks and crannies, and completely dry.

Take Cover

Never wax your car in direct sunlight or in inclement weather. Make sure you have a shady spot to wax your car under and check the weather forecast to ensure that you won’t have to deal with rain, snow, hail, or high winds. These conditions can affect the wax by either making it dry out too fast or making it impossible to stick to the surface of your car.

Move in Sections

As you wax your car, move in small sections along the body. Don’t try to wax a large section of your car, especially if you are still new to waxing. Decide what direction you want to go and divide the work into small sections, completing one before moving on to the next.

Wax on Then Buff Off

Just like the movie states, you have to put the wax on and then buff the product off. For this step, you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of high-quality microfiber towels on hand. Microfiber is a great material for buffing wax into the surface of your vehicle.

Depending on the type of product you use, you’ll want to wax your vehicle two to six times a year. Find every product you need to wash and wax your car and order online today for fast and convenient service.