Protect your vehicle with car wax to keep it looking shiny and new for longer.
Car paint needs protecting – against scratches, bird droppings, and other contaminants. Regular washing and protecting the paint with car wax is key for any vehicle to really shine. Before buying a car wax, one needs to be aware that premium car wax brands don’t necessarily hold up any better than lower-priced alternatives. In fact, some moderately priced liquids are better than products costing twice as much. Most products tend to show significant loss of protection within about a few weeks. For this reason, it is recommended to wax a car every two or three months. If the vehicle is not new and the finish has begun to dull, the effects can be even more visible. Waxing can fill minute finish imperfections, and waxes that are good for gloss improvement remove oxidation and made the paint appear darker and more vibrant. It is worth being aware that the paint finishes on some darker-colored cars can actually be damaged by some of the more abrasive waxes, which can leave swirl marks.
All waxes require elbow grease, patience, and time. Depending on how fast you work, how thorough you are, the size of your vehicle, and the product you choose expect to spend at least an hour to do a decent job. Always consider the age of the car, if it’s relatively new and still has a good finish, an easy spray wax might be all you need. But keep in mind that these products wear out the quickest, and they are best suited to weekly or special-occasion applications. If you don’t plan to replace your car for a while, waxing will help preserve the finish over time. If you have an older car or one whose finish has already begun to oxidize or has embedded grime, you may want to consider a product that is good in cleaning to help bring back and maintain the finish. Liquid car waxes proved the best in cleaning.
Car waxes can be abrasive, and the tiny particles in car waxes or harsh chemicals can leave fine scratches on your car‘s paint. Dark-colored vehicles show scratches more easily than lighter-colored ones. If you own a black or dark-colored vehicle, be especially wary of products that are highly abrasive. Always consider how much plastic is on your car, some waxes can leave a visible residue on non-glossy, porous plastic parts such as bumpers, plastic body panels, and door trim. Those parts are often black or gray, and some newer cars may have a lot of them.
Usually, car waxes come in three forms: liquid, paste, and spray. As a rule of thumb, paste waxes are easier to use than liquid waxes; liquid waxes cleaned the best and spray waxes were easiest to use and left the fewest stains on plastic parts, but they didn’t last as long as other wax types. Before waxing your car with any product, first, try using it on an inconspicuous area such as a doorjamb. And regardless of how hard you work, how much you spend, or what longevity claims manufacturers make, don’t expect any wax to last indefinitely. Even the best products last no more than a few months. What you use to wax your car can make the job easier. We have found that the terry cloth rags people often use for waxing can make it significantly harder to remove residue than micro-fiber rags, which are widely available at auto parts stores, big-box chains, and even supermarkets.
Before waxing, always thoroughly wash and dry the car using a cleaning solution designed for automotive finishes. Never wash or wax a car in direct sunlight or if the paint is hot to the touch. The sun can soften the paint and make it more susceptible to scratching. Use applicator pads or micro-fiber towels for waxing. Do not use rags for washing; they can trap dirt and scratch the finish. Wash and wax in small sections. This saves time, and if the soap or wax stays on too long, it can be difficult to remove. With washing or waxing, start at the top and work your way down. Lower surfaces are the grimiest and can contaminate your mitt or cloth, risking scratches. Paste waxes are often regarded as offering better protection than liquids, at the cost of being more difficult to use.
Meguiar’s G18216EU Ultimate Liquid Wax
The formula delivers maximum synthetic protection, durability, depth of color, and reflectivity in this easy one-step process. Thin Film technology provides for easy application and wipe off even in full sun, and will not stain non-painted trim pieces white. Advanced synthetic polymers crosslink to form a long-lasting protective barrier while amplifying reflection for incredible depth and mirror-like shine. Hydrophobic Polymer technology increases surface tension to protect the paint. Safe and effective on all glossy paints and clear coats, and can be applied by hand or dual action variable speed polisher.
Autoglym Aqua Wax Kit
Aqua Wax is a super-fast product, specially formulated to impart a smear-free finish on all exterior surfaces even when the vehicle is wet. The immediate benefit is that there is no need to dry the car between washing and polishing, saving you time and effort. Aqua Wax is ideal for use directly after hand washing or visiting an automatic car wash.
Collinite 476 Super Doublecoat Auto Wax
Easy to apply and absolutely detergent proof. Collinite Super Doublecoat is guaranteed to outlast and outshine any other competitive auto wax, polish or protective coating under any conceivable condition. That’s why it’s called the permanent car wax. No hard rubbing or buffing and no special applicator is required. Collinite Super Doublecoat will last a full year, even under adverse conditions. Clearcoat safe.
Mothers 05550 California Gold Pure Brazilian Carnauba Wax Paste
Apply more than one coat for added protection, Non-abrasive pure Carnauba wax safe to use over and over, Contains heat resistant carnauba wax for a long-lasting shine Regular use provides a long-lasting benefit to your vehicle.
Harly Wax Carnauba Car Wax
Harly Wax, the original pure no.1 yellow carnauba wax. 400ml tin with a free applicator pad. Outshining the competition since 1956. Harly Wax will embellish your car with the deepest shine known to man. The ultra glossy finish will make the rain bead and the paint sparkle. Ideal for modern and classic paint finishes Harly Wax is suitable for absolutely all paint types, from pre-war nitrocellulose to the latest water-based metallic finishes found on new cars. Harly Wax is also suitable for fiberglass, gel coat, and carbon fiber finishes. Harly Wax glides over the panel like butter and effortlessly buffs off with no dust or powder. Each time you wax the carnauba builds on the surface increasing the depth of shine until it glows. Harly Wax is suitable for: Cars, Bikes Boats Aircraft Trucks, motorhomes Fibreglass, plastics, carbon fiber It also protects chrome.