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Professional Car Wax at Home: Make Your Car Shine
Not only will a professional car wax help your vehicle to look its best, it will also ensure that the paint is protected against scratches and fading. Being able to undertake this work yourself will help you reduce the cost it will take by negating the cost of a professional.
Step 1 – Wash
The beginning of any professional car wax should be a thorough wash of the vehicle’s paintwork. This will remove any particles or debris on the surface that can cause scratches if not cleared away before the process of waxing is commenced. If the car has been subject to highly dirty conditions, it is prudent to lightly brush the car in the first instance, to remove any loose debris, to reduce the risk of scratching the paint. A good quality car shampoo should be diluted in a bucket of tepid water in accordance with the instructions, which a sponge or cloth can be dipped into in order to clean the vehicle. Always start at the roof of the vehicle and work your way down to avoid trailing dirt up from what is traditionally the dirtiest part of the bodywork.
Step 2 – Dry
Dry the vehicle thoroughly after it has been washed to remove any water droplets and reduce the risk of water marks. Use a soft microfiber cloth for this purpose and ensure your touch is light.
Step 3 – Apply Wax
For a professional car wax you need to ensure that the substance used is suitable for the type of car and paintwork. Protective waxes are available at many vehicle accessory stores and hardware suppliers. Clear coat waxes that are suitable for high-end or display cars can be found from specialist retailers. No matter what type you choose, it is best to opt for professional car wax products to ensure a good result. Gather wax onto a suitable cloth and apply it to the vehicle a little at a time. Use a circular motion to rub the wax onto the paint, keeping the cloth moving so you do not overlap the wax. This needs to be undertaken until you are left with wax over the entire surface that has a white appearance. Make sure you avoid any of the trim, as this can result in unsightly marks.
Step 4 – Buff Wax
At this stage, pro car wax can either be finished off by hand or with an orbit polisher. Completing the buffing process by hand will make it easy to keep an eye on your progress and may seem like the better choice if you are inexperienced. However, using a polishing machine will take a lot of work out of the process and produce a result that is worthy of professional car wax. When buffing by hand, use the same circular motion used when applying the wax to gradually work your way over the entire surface. More care needs to be taken with a machine to avoid burning the paint, which can occur if the polishing disc is left in one place for a significant period. Avoid this by keeping the polisher moving and not forcing it against the surface.
