Waxing your Automobile

Submitted By: Vince Heyser

Why wax your car?

1. Increase value if you are about to sell your vehicle.

2. Helps hold value and keep paint looking new.

3. Helps to make future washing easier.

4. Helps prevent rust and other harmful elements from attaching themselves to the paint.

5. *Rumor is that it even improves gas mileage due to the decrease in friction due to the air molecules rubbing on the surface.

When is a good time to wax your car?

In the spring and fall. After the winter where salt deposits might have clung to the paint. In the fall to remove summer road work and create a smooth surface that will help prevent the salt from sticking.

Steps in waxing your car

1. Rinse vehicle at the car wash with the high pressure rinse.
2. Drive to a cool, shaded spot where access to water is near.
3. Fill a bucket with water and a mild soap. Most dish soap will work.
4. Use a cotton cloth and scrub the entire vehicle. Be certain to remove as much road tar and grim. Rotate the cloth after each wipe so you aren’t wiping the grim back into the paint or scratching the paint with dirt. *Note: If you are using an old tee-shirt, make sure not to scratch the paint with the screen print or words on the shirt.
5. Rinse entire vehicle. And let dry.
6. Apply a wax in a circular fashion and let dry. Apply with applicator provided or a soft sponge. *Avoid rubber or plastic moldings. Use caution around decals.
7. After wax dries wipe of with a soft cloth. Use a different part of the cloth for every couple wipes and a clean cloth for the final pass.

Wash windows with Windex or a glass cleaner on the inside and out.

What type of wax should you purchase?

1. You should purchase a type of cleaner wax. Don’t go ridiculously cheap, a high quality wax will last longer and provide a better finish.