You will surely have come across some car that, due to the negligence of the owner who never took care of it, looks very old. If you don't want your car to turn into one of those, then this article is for you. Regularly polishing it will protect it from the effect of time and will always keep it clean and shiny. Read the following simple steps to have a shiny and clean car.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Prepare the Car for Polishing
Step 1. Wash the car
To wash your car and prepare it for the next polishing phase, use cold water and a mild soap. In order to proceed with polishing, the car must be perfectly clean and dry. The wax is hardly able to adhere properly to a dirty and wet surface, as opposed to what it does to a dry and clean surface.
Step 2. In the case of dull paint, scratches or other defects, before polishing the car, consider applying an abrasive paste
It is a slightly abrasive product (as the name implies) that is able to remove a very light layer of paint from the car body, in order to obtain a smooth surface with a brighter color.
Body polishing compounds are less aggressive than abrasive pastes, making them more appropriate for the pre-polishing treatment. Use a damp microfiber cloth to gently apply the compound to the car body, then use a second one, also made of microfiber, to remove any residue
Step 3. Proceed to polish at a temperature between 13 and 30 ° C, preferring cooler climates
In the presence of intense heat, the wax will instantly dry on the bodywork as soon as it is applied, which will produce streaks that are very difficult to remove. The wax itself will also be much more difficult to remove after being applied. In the case of very cold temperatures, the wax will harden, making it difficult to spread on the car body.
Step 4. Polish inside a garage, preferably out of direct sunlight
Especially for reasons of application temperature (as mentioned in the previous step), it is best to polish the car inside a sheltered place, so that the sun's rays cannot interfere with the polishing process. The sun is able to excessively heat the car body, risking drying and setting wax residues that would become very difficult to remove. If you can, proceed to polish your car inside the garage, where the temperature is almost constant and the direct rays of the sun cannot interfere. If you don't own a garage, find a shady spot out of the sun, choose a cloudy day, or polish your car early in the morning or in the evening when the sun's heat is less intense.
Part 2 of 3: Apply the Wax
Step 1. Choose a quality wax
The ideal wax is one that contains natural and genuine carnauba wax, although it may be slightly expensive. However, there are other products that you can use:
- "Liquid wax (cleaner wax)". It is generally less expensive, but at the same time more aggressive. Often this type of wax removes the last protective transparent layer of the bodywork. If you choose to polish your car with this type of product, avoid a pre-polishing treatment performed with abrasive compounds or pastes.
- Spray waxes. They are simple products to apply, but obviously have a negative aspect: the duration of the protection provided by this type of wax is in fact very limited in time. Tests carried out with different brands of spray waxes show that the average duration is about 2 weeks, after which the wax tends to succumb to the force of the elements.
Step 2. Pour some product onto the applicator provided
As a general rule, a quantity of product equal to the surface of a 2 euro coin should have a sufficient yield to polish an area of the body of about 60x60 cm. To be sure of the yield of the chosen product, consult the instructions for use indicated on the package.
- How much wax should you use? To be safe, choose to use less, rather than more, than the recommended amount of wax. At this stage, one of the most common mistakes is applying too much wax, resulting in a sticky buildup that is very difficult to remove. A thinner layer of wax will adhere much better to the car body.
- If the chosen wax does not have a special applicator, try using a damp and clean sponge. While not the best of applicators, it will do its job very well. An obvious tip: in case you have decided to use a sponge, do not use it later to wash the dishes at home!
Step 3. Apply the wax evenly to a small area of the car body, making gentle, circular motions
Divide the surface of the car into small sections and polish them one at a time, applying the necessary amount of wax. To apply the wax, use gentle, circular movements, without applying excessive pressure.
Step 4. Refine the polish (optional)
To apply more wax and remove any imperfections, use an angle grinder or orbital grinder. Set the grinder to a low speed and apply the wax on the disc of the wool tool or directly on the surface to be polished, then pass the grinder over the area to be treated, making sure that the disc is perfectly in contact with the body. If necessary, apply more wax.
Step 5. Let the wax act for a few minutes, depending on how the chosen product is used
After applying the wax and polishing the area with the grinder, wait for the time indicated by the manufacturer. This step will vary according to the instructions indicated on the wax and may require applying the product to individual sections of the car, waiting for a certain amount of time, and then removing debris.
Here's a trick to figuring out when the time is right to remove excess wax from the car's surface: swipe a finger over the treated body area. If the wax is still wet and your finger gets dirty, you will have to wait a little longer. On the contrary, if the finger remains clean, the wax will be ready to be removed
Step 6. To remove the wax and achieve an excellent body polish, use a microfiber cloth
Use one side of it to remove any residual wax in circular motions. By the time wiping the cloth over the car body starts to get complicated, you will know that there will be too much surface wax residue. Then turn the microfiber cloth to the other side and resume the polishing process.
Step 7. Continue polishing the rest of the car to achieve a perfect shine
Make sure you get rid of any wax residue from the bodywork. All done!
Part 3 of 3: Getting the Most Out of Pick Wax
Step 1. To wash the car, choose a specially created blend designed for the final application of a protective wax
Of course, you can also use a classic car shampoo that is not very aggressive, but in this way you will not help preserve the wax layer. Then choose a specific product, designed to preserve this protective layer. Then apply a new layer when the previous one is completely removed.
Step 2. To achieve perfect shine and shine, apply a double layer of wax
Most professional body builders apply a double layer of wax to obtain a deeper and longer lasting protection. Start by applying a layer of synthetic wax, polish, then apply a second layer of carnauba-based wax. Re-polish the car to get the same effect you can see in dealer salons.
Step 3. Eliminate the halos
If after removing the wax, you see the presence of marks or halos, here is a tip on how to remove them. Fill a spray dispenser with distilled water. Add a teaspoon of isopropyl alcohol and mix vigorously. Spray the mixture on the bodywork area to be treated, then dry it using a microfiber cloth.
Step 4. Know that, compared to what the manufacturer suggests, the protective layer provided by the chosen wax may fade more or less sooner
In clearer terms, this means that every car is different. You will then know when it will be necessary to re-wax the bodywork of your car just by touching and observing it, rather than relying solely on the instructions given.
- Obviously, car wax manufacturers have a greater economic return by indicating that a more frequent application than necessary is necessary, thus suggesting you to use a greater quantity of product which translates into a greater outlay on your part (and in a higher profit from their part).
- On the other hand it is true that, on some cars, some waxes deteriorate faster, forcing you to apply a new layer of wax more frequently than normal.
Step 5. Do not apply protective wax to a matte finish paint
Cars whose bodywork has a matte finish should not be polished with car wax. Polishing agents are in fact absolutely not recommended in these cases.
Advice
- By applying more layers of protective wax, you will get a more intense shine and, above all, you will increase the protection from atmospheric agents.
- If you regularly polish your car, you will ensure a better appearance and protect it from the elements, preserving its commercial value over time.
