5 Steps to a Perfect Car Wash & Wax (2024)

FAQs

5 Steps to a Perfect Car Wash & Wax? ›

Give your car a fresh wash and rinse prior to starting the waxing process. Step 1: Spray the wax directly on the car's surface, and work one section at a time. A good product to try is our best-selling Hybrid Sealant Hydrophobic Wax. Step 2: Using one side of a damp microfibre cloth, rub in the wax.

Give your car a fresh wash and rinse prior to starting the waxing process. Step 1: Spray the wax directly on the car's surface, and work one section at a time. A good product to try is our best-selling Hybrid Sealant Hydrophobic Wax. Step 2: Using one side of a damp microfibre cloth, rub in the wax.

Use your hose to rinse the car, then fill a bucket with warm water and add the car wash detergent. Using a cloth or car wash mitt, start applying the soapy water. Work from top to bottom. Rinse the cloth or mitt often to get rid of the dirt (you will have to replace the soap and water in the bucket too).

Wash. Prep your car before waxing it by washing it with water and mild soap to remove all dirt particles. Dirt particles can diminish the smoothness of the coat and can cause the excess wax to stick, which will make it harder to remove the wax later. Also, dry your car before waxing it to get the best results.

If you've added wax to your car, there's one final step you need to do: rinse it off again. Set the spray nozzle to Spot Free Rinse to use filtered water. Then, rinse your car from the top down, being sure to get the crevices and the wheel wells as well. Dry your car with the air dry nozzle if your car wash has one.

Car wash – Baby soap is gentler than liquid dish soap and won't strip the paint protection if any wax or sealant is applied. Mixing an ounce of baby soap or pet shampoo per gallon of water produces a slippery solution that's sometimes used to install paint protection film.

Standard Carnauba based waxes only last on average 1-2 months so it is recommended to use a more durable ceramic or polymer based car wax. Do you have to wax your car every time you wash it? No, not if you use the correct car soaps and cleaners.

Do you wax a car when its wet or dry? ›

If you are waxing your car after a wash, you need to let its surface dry out completely before waxing it. Applying any type of wax to your car when you have even the slightest amount of moisture on your paint will prevent it from evenly bonding with your finish.

The spot free rinse is the one step that can help achieve that smooth finish. After waxing and soaping the vehicle, there are still streaks of water settling on the surface. The spot free rinse helps break up streaks of water, leaving a very thin layer of moisture that is less likely to dry as a water spot or streak.

Dish soaps are formulated to cut through tough grease and should never be used as car washing soap. Gentle dish soaps can ruin your car's clear coat and protective wax. Leave your dish soap for the dishes and choose a different, safer car washing method.

The first of our expert car waxing tips is to thoroughly wash and polish the car before you start the waxing process.

Wax also sticks more easily to a clean surface, making for a smoother application and longer-lasting protection. For best results, wash and dry your car thoroughly before waxing.

Before waxing a car with liquid or paste wax, Stoops says, “Ensure that the vehicle is clean and dry and that the surface is cool to the touch. Inspect for any above-surface contaminants and remove with a clay bar if needed.

Layering FAQs

Three layers of wax will last longer than a single layer might, but it's certainly not an exponential return. Can carnauba go immediately over a polymer paint sealant? | Yes, so long as you've let the sealant cure (~1 hr) and bond (~48 hrs) fully.