It is all too natural to feel proud of your car. Not only do they get us from place A to place B, but they are an integral part of our lives. We like to make sure that their engines run the best way that they can, that their bodies are free of dents and scratches, and that they are cleaned well. Doing so not only makes sure that our car looks and runs well, but it can protect it from damage on the road.

Washing your car is integral to keeping it in good condition. Almost everyone washes their car or puts it through a car wash on occasion; however, fewer people wax their car to help add that extra layer of protection. In this article we are going to talk through both why you should and how to wax your car.

Why Wax Your Car?

There are several core reasons why you should wax your car. From an aesthetic perspective, waxing your car adds a nice shiny top layer to the body. A newly waxed car has a wonderful sheen to it, that immediately catches the eye and helps make the car look like new. That being said, wax offers a deeper purpose than just making the surface of the car look fresh. It offers a layer of protection that is worth considering for anyone who wants to keep their car looking like new, helping protect it from the elements. What is more, waxing your car can offer a protection against the likes of dirt, small stones and other small items that may impact the side of vehicle.

How to Wax a Car

Waxing a car is a relatively simple process; however, there are a few things you are going to want to do first. Firstly, before waxing the car, you are going to need to make sure that it is clean. Ideally, the cleaner your car is the better the finish will be. You can clean your car by hand or you can clean with a washer, so long as the car is cleaned thoroughly and it is dried before the application of wax.

In between washing your car and applying the wax you may want to apply car polish. Polish is a slightly abrasive substance that is used to slightly wear away at the clear coat layer of car paint. By rubbing polish into the car surface it actually rubs down the clear coat, lessening the appearance of imperfections in the paintwork. Please note though, that polishing the car adds no additional layers of protection, so if you do polish your car you will want to wax it afterwards.

Waxing a Car: A Step By Step Guide

There are two core ways of applying wax to your car. The first of these methods is by using an orbital buffer or other such machinery. The second method is the one we will be discussing in this article though and that is waxing your car by hand.

1. Make sure your car is clean. We’ve already covered this, but you really want to make sure your car is as clean as possible before applying wax. As well as making sure you get the best possible finish, the last thing you would want to do is start to rub on wax and realise you are dragging a small stone around the surface of your car. It could cause scratches to appear, and that would be counterproductive.Make sure your car is clean and you can avoid any complications when waxing. This is the step you can apply polish if you so wish.
2. Apply wax using a wax applicator, pad, or microfiber cloth. For this we recommend that you purchase the highest quality wax you can for the best finish. Some waxes come in spray bottles for easy application, in which case you only need to spray it onto the surface of the car; however, in most cases the wax will be solid.In order to get a smooth application of the wax, apply a small amount to a small area of the car and use a circular motion. This will ensure a smooth coverage, whilst also ensuring the wax is evenly spread. Applying this technique will make sure you get the best possible finish.If possible, it is useful to apply the wax under a cover – so, aim to apply the wax in a garage or under a car port. Doing so protects the car from both exceedingly good and exceedingly bad weather. The last thing you want is for the car wax to partially wash off in rain or start to melt in heat.
3. Buff your car. Once you have applied the wax, and once you are happy with the coat of wax you have applied to the car body, you can buff your car. Using similar motions, and a clean cloth, remove any excess wax. This will leave a smooth and shiny finish.

Waxing a Car is Easy and Effective

Waxing a car is an easy and effective way of applying an additional layer of protection. Doing so will add an extra layer in between the car and the outside world. That being said, waxing does have its limitations.

If your car is scratched, then waxing is not an alternative to getting the car fixed. Scratches in the clear coat of your paint can leave the paint and metal body underneath vulnerable to rust. Waxing over a scratch will not be able to fill in the gap or damage because wax is not a permanent solution.

If your car is scratched then here, at ChipsAway Dublin, we may be able to help. We are experts in minor car body repair, conducting repairs in a time-efficient and cost-effective way. No matter whether your car is scratched or dented, whether the damage is in the body, bumper, or wheel rim, we are able to help.

You can find out more about our scratch repair services here, or feel free to give us a call to discuss your needs in more detail today.