The use of wax to wax cars is an element that dates back many years. The first appearance of the wax for vehicle use was approximately in the year 1800. In that year a certain type of animal fat began to be used to coat and protect the lacquer of the carriages that were pulled by horses in Germany. Since that time, the protection and shine-increasing properties have always been present until today. It is not uncommon to see how some brands fight over others by offering more duration with protection, or greater shine. That is why this small article will help you clarify some doubts that you may have about wax. After reading the article leave a comment with questions or mentioning what you did know.
What is waxing?
Car waxing in the action of applying wax to a car, plane, or boat. It has different stages. First, the product must be applied, which can be a hard paste, thick liquid or fluid liquid. Depending on the characteristics of the wax, the application may vary a bit. A wax applicator should be used to bring the wax from the container to the car paint and distribute it evenly. Then you must wait the time mentioned by the manufacturer of the wax and remove it with a microfiber cloth. When removing the wax, there will only be an almost imperceptible layer of wax on the car and the residue on the cloth. At the end we can see that the painting acquires a higher brightness than it was before the process.
Why wax a car?
When waxing the car, there are two main benefits to doing so, these are the following: the first aspect is closely related to the ability of the wax to fill the fine scratches found in the paint due to its oily characteristic and thereby standardizing the paint and allowing the reflection of light to be more direct, giving the surface a “wet” appearance. The more carnauba content the wax that is being used has, the greater its ability to enhance the shine of the paint.
The second aspect is related to the protection that the wax can offer on the paint. By waxing the car we are putting an extra thin “skin” on the surface. This layer of wax becomes a layer that may have a little more resistance to grease, chemicals, pollution, pigeon poop, among others. I am not saying that it will be an impenetrable barrier, but that it will give us a window of time a few extra minutes or hours before the negative element begins to damage the layer of varnish on the paint. There are waxes that combine their organic components such as carnauba with synthetic components so that it lasts longer on the paint and with it greater protection but slightly reduces its ability to give shine.
Normally a wax can last from a week to 3 months depending on the above and the type of care between washes.
In this video we see how the wax repels the water making it slide quickly, the same happens with the dirt, it no longer sticks all, but when washing it comes out more easily.
What is the difference between waxing and polishing a car?
Sometimes there is a very common confusion between applying wax and polishing a car. Especially when some say that one must “polish” the wax. Regardless of whether it is a confusion or not, due to the difference in the use of words in different countries, it is important to speak of the two actions in a differentiated way. In general, waxing means covering the car with an oily substance that will enhance its shine and allow a certain degree of resistance to environmental contaminants. There may be some cleaning waxes that will slightly remove the contamination that is on the paint. On the other hand, polishing is the action of removing contamination, scratches, oxidation that is on the paint so that it is smooth to the touch again, with a natural shine and ease of cleaning.
As you can see, in the first case of wax, scratches or contamination are not removed, it only provides greater shine and protection. On the other hand, in the case of polishing, varnish or lacquer is microscopically removed from the paint so that it recovers its shine (in the case of two-layer color paints and varnish on top).
If you want to know how to polish a car, this video will give you an idea.
What to wax the car with?
To wax the car, we must first acquire a wax for the car that we have and that is according to our budget. If our car is new or the paint has just been polished and it is in very good condition, we will opt for a gloss wax that guarantees protection for at least more than 3 months, since in practice that is like a month. Or less. If the paint is already more than two years old, it is important to use cleaning waxes to slightly remove the contamination and that can further enhance the shine.
We also need wax applicators, these can be sponge or microfiber, each with its advantages and disadvantages. You can see the video at the end. The important thing is that they must be of good quality and in good condition. Sometimes some waxes bring their own applicator, but we must always verify that it is super smooth to avoid scratching the paint superficially.
Finally we need microfiber towels, at least two to be able to remove all the wax from the car since they become saturated with the residue left by the wax. These microfiber towels are characterized by having incomparable softness. Before, cotton towels were used, but over time they wore out easily and were not as soft. But microfiber towels have the characteristic of being super soft and trapping all the residue left by the wax when it is removed without scratching the paint.
How to wax the car?
To wax the car, we must first wash it and remove any trace of dirt or dirt that the paint may have on it. If it’s not properly cleaned, dirt could get caught in the wax applicator and we’d be rubbing it on the paint and could create scratches. Once the car is very clean, you can continue. Then you should place the car in the shade and wait for the body temperature to drop to the touch. If the engine is hot, save that part for last to cool down while you work on the rest of the car.
Third, read the instructions of the wax, some can be applied to the entire car, wait 10 minutes and start removing. Others must be applied and removed immediately. Depending on the instructions, we will wax panel by panel, or we will cover the whole car in wax at once. Then remove the wax gently, without pressing hard. The wax will come off easily when its drying time is right.
When should I wax the car?
The car must be waxed from the first day they have it in their hands. The wax will be the protection that the car has and must be on the paint since you have control. Don’t wait for contaminants or dirt to oxidize and dull the paint over time before deciding to use a wax. Your car should have a monthly waxing regimen so that the exterior of the car stays in better condition for longer.
Can I use a polisher to wax?
Yes, cars can be waxed with polishers, especially with the rotary-orbital or orbital ones that are very safe to use compared to the rotary ones (or classic polishers) that, when misused, can cause damage to the paint.
