If you think waxing a car is only for those who obsess about their car's appearance, you're wrong. Nothing can protect your car from corrosive substances like regular waxing which will add years to the life of your car's body. First of all, wax will actually guard your car's paint from acid rain, sap, dirt and bugs by encouraging these materials to slide off rather than seep into the surface. Also, have you ever noticed a dent or a scratch and had no idea how it got there? The smallest pebble can make a big dent when driving at high speeds, but when your car is protected with a quality wax, it will be much more durable against these types of frustrations.
Depending on what type of climate you live in and whether or not you have a garage for your car, your car should be waxed anywhere from once a month to every few months. Both extreme heat and cold will quickly wear down your car's paint job, but cold is actually worse. If you live somewhere that has a snowy winter, a fresh coat of wax once a month is necessary in the cold months. However, if snow isn't an issue and you park your car in a garage each night, your wax jobs should last about three months. The frequency of waxing also depends on the type of wax you use. Don't buy the cheapest brand of wax on the market because it won't do you much good. Remember that a bottle of wax will last long and is an investment in the value of your car.
There are actually a couple tests you can do to see if your car is in need of a fresh wax. When rinsing your car, take a look at how water gathers and spreads on your car's surface. If the water appears to be in sheets, then you know that the last wax job has deteriorated. However, if it mostly forms into beads, then your last wax job is still holding up. Another extremely quick test you can do is to take a cotton terrycloth after you've washed and dried your car, and apply pressure with it on the paint clockwise and counter-clockwise. If this causes a squeaky noise, then your car is in need of a wax job.
If you haven't waxed your car in half a year, let the experts handle it. Always avoid the wax spray option that some garage car washes offer. These are usually made up chiefly of water and therefore end up being a waste of your time and money. Because of professional experience and special equipment, technicians will be able to smooth and protect every inch of your paint job. The process always begins with washing and drying the car; if this isn't done, the dirt will actually be sealed into the paint by the wax. The next step taken by the technician is to apply a quality wax onto the car's entire surface; he will then use a motorized buffer to give it that shiny protective finish. Once this is done, it will be easy to maintain the professional look with regular do-it-yourself waxing.
When doing the job yourself, you also begin by washing and drying your car. It's better to do it by hand because garage car washes are likely to damage your paint by putting dirt and corroding materials from other vehicles onto yours. Now you will need a one hundred percent cotton cloth and a quality wax. Be sure to have your car in the shade when you begin applying the wax, and do so to only one small segment at a time. This will keep the wax from drying too quickly. After putting the wax on a segment of the paint, use the cotton cloth as a buffer. Move your hand in a straight line with each stroke rather than a circle to avoid making streaks.
Depending on what type of climate you live in and whether or not you have a garage for your car, your car should be waxed anywhere from once a month to every few months. Both extreme heat and cold will quickly wear down your car's paint job, but cold is actually worse. If you live somewhere that has a snowy winter, a fresh coat of wax once a month is necessary in the cold months. However, if snow isn't an issue and you park your car in a garage each night, your wax jobs should last about three months. The frequency of waxing also depends on the type of wax you use. Don't buy the cheapest brand of wax on the market because it won't do you much good. Remember that a bottle of wax will last long and is an investment in the value of your car.
There are actually a couple tests you can do to see if your car is in need of a fresh wax. When rinsing your car, take a look at how water gathers and spreads on your car's surface. If the water appears to be in sheets, then you know that the last wax job has deteriorated. However, if it mostly forms into beads, then your last wax job is still holding up. Another extremely quick test you can do is to take a cotton terrycloth after you've washed and dried your car, and apply pressure with it on the paint clockwise and counter-clockwise. If this causes a squeaky noise, then your car is in need of a wax job.
If you haven't waxed your car in half a year, let the experts handle it. Always avoid the wax spray option that some garage car washes offer. These are usually made up chiefly of water and therefore end up being a waste of your time and money. Because of professional experience and special equipment, technicians will be able to smooth and protect every inch of your paint job. The process always begins with washing and drying the car; if this isn't done, the dirt will actually be sealed into the paint by the wax. The next step taken by the technician is to apply a quality wax onto the car's entire surface; he will then use a motorized buffer to give it that shiny protective finish. Once this is done, it will be easy to maintain the professional look with regular do-it-yourself waxing.
When doing the job yourself, you also begin by washing and drying your car. It's better to do it by hand because garage car washes are likely to damage your paint by putting dirt and corroding materials from other vehicles onto yours. Now you will need a one hundred percent cotton cloth and a quality wax. Be sure to have your car in the shade when you begin applying the wax, and do so to only one small segment at a time. This will keep the wax from drying too quickly. After putting the wax on a segment of the paint, use the cotton cloth as a buffer. Move your hand in a straight line with each stroke rather than a circle to avoid making streaks.
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