Understanding Automotive Brake Parts and Services

2 Mistakes To Avoid When Waxing Your Car

If your car has been looking a little dull lately, you may decide that it's time to put a coat or two of wax on it. However, if you do not perform the job correctly, you may wind up with an uneven appearance or may leave behind streaks that will remain for a few weeks. When you go to wax your car, make sure you avoid the following mistakes.

1.  Applying Wax Without Washing Your Car First

Since your car does not look dirty, you may believe that you can go straight to waxing it. Or, if there seems to be a little bit of surface dust, you may just give the paint a spray with your garden hose, wait for it to dry, then start applying the wax.

However, if you do not give your car a good washing with soap and water before applying the wax, you will ruin the finish in a couple of ways. First, any residual dirt, dust, or grease will remain underneath the wax. Not only will this make the coat of wax uneven, but it will also cause it to wear down faster in those areas. As a result, parts of your paint will be unprotected because the wax has washed off in the rain.

Second, dirt underneath the wax will also be pushed into your car's paint as you apply and buff it. When this happens, you run the risk of making scratches in the paint that will permanently mar the appearance of your vehicle.

2.  Waxing Your Car In Direct Sunlight

Another mistake that you should avoid making when waxing your car is doing the job in direct sunlight. You may believe that having the sun shining directly on the car will allow the wax to dry and set up faster.

However, while faster drying times is actually the case, this is the exact opposite of what you want to happen. If you apply the wax while the sun is shining on it, it will dry before you even have a chance to buff and polish it. As a result, you will end up with streaks and dull areas where there is more wax build-up than others.

Avoiding the above mistakes can help you achieve a better finish when waxing your car at home. However, if you do not have the time or place to do the job properly, contact a company that offers auto detailing services to discuss your options for having them wash, wax, and put the finishing touches on your car for you. 


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