How To Wax A Black Car And Get The Best Results Possible
As such that goes with everything that sees heavy use and will likely experience degradation through various conditions and elements, so too does a car paint’s quality and overall finish. If you’re a car owner, then you must know how important it is to see your car’s paint job always looking its best. Of course, it’s a given that, for you to achieve this, you must clean your car regularly and make sure to prevent stuff like rust and dents from marring the surface.
Unfortunately, most people end up neglecting their cars until actual repairs are in order. And it’s not just washing with soap and water that’s needed. Keeping your car’s appearance in tip-top shape can also be made possible through regular waxing.
Waxing a car is necessary if you want to show off how incredible your car can possibly look. It’s a great way to have people make the mistake of thinking that you got a new car or look at you as one proud owner that takes good care of his car.
If you are an owner of a black car, then waxing is especially important, probably even more so than if you own a differently colored car for a reason that will be explained later. Contrary to popular belief, waxing your car is not only for special occasions. It should be done on a regular basis or depending on how long the wax application will last.
What benefits do I get from waxing my car?
To help you better understand the benefits of having your car waxed and why black cars need it more, here are some benefits of what you will get from waxing your car:
- It will protect your car against scratches. A sad truth of living with a car is that no matter how much care you put into driving it, it will always accrue even the most minor of scratches, dents and dings, among others. Although waxing will not be able to prevent this entirely, it does a better job than the paint itself of protecting your car from most that threaten its surface integrity. If you own a black or dark-colored car, chances are those imperfections are more easily recognizable, making waxing much more necessary.
- It will protect your car’s paint. Every time you wash an unwaxed car, there is a chance that the accumulated grime will scrape against the primer resulting to further damage. Waxing your car will create a kind of protective barrier that will separate your paint from the elements that degrade it constantly.
- It will reduce the cost of repairs in terms of refinishing. Easy enough to understand, keeping your car clean will save you more money involved in refinishing or even repainting. Wax acts as a preventive layer to ensure that any kind of spending on easily avoidable damages is avoided.
- It will help you become a better driver. This reason might seem to come from a different tangent entirely, but if you take good care of your car, both on the inside and out, then you are more likely to be motivated to drive better and safer. This kind of driving results from an acknowledgement of the hard work you put into keeping your car in the remarkable shape.
How exactly do you know if your car needs a good waxing?
One of the reasons why some car owners are put off by the idea of waxing regularly is because they think that there’s no regular need for it unlike the weekly car wash. Although waxing is not necessarily a weekly endeavor, it should not be limited to a ‘special occasion’ thing as well.
In determining the proper time that it takes in between waxing, you should look at the duration and effectivity that a single waxing session wax can offer. This will vary in terms of the wax you use, with most manufacturers recommending applying a new coat of wax every 45 days or so. Some manufacturers will even claim that they can provide coverage on a single wax job for a year, which could be helpful if you don’t have a lot of time on your hands.
In most cases though, assuming that you want the best finish possible for your car, then it is recommended to wax at least once every month. There’s a great guarantee that your car will boast a showroom quality look all the time. Although, this will certainly work better if you have your car parked in a garage and you have the tools and resources needed to complete a thorough wax job.
Aside from the wax job’s duration, it’s also worth noting that you can use two specific tests to know if your car needs to have its wax reapplied. First is the water beading test. It’s simple. Just take a close look at how the water beads on the surface of your car during the wash. If it beads up nicely, then your wax is still good. If it ends up spreading unevenly on the surface in mostly large sheets, then it’s due for a wax reapplication.
The other test is performed after you’ve washed your car and dried it thoroughly. Using a folded 100% cotton terrycloth towel, apply firm pressure anywhere on the car’s surface and twist it back and forth using a clockwise-to-counter-clockwise motion. If you hear a squealing noise during this test, then it’s likely your car is begging for a new coat of wax.
What are the things you’ll need in waxing your car?
Here are the basic materials you will need to get your from start to finish:
Car Wax – You can’t wax a car without car wax. There are two main types:
- 1. Natural Car Wax which is often the best choice but is much more expensive. The most common natural waxes are made from carnauba which is usually mixed with oils or other petroleum products. Although they can offer excellent protection, they are usually only good for 1 or 2 months before they need to be renewed. In terms of quality, its glossy finish is more pronounced than what other waxes can offer.
- 2. Synthetic Car Wax which makes up the majority of available car waxes. They are cheaper and easier to apply than natural car waxes but come with the disadvantage of having no natural wax in them at all. The good thing is, because of its synthetic nature, it can last longer for up to a whole season.
Wax Applicator – Commonly available in foam form, it is the most recommended for easier and much more reliable use due to its durability and reusability.
Microfiber Towel – A staple for car care. You should always have one or two of these for different uses.You can also use a dual-action polisher for more ease. But in this tutorial, we will focus on the hand application process since using polishers require a certain leaning curve to master.
Cleaner Wax – While this is optional, it could prove to be quite useful. Opt for a mildly-abrasive one to remove any streaks when applying wax. Its function isn’t limited to removing old wax, but it can likewise add a protective finish to your car’s surface.
How do you properly wax your car?
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Give your car a good wash before waxing and always wax in a shaded area. Remember to wax in the shade and after you have given your car a good wash. If the wax dries up too quickly or sits in the finish too long, it might be more difficult to buff off. Likewise, apply only once the car is fully dried as droplets of water on the finish will cause the wax to streak and make it harder to buff off as well.
Remember to also keep the second coating extremely thin, if possible, even thinner than the first one. This is because you’re only reinforcing the shine you’ve applied in order to perfect it.
Black cars generally need more waxing since imperfections are a lot easier to notice on their dark finish. Overall, you will see lots of benefits from waxing your car regularly as opposed to limiting it as a project meant for special occasions. Waxing provides more protection than what most car owners expect it to give which is why it should be made an integral aspect of car maintenance.