There’s great wisdom in waxing your car. It is one of the best ways to make the finish of the exterior last as long as what’s under the hood.
Day in and day out, your car gets a beating from the elements. While dirt and rain spots aren’t pretty, they’re just the tip of the iceberg. From airborne industrial pollutants and acid rain, to dead bugs, tree sap and bird droppings – yuck! – your daily commute can be a real mess. Though most modern cars have a UV-resistant outer layer, don’t sit back as it (or the paint underneath) degrades over time.
“Get in the habit of waxing your car twice a year, and you’ll thank yourself later,” says Megan Currie from Armor All. “Even with vast improvement in the quality of automotive paint, you still need to protect your car’s thin clear coat finish from oxidation and environmental damage, and using a household cleaner like dish detergent to wash the car with harsh chemicals can do more harm than good.”
Whether you’re looking to up the curb appeal, or enjoy that new-car-shine for years to come, use these cleaning and waxing tips from Armor All:
• Walk Before You Run. Before you wax your car, wash it thoroughly in a shaded area. Otherwise, the heat of the sun could dry the car faster than you can wipe, leaving more water spots than when you started. Rookie mistake!
• Pop A Wheely. Cleaning your wheels is a messy job, so make sure you wash them first with a tire and rim cleaner. If you leave this task until the end, you’ll track gunk on your car’s body that you just spent precious time and energy cleaning. Talk about one step forward, two steps back!
• Wash N’ Dry. You want to be tough on grime? Wash your car with a lambswool or microfiber wash mitt. Follow up with a chamois, terrycloth or microfiber towel to dry. The most experienced master knows the true strength in softness.
• Wax On, Wax Off. You don’t need to lay it on thick. A thin but even coat is more than enough to protect your car’s paint work. Apply a small amount of Spray Wax to one area of the car at a time. This technique will ensure the wax does not dry too long before buffing. Divide and conquer.
• In the Buff. The longer you buff, the better the shine. Buff in overlapping circular patterns to remove residue, and if there are any patches when you’re done, park your car in the sun for 10–15 minutes. You don’t want it to fully soften, but heating the wax will make buffing more efficient. Life pro tip: don’t buff in the buff, you’ll scare the neighbours!
• Karate Express. If you don’t have time to devote to mastering the art of the car wash and wax, the Wax Wipes are here to help. They’re an easy way to wax and protect your car anywhere and anytime. Throw a package in your car, and drive around feeling like a car waxing black belt – ready to strike at a moment’s notice.
