To solve these problems you must use an abrasive car polish. Waxing may temporarily cover-up some blemishes, but it will not make them go away.īy blemishes I’m talking about fine scratches, swirl marks, water spot etching and stains or burns from bird dropping. Many people mistakenly believe that waxing will fix minor blemishes. The time to use an abrasive on your vehicle’s paint is when you have fine defects that need to be removed. Polish to Remove Defects… Before You Wax! If the product claims to “clean” or “polish” then it is a cleaner/wax. The safe alternative to a cleaner wax is detailing clay followed by a high quality non-cleaner wax (pure wax).įYI: You can find out whether you have a cleaner/wax or a pure wax by simply reading the label. As a result, the use of abrasive cleaners and polishes for regular care is not advisable. To conserve weight (and our environment) and reduce cost. Modern clearcoat paint finishes (most cars made since the year 2000 have a clearcoat finish) are much different than traditional paint systems without a clearcoat.

The result is a squeaky clean paint finish that’s as smooth as glass.įor complete instructions, see our complete Clay Bar Detailing guide. Use it after washing your car to remove all the loose dirt. Warning: Never wax over the dirt! Use a quality clay bar to safely remove bonded contamination.Ĭlay bar detailing is a quick and easy process of removing bonded dirt and other contamination with a simple bar of detailing clay. Today we have more choices but, no matter what, your car’s paint must be clean before waxing. The reason Simonize and Turtle Wax paste waxes were so popular a few decades ago is because they were a single-step paint cleaner and car wax in one (e.g., “cleaner/wax”). Let’s explore! Start With a Squeaky Clean Finish And it’s the same process for both fanatics and those interested in a quick wax job! Many car wax products have evolved to the point where nearly everyone will be satisfied with the results. These people need a fast and easy solution.

This may seem extreme for some but it’s pure enjoyment for car lovers.Īt the other end of the spectrum are folks interested in vehicle care, but their time is precious.

As funny as that sounds, it’s true!įor car enthusiasts, the pursuit of car appearance perfection will lead them to a multi-step, all-day, car pampering process. The car wax you choose is really a lifestyle choice. Things are different now! Today there are hundreds upon hundreds of car wax products, but the choices all boil down to: It used to be that you’d simply wash and dry your car, then pull out a can of Simonize (or other favorite cleaner/wax) to restore shine and wax protection. If you need information about the best car wax to use - based on the needs of both you and your automobile - see our Car Wax Buyer’s Guide. This article will cover everything you need to know about waxing your car to achieve an amazing shine and also the protection that goes with it!

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