After buying a new car, everyone wants it to shine as new (at least for first few months) so that they can enjoy its beauty and make the neighbors envy!

Well it is not that easy to maintain a car like new. However, you can do a reasonably good job in protecting its paint and shine by regularly taking care of its exterior.

European coach builders were the first that applied coatings of animal fats and wax to protect the custom paintwork on their horse drawn carriages. This tradition has endured over 100 years and is still the best way to protect the paintwork on modern-day coaches. Regardless of how fine the finish is now, it will deteriorate and dull. Radiation and ultraviolet energy, acid rain, salt, atmospheric pollution, insect fluids, and bird droppings wage a constant war on your car’s finish.

Waxing provides an easily renewable, transparent barrier between the finish and a hostile environment. Quality waxes now combine enriching oils that “wet” the surface with Carnauba Wax and/or modern polymers for a high gloss shine.

How to select wax?

Waxes can be made from a natural wax, usually Brazilian Carnauba, or synthetically made with polymers and acrylic resins. In choosing a wax, here are some points to consider:

Carnauba Waxes

Positives:

• Carnauba car waxes tend to produce a deeper, darker, richer shine that is often described as “three-dimensional”.
• Carnauba waxes bead water nicely
• Absorb the acid content in rain and
• Hide minor swirls in the paint.

Minuses:

• Carnauba waxes are not as durable as synthetic waxes. Depending on your climate, they typically last 90 days.
• Some carnauba waxes are a little harder to apply and buff off.
• Carnauba waxes can be temperamental, sometimes “streaking” under certain temperature conditions.

Synthetic Waxes

Positives:

• Made from modern polymers and acrylic resins, synthetic waxes offer maximum durability and ease of application.
• Synthetic waxes can last six to nine months or longer and typically wipe on and buff off with very little effort.
• These waxes, sometimes called sealants, create a very bright shine and are resistant to clouding and streaking.

Minuses:

• Synthetic waxes lack depth and richness. Black cars can look a sterile silvery-white in direct sunlight.
• Mirror-like polymers can collect in minor swirls and actually highlight paint flaws.

Proper Waxing Tips

Once you’ve selected a wax, here are some tips to make waxing easier:

1. Always work in a shaded area. Elevated paint temperatures cause waxes to dry too quickly. this may cause hazing or streaking.

2. Apply waxes using as thin a coating as possible.

3. Remove wax and buff using clean, dry terry towels.

Tightly woven material (like diapers) can trap particles between itself and the paint and cause fine scratches. New microfiber towels like the Magic Towel work unbelievably well as a final wipe towel. Keep one Magic Towel just for use as a final wipe towel.

4. If you have difficulty buffing the wax to a uniform shine, switch to a clean wipe towel.

5. Hazing, streaking, and uneven gloss can result from using too much wax or waxing a surface that’s too hot. If the gloss is uneven, mist the waxed surface with distilled water and re-wipe with a fresh towel. (A spray bottle with distilled water and 1/2 teaspoon of Isopropyl alcohol is a great solution for removing problem streaks and cloudy patches.) Simply mist the surface with one of these products and wipe with a clean towel.

Show-Car Trick

Detailers that prepare show cars will often layer a carnauba wax on top of a synthetic wax. The synthetic wax acts as a gloss layer while the carnauba wax adds depth and liquidity.

Try these steps and you will have a great looking car!