How to Wax Your Car

Co-authored by Chad Zani

Last Updated: March 4, 2024 Approved

Washing your car removes dirt and grime, but it's a good waxing that really makes your car look like it belongs on a showroom floor. Plus, wax protects your car from exterior dings and scratches. First time waxing your car or just need a refresher? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know to get the perfect finish.

Things You Should Know

Wash your car, take it to a garage or shady area, and wait for the weather to be 55–85 °F (13–29 °C) before waxing your vehicle.
Use the foam applicator that came with your product and apply the wax using gentle, overlapping circular motions.
Buff the car when you’re done and use a microfiber cloth to remove excess wax.
Polish your car when you’re finished with the wax to give it a sleek, shiny finish.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Prepping Your Car for Waxing

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Wash your car. Using mild soap and water, thoroughly clean your car in preparation for waxing it. The cleaning process is an important step in preparing your car. This also helps to enhance the longevity of the wax protection and achieve a smooth, glossy finish for your vehicle.^{[1]
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Research source} You want your car to be completely clean and completely dry before waxing. Wax has a tougher time adhering to dirt and moisture than it does the spanking clean surface of a clean car.
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For dull, scratched, or otherwise damaged paint, consider using rubbing or polishing compound before waxing. Rubbing and polishing compounds are slight abrasives that actually remove a fine layer of clear coat from your vehicle in order to achieve a smooth layer and even coloring.
- Polishing compound is less abrasive than rubbing compound, making it better suited for pre-wax treatment. Use a damp microfiber cloth to rub the polishing compound lightly over the entirety of the car and then another microfiber cloth to remove the compound.
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In very hot weather, the wax dries instantly as soon as you apply it to the car, making buffing quite difficult. This can also make the wax difficult to remove once applied. In colder weather, the wax is hard to move around and apply to the car itself.^{[2]
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Mostly for temperature reasons (addressed above), it's best to wax your car indoors so that the rays of the sun don't interfere with the waxing. Sunlight can heat up the car in addition to leaving waxy residue on the car which becomes difficult to remove. If you can, wax in your garage, where the temperature is more or less controlled and the rays don't penetrate. If you don't have a garage, find a spot in the shade of a tree or building to work, pick an overcast day, or work in the cool of morning or evening.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Waxing Your Car

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1
Choose a wax that you will use on your car. Ideally, the ones containing genuine carnauba prove to be the best products^{[citation needed]} although they are usually a little more expensive. But there are other kinds of wax that you may also want to know about:
- "Cleaner wax" is generally a little less expensive, but also proves to be harsher. Cleaner waxes often remove clear coat from your car.^{[3]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  Consumer Reports
  Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing
  
  Go to source} If you're using this kind of wax on your car, consider removing the polishing step from your pre-wax maintenance.
- Spray waxes go on easier, but of course there's a downside: They don't last nearly as long. Tested varieties of spray waxes tended to last only a couple weeks before succumbing to the elements.^{[4]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  Consumer Reports
  Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing
  
  Go to source}
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Place some wax onto the foam applicator that came with the wax. A silver dollar-sized amount should work fine for each 2' x 2' (60cm x 60cm) section of your car. Just to be sure, check the manufacturer's directions as a reference.
- How much wax should you use? Err on the side of less, not more. Applying too much wax is a common mistake. It creates more waste, is harder to remove, and leaves gunky buildup. A thinner layer of wax actually bonds better with the surface of the car.^{[5]
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- If your car wax didn't come with a foam applicator, try a damp sponge. It's not the greatest applicator, but it'll do the job in a pinch. It should go without saying, but if you decide to use a sponge, don't use it to clean dishes afterward.
Divide your car up into sections and wax each section at a time, applying more wax as needed. Gentle, overlapping strokes — between 3 and 5 lbs of pressure — will do the job just fine.
Use a high-speed, dual-action, or random orbital buffer to apply more wax to the car and buff out any imperfections. Set your buffer at a low speed, apply wax to the buffing pad or directly onto the car, and buff the car holding the buffer evenly on the surface of the car. Apply more wax as needed
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Let the wax sit for a few minutes per the car wax instructions. After waxing and buffing, wait as long as the wax manufacturers recommend. This may require waxing or buffing in sections, stopping, and then wiping away wax.
- Here's a good way that you can tell whether the wax is ready to come off. Make a swipe in the wax with your finger. If it smears, the wax isn't ready to come off yet. If it's clear, you're ready to take the wax off.
Use one side of the cloth to wipe away any wax on the car in circular motions. When the cloth begins to drag, that's a sign that the cloth has too much buildup. Flip the cloth and continue wiping away the remaining wax for a smooth finish.
Be sure to wipe off any remaining wax residue. You're done, amigo!

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Making the Most of Your Wax

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Of course, you can use regular old mild dish detergent on your car if you prefer, but that won't do much in the way of preserving your beautiful wax finish. Use a wash designed for wax finishes to get the most mileage out of your wax, and then reapply the wax as needed when it wears off.
Many professionals double-wax for a deep, enduring finish. Start off with a synthetic wax, buffing it up for extra shine. Wipe away, and then finish with another layer of carnauba wax. Polish for the kind of high shine often found at car shows.
If after you've removed the wax you're still experiencing streaking, here's one tip to help you out. Fill a spray bottle with distilled water. Add a teaspoon of rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol to the bottle and mix vigorously. Lightly mist the car where the stubborn streaks are appearing and wipe away with a microfiber cloth.
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Know that your wax finish may wear off sooner or later than the manufacturer suggests. This is another way of saying that each car is different, and that knowing when to wax again will depend on your eyes and touch, not on what the manufacturer says.
- Manufacturers have a financial incentive to overestimate how much you'll need to use your wax product. They'll often err on the side of applying more often, because it means you'll go through product quicker, and ultimately spend more money.
- On the other hand, some waxes won't have a long half-life on certain cars and may need to be reapplied with greater frequency.
Cars with matte finishes should not be waxed.^{[6]
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Research source} Shine agents are a big no-no for cars with a matte finish.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How does wax help protect a car?

Chad Zani
Auto Detailing Expert
Chad Zani is an Auto Detailing Expert based in Los Angeles, California. He is the Director of Franchising at Detail Garage, an automotive detailing company with locations around the U.S. and Sweden. He and his team are auto detailing experts that offer detailing and car care services.

Chad Zani

Auto Detailing Expert

Expert Answer

Wax is a natural UV inhibitor—it's essentially like a sunscreen for your car. It's also a form of protection against things like pollen, bird droppings, and acid rain.

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I live in an area where it rains a lot throughout the winter and my car stays outside. Will waxing help keep the paint from rusting and getting water marks on the roof and hoods? What type of wax works best?

Community Answer

Yes; wax will help protect your car's finish from moisture. Use carnauba wax for the best results.

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What is the difference between car wax and boat wax?

Community Answer

One is for fiberglass and the other is not. If you use boat wax on your car the finish will be very dull.

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Tips

Multiple thin coats of wax produce a better shine and superior protection to one thick coat.

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Waxing your car will help keep your vehicle looking better, which will help your vehicle maintain its value better.

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