Module 6: Use of Wax

This module discusses the application of wax in car detailing. It is one of the most commonly used products for car protection and can provide many benefits. Waxing does also have some drawbacks, which will be discussed in this unit.

Purpose of Wax

Many car owners and professional detailers decide to apply wax to the cars for protection. The main ingredient of most car wax products is carnauba wax, usually mixed with natural oils, beeswax, and other types of waxes.

Wax is applied evenly to the outside of the car and serves several functions. Most importantly, car wax adds a thin layer of extra protection against environmental impacts.

The wax layer fills in any minor scratches on a vehicle, making it appear smoother and shinier.

Wax is an excellent dust repellent, stopping dirt from accumulating on the surface.

Wax also protects the paint job from water exposure. When a wax-protected car gets wet, water will bead and easily run off the surface keeping the car dry, and, ultimately, cleaner.

Some wax products that include UV inhibitors even provide excellent protection from the sun, extending the longevity of a paint job.

Finally, wax protects the car during wash as well, preventing the cleaning materials from scratching the surface.

Applying Wax

The first and arguably the most important step is to get the car as clean as possible. After a full body wash, make sure that the car is fully dry before proceeding to apply wax.

Car waxes most often come in containers along with microfiber applicators. They must be rubbed on the whole surface of the car.

There are also spray waxes available but they aren’t nearly as effective, and last only a couple of weeks. For these reasons, spray waxes aren’t often used in professional auto detailing.

It’s important to apply the wax evenly on the whole car. We will go over some of the tips and tricks you can use to guarantee a great waxing.

Wax is heavily dependent on environmental temperature. If it’s too cold in your work area, it will be much harder to apply the wax. Likewise, if the temperature is too hot in your work area, the wax will dry up quicker, making it difficult to spread and remove.

That being said, the ideal temperature for applying car wax is between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 26 degrees Celsius). Getting the temperature right can make your job so much easier.

To achieve the best results, always apply wax with microfiber pads. Apply the product to the car in small sections, in a circular motion.

After covering the whole surface, you can move on to buffing. Using low speed, you can buff out any imperfections and work in the wax more evenly on the surface.

After buffing, the only thing left to do is to wait for the wax to dry. Different waxes dry at varying times, so read the manufacturer’s instructions on the box for the suggested time.

After the wax is dry, you can finally remove any excess. You can use a clean microfiber cloth to remove the wax in the same circular motions you used for application.

The wax will leave a car with a great sheen, smoother texture, and will protect the paint job from damage in the coming weeks.

Pros and Cons of Wax

We have already covered some of the benefits of using wax. First and foremost, it can mask any small scratches on the surface and make the paint job appear much smoother and shinier.

Wax provides excellent protection against environmental damage, including dust, water, and the sun.

Water and moisture in general are the number one enemies of a paint job. It can cause discoloration, spotting, or even corrosion if the water gets past the clear coat and to the bare metal.

Because wax is hydrophobic (it repels water), it prevents water from staying on the surface for too long, making a car’s paint job more resistant to the water. It also keeps the car relatively cleaner after rain or snow, as the water tends to bead, and easily run off the waxed surface.

However, wax doesn’t come without its drawbacks. The biggest disadvantage of wax is that it doesn’t last too long and needs to be reapplied.

Depending on the brand, care, and environmental factors, wax can last anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks. After this period, the car will once again be more susceptible to damage.

Another disadvantage is that it can’t cover up larger scratches and marks on the paint job. While making the surface appear more uniform by filling in small scratches, wax isn’t an all-powerful solution for scratches.

Finally, to maintain the wax coat for long, special care is required. The best way to guarantee that it lasts long, the car needs to be washed often.

However, just any washing won’t do the job. Washing with the wrong cleaning solution can be damaging to the wax coat.

If a customer wants you to apply wax, make sure to manage their expectations and be clear on the longevity of wax, and inform them on how to best care for it.

Some car shampoos can strip away the wax coat and washing in an automatic machine can completely strip it away. To maintain the wax, a pH-neutral car shampoo must be used, and the washing should be done by hand.