Auto wax: which auto wax to choose and how to rub?

The car was washed, dusted, refreshed and fragrant - and if it were additionally protected from further accumulation of dirt and give the body a shine? Waxing a paintwork is a low-maintenance process for normal car care, and it can make the car look like it just left the showroom. We advise which car wax to choose and how to wax your car!

Car polishing with wax - what are the results? 

If you've never heard of waxing a car body before, you may associate the term with leaving a greasy film on it. In fact, the wax does not leave a visible coating on the varnish, but it visibly shines and protects it. Before what?

• Against the accumulation of new dirt and corrosion - this, of course, does not mean that a stain will never appear on the paintwork again. However, waxing a car creates an invisible hydrophobic coating on it that repels dust, sand and water and thus reduces their traction. Thus, it protects it, among other things, from the destructive effects of salt sprinkled on the roads in winter.
• Before paint chips - as a result of blows with pebbles or particles of sand during movement. Again, it should be emphasized that this reduces their negative impact, and does not eliminate it one hundred percent. If a branch falls on the varnish, even a waxed branch may break off. After waxing, thanks to the protective layer, the varnish simply becomes stronger.
• Fade Resistant - This layer also protects the paint from fading due to exposure to direct sunlight. Thanks to its use, the risk that the body will fade and the beautiful color will lose its intensity is reduced.

Polishing a car with wax - in the service or at home? 

Looking through the offers of sites specializing in auto detailing, it is not difficult to find a service for applying protective wax. Its cost is usually an additional PLN 100-300, depending on the class of wax and the size of the car. And if you look at the price of the wax itself, for example, in the offer of AvtoTachkiu, it turns out that this product costs from a dozen to several tens of zlotys. The most expensive ones can be found for 170 zł (Fusso Coat). Even when choosing the most expensive wax, applying it yourself is simply more profitable; After all, these drugs are enough for several dozen applications.

And where does such a large selection of waxes come from? It is easy to see that there are differences not only between manufacturers. You can also find at least a few different products under the same brand. Their diversity is due to the fact that they are designed for different needs and conditions of the car. We will discuss the different types of car waxes one by one to make your choice easier.

Which car wax to choose? 

The most common division of these drugs concerns their composition: they can be natural or synthetic. How different are they?

natural waxes 

Derived from natural ingredients. The hardest vegetable wax is carnauba wax. It is obtained from the leaves of the fennel palm, which grows in Brazil. Natural waxes last 4 to 9 weeks. They are characterized by very good hydrophobic properties, due in particular to the hardness mentioned above. They are available on the market in permanent or spray form. The former can be difficult to apply due to its hardness, but it is very effective. What's more, there are products on the market that advertise a softened wax formula to make it easier hard wax car polish.

When describing natural waxes, one cannot fail to mention their usually very pleasant smell; a detail that every car enthusiast will appreciate.

Synthetic waxes 

Obtained artificially, consist mainly of synthetic polymers. This greatly facilitates the application of the drug and gives it a high resistance of the hydrophobic layer: up to 12 months! Therefore, they are easier to use and more durable than natural waxes, but this results in a higher price.

They are available on the market in three forms: spray (liquid), solid paste and milk. They differ in purpose and method of application, so we will devote several proposals to each of them separately.

Classification of synthetic waxes by shape: 

Spray wax (liquid) 

This type of wax can be called an express preparation. It applies quickly, spreads quickly and does not cause any problems. It is enough to spray the car body and rub the wax with a special microfiber cloth to polish the paintwork; its structure ensures that no scratches appear on the paintwork during waxing.

Thanks to a very simple and effective application, this solution is suitable for people who do not have much time for car care or who are not confident in their manual skills. You don't have to worry about streaks or unsightly wax residue; no visible marks remain after application. However, keep in mind that it is intended for varnishes with a low degree of damage; it will do well on small scratches, but deeper ones will remain visible.

wax paste 

Since the predecessor was the easiest to apply, this choice requires a lot of time and effort. Due to its high density, it is difficult to apply, but at the same time it forms a hard and therefore good coating against dirt and minor damage. It is worth repeating here that natural products are harder than synthetic ones, so the application is even more difficult to use.

On the market, you can find both hard waxes designed for scratched or matte varnishes (with abrasive particles - such preparations are most often found in several degrees of abrasion so that you can find the product suitable for your varnish), and newer or more well-groomed (without particles).

Undoubtedly, this is the solution for people who want to wax their hair for a whole day or half a day. The preparation can be applied with a special wax sponge or an electric polishing machine (which significantly speeds up the work) at a speed of 600-800 rpm.

milk wax 

Choice between option A and B. It is slightly more difficult to apply than liquid products, but easier and faster than solid products. Wax is applied to a polishing machine at a speed of 600-800 rpm or to a manual wax sponge; as with solid, however, the application is lighter due to the less dense consistency. It also provides less scratch visibility than spray wax.

So you will have to make your own decision about which car wax to choose based on the information above. Think about how long waxing will take you, how much experience you have with waxing, and take a close look at your car's paintwork to see how badly it's scratched or dulled. Regardless of which you choose, be sure to thoroughly wash the car with water and a suitable product before applying the wax. Even the smallest grain of sand can scratch it if it is under a polishing machine or sponge.

More auto industry texts can be found on AvtoTachki Passions in the Tutorials section!

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