How to fix wax streaks on a car

Whenever you wax your car, you expect the end result to be a clean, bright finish that will protect your paint. While waxing your car's paintwork is a fairly simple process, it can end badly if you don't follow the correct waxing method.

The most common problem when polishing a car with wax is the appearance of stripes on the varnish. This can be caused by many factors, including:

• Waxing dirty paint
• Waxing missing areas of paint
• Too thin application of wax on the paint

With the right waxing procedure, you can fix a striped wax finish without having to do any major repairs and with just a few supplies.

Part 1 of 3: Car wash

The first step is to remove any dirt or contaminants from your vehicle. If you try to remove the wax coating or re-wax a dirty car, you can easily make the problem worse.

Necessary materials

• Bucket
• Soap for car wash
• Microfiber or suede cloths
• Washing glove
• water

Step 1: Prepare your cleaning solution. Follow the instructions on the soap container and mix the water and car wash soap in a bucket.

Soak the washcloth in soapy water.

Step 2: Rinse the car with clean water. Use clean water to remove as much loose dirt as possible from the car body.

Step 3: Lather your car. Start at the top of the car and lather the paint with a wash mitt. Work your way down and wash each panel completely before moving on to the next.

• Functions: Rinse the washcloth frequently in soapy water to remove dirt from its fibers.

Step 4: Wash your car. Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with clean water until no foam remains.

Step 5: Start drying your car. Wipe the outside of the car with a microfiber cloth or chamois.

Wipe the outside, wringing the cloth often so it can soak up as much of the water from the paint as possible.

Step 6: Dry the car completely. Use another clean, dry microfiber cloth to wipe down the car's paint one last time, picking up the last drops of water.

Part 2 of 3: Removing wax streaks from paint

One of the best ways to remove wax streaks on your car is to use a very mildly abrasive cleaning wax. It not only removes old wax, but also gives your car a protective look.

Necessary materials

• Applicator
• pure wax
• microfiber cloth

Step 1: Apply cleaning wax to your car.. Apply a strip of cleaner directly to the outer panel you are working on or to the applicator.

Use enough wax for a generous coat over the entire panel.

• A warning: Avoid using wax cleaner on untreated or unpainted plastic parts as it can permanently stain the plastic.

Step 2: Apply cleaning wax. Using the foam applicator, apply the cleaning wax in small circles to the entire panel. Use moderate pressure to lightly buff the previous wax off your car's paint.

• Functions: Work quickly so that the cleaning wax does not dry before you finish the panel. Get to the edges to keep the finish uniform.

If you need more pure wax, apply more to the panel.

Step 3: Repeat the process. Follow the same steps on the rest of the panels of your car. Try to spread the cleaning wax evenly over the entire paintwork of the car.

Step 4: Let the cleaning wax dry completely.. Check its dryness by running a test.

Run your fingertip over the cleaning wax. If it smudges, let it dry for another 5-10 minutes. If it comes out clean, like a powdered substance, it is ready to be removed.

Step 5: Wipe off the cleaning wax. Using a dry microfiber cloth, wipe the cleansing wax off the car's paintwork in large, circular motions. Wipe down each panel until no cleaning wax is left on your car's paint.

• Attention: Using linear motions may result in streaking.

Step 6: Assess Your Vehicle's Exterior Finish. Check the exterior of your car to make sure the stripes are gone. If you still see streaks, reapply the cleansing wax.

Part 3 of 3: Waxing the car to remove streaks

If there are streaks on the wax because you didn't apply it thick enough or you missed some spots, you can often just apply another coat of wax to the car.

• Functions: Always fully wax the car. If you only wax one panel or one spot, it will show.

Necessary materials

• Applicator
• car wax
• microfiber cloth

Step 1: Wax your car. Start with a clean car. Apply wax to the car paint, one panel at a time, using the applicator.

Apply wax generously to blend out previous streaked coverage.

• Functions: Use the same type and brand of wax as before.

Apply the wax to the paint in small circular motions, making sure the circles overlap.

Fully wax each panel before moving on to the next, rubbing to the brim and allowing the wax to dry completely after application.

• Functions: Try to apply the wax as evenly as possible from panel to panel.

Step 2: Let the wax dry completely.. When the wax dries, it will turn to powder when you run your finger over it.

Step 3: Remove dried wax. Wipe dried wax off the car with a clean, dry microfiber cloth.

Use wide, circular motions to scrape each panel.

Step 4: Check the finish of your wax work. If it's still a bit of a streak, you can apply another coat of wax.

Although there are many factors that cause streaks on a wax surface, the solution is usually to re-wax the surface, regardless of the cause. If you don't properly prep your car before waxing, you're more likely to get dirt trapped in the wax, giving it a striped look.