The most crucial step in protecting your car’s paint after polishing is waxing. While some people dismiss car waxing as an extraneous activity, regular waxing can have your car looking better for longer when compared to cars that forgo waxing.
A quality waxing job acts a sealant and protectant; it helps keep road tar, tree sap, bird droppings, dust, pollution, rain spots and other environmental pollutants away from your car. Regular waxing keeps your car looking glossy for longer, protecting the paint and exterior from corrosion. While looking for a car wax, you will come across a variety of products. Choosing the best one for your car requires a general understanding of the options in the market. Some of the car wax options available include:
Natural vs. Synthetic Wax
Natural car wax is often the more expensive version and is arguably the best choice available. All natural wax products come entirely or partly from plants, with the carnauba car wax as the most popular natural wax. Most natural car wax brands contain the carnauba either purely or in combination with other petroleum products. Choosing a natural car wax guarantees you superior protection and a glossy finish, but you must reapply it regularly as it wears out fast.
Synthetic car waxes, like all synthetic products, are a combination of several chemicals. As an artificial product, it is highly affordable, readily available and popular with the majority. It comes in form of a spray or as a liquid with the consistency of a shampoo. Many people find it easier to apply, buff and are undoubtedly longer-lasting that natural wax. However, synthetic wax cannot match the high sleek and glossy finish of natural wax.
Wax Forms
Natural and synthetic car waxes come in four different forms namely:
Paste wax is one of the oldest wax products available, which guarantees you a deeper, glossier and better finish than most other wax products. Application of paste wax takes time and effort; in some cases, you may need to warm the surface by running the engine a few minutes before the application process. One popular type of paste wax is the natural carnauba wax, which when combined with natural oils give a beautiful glossy finish. While paste wax provides superior protection, it requires multiple re-application for continued protection over your car.
Liquid
Liquid wax delivers a smoother texture when compared to paste waxes, is easy to apply and takes little application time when applied by machine or by hand. All types of liquid wax, including natural forms, come with a synthetic polymer enhancer to help them last longer.
Spray
Spray waxes come in handy when you need a quick fix, especially when you have a peeling layer that needs a boost. Unfortunately, they do not guarantee you the durability you need for a long-term solution. However, it is always advisable to have a spray wax at hand to help you when you need a quick fix.
Pigmented
Pigmented wax comes in different colors to help you match a wide range of paint colors. Pigment waxes generally work as fillers for scratched and swirls. However, most modern cars come with a transparent top coat, which contains the color, limiting the use of pigmented wax to older car models.
Successful car waxing begins with proper preparation such as steaming to remove contaminants. You need to work on a dry surface in a shaded area. Buy you car wax product from a reputable dealer such as Z-One Automotive.
