Step 5: Wax
OK, we're in the home stretch. Now it's time to protect all the hard work you've done. There are a lot of wax products on the market, but they seem to fall into two broad groups: natural carnauba waxes and synthetic blends. Carnauba wax comes from a Brazilian palm tree and is considered the "hardest wax known to man," according to Mothers. Both Mothers and Meguiar's base their carnauba wax products on No. 1 yellow carnauba, the top carnauba grade. A synthetic wax is just that, a man-made product formulated to protect painted surfaces.
Carnauba gets the nod from the pros for its deep shine and protective qualities, but synthetics are just a bit easier to work with. You need to apply carnauba wax in the shade, as direct sunlight will harden it and make it difficult to buff off. A synthetic wax, on the other hand, can be applied in direct sunlight (like at a show) and not harden too soon.
As for the difference between a paste wax and a liquid, it all boils down to personal preference. Some feel the liquid is easier to use, but pastes are pretty soft these days, too. A can of paste may last longer than a bottle of wax, as it's easier to use more product than you really need when you're squirting it out of a bottle.
Application tips follow the same lines as the products we've already talked about. Put the wax on with a foam applicator pad and wipe it off with a terry cloth or microfiber towel. Don't use too much wax; a thick layer won't protect your car any better, and will actually be tougher to work with. The ideal thickness of a coat of wax is about the same as a sheet of paper, says Craig Burnett.
Mike Pennington did cite two examples of cases where a second coat of wax is beneficial: on the lower fenders and rocker panels during winter months, for added protection against the elements (and road salt); and on the top surfaces during the summer months to protect against sun exposure.
Where wax differs greatly from other car-care products is in the frequency of application. While you may need to surface prep only once or twice a year, the experts recommend you apply wax more often-every two to three months for a light colored car, and 8 to 12 times per year for a dark color. Why so often? Wax is your first line of defense against all those environmental contaminants we mentioned earlier, and regular washing will degrade the wax coat over time. Think of it this way: The more often you wax and the better protected your paint is, the less often you'll have to go through all the surface prep steps mentioned above.
How do you know when it's time to re-wax? If you rub your finger along the paint and it squeaks, it's time. Or if the paint detailers mentioned in the next section are slow to wipe off.
15. Waxes fall into two broad categories: synthetics and natural carnauba wax. Here's an example of each from Mothers, with the synthetics on the left and natural carnauba on the right. Both of these are one-step products that surface-prep and protect paint with the same application. In general, one-step products are recommended for light-colored cars or for cars that aren't exposed to much environmental contamination, like trailered show cars.
16. Wax can get caught in tight spaces, like around emblems and badges, and leave an unsightly residue. A small, soft brush like this one, which should be a part of a good brush kit, is good for cleaning around those areas.
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