DIY car wax – AutoTop

A car, like any thing, needs careful and competent care. However, even very experienced car owners do not always pay enough attention to the condition of the body. During operation, microcracks and chips form on the paintwork of the body, which may not be noticeable, and if this fact is left without due attention, the consequences can be quite serious. Under the influence of the external environment - rain, sunlight, road dirt with impurities of harmful reagents, microcracks will increase and corrosion may occur. In order to avoid such a situation and protect the paintwork of the body, various polishes , but liquid car wax can also be used effectively.

So what is liquid car wax?

The protective layer of liquid wax repels dirt particles and moisture, so the car stays clean much longer.

Liquid car wax is a special liquid product for protecting the paintwork of a car, based on synthetic or natural components. When treated with a car body composition, its components fill microcracks, small scratches, chips and other unnoticeable coating defects and prevents dirt and dust particles from penetrating into them. The wax also forms a kind of protective film that covers the entire body and repels road dirt and moisture from it, thus preventing the formation of premature corrosion. Waxing is also used to add shine to the paintwork of the body. After this procedure, the color of the coating will look brighter and it will acquire shine. The protective layer repels dirt particles and moisture, so the car stays clean much longer. In addition, the car dries much faster after washing. Treating a car with liquid wax can be done independently at home, or by professionals. Liquid glass , a modern ceramic-based protective product, has similar properties Coating with liquid glass gives a more pronounced and long-term effect, but only professionals can perform such a procedure, and it costs several times more. But it’s up to you to decide whether liquid glass or wax is better.

A couple of tips, or what NOT to do when polishing:

– Do not polish in dusty or windy places! The newly applied polish will be of no use, because it will immediately collect all the fine dust brought by the weather.

– The machine should not be in direct sunlight and the body should not be heated, since the polish should not be used on heated surfaces to avoid streaks and stains.

– The body should not be heated, as polishes cannot be used at high temperatures, humidity, cold weather and bright sunshine!

– There is no need to apply polish after each wash; usually the protective layer lasts on the car for more than a month.

– Each of the presented polishes can be used as an independent product.

Which liquid wax is best for a car?

Before you figure out how to use liquid wax, you need to find out what types of wax exist and how they differ. Today on the market you can find 3 types of wax from different manufacturers: Cold. The most affordable and easiest to use option. Before treating the body, you just need to dilute liquid car wax in water in accordance with the instructions and you can get to work. However, the effect of this procedure is not very durable and will need to be repeated 1-2 times a month; Hot. This type is distinguished by more expensive components that prevent the formation of corrosion. Dilute the protective liquid in hot water, strictly following the instructions. The price of hot liquid wax for cars is higher, but the effect is longer - from 6 months to a year; Foamy. This is the most expensive option. Only professionals can treat a car with foamy liquid wax, since special equipment is needed to convert the wax composition into foam. The effect of such a procedure is the most noticeable and long-term. Regardless of the type of protective liquid, the quality of the product itself is of great importance. Liquid wax "Grass" combines the highest quality and a very attractive price.

Self-preparation technology for polishes

Before you start mastering home production, you should remember that any polishing product must contain a certain amount of an abrasive substance. Another important element is the binding component, in other words, the base, which can be either liquid or silicone.

Preparing an abrasive for cleaning the body comes down to the following steps:

It is necessary to burn a small amount of paint (about 200 grams), but it must be chromium-containing. This can be done over a fire or using a soldering iron;
another option is to purchase ammonium dichromate and then burn it;
in this process, a liberation of hydrochloric acid is formed, which must be evaporated after oxidation.

Now you need to make a binding component similar to the one used in the well-known GOI paste. For this purpose, we will dilute together 2 parts of stearin, 1 part of acetic acid. Mix all this with 7 parts of chromium oxide and a couple of drops of kerosene. The resulting components will combine better if they are slightly heated during mixing.

How to properly apply liquid wax to a car

Polishing a car with your own hands is not a difficult operation, but before you understand the technology of applying liquid wax, you need to carry out a number of preparatory measures. First of all, you need to wash the car very thoroughly. Hand washing will not work in this case, so it is better to use special equipment or go to a car wash. Then you need to let the car dry quite a bit, but keep in mind the fact that the wax will stick well only to a moistened surface. While the body is drying, it is necessary to dilute the wax in water, strictly following the instructions. And prepare a napkin or sponge with which you plan to apply the coating. Now you can start applying liquid car wax to the body. Both cold and hot varieties are applied in an identical way, only the method of diluting the composition differs. It is necessary to apply the protective composition in small areas, leaving no untreated gaps or gaps. It is necessary to start processing from the roof, slowly moving towards the lower parts of the body. After the wax protective layer has covered the entire body, you need to let it “absorb” a little, that is, do not touch the car for 15 - 20 minutes. After waiting the specified time, you can begin polishing - use a soft, dry cloth to treat the entire area of the body in a circular motion. To obtain the desired effect, two essential conditions must be met:

To ensure that the composition adheres well, avoid direct sunlight on the car;
Avoid large temperature changes. The difference between the temperature of the body and the wax solution should be no more than 20 degrees.

Bright shine without polishing: how to make your car shine?

A freshly washed car , coated with wax, shines and sparkles like new, as if you just recently took it from a car dealership. It's a pleasant feeling, isn't it? Even better is that the car not only radiates beauty - its body, or rather paintwork, is also protected from dirt, rain and road reagents. But are there any pitfalls when applying a wax protective layer? We turned to professionals and this is what we learned about how to apply this very wax, what this procedure will give, which wax is better to use and is there a difference between cheap and expensive formulations.

Those who wax their car after washing are doing absolutely the right thing. Thus, they give the paint a beautiful shine and “seal” it, preventing the negative influence of the environment in all its manifestations (rain, ultraviolet radiation, pollen, bird droppings, insects, snow or road salt).

How to make liquid car wax with your own hands

If for some reason you do not want to use ready-made products, you can make your own wax at home on the stove. However, keep in mind that no matter how hard you try, home preparation will be less effective. The Internet is replete with articles and video tutorials on how to make liquid wax yourself. The easiest and most affordable way is to make a homemade product based on coconut oil. In order to make a wax composition using the specified method, you will need:

What you need and how to use a wax pencil for a car can be read here

steamer or steam bath utensils;
the wax itself, of natural or artificial origin (vegetable, bee) – 5 grams;
natural coconut oil – 50 grams;
carnauba flakes – 20 grams.

Why treat a car body with wax?

Most often, car body waxing services are offered at car washes. But drivers unfamiliar with this procedure most often refuse; the price for the service is also not cheap. Over the entire existence of cars, owners have treated car bodies, ranging from fat-based products to various chemicals, but wax has proven itself to be the best.

Typically, wax-based protection products are used to protect paintwork from various environmental factors. Thus, forming a thin protective film, such materials will help protect the car body from rust, microcracks in the paint and scratches.

We can conclude that by treating the car body with wax, you not only improve the appearance, but also protect it from the effects of the external environment; water rolls off the surface of the body much faster. As a result, drying occurs many times faster, the number of water stains decreases, and protects against fading of paint and varnish.

Question No. 4. What else should you pay attention to when buying wax?

Protective effect. Each wax composition is good at protecting against a specific external influence. In the summer, it is most important to choose a wax that will protect the paint from ultraviolet rays. In winter, the body needs protection from reagents, moisture and dirt. That is, the coating must be wear-resistant.

Gloss factor. Not every wax provides a shiny finish. In this case, however, the instructions on the packaging are not particularly helpful - each manufacturer promises, of course, the best result.

Composition of the product. If you value an environmentally friendly product, you should take a closer look at the “ingredients” and purchase natural wax. However, you cannot do without additives - solvents and emulsifiers are included in almost all waxes.

Price. More expensive, but not always better! Consult with professionals, they will suggest the most suitable product.

Which wax is best to use for processing?

The first wax materials for car body treatment were liquid or solid; progress does not stand still; as a result, synthetic and spray-type materials appeared. But still, the latter is not so good in terms of efficiency. Wax spray is considered the worst, since its protective properties are enough for two or three washes, which means you will have to apply and buy it much more often. Compared to other types of materials, the spray is applied easily and quickly; within 15-30 minutes the entire car body can be treated.

Liquid wax or in paste form is more resistant to detergents and external factors. It is better to treat the body with liquid wax on a washed surface, followed by rubbing in order to apply it as much as possible to damaged areas and microcracks. Hard wax is considered the best, but as car owners who have had to use it note, it is the most labor-intensive among all possible methods of protecting a paint surface.

You need to apply hard wax to a dry surface, the work takes quite a lot of time, and if you also take into account hot weather and direct sunlight is better, it can take the whole day. The protective effect of such a wax film lasts quite a long time, about 3-4 months, with good resistance to rough environmental factors (dirt, salt on the roads in winter, rain, snow and frost). Synthetic is considered the most durable; it is the most resistant to external factors and is able to retain its properties for six months. In addition to products used to treat car bodies, synthetic wax is added to car shampoos.

In addition to classifying wax by properties, it is divided by type of application. Cold types of application include compositions that include active cationic substances and emulsion wax in sufficiently large quantities. As a rule, such wax is applied manually. The main disadvantage of this type is its fragility; often after each wash it is necessary to reapply a layer of wax.

The second type of wax for car body treatment is hot. According to the type of base material, the main part is fat-like or synthetic in origin. According to experts, carnauba wax is recognized as the highest quality. To treat a car body with this wax, you need to heat it up to 90 degrees Celsius. It is almost impossible to carry out such a procedure at home, since the product hardens almost instantly after heating. The cost of the material is also not cheap, but the resulting film retains its properties for up to a year.

The latest type of wax using foam application technology. This wax contains the same substances as for hot application, but the application technology itself is completely different. This will require special equipment capable of creating a special foam, or rather its emulsion, by mixing air, a special composition and water. Due to the pressure under which the foam is applied to the surface, this method obtained the best results in adhesion and application. Polishing applied foam is much easier than hot wax.

When choosing wax to treat a car body, you need to consider its origin. Leading manufacturers divide it into four main types - plant, mineral, animal and synthetic. Considering that the properties of each type are almost the same, this parameter is almost not taken into account when selecting a material for processing a car body.

Preparation for coating and application instructions

To ensure uniform painting, you need to stock up on the right materials.

For high-quality painting you need:

gloves;
mask;
soft sponge or microfiber cloth

The first thing you need to do before applying wax is to thoroughly wash and then rinse the surface to be treated. After complete drying, apply a special liquid wax composition.

Manufacturers offer several types of wax. On the automobile market you can purchase:

wax in liquid form;
pasty;
in the form of a spray;
protective sealants.

The first step is to wash the body, but not just with water and shampoo, but with cleansing clay. Both individual and mixed formulations can be found on sale. The easiest way is to use a spray bottle. The spray should be sprayed onto a clean body and immediately rubbed with a soft cloth. It should be applied not entirely to the entire surface, but segmented, in small areas. When using types of wax in the form of a paste or liquid, several rules must be followed.

How to apply paste and liquid:

In the shade, out of sunlight.
For application it is better to use a foam sponge.
Application segments should be 20-40 cm.
It is better to use the minimum amount of composition.
It is advisable to pay attention to whether the composition should dry. So, some compositions are rubbed immediately after application, and some - after drying.

It happens that even after rubbing, traces of the composition remain. In this case, it is enough to put the car in direct sunlight for 10-15 minutes, but so that it does not heat up too much. After 15 minutes, the car urgently needs to be driven into the shade.

It is also advisable to ensure that the temperature outside and inside the cabin do not differ much. They should differ by no more than 20 degrees.

Clear sealants are helpful and help protect the body paint. They are made mainly from artificial components or from a mixture of both. The essence of their application is that they are distributed in a thin layer and left for 20-30 minutes. They are applied covering the entire surface. You can distribute the composition in a circle. This composition can be used to clean glass and plastic.

You can make your own wax using natural coconut oil and carnauba flakes. Melt the flakes with wax in a ladle until the mixture becomes homogeneous. When the mixture has cooled, you can use it.

How to choose wax for car body treatment

To treat the body of a car no older than five years, it is better to use liquid or solid wax. The paintwork is not yet so “tired” and the film lays down evenly. For older cars (5 years and older), it is better to use abrasive mixtures or wax-based polishes. In this case, microcracks and defects in the paintwork are better filled.

How to properly treat a body with wax

Depending on the wishes of the car owner, waxing the car body can be done manually or using tools. Most often they offer a manual option for waxing the body, but if you choose hot body treatment, you cannot do without a special tool. Each type of wax has its own application and processing technology, but there are basic rules that should be followed.

Regardless of the chosen type and method of application, the first thing to do is to thoroughly wash the car body from dirt and other substances. This is best done using a pressure washer and touchless foam application.

The procedure for treating a body with wax is simple; in any case, you need to let the body dry completely; you cannot apply wax to a wet surface, it will instantly roll off. The whole process begins with evenly applying wax to the surface of the body, it is best to do this in small areas, and to achieve greater effect it is recommended to rub the mixture with a napkin. After complete drying, wipe again with a felt or woolen cloth. It is worth wiping in a circular motion, in this case the wax will better adhere to the surface and fill all microcracks. It is not recommended to polish the body using a polishing machine; the wax film will be very thin and, in fact, will not be able to perform the task. The entire procedure should be started from top to bottom so that the napkin or cloth does not pick up small grains of sand, thereby scratching the car’s paintwork.

As statistics from various service stations show, liquid wax and spray are most in demand, since their application does not take much time, and the price of the procedures is not so exorbitant. Synthetic and hard wax for body treatment can take from half a day to a whole day, and the price is several times higher than the previous two options.

Pros and cons of car body waxing

Like every process, waxing a car body has positive and negative sides. The positive side is the natural result; as a rule, the paintwork is restored, all microcracks are removed and the saturation of the paint color is restored. In addition, in different weather conditions, the wax treatment will show its best side; in rainy weather, water will roll off the car faster, and after drying, tiny white spots will not appear on the surface. In winter, waxing the car body protects against salt corrosion and damage from ice crust, which means the body will last longer.

But there is also a negative side to car body treatment, primarily the price. Often they choose the cheaper option, expecting the same effect as when treated with hard or synthetic wax. Even the simplest procedure will take at least an hour, and the highest quality will take the whole day. Believe me, not everyone will allow you to spend the entire day waxing your body. Another disadvantage is the processing process itself; you need to carefully select the time and weather conditions, since the ambient temperature should be moderate and without direct sunlight. Wet weather is also not suitable; the wax simply will not cling to the surface of the car body.

What will help maintain the shine of the body:

Rubbing Compound is a polish with an abrasive for car bodywork. This polish perfectly copes with problems such as scratches and minor damage to the body, and also easily cleans the car body from traces of rain or snow, removes tar residues and other persistent contaminants. Polish with Rubbing Compound abrasive will restore the lost shine to the body surface and help prepare the body for painting.
Higlo Wax is an express polish for car bodies. An effective and easy-to-use polish suitable for cars with any body color. The product has an excellent water-repellent effect, prevents rapid contamination and damage to the paintwork and adds shine to the body.
Cosmic – body polish. This durable protector contains carnauba wax. Thanks to this, the polish not only forms a durable water-repellent shell that protects the paintwork from harmful influences, but also gives the body a beautiful shine. The product is easy to apply and suitable for cars of all colors. Does not contain abrasive substances.
Easy Tex Multi-Polishing Glove – microfiber mitten. The microfiber polishing mitt makes polishing your car or dashboard an easy and enjoyable task. Due to their structure, microfiber fibers have a large surface area, which allows EasyTexMulti-PolishingGlove to effectively absorb water, small dirt, and excess polish.
Portable car wash or bucket with clean water.
Rubber gloves – it’s better to stock up on 2-3 pairs
A drill or screwdriver is not necessary, but it will make polishing much easier and faster.
Polishing attachments (polishing wheels) - sold in car dealerships. For the drill, you can buy a special polishing attachment with Velcro - it will be convenient to attach and change it.

Cost of car body waxing

The price for treating a body with wax will largely depend on the material chosen, the method of application and the subsequent properties of the wax film. The simplest body wax treatment will cost about $15-20. Typically, this procedure uses an inexpensive, liquid wax or spray, and the process does not take much time, often about an hour.

The use of hard wax or synthetic increases the cost of the procedure by at least 10 times. As a result, such treatment of the car body with wax will cost about $150-300. There is no maximum price; the use of expensive wax and the application procedure itself can increase the cost several times. The price will also be affected by the car body; the larger it is, the more you need to pay extra for the material itself and the processing process. At home, applying wax to a car body is absolutely possible and the maximum cost will be on the material itself.

Despite the fact that even the simplest procedure for treating a car body with wax is not cheap and can be washed off after the second wash, they are worth it. Microcracks are removed, the saturation of the body paint is restored, and although not great, effective protection against external factors appears.

Video review of car body waxing:

In many Russian families, cars are treated with extreme care. He is protected, looked after, and regularly maintained. But how sad and disappointing it can be when a car ages prematurely and loses its former appearance. And there is only one reason for this: the abrasive effect on paintwork that occurs after dry or wet cleaning. It is enough for the varnish layer to weaken only slightly, and the sun and water will finally bring the destructive process to completion.

Polishes and paint protection products alone can achieve results only temporarily, this has been verified. What to do in such cases? Is there really no remedy that can really help? Of course, it exists and is called wax.

Types of wax polishes

Today's market for automotive consumables and accessories offers car owners a very wide range of body care products. There are so many of these products that consumers do not have time to understand the composition and properties of the products offered on the market. Meanwhile, even such a simple product as car wax also has many types and types.

The most common misconception is caused by products that simply contain wax particles, however, they are intended for slightly different purposes. We are talking about products that are used for rough polishing of the body, which involves partial rubbing of the paintwork along with shallow scratches and other defects. These products are intended for use once a year, not more often.

If you use this product too often, you can achieve a matte effect on the body, and rub it all the way to the primer. This happens extremely rarely, but we should not forget about it.

The second type of polishes containing wax are polishes for seasonal car body care. That is, their use should be limited to just once every three months. These products contain special substances that, like the previous ones, partially “eat” the paintwork, thereby leveling it. These products also contain abrasive particles, which, with frequent use, will erase an impressive layer of paint and lead the car owner to deep disappointment.

And finally, the last type of wax preparations for car body care are liquid products that do not last long. Their use provides short-term protection of the body from external influences, which is limited to two or three car washes. Often these products are used in professional car washes to give the effect of shine and newness. Such products are washed off very quickly, but their frequent use does not harm the paintwork of the car body.

Liquid wax and its benefits

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This is one of the most effective means, financially accessible and at the same time high quality. A special wax composition is applied to the paintwork of the body in liquid form, preventing aging and wear. The wax layer becomes an excellent protection against the effects of washing, also helping to dry the body faster.

What is “anti-rain” made of and what is it like?

The product contains polymer and silicone components contained in an organic-based solvent. “Anti-rain” is divided into several types:

Liquid. The use of such products is quite simple and boils down to wetting the fabric and applying the substance to the surface. Quality largely depends on the product used (composition, manufacturer). The consumption of liquid polish will be high, since the container is not equipped with a dispenser.

In addition to store-bought polishes, you can make “anti-rain” at home. For these purposes the following are mainly used:

paraffin;
silicone oil;
construction sealant;
fabric softener.

Types of wax

Today, several types of wax are known. Let's take a closer look at them.

Cold wax

Great attention should be paid to cold waxes containing surfactant particles and emulsion. When applied, this composition easily fills microcracks, various scratches and cracks in the body covering. This makes the car shine, makes washing easier, and speeds up drying.

Cold waxes have one drawback. They don't last long. In other words, to consolidate the effect of such compositions, it is advisable to use them after several washes in a row.

Hot wax

Professionals recommend paying attention to hot waxes. They are not found on sale very often, so they may not even be known to a wide number of motorists. The composition resembles a fat-like substance, which can be artificial or natural.

Hot waxes last from 6 to 12 months. They perfectly protect body surfaces. The only disadvantage is the application process, which is more time-consuming compared to the cold method. You will need to dilute the composition with hot water in the same parameters, apply with a napkin and polish.

You should know that carnauba wax is often added to hot waxes, which is characterized by absolute transparency and ultra-reliable protection. In addition, substances are added to this composition that effectively stop the effects of corrosion.

Another disadvantage of hot waxes is their price. Due to the fact that the compositions use expensive raw materials, they cost much more.

Foam wax

Foam waxes are similar to hot waxes. To apply such wax, however, you will need special equipment. The fact is that foam waxes must be applied with the support of a jet of air under pressure.

Only in this way does a wax coating of this type adhere well to a metal body and is sprayed more evenly.

Hard wax

This is a modern tool. It is distinguished by its universal properties due to the creation of a thin water-repellent film on the body, and does not require complex application technologies. It is practically no different from liquid wax. Same shine, lasting effect for 5-6 months (several procedures in a row are required).

Hard wax contains natural and synthetic substances. For example, it can be either beeswax or vegetable wax.

Watch a video on how to apply body wax

What is the use of the anti-rain product?

Recently, car owners are increasingly using such a product as “anti-rain” for their cars. The substance is a chemical composition intended for application to the surface of glass in order to remove precipitation under the influence of oncoming air flow. “Anti-rain” is applied to the working surface of the glass, and after the volatile compounds evaporate, a protective layer is formed that interacts with the glass. This polish fills microcracks, scratches and other defects. After this, the car just needs to pick up a certain speed during the rain, and the water will fly off under the air currents without interfering with the view. In this case, there is no need to turn on the wipers.

Video: how “anti-rain” works

Recommendations and tips

You need to work with wax correctly. If you follow the nuances of technology, the body covering will be reliably protected.

Body surfaces must be clean not only from dirt, but also from grease.
It is better to wash the car by hand, and then carefully check the paintwork for contamination.
Apply wax only to a dry body surface.
First, it is better to apply the composition to small areas of the body, and then rub it in thoroughly with a sponge or soft cloth.

After the body surface is covered with wax, the composition dries, you can start polishing. For this, a special fabric is used, for example microfiber. It is recommended to process the body in a box where it is clean and dry.

Note. It is not recommended to apply wax in windy, hot or cold weather. The temperature should be standard.

It is also recommended to pay attention to the manufacturer. It is better to immediately reject Chinese compounds, carefully pay attention to the raw materials, and so on. It's better to read the ingredients right away. So, if there is an abrasive in the wax, the product will be noticeably different. It is also better not to buy such compounds, especially for new cars. In this case, it will be better to purchase pure wax.

Note. Tip on how to check the purity of the wax: knead a little paste in your palm. If there are foreign inclusions, your fingers will feel them.

Waxing is a chance to update the appearance of your car and get reliable protection against corrosion. Don't neglect the tips above if you want to operate your machine for many years without problems.

Watch videos and photos, and also study other articles on our automotive site. Familiarize yourself with the technology and techniques of car body care. Don't forget that the car frame is the most expensive part of the car.

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