Unless you live in a major city, a car is one of those fundamental necessities. That helps explain why Americans buy about 18 million new cars and around 40 million used cars each year.
Once you have the car, you want it to last. Making your car last takes some regular maintenance. There are the oil changes, new brakes, and the occasional tune-up.
Those are great for the mechanical aspects of the car, but the exterior needs some love too. A perfect car shine isn’t just decorative but helps preserve the finish and car paint.
Not sure how to shine a car? Keep reading for our guide to getting the perfect car shine.
Wash It Down
If you want a shiny car, washing the vehicle is your first step. There are a few important elements here. Always use a liquid designed for washing cars.
Take a few moments to rinse the car down first with your hose. That helps dislodge any small particles on the car that might scratch the paint.
Rinse the car from the top down as well to ensure that everything works its way toward the ground. You’ll want a non-abrasive cloth or sponge for the actual washing.
Let It Dry
Don’t let temptation trick you into applying anything else until the car is completely dry. Remnant water from the rinse can interfere with the wax.
You can speed the process along by hand drying the car. Microfiber towels are a popular choice for drying, but any non-abrasive cloth will do in a pinch.
Apply the Wax
There are numerous car wax products on the market. If you have the time, you can go with a paste car wax. If you’re like most adults and starving for time, you’ll probably want a liquid or spray wax.
Again, you’ll want a non-abrasive cloth like a chamois cloth to apply the wax to the car. If using a liquid, you’ll want to put some wax on the cloth.
Then, apply the wax using an overlapping circular motion. The overlapping circular motion helps you get solid coverage.
Depending on the exact type of wax you use, you may need another pass to buff the wax. Don’t overdo the pressure during the buffing. You just took the time to apply wax, so you don’t want to accidentally remove it at this stage of the game.
For a little bonus car care, click for car fresheners.
You Can Get a Perfect Car Shine
The perfect car shine may feel like a daunting task, but it’s mostly about putting in the time and effort. Make sure you start with the right kinds of products, like a car cleaning liquid, non-abrasive sponge, and non-abrasive cloths.
Wash the car first. Start at the top and work your way down. Let the car dry before you start waxing.
Once you start waxing, aim for complete coverage. If you need to buff, don’t overdo the pressure.
Looking for more car tips? Check out the posts in our Automobile section.
