Basic, Better, Best – Car Wax

“Wax on, wax off, Daniel-san” said the late, great Mr. Miyagi. This was of course a way to train young Daniel, it apparently prepared his muscles for blocking moves and such. It had very little to do with actually waxing a car. But, we wanted to wedge it into this article, so what can you do? Plus, let’s be honest, you can’t talk about waxing a crat without hearing the words of Miyagi in your head. The wax, after all, does indeed go on, and then it’s buffed off. Buy the right wax and you’ll be left with gleaming and ultimately protected paintwork. Wax is the final layer, the one that seals in all the cleaning you have done beforehand. Wax is important. The shine and glisten is but a bonus. A good wax should offer long-last protection from UV rays, from water and from airborne contaminates. But what wax should you buy? There are so many out there that the choice can be bewildering. Worry not though, as we have three waxes here that have been properly tested by us. In fact, you find them in our big box of cleaning kit at this very moment.

Before You Wax

Wax is important, but it’s not a magic coating. For wax to be the best it can possibly be, you need to do the requisite work beforehand. Wax is a sealant, it’s the final coating. If everything you have done before is poor, wax won’t cover it up. In fact, it may even make it look worse. We have covered the stages of detailing and protecting your paint in the past, and we would encourage you to have a read of that article. The transformation of our old R129 SL was quite something. But in short, you need to wash the car, you need to clay bar the paint to remove embedded contaminates, then you need to polish the paint to remove swirls and other defects. Then, and only then, should you apply your wax of choice. And when you do, and you’re presented with a car that boasts a rich, flawless gloss, you’ll thank us!

Basic

Waxing a car is, let us make no mistake about it, hard work. All that bending over, all that buffing, all that stopping to just stare at your shiny, shiny car. Happily, this Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Wax spray is an absolute doddle to apply. You take one clean car, you then spray some of this onto a microfibre cloth, then work it into the car, one panel at a time. Let it dwell for a moment, then buff it off with a clean microfibre towel. It couldn’t be easier. And the results are excellent. We have used this on a couple of our cars (and continue to do so) and the results are excellent. It goes on and buffs off with absolute ease, and it provides an excellent shine. It’s also gloriously hydrophobic, with water beading off without fuss. F0r a hair under £15, you won’t find much better.

Better

Next up, we have a more traditional wax, this time from Bilt Hamber. At the mention of that name, some of you will be nodding in agreement. If you’re not familiar with it, Bilt Hamber is one of the biggest names when it comes to helpful vehicular fluids. From rust remover to paint stripper to cleaning stuff, Bilt Hamber has built an enviable reputation. This Double Speed Wax, which comes with an applicator pad and special microfibre cloth for buffing, is further proof that this brand is at the top of its game. A little goes a long way, and you need to make sure you apply it in the shade and not direct sunlight. Simply apply it in small circular motions, let it cure for ten minutes, then buff it off. It can be a bit stubborn to remove if not left to cure properly, or if you use too much. So be warned. Once applied, you car will have an excellent gloss and an impressive level of protection. Our car currently wears a coat of this.

Best

British company, Auto Finesse, knows a bit about vehicle detailing. It started off with one man in a van, visiting people’s homes and cleaning their cars. It has now grown into a massive company that many would argue is leading the way in vehicle detailing. Plus, they really do understand classic cars. Just have a look at some of the old metal featured on their YouTube channel. The bottom line of this is that these products are perfect for your classic, products like this Fusion Hybrid Wax. It’s a wax, but it’s also a sealant, and as such, it offers four to six months of protection. Furthermore, you can layer this wax up (as long as you leave three hours between coats) to get an even richer, deeper, glossier shine. Plus, it smells like bubblegum, and who doesn’t want their car to smell like that?