The process of waxing a car with a bad paint job is more complicated than simply applying the wax. A faded or flawed paint job on a car can be made better looking by a carefully-done finishing, including a clay bar treatment, polish and wax application.
Park & Wash
When washing, polishing and waxing your car, always park in a covered or shaded place. This will keep water from spotting and wax from streaking as it dries. Before wax can be applied, the car should be thoroughly washed to remove any dirt and debris. Many car owners neglect the washing step because of a bad paint job. If you skip this step, dirt can be pushed around under the wax which will result in substantial scratches on an already bad paint job. Use a microfiber rag to dry your car completely before moving on to the next steps.
Polishing
Car polish should be applied before the clay bar treatment and wax. The polish is marginally abrasive and will remove any remaining dirt or stains which are stuck to the paint’s surface. Also, polish can improve the visual quality of a less than perfect or aging paint job. Use a dry, clean rag to delicately work the polish into the car’s surface in even circular motions.
Clay Bar Treatment
After polishing, it is time to use the clay treatment kit. Work in small sections, about the size of one of your car’s quarter panels. Spray the lubricating agent which came with the clay bar then use the bar to gently pick up the loose dirt left behind by the washing and polishing steps. Repeat the lubrication and bar steps until you have treated the entire car. This prepares the paint for the finishing step of applying the wax.
Wax Application
The final step in using wax to improve the appearance of a bad paint job on a car is actually applying the wax. Use a new clean and dry rag to apply small amounts of wax. Even and consistent application is vitally important, so the same gentle circular motion should be employed when applying the wax. Once the wax has dried, the bad paint job should be less noticeable due to the increased luster and polish of the finish.
A well done wax treatment makes a bad paint job look substantially better by bringing up the polish of the car’s finish.
*Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net
