Welcome back to the Proje’ auto detailing blog! This week’s post will show you the most effective way to wax, seal and protect your car, so that you don’t leave any swirl marks, and you get the best, long-lasting results. We’ll look at the procedure as a whole, as well as a few expert tips and some things to avoid. And again, I’ll go through all of the best products that you can use to get these great results!

Why is this Important?

Swirl marks or “spider webbing” are very noticeable; this can really deter from the smooth shine that you want to achieve on your bodywork. Swirl marks can only be put in by the machine waxing process, where the spider webbing effect is from doing it by hand. The good news is that it isn’t so hard to avoid these, with a few quick steps!

The “Ingredients”

Before you get down to waxing, let’s check that you’ve got the right products to do the best possible job!

The Applicator

The first thing you’re going to need is a really good applicator. The Proje’ blue applicator pad works great for general cleaning, applying coatings and waxes. It has been specifically designed to fit perfectly in your hand and ensures that you will never introduce swirls or scratches to paintwork or interior surfaces when used correctly. Better yet, the Blue Applicator Pad is 100% machine washable. The design of our pad is extremely uniform, meaning that you get an even application every time. This is often the most time-consuming aspect of applying waxes, as an uneven application can affect smoothness. A number of applicators on the market contains uneven or shaped surfaces, which negatively affect the evenness of application. Our applicator is not only uniform, but it’s the same on both sides, so it’s impossible to get it wrong by accident!

The Wax

Loaded with high-end Brazilian Carnauba wax, our Old School Paste Wax really lives up to its name. It’s safe and effective on all glossy paints and clear coats. Carnauba wax has long been used by enthusiasts and serious auto detailers as the number one way to create that vibrant wet shine that you see in the movies and showrooms. Suited to all paints and colours, our Old School Paste Wax is the highest-quality you can get. Carnauba leaves are picked and dried so that the wax can be removed in flakes, which are then expertly blended to create an automobile-friendly wax. We add softening compounds to make the application and spreading process quicker and easier, allowing you to create a smoother, more even gloss on your pride and joy.

The Towel

For the end of the process, you’re going to want a high-quality microfiber towel. Our Pro range (WhitePro, BluePro and RedPro) are directly imported from South Korea to Proje’ HQ. Rated at a premium 480 GSM, these are our softest towels, and are ideal for wax and sealant residue removal. The high GSM rating ensures that you will never introduce swirls or scratches to the paintwork when used correctly. These towels also aren’t too thick, so the wax will wash out easily. Finally, they’re edgeless so there’s no inconsistency in their thickness or feel, meaning that your wiping process is completely uniform. This is important for a really smooth, even coverage of the wax.

The Process

Time to get down to it! Make sure you’re working out of direct sunlight, and start off by applying a few dots of the wax to the applicator pad. Spread them out evenly, like the dots on a dice. Now, working in a circular motion, gently apply the wax to the bodywork. The key here is to use no pressure at all – you don’t need to! As you move down your bodywork section by section, overlap the area of coverage by about 50% each time, just to make sure that you get full coverage.

Leave the wax for 3-5 minutes to cure and set. Our wax is fast-acting, so you won’t need to leave it for any longer as you might with other waxes.

Once you’ve done that, get your microfiber towel and wipe the wax off the surface. Again, a circular motion allows for the best coverage. Remember, you still don’t need to use any pressure – waxing is a smooth, gentle process. Also, take your time. Waxing is a labour of love and, done correctly, will provide an amazing, long-lasting look to your car, just like you see in the movies!

So, as you can see, this is a really simple process, and to get it right without any problems, remember the following:

  • Good quality products
  • Go slow
  • Move in a circular motion
  • Don’t apply pressure

Get these right and you’ll be on your way to an immaculate finish!

Pro Tip

To get your bodywork in the best possible shape ready for waxing, use our three-step process: Clay, Wash, Wax. I’ve already written about how to clay your car – stay tuned for a post on washing in the near future.

The Alternative

When time is of the essence, the old school way might not be for you. We’ve developed a hydrophobic polymer wax substitute called Rapid Quick Wax. It provides long-lasting water beading and sheeting protection and is extremely quick to mist on and wipe off. You can do your entire car in under 20 minutes, it won’t stain plastic trim, and is suitable for all painted and non-painted surfaces.

You might expect that a quick solution such as Rapid Quick Wax would provide a second-rate finish that would need replacing quickly – but it doesn’t! Rapid Quick Wax provides exceptional coverage and a thin but complete seal across your vehicle that buffs in to that classic wax shine and protects from water beading as effectively as heavy-duty paste wax, but for a fraction of the time and cost.

For this process, spray directly on to the car. Be nice and liberal and then spread the wax using one side of your microfiber towel. Once you’re done, flip the towel over and give it a final wipe. That’s it! You’re done! This is a bit of a time saver – obviously using paste wax will give a superior finish, but there’s not that much in it, so if you want to save yourself some time, give Rapid Quick Wax a go!

 

If you have any questions about any of the techniques or products that I’ve mentioned in this post, just contact us on info@projeproducts.com and one of the Proje’ team will be in touch with you! Remember that we stock only the best auto detailing supplies, so why not click some of the links in this blog post, or visit our products page to find out more?

This content was inspired by Jimbo at Auto detailingpodcast.com - check out my YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCERlrMos2CPLVe8jmZSIPJA