How to Wax a Car

Instructions

1. Wash and dry your car thoroughly before waxing.

2. Step 2

   Know that some waxes contain abrasives, which can damage clear-coat and lacquer finishes, and may be harmful to dark-colored paint jobs. When in doubt, use a nonabrasive wax.

3. Step 3

   Park the car in a cool, shady spot. If you don't have access to a shady spot, wax one section at a time so the sun doesn't bake the wax onto your car. Avoid waxing if it's very hot or very cold outside.

4. Step 4
   
   

   Dip a damp wax sponge into the car wax, getting a half-dollar-size clump on your sponge.

5. Step 5
   
   

   Rub the wax onto the car using small circles. Avoid getting wax into seams and jambs, if this happens, use an old, very soft toothbrush to remove it.

6. Step 6
   
   

   Working on a section at a time, cover your car's entire surface, remembering the path you took. By the time you have finished, the wax will be ready to remove.

7. Step 7
   
   

   Using soft terry cloth towels (or, better yet, cloth diapers), wipe off the wax in the same order in which it was applied.

8. Step 8

   Shake out the towel or cloth as you work, in order to avoid wax buildup and streaking.

9. Step 9

   Leaning as close to the surface of your car as you can, look down the sides and across the front, back and roof to spot any residual wax.

10. Step 10
    
    

    Use a cloth diaper or a cheesecloth to polish the car's entire surface.

11. Step 11

    Wash your used towels, cloths and pads with liquid fabric softener to keep them from scratching your car the next time you use them.