How to Wax a Car?

[HealthyCivic]

Does anyone know of a good article or video or resource on how to wax the car? I've never done it before and I just want to make sure I get it right rather than do something stupid. I found a couple videos on Google but I don't know if the source is reliable or if it's just some random guy who may not even care about his car.

I read the spray-wax guide written by Mike Phillips (Thanks Mike!) but since this'll be my first time, I'll be applying the NXT 2.0 wax. While you're here, are there any serious no-nos or things I should avoid while waxing? Thanks.

[Murr1525]

Re: How to Wax a Car?

Have you done ane prep work beforehand? clay, clean, etc?

Dont get wax on the black plastic/rubber trim, it can stain.

Apply thin, almost as thin as the spray wax.

Not too much to it really.... If you are unsure, just do your roof, or trunk, etc. Apply, remove, see if it works for you.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: How to Wax a Car?

After you apply a very thin coat of wax. Remember to let it dry. Haze over, Usually after 20-30 minutes. Use a good high quality microfiber to remove.

Good luck.

[christian6984]

Re: How to Wax a Car?

other than, stay away from black trim, and not too thick/not too thin layers, its easy. If you get to claying this makes waxing much much easier too.

[the other pc]

Re: How to Wax a Car?

HealthyCivic,

Since you're in SoCal you should come on down to a Thursday night open garage and/or a Saturday class. You'll get to play with this stuff hands-on.

Sign-up for our Thursday Night Classes - Irvine, California

Sign-up for our Saturday Class - Irvine, California


PC.

[HealthyCivic]

Re: How to Wax a Car?

PC,

I was planning on signing up for a Saturday class but it looks like they are full for this year. I was going to signup for January if possible. Would it be a good idea to come to a Thursday class as a newbie? For some reason I had the feeling that Saturday was more of a complete class than Thursday and felt Thursday was for more experienced people.

[Murr1525]

Re: How to Wax a Car?

There wont be time to teach the full topics like in the class, so you'll miss a lot of the theory, etc. But you'll certainly be able to try out a wax or two, and have someone with experience helping/watching.... Or at least you can after PC finishes the initiation ....

[HK77]

Re: How to Wax a Car?

..............

Dont get wax on the black plastic/rubber trim, it can stain.

...............

Hi all,
I know that all the detailers suggest to tape off plastic/rubber trims and I think it's because wax stains on these parts and make them look not as black as before, right? For me, I usually don't tape them off and of course, wax stains these areas. So, after that, I wipe these areas with clean towel and then apply a tire dressing to these areas and they become black again.

I'm a complete novice to detailing and I don't have any idea what will be the bad part of my technique. Please suggest.

[the other pc]

Re: How to Wax a Car?

...I was planning on signing up for a Saturday class but it looks like they are full for this year....

Keep in mind that even though a class may be for a specific car club, if the club doesn’t fill up the class then any MOL member can sign up for any available spaces.

There have been a number of classes where the “add-ons” outnumbered the club members or nudged participation over the minimum needed to keep from canceling them.

Looks like there are two “detailing 101” classes left this year and neither has filled yet. I’d suggest you keep those two dates open and keep an eye on the sign-ups. If one doesn’t fill it’ll be opened up to any MOL’er about a week before the class. Even if they do fill you can post that you’re not a club member but would like to be put on the “stand-by” list in case anybody has to cancel.

... Would it be a good idea to come to a Thursday class as a newbie? ....

Absolutely! Thursdays are great for newbies as well as old hands (not to mention “the usual suspects”).

Yes, Saturdays are complete classes. But lots of newcomers drop by on Thursdays to get a short intro, learn one or two things they were after, get the general vibe or just hang out with other car nuts. (And don’t forget there’s free pizza!)

.... Or at least you can after PC finishes the initiation ....

Shhhhh! You’re not supposed to tell them about that.


PC.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: How to Wax a Car?

PC,

I was planning on signing up for a Saturday class but it looks like they are full for this year. I was going to sign-up for January if possible. Would it be a good idea to come to a Thursday class as a newbie? For some reason I had the feeling that Saturday was more of a complete class than Thursday and felt Thursday was for more experienced people.

Neither of these classes will fill up with club members so there's room for any registered forum member to sign up.

October 18th - Classic Pontiac's
November 15th - Pickups Limited


And there's two more Thursday night classes and we would be more than happy to show you all kinds of things including how to wax your car.

October
Thursday, October 16th Sign-up Thread
Thursday, October 30th Sign-up Thread


So sign-up and after you learn how to wax your car pass it on...

"Each one teach one"

If fact after you attend one of our classes share with your friends the fact we offer free classes...

Clean up the car world, one car at a time!

[HealthyCivic]

Re: How to Wax a Car?

Thanks guys.

So does this mean that it's OK to attend Classic Pontiacs or Pickups Limited if I don't have a Pontiac or a pickup? Is this just like an "Open class" but for a particular club or is the material geared toward Pontiacs and pickups? I don't want to squeeze in and be annoy people as a Civic owner in a pickup class either lol.

Thanks again.

[Ryan L.]

Re: How to Wax a Car?

Thanks guys.

So does this mean that it's OK to attend Classic Pontiacs or Pickups Limited if I don't have a Pontiac or a pickup? Is this just like an "Open class" but for a particular club or is the material geared toward Pontiacs and pickups? I don't want to squeeze in and be annoy people as a Civic owner in a pickup class either lol.

Thanks again.

Yep, there will be no problem at all...because those clubs arents going to fill up all the seats, the classes are open to anybody with any car from anywhere.

You'll have a blast, trust me!!

Ryan

[HealthyCivic]

Re: How to Wax a Car?

Ok great I'll go to a Thursday one and then a Saturday class.

I bought my car 3 weeks ago and I was planning on waxing it a month after I owned it. Do you think this is a good idea to try it myself or should I wait until I go to Open Garage on October 30th?

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: How to Wax a Car?

Since you have never waxed a car before. If you are apprehensive about it go to the class then tackle your car. You will be amazed at how much you will learn at the class. Its your call. If you feel that you have read enough doyoir car first. If not get to the class and then do the car. Good luck. Like Ryan say's you will have a blast.

[Murr1525]

Re: How to Wax a Car?

Just try doing your trunk first, dont tackle it all at once.