Car Wax: When and How to Use It at Your Commercial Car Wash

There is no better finish to a professional car wash than a quality wax job. Building a protective layer through proper application and removal with car wax wipes fills minor clear coat imperfections and leaves customers' vehicles shining.

If your wax products and staff are working well, it puts the final polish on your professional car care. Let’s shine a light on why waxing is recommended and how to apply it for the best results.

What Are The Benefits of Car Wax for Customers?

Although wax is usually an add-on to a car wash, it is really the final step of caring for a vehicle’s finish. Be sure to let your customers know about these benefits of waxing:

• Shine and protection. That glossy sheen is not just for good looks. Car wax protects the finish from UV rays, pollution, and road grime.
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• Water repellency. By creating a surface that sheds rainwater easily, fewer droplets remain to catch dust or dirt. The wax coating will hold up under gentle spray foam washing between waxes.
• Protection from chemicals. Road spray can coat a car with pollutants like oil, rubber, and carbon. Air pollution builds up on vehicle surfaces. Wax helps contaminants rinse off and creates a buffer that reduces chemical reactions with the paint layer.

Types Of Car Wax

There are many professional quality wax products on the market. Customers tend to prefer brands they recognize, like Armor All car wax, which comes in many formulations for different application styles.

Which product fits your business process—or your vending machines—best?

• Spray wax
• Liquid wax
• Paste wax
• Wipe-on sealant

When and How Should Car Wax Be Applied?

Waxing should be the final step after washing and polishing. While this might seem like a no-brainer, make sure that customers and employees know that car polish removes the wax layer and the hard work that went into it.

How often to apply wax really depends on how much and the type of driving your customers do. A minimum of three times per year is recommended for finish protection, but enjoying that sweet shine all year long may require waxing once a month.

Professional Car Waxing Techniques

First, and this can’t be said clearly enough, never wax over dirt. There is no substitute for a good car wash prior to waxing. Some commercial car washes even use clay bar detailing after washing, to remove any remaining grime before final waxing.
Most experts agree on these steps for the best liquid or paste wax finish:

• Work out of direct sunlight, using the applicator provided or recommended on the product.
• Apply wax in small even circles or a gentle back and forth motion.
• Work on one area at a time or apply a coating to the entire vehicle, following the product instructions.
• Avoid using too much wax or allowing it to dry in the joints between auto body panels.
• Buff the wax off to a clear, glossy finish using the best car wash towels available, usually microfiber detailing towels.
• If the wax does not buff off easily, switch to a clean towel or buffing cloth. If any streaks remain that will not buff out, move the car to the sun and allow it to warm for 10 minutes, and then finish buffing with a little detailing spray in the shade.

You Can’t Have Too Many Towels

Having all the commercial car wash materials you need on hand will keep the shine on your services and your customers beaming. When you need wholesale car wash supplies or vending machine items for your do-it-yourself customers, call Superior Car Wash Supply or browse our easy to use website for everything you need for a fabulous finish.