How to Restore Your Car's Shine

By eHow Cars Editor

Rate: (12 Ratings)

Pick a nice shady place and crank up the tunes. Before you know it your car will be as shiny as new.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

  • Car Wax
  • Cheesecloth Or Cloth Diaper
  • Sponge
  • Terry-cloth Towel
  • Soft Toothbrush

Step1
Purchase a nonabrasive car wax at the auto-parts store.
Step2
Choose a shady place to wash and wax your car. Otherwise, the sun will roast the wax onto your car and could damage your paint job.
Step3
Wash and dry your car (see How to Clean the Outside of Your Car).
Step4
Apply the wax to the car using a damp sponge. Make small circles with your sponge when applying the wax. Use care around seams and creases to avoid getting wax in the cracks. You can remove any built-up wax with a soft toothbrush.
Step5
Wipe off the wax with a terry-cloth towel after you have applied it to the entire car. Start with the section where you first applied the wax.
Step6
Buff the entire car with cheesecloth or an old cloth diaper to make it shine.

Tips & Warnings

  • Letting car wax sit on your car for more than 2 hours makes it extremely difficult to remove and polish.

Comments

| View All Comments

Cafa said

Flag This Comment

on 8/12/2007 Wax is bad, gives a short-term shine but does long-term damage. Use car polish. No one in their right mind uses car wax. Ever.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 7/30/2006 I also prefer carnauba over synthetic waxes because they look better. If you get a carnauba wax, apply two layers of wax. The wax looks much deeper with two layers, as opposed to one.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 7/30/2006 Stick to a paste, not a liquid. The finish looks a lot deeper, and lasts longer. The paste is also cheaper.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 12/28/2005 Rub the paint with an automotive clay bar and some quick detailer for lubricant prior to waxing. It will remove contaminants and make the surface smooth like glass.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 11/22/2005 Microfiber cloths will allow you to final polish the vehicle with much less spider webbing of the finish. Terry cloth is actually more abrasive to a clearcoat than you might think, it is good for removing oxidation and minor scuffs (with an appropriate polishing compound), but not the best for establishing a really high gloss (especially if you have a black or dark colored vehicle). Additionally, make sure the buff cloth and applicator are clean. You can easily do more damage than good, if you for instance, accidentally drop your buff cloth in the driveway and continue to use it. Get a fresh cloth. One fleck of sand or debris will trash your finish, when you are inadvertently grinding into the paint.

View All

Post a Comment

POST A COMMENT

Request a New How-To Article

Looking for more How To information? Chances are there’s an eHow member who knows how to do what you’re looking to do. Submit an article request now!

eHow Article:  How to Restore Your Car's Shine

eHow Cars Editor

eHow Cars Editor

Category: Cars

Articles: See my other articles

Related Ads