Why can’t I just wash and wax my car?

Vehicle manufacturers offer a brilliant variety of paint colors and finishes.  Although today’s paints are far more beautiful than yesteryear, the paint thickness is far less.  Link this problem with increased environmental exposure and you have the basic question… Why can’t I just wash and wax my car?

Vehicle manufacturers apply a clear coat to paints to achieve extra depth, color, and gloss.  They look terrific, creating a finish that really “pops” when it’s properly cleaned.  To maintain that “pop,” clear coats require very special care.

Clear Coated Paints are not Magic:

Many of the car waxes on the market today can damage clear coat finishes because most commercial products are still made for the way cars used to be painted, with a very thick (18-26 mil) paint applied directly to the surface of the car.  Exposed to the atmosphere without a clear coat, this ‘One-Stage’ paint needed strong solvents or abrasives in the wax to remove oxidation, soiling, and stains.

But most cars built after 1990 have a thin layer (6-7mil) of basic color paint, which is covered by an even thinner (1-1.5mil) clear coat finish.  This ‘two-stage’ paint is easily damaged (scratched) from the abrasives in ordinary commercial waxes.  After spending many hours waxing your car you may have “swirl marks” or “cob-webbing.”  These are nothing more than patterns of tiny scratches.  Some waxes claim to be made for clear coated paint, but they leave a film or residue when dry that is hard to rub off, and, rubbing harshly will definitely do more damage.

Unfortunately, the world’s finest waxes will not produce a brilliant shine or lasting protection if applied over dull, oxidized, soiled paint or old wax.  Normal washing will not remove oxidized paint, minor swirl marks, old wax, insect tar, acid rain, and catalytic converter residue (hydrochloric and sulfuric acids).  Proper Pre-Wax Cleaning or using a Cleaner Wax is necessary to remove these impregnated contaminants and provide a fresh, clean surface to which the wax can adhere.

The difficulty is how to clean the paint safely without using abrasive grit, harsh solvents or destructive Clay Bars.  Typical cleaner wax products “scrub” the surface clean with petroleum solvents and compounds, which can accelerate paint oxidation and aging.  But, the finish MUST be cleaned BEFORE it is waxed.

If you adhere to the basic following steps, you can almost guarantee success.

Step 1:  Wash

Before waxing your car, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS wash it thoroughly.  Any dirt or grit that is on your car’s surface will scratch the paint that you are trying to protect.  We recommend non-acidic, non-phosphoric, low, or no sodium-based liquid car washes that claim to do nothing but Auto Wash™ – Extra Strength Massive Foaming.  Be on your guard against multi-function products, there is no replacement for common sense and lots of warm water.

Step 2:  Cleanse

Between the washing and waxing, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS clean it thoroughly.  All painted surfaces should be cleaned with a non-abrasive, safe pre-wax cleaner prior to applying SiO2 Cleaner Wax™ – Quick 1 Step Cleaner and Wax.  Quality pre-wax cleaners will have natural astringent properties to penetrate and extract trapped dirt, impurities, and dead, oxidized paint adhering to the surface.  As you apply the pre-wax cleaner, it will penetrate and break down everything on the surface of the paint, encapsulating grime so it can be easily wiped off without scratching the clear coat.  Minor swirl marks and scratches are visually reduced by removing the leading “edge” of the dead paint surrounding the scratch.  The oils will also attach to the released deposits and allow these deposits to be wiped off using a simple terry towel or a Microwipe™ – Ultra Soft Quad Axial Weave .

Step 3:  Wax

Now that you have completely cleaned your paint’s surface, revealing paint with life and luster, follow with a coat of high quality, natural wax to protect and shield the paint.  ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS use a non-abrasive, naturally-derived Waxes & Glazes (stay tuned, it’s the subject for our next article).

For maximum paint protection and shine, clean your paint twice a year (seasonal and geographic adjustments required) and apply a maintenance coat of wax every one to two months Spray Detailer™ – Quick Clean and Wax . Remember, wax degradation cannot be seen.  When we think our cars are crying out for attention, we are seeing new paint damage.

The real mistake made by most enthusiasts is thinking that waxing is enough.  Pre-wax cleaning is the difference between a good-looking car and a great-looking automobile.

Until next time…this enthusiast-writer is going to go out to wash and clean his car, apply my wax or Cleaner Wax and celebrate the Spring!