Wax On, Wax Off: How to Use a Power Waxer for Professional Results

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Waxing your car regularly is crucial to maintaining that beautiful shine that it’s meant to have. It not only protects the paint job, but it also ensures that your ride is looking even better than when it did when it rolled off the lot. But sometimes waxing by hand can be exhausting. Even with the right towels, it can be time-consuming and draining, even for the most enthusiastic car person.

This is where using a power waxer comes in handy. Power waxing your vehicle is an excellent way to save time and effort, while still achieving that perfect finish. In this article, we'll go over the reasons why you should wax your car and how to use a power waxer effectively, so you can get the best results possible.

Why Wax Your Car?

Waxing your car might seem a little extra to some people, but it's well worth the effort. Regular waxing can prevent small scratches, which are inevitable, and they can get everywhere on your car. Waxing helps avoid these accumulative damages. Moreover, wax shields your paint from dirt and water damages, especially that nasty layer your car might pick up when the snow turns into slushy mud.

Above all else, waxing your car keeps it looking brand new. It provides a thin coat on top of the paint that keeps away scratches, dirt, and even sun damage.

Why Use a Power Waxer?

Waxing your car by hand can be empowering, but it's also time-consuming and tiring. Here are a few reasons you should consider using a power waxer if you’re not already on board:

Get More Done, Faster: Using a power waxer cuts down on the overall time it takes to get the job done. Working by hand could take hours while the power waxer will get you out of the garage in a fraction of the time.

Reduce the Amount of Effort: Power waxing your car with a power waxer is less tiring than waxing it by hand. Especially when you have so many other things going on already, it’s nice to take a shortcut once in a while.

Get a Smoother Finish: A power waxer can spin the towel at much higher speeds than you would by hand, giving you a much smoother finish on your ride.

Different Types of Power Waxers

When it comes to power waxers, there are two primary types: Dual Action and Rotary.

Dual Action: Dual action power waxers are generally considered a bit safer for waxing and get a smoother finish. It rotates as you would expect, and it also oscillates the position of the pad, creating a high-paced, random movement, and reduces the amount of friction that other waxers might have an issue with. The drawback of the dual action waxer is that they tend to be more gentle tools, which means that they’re safer to use, but do take a bit more time than their rotary counterparts.

Rotary: Rotary waxers only focus on the spinning of the pad, meaning there are no oscillating movements. This allows the device to focus more energy on the spin and can be a bit more aggressive. This definitely means you can cut down on the time you spend waxing, but you really have to know what you’re doing.

What Type of Pad Should You Use?

Choosing and buying the right pads for waxing is critical- You definitely don’t want to use anything built for paint removal, for instance. While that might seem obvious, pads can seem fairly similar on the shelf, so make sure to read what their intended use is. You always want to work with the softest pads you can find when waxing. This will protect your paint job and apply the wax coat in an even manner.

How To Use a Power Waxer?

Using a power waxer is simple, but it's essential to read and follow all instructions before using it on your car. Here are the basic steps to follow:

Clean the Car: Before you start with the power waxer, you need to make sure that your vehicle is clean. Wash every inch of the exterior to ensure that you aren’t running over any dirt or debris. A high-quality car soap like Ultra Concentrated Car Wash Soap is recommended, as it penetrates and removes any gunk you don’t want on your car.
Apply the Wax: Apply the wax directly to your power waxer pad. It's best to make several small dots around the perimeter of the pad and then a single, larger dot in the center. This provides you with total and smooth coverage. Take it slow and smooth with the power waxer once you start. Make gentle, long, straight strokes across the body of your car so that you aren’t piling up the wax too much in particular areas. Take your time working around the car; make sure to cover each area at least a few times to make sure you get enough on. But don’t overdo it, we want a fine, even coat.
Clean and Wash Again: Once you've applied the wax and followed the instructions, clean off any excess dried wax with a clean microfiber towel. Give your car one last rinse, step back and appreciate the beautiful shine you've just given your car.

Advice for the Best Results

As we’ve mentioned, waxing can really bring your car back to life if it’s starting to show some signs of aging, and with regular attention, you can keep it looking fresh and new. Here are a few tips to help you achieve the best results:

Use Gentle, Straight Lines: You don't want swirls or any chaos in the wax. Long, straight strokes will get the job done.
Pay Attention to Your Equipment: Only use clean towels and clean surfaces. You certainly don’t want to be waxing your car if it’s still a little dirty.
Wax Your Car When it's an Appropriate Temperature: You shouldn’t burn your hand if you touch the hood, nor should you need to be wearing gloves for the cold.

What Wax Should You Use?

At Shine Armor, we’re obsessed with developing the best products for your car, inside and out. Our Spray Wax Quick Coat is a majorly affordable, high-quality choice for anyone who cares about their vehicle's exterior. It’s a Brazilian carnauba wax that will get you head-turning, show care shine that not only looks good but will defend your car's exterior from the worst of the worst. We’re confident that this wax is the best available option on the market, and if you’re considering using a power waxer to get the best look for your car, then this is the product for you.

How Often Should You Wax?

While the wax that you choose will have a recommended schedule for how often you should use it, we generally suggest applying a coat of wax on your ride every three months. You can certainly do it more often than that—we won’t stop you. But if you want your car looking ready to pull up at all times, then the three-month mark is about as long as you’ll want to wait between waxes.

Power Waxing First Steps Diagram

graph LR A(Clean the Car) B(Apply Wax to Pad) C(Wax Car with Power Waxer) D(Clean and Wash Again) A --> B B --> C C --> D

FAQ

Can I use a circular polisher instead of a DA polisher?

Yes, but be careful not to burn the paint, especially on curved surfaces.

Can I use any type of polish?

There are many types of polish, and it's important to find the one that works best for you. The video creator recommends using a one-step type polished product.

How often should I polish my car?

It depends on the condition of your car's paint. If it has a lot of swirl marks and scratches, you may need to polish it more often.

Can I use dish detergent to wash my car?

It's not recommended, as it can strip the wax and damage the paint. Use a car-specific soap instead.

Do I need any special equipment to polish my car?

You'll need a polisher and polishing pads, as well as the polish itself. It's also recommended to wear gloves and, if working in an enclosed space, a respirator as well.

Power Up

Using a power waxer is an excellent way to save time and effort while still achieving that perfect finish on your car. By following these steps and tips, you can keep your vehicle looking fresh and new for years to come. So take care of your ride and power up with a power waxer today.