Should you wax or polish your car first?

Keeping your car looking its best with a shiny, glossy finish takes some work. Waxing and polishing are two key steps in detailing your car, but there is some debate around which step should come first – wax or polish?

In this article, we’ll look at the pros and cons of waxing before polishing versus polishing before waxing. We’ll also provide tips on how to get the best results when detailing your car.

What is the difference between car wax and polish?

First, let’s look at what car wax and polish actually do:

Car wax creates a protective layer on top of your car’s paint. It helps shield against UV rays, pollutants, dirt, and more. Wax makes the paint shine and repels water.
Car polish chemically breaks down contaminants and oxidation on the vehicle’s surface. It smooths out minor scratches and swirl marks in the clear coat, leaving a glossy finish.

So in summary:

Wax protects and adds shine.
Polish removes imperfections and enhances shine.

Should you wax or polish first?

Now onto the debate – wax first or polish first? There are good arguments on both sides.

Wax First Pros:

Wax provides a barrier against scratches from polishing. If you polish first, you remove that fresh wax layer.
Wax fills in minor swirls and imperfections that polish may not fully remove.
Applying wax first is quicker since polishing takes more time and effort.

Polish First Pros:

Polishing removes oxidation, contaminants, and defects down to the clear coat. This allows the wax to bond better.
Polishing evens out the paint surface so the wax coat is uniform. Wax glides on easier.
Polish removes swirls and scratches that wax just temporarily fills in. Gets a truer glossy finish.

Recommendation

So what’s the verdict? Our recommendation is to polish first and then wax for best results. Here’s why:

Polishing fully cleans and preps the paint for waxing. You get better wax bonding and coverage.
Waxing alone doesn’t remove imperfections in the paint – you want to polish those away for a flawless glossy coat.

Polishing first allows the wax to really accentuate the gloss and depth of the fresh polish job.

However, there are some exceptions where waxing first may be advised:

If the paint is in overall good condition with minimal scratches, waxing first can provide light protection.

If short on time and looking for a temporary fix, a fresh coat of wax can hide imperfections.

So consider the condition of your paint and the results you want when deciding to wax or polish first. Now let’s get into how to polish and wax your car right.

How to Polish a Car

Here are the key steps to polishing your car properly before waxing:

Wash and dry the car thoroughly to remove dirt and debris.
Apply a paint cleaner to deal with contaminants and grease.
Clay bar the vehicle to remove bonded surface contaminants.

Use a polishing compound designed for your paint type by hand or with a buffing machine.
Work in small sections using back-and-forth motions until scratches are minimized.
Remove polish residue completely with a microfiber towel before moving onto wax.

Taking the time to polish by hand or with a dual-action polisher removes fine scratches, water spots, and oxidation for a smooth finish. Be careful not to apply too much pressure when polishing or you can burn through the clearcoat.

Tips for Polishing

Use the least abrasive polish you can based on paint condition.
Work in criss-cross or up-and-down motions, not circles.

Rinse off polish regularly as you work to see true results.
Follow with a finer polish or glaze to refine the finish.
Avoid polishing in direct sunlight or if panels are hot.

How to Wax a Car

After polishing, follow up with a fresh layer of car wax for protection and enhanced gloss:

Select a premium carnauba or synthetic polymer wax. Consider your climate.
Work a small amount of wax into a 2 x 2 foot section using a foam or microfiber applicator.

Use circular motions to apply a thin, even coat. Avoid waxing plastic trim.
Let the wax dry to a haze, about 5-10 minutes. Don’t apply too thick.
Gently remove wax with a clean microfiber cloth, using straight back-and-forth strokes.

Flip and replace towels often to prevent wax residue from building up.

Applying a wax coating after polishing seals in the clarity and shine. Re-apply wax every 3-6 months to maintain protection.

Tips for Waxing

Try liquid, paste or spray waxes to find your preference.

Use multiple thin coats for better results than one thick coat.
Wax out of direct sunlight when panels are cool.
Wax the paint but avoid getting wax on plastic trim or glass.

Remove wax fully or you’ll have to re-buff once dried.

Should you wax the wheels and glass?

Wax can be applied to car paint, metal wheels, and glass surfaces. Here are some tips:

Car Paint

Use premium automotive wax designed for paint.

Take care around plastic trim, rubber, vinyl decals to avoid staining.
Re-apply wax every 3-6 months for maintained protection and gloss.

Wheels

A metal wheel wax adds protection against brake dust and road grime.

Don’t wax painted wheels as they have a clearcoat like car paint.
Re-apply wheel wax after thorough washing every few months.

Glass

Glass wax makes water bead up and aids cleaning and visibility.

Only wax exterior glass, not inside surfaces.
Re-apply a thin glass wax coating every 6 months.

How often should you wax a car?

Here are some guidelines for how often to wax your car:

New car paint – Wax after 1 month and every 3 months the first year.
1-2 year old car – Wax every 4-6 months to maintain protection.
3-5 year old car – Wax every 6 months or twice a year.

5+ years old car – Can wax 1-2 times per year for enhancement.
Wax again after washing to top up protection.

Cars with clear bras or paint protection film still need periodic waxing but maybe only once or twice a year. Harsher climates with long winters require more frequent waxing as well. Assess your paint condition and adjust waxing frequency as needed.

Should you wax a car before or after a road trip?

Ideally, you’ll want to wax your car before and after extended road trips for best protection and shine:

Before – Waxing before a road trip adds a layer of protection from bugs, road debris and the elements.
After – Wax again after the trip to remove contaminants, restore gloss, and touch up any damage spots.

At minimum, be sure to wax before an extended road trip where the car will rack up miles and get more exposure to the sun and elements. It helps prevent damage to the paint. After a road trip, assess if a full polish and wax is needed or if you can just apply a wax top-up.

Can you wax a car in the sun?

It’s best to avoid waxing a car in direct sunlight. Here’s why:

The hot sun causes wax to dry too quickly before you can remove it.

This can lead to a hazy finish and require re-buffing once cooled.
Hot panels can also lead to wax burning into the paint, damaging the clearcoat.
Sunlight makes it harder to see if you fully removed wax residue.

Find shade or wait for an overcast day. If waxing in sun is unavoidable, work on smaller sections at a time. Park the car in the shade after waxing to allow proper drying before removal.

What temperature should car wax be applied?

Ideally, car wax is best applied in the following temperature range for proper results:

Ambient temperature: 50-85°F (10-29°C)

Surface temperature: 60-100°F (15-38°C)

Colder temperatures make wax harder to spread thinly and evenly. Extremely warm temperatures cause wax to dry too fast before removing. Sun heating panels above 100°F (38°C) can also burn wax into paint.

Test wax spreadability on a small area first if unsure. Move the car into shade or wax earlier/later in the day to improve waxing temperatures. Avoid huge temperature swings that affect drying and removal.

Can you apply wax over old wax?

Yes, you can apply fresh wax directly over existing wax. No need to completely remove old wax first. Here are some tips when applying wax over wax:

Make sure the previous wax layer is fully cured first.
Wash the car thoroughly to remove grime so new wax adheres well.

Remove any wax residue with a degreaser if the old wax wasn’t fully buffed off.
Apply a thin layer following the usual wax application method.

The new wax will adhere over the old wax base. No stripping needed unless the paint is extremely hazy. Just avoid applying too much product. Regular wax top-ups maintain protection and gloss.

How long does car wax last?

Car wax durability depends on factors like wax type, layer thickness, climate, and mileage. Here are typical car wax lifespan estimates:

Wax Type	Durability
Liquid wax	2-3 months
Paste wax	3-6 months
Spray wax	1-3 months
Carnauba wax	2-4 months
Synthetic polymer wax	4-8 months
Ceramic coating	12-24 months

Harsher climates and more miles driven will lessen wax lifespan at the lower end. Regular proper maintenance can maximize durability. Check beading and gloss levels to determine when to reapply protection.

Does car color affect wax?

Car color doesn’t necessarily affect the wax process, but it impacts how defects and results appear visually. Here’s how car color influences waxing:

Light colors like white, silver, yellow show swirls and defects more noticeably.
Darker colors like black, blue, red hide imperfections better.
Metallic/pearl paints have more depth for reflection but also show defects.

Flatter matte finishes don’t reflect light as evenly so harder to see results.

A polish on any color preps for an optimal wax finish. But darker or flat colors may rely more on your sense of touch to feel defects. Assess results in different lighting as some flaws hide or appear differently.

Can car wax damage paint?

Car wax alone won’t damage car paint. But poor waxing technique can introduce swirls or burning. Here are some pitfalls to avoid:

Rubbing wax aggressively can create light swirls in the finish.
Letting wax dry too long in sun can lead to burning when buffing off.
Not removing wax fully can etch wax residue into paint over time.

Using too harsh or abrasive wax formulas can deteriorate clearcoat.

As long as you use high quality wax suitable for your paint type and apply/remove carefully, waxing poses little risk of paint damage. Correct technique maintains protection without diminishing the finish.

Conclusion

While there are arguments on both sides, polishing before waxing your car is the recommended detailing process. Polishing thoroughly cleans and smoothes the paint for the wax to really accentuate. However, waxing first can also work if paint condition is already good.

Proper polish and wax application techniques prevent swirls or burning. Pay attention to temperature, working in shade, and removing residue fully. Wax every 3-6 months depending on climate and mileage to maintain protection and shine.

With the right products and techniques, waxing your car brings out the depth of color and grants a glossy wet look. Pair it with a periodic polish to keep that factory fresh finish under the wax and your car will sparkle like new.