Car Care & Auto Detailing Blog

When it comes to buffing your car, there are a few things to consider: polisher, speed, and technique. If you’re not sure what to do or how or how to do it, don’t worry. We’re here to help you keep your car shining like new. 

Check out our car detailing and buffing recommendations below and learn how to use a car buffer like a pro.   

How to Pick the Right Car Polisher

With so many polishers on the market, it can be tough to decide which will help your car the best. The next time you’re considering a purchase, keep these things in mind. 

Quality

We all want a good product, but very few car owners look up reviews. Before spending your money, see what others think. After all, they’ve already tested the product.

Range of Speed

On average, car buffers allow between 600 and 3000 RPMs. Make sure the product you select is similar to that. For a good even finish, start at a slower speed and increase your rate as needed. 

Throw

The circumference your polisher covers is referred to as the throw. The larger your throw, the easier and faster you’ll buff. Auto owners with larger vehicles typically select larger car buffers to help them access places that are harder to reach. 

Weight

Consider the weight of the buffer you want. Hold the polisher in your hands. Does it feel comfortable? Is it too heavy? This component is often a determining factor, especially if this is your first one. 

Price

You get what you pay for. Cheap polishers will break easily or malfunction after a few uses. Try not to let prices sway you one way or the other. Quality will likely come with a price but this is an investment you won’t regret making.

Proper Buffing and Polishing Technique

Step One: Wash your car and leave it wet. Automotive buffing should never be done on a dry vehicle. 

Step Two: Place a clean and the slightly damp polishing pad on the buffing wheel.

Step Three: Apply a small amount of compound on a section of your vehicle and polish at a low-medium speed.

Step Four: Use constant pressure and keep the polisher parallel to avoid swirly markings. 

Tip: Keep the area wet and use moderate amounts of polish for each area.

Step Five: Work back and forth over the small area until the solution heats up. When this happens the paint will warm and scratches will disappear. 

Tip: As needed, remove your buffing pad and rinse with a hose to prevent a buildup of solution.

Save yourself time and elbow grease by using Clean Tool’s Buffing Ball to access those tricky spots. Uniquely designed for polishing chrome, aluminum, and painted surfaces, this tool is a car, motorcycle, or boat enthusiast’s dream! Made from soft viscose fibers, it’s the durable yet gentle buffing tool you need to rid your vehicle’s wheels of grime and dirt. Best of all, the buffing ball conveniently attaches to battery, air, and electric drills with ease. 

How To Clean and Care For Car Buffers

Wax on, wax off. We all know the method, but do you know what waxing a car does?  Don’t worry, you’re not the only one. Though it adds a nice glisten to the exterior of your car, it does more than just make things shine.  Auto wax is a popular substance auto enthusiasts use to protect their car’s exterior surface. 

Let’s discuss the ins and outs of car wax further.

What Does Car Wax Do?

Like we mentioned above, the overall purpose of car wax is to add synthetic or natural protection to the coat of your car. With the right application process, wax creates a durable layer of protection that is resistant to sun damage, harmful chemicals, and other contaminants. 

Do New Cars Need to Be Waxed?

If you’re not sure how to wax a car, or how long car wax lasts, review the top three most asked questions about waxing your car. 

Car wax protects your vehicle from shallow scratches. It doesn’t however, keep your car from being damaged by sharp objects. 

Proactive maintenance is the best way to extend your car’s paint job. While not needed, new cars can benefit from extra protection. 

Get the showroom finish you’ve always wanted in three easy steps: 

Step One: Apply a small amount of wax to a foam polish pad. 

Step Two: Buff in a continuous, circular motion.

Step Three: Use The Absorber® to gently, and completely remove wax. 

Sounds great, right? Well, before you go gung-ho over car wax, take a closer look at the pros and cons of auto waxing.  

How Long Does Car Wax Last?

When it comes to cars, looks always count. If you ask yourself: how long does car wax last? Or do new cars need to be waxed? We’ve got you covered. We’ll answer these questions and list the good and bad aspects of using wax.

Advantages of Applying Car Wax

When done correctly, waxing your vehicle can extend the life of your paint and prevent minor damage. Car wax also does the following: 

• Adds shine
• Enhances clear coat
• Deters pollutants
• Masks small imperfections
• Prevents sun damage
• Adds lasting protection
• Resists scratches
• Improves car value
• Streamlines carwashing
• Resists water
  

Disadvantages of Applying Car Wax

If you value time and money, the disadvantages of applying wax just might outweigh the benefits.

• Needs reapplication
• Can be expensive
• Time-consuming 
• May cause stains 
  

Different Types of Car Wax

Below, we’ll tackle the three most common types of wax and how to protect car paint between waxes. 

If you’re not a car enthusiast but want to give your ride a lasting and durable shine, liquid wax might be for you. Most commonly found in the solutions at a car wash, liquid wax is a great choice for car owners who want long-term effects with minimal effort. If applying by hand, use a safe PVA cloth like The Absorber®. It’ll help you apply the liquid solution evenly.  

Longevity: Lasts up to three months

Cons of liquid wax: 

• Dries fast
• Can be abrasive
• Semi-difficult application 

Experienced car gurus and car showmen swear up and down by paste wax. While it’s not the easiest to apply, when done right, you’ve got a killer shine. Car collectors and professionals love paste wax and trust its reliability. 

Longevity: Lasts up to three weeks

Cons of paste wax: 

• Can be unforgiving 
• Expensive
• Time-consuming application

Short on time? Spray wax might be the perfect protectant for you. This type of wax is best for car owners who are always on the go. It’s also used as a spot cleaner for car gurus who are in between waxes. If you opt for spray wax, be sure to keep a PVA cloth like The Absorber® on hand. 

Longevity: Lasts up to seven days

Cons of spray wax: 

• Lower quality
• Not as protective 

How Often Should You Wax Car?

Now, let’s get to the question you were waiting for. How often should you wax? 

The answer to this question depends on various factors like:

1. How old is your car?
2. Do you keep your car in an open environment or keep it in a protected environment like a garage?
3. How often do you wax your Car?

If you own a brand-new car, then you should wax it two times a year. If your car is more than five years old, then it is recommended to quarterly wax your car.

If you don’t have time for a full wax, use The Glosser® car wipes to keep your car shining like new. It’s a portable and effective solution for auto owners with little time to spare. Best of all, The Glosser® is safe to use on all car surfaces. 

The longevity and optimal functioning of your car and its parts depend on how regularly you maintain them. Routine care will minimize the chances of major breakdowns and mishaps while also keeping the driver and passenger safe.

One aspect of the car that owners usually don’t pay much heed to is the glass components. The windows and windshields are normally just wiped down during a wash. Both components are vital to the safety of everyone within the car. Any form of crack can be a hazard for those inside the car because you never know when it can break.

READ: HOW-TO MAXIMIZE YOUR SELF-SERVICE CAR WASH EXPERIENCE

Besides properly cleaning the windshields and glass, you need to make sure parts such as the wiper blades are in good, working condition. When in use, the blade wipes across the outer surface of the windshields. However, a damaged blade will likely leave scratches. So, it might be a good idea to have your glass parts checked by a professional windshield service every now and then. 

The following tips will help you take better care of the glass parts in your car, so they don’t cause any hindrance or become a safety hazard as you drive.

Glass Parts Maintenance Tips

Maintenance starts with regularly cleaning your windshields and windows. You must use products that are designed for the task.

Cleaning cloth

You need to be mindful of the cloth you buy for cleaning glass parts. Remember all cleaning cloths are not created equally, some are more suitable for the job than others. A low-quality cloth will leave marks and can even end up scratching the glass.

When shopping around for cloth, keep the following in mind:

•   Look for a cloth that has microfibers. This will ensure a thorough clean without marks.
•   The cloth must be free of lint.
•   The cloth should be washable and reusable.
•   The ideal size of the cloth is 16 by 16 inches. Don’t buy anything bigger than that.

You don’t necessarily need to buy a cloth designed specifically for car windows and windshields. A cloth that fits the description mentioned above should work. Also, keep in mind that as the season changes from normal, moderate weather to the winter, you will require a sturdier cloth with similar qualities. 

Cleaning the inside of your glass parts vs. the outside

The approach to cleaning the inside and outside of windows and windshields is quite different because the two glass have to deal with different environments.

•   Inner surface: Consists of a window film and is exposed to hazy build-up from the chemicals emitted by the A/C and other parts of the car.
•   Outer surface: Constant exposure to the dirt, water, weather, amongst other things such as rocks.

This of course means that the outer surface experiences more wear and tear which requires a little extra care. The following tips will help you differentiate how to clean the two surfaces for optimal maintenance:

Outer surface

•   Fold the cloth before you start to wipe down the windshield and windows. This allows you to use the different sides without the need to wash them after you wipe down each glass part.
•   Work your way around the car, start with the front windshields, and work your way around. Spray the glass cleaner and wipe the surface down from top to bottom. Avoid using circular motions as it will leave marks.

Inner surface

•   Wipe it down with a damp towel first then use a spray and a microfiber cloth to clean it.
•   You can use distilled water or rubbing alcohol to get rid of any residue.

The final maintenance tip is to seek professional help if you notice any damage or cracks in the windshield or windows. Not getting the proper auto glass care promptly puts everyone in the car at risk of injury if the glass part eventually breaks.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to properly care for the glass components of a car. You just need the right tools and approach to ensure proper maintenance and the longevity of such parts. 

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Tarek Salam is a Canadian auto glass repair technician with over a decade of experience repairing automotive glass for all makes and models of vehicles in Canada. He loves sharing interesting and useful information with the intention of educating and helping people make better automotive decisions.