Positive Preparation:
The only way you can get a great wax job is to first prepare the surface fully, and that means removing all the old, gunky wax that has been building up for years. Try using a product called Paint Prep to strip off all that old good like sealants and old waxes. After that, grab some paint-cleaning clay and go to town! This product pulls out old contaminants and keeps you from introducing them back into your nice paint job.

Thin Film of Wax:

More is definitely not always better when it comes to waxing your vehicle! Apply only the very thinnest layer that can cure evenly - adding more wax on top of that keeps the wax from curing and being as effective as possible. Use the tiniest amount and keep burnishing it until it's barely visible.

Towels Matter:

You should only ever use microfiber towels to buff your paint. There are a number of different reasons for this, but just know that using the right (washed!) microfiber towels and keeping them as clean as possible is incredibly important.

How to Polish a Car:

1. First, you'll need to make sure which parts of your car are plastic or metal. Many modern cars have features that look like polished metal, but which are either chromed plastic or metal that has been painted and then covered with a "clear coat" to reduce the chances of rusting or scratching. Once you've done this, you can gather together your cleaning supplies and begin:

2. Test to see which parts of your car are metal. If you're not sure if a particular part of your car is metal or if it has a clear coat finish, then dab some metal polish onto your sponge or cloth and lightly apply it to the area you want to polish.

3. Inspect your sponge or cloth. If the surface is actually polished metal, you'll see a distinctive dark grey residue. Otherwise, you're dealing with a clear coat. Do not use metal polish on clear coat. It will cause it to erode, causing problems later on.

4. Apply the polish. Once you've worked out what bits of your car actually are metal, either use an electric polishing device (you can find these in specialist car care shops or online) or old-fashioned elbow grease to distribute your polish.

5. Thoroughly polish your headlights and indicators with plastic polish. This will remove the layer of dirt that often settles on headlights after prolonged use.

6. Remember to mask nearby areas when polishing the headlamps. This will prevent the polish from damaging or removing paintwork.

7. Polish your wheel hubcaps, either with specialised wheel cleaner, or, if you know the surface is real metal (using the trick described above), actual metal polish.

Car Waxing:

1. Remember to check the manufacturer's guidelines as to what products you can and can't use with your particular car.

2. Clear coats need special products. If your car has a clear coat (use the test above to determine), make sure you only use a product that is explicitly marked as being suitable for clear coats. Non-suitable products are often too abrasive and may damage the surface.

3. Choose a wax to suit the colour of your car. There are many variants on standard wax from different suppliers. Some waxes have been developed specifically for different colours of bodywork. This is particularly useful for black cars, on which regular wax may leave white streaks unless fully removed.