【Car Knowledge】Car Washing and Waxing Steps and Precautions
Car washing and waxing steps and precautions in Hong Kong
──Editor's personal experience × down-to-earth teaching──
1. Why does Hong Kong attach particular importance to car washing and waxing?
- The air is seriously polluted : dust and PM2.5 easily accumulate.
- A lot of acid rain : Rainwater is acidic and will corrode car paint over a long period of time.
- Gum/bird droppings/insect carcasses : They can be harmful if left outdoors for just one or two days and can severely damage your car's paint.
- High salt content in sea breeze : Cars parked along the coast/in the eastern New Territories are particularly susceptible to rust.
- Long-term exposure of the car body to the sun: Ultraviolet rays and heat will accelerate fading.
Editor's Tips :
In Hong Kong, especially in summer or rainy season, washing your car once a week and waxing it once every three months can greatly extend the life of your car paint.
2. Essential tools for car washing and waxing × Editor's recommendation
1. Car washing tools
- Two buckets (one for clean water, one for car wash water)
- Car wash sponge/wool gloves (soft, paint-friendly)
- Car shampoo/foamer (dedicated car shampoo, no dishwashing liquid/floor cleaner!)
- Soft brush (for cleaning rims and rubber edges)
- Delicate towel/chamois cloth (to absorb and dry)
2. Waxing tools
- Car wax (available in palm wax, synthetic wax, liquid wax, and solid wax, depending on your budget and preferences)
- Wax cotton/wax sponge (soft and clean)
- Polishing cloth (microfiber towel, for brightening)
3. Other auxiliary supplies
- Glue remover, tar remover (for stubborn stains such as gum and bird droppings)
- glass cleaner
- rim cleaner
- Gloves, sun hat (pay attention to sun protection when washing your car outdoors)
3. Correct car washing steps × Editor’s instructions
1. Choose a suitable location and time
- Avoid direct sunlight : It is recommended to park in the morning/evening/cloudy days, or in a covered parking lot, otherwise water stains will easily dry out and leave marks.
- Some housing estates and car parks in Hong Kong have restrictions on self-service car washes , so please pay attention to the rules.
2. Pre-flush (to remove dust)
- First, use plenty of clean water to wash away the dust and sand on the car body to avoid scratching the car body directly with your hands/sponge.
- There is a lot of mud and sand on the rims and bottom of the car, so rinse them clean first.
3. Two-bucket car wash (to prevent sand backflow)
- One bucket contains car wash foam water and the other bucket contains clean water.
- After wiping each part, rinse the sponge with clean water first, then dip it in car wash water to reduce scratches.
- Clean from top to bottom, starting from the roof → windows → doors → rear → front , and finally wash the dirtiest wheels.
4. Focus on stains
- Tree sap, bird droppings, and insect carcasses must be dealt with immediately by soaking them in a special detergent for a while and then gently wiping them away.
- Asphalt and iron dust can be removed with special removers, but be careful to follow the instructions to avoid damaging the paint.
5. Cleaning rims and tires
- Use a special wheel rim cleaner and a soft brush, a separate set of tools, and do not use a car body sponge to brush the rims (to prevent cross contamination).
- After washing the rims, rinse the entire car again.
6. Rinse thoroughly
- Rinse the entire vehicle with plenty of clean water from top to bottom, ensuring that no foam remains.
7. Wipe dry immediately
- Gently dry with a microfiber towel or chamois cloth to prevent water/sun marks.
- Remember to use a clean towel separately on the glass to avoid "oil stain" residue.
4. Waxing Steps × Editor's Tips
1. Make sure the car body is completely dry
- The car must be completely dry before waxing, otherwise the wax will become mottled and difficult to remove.
2. Choose the right wax type
- Palm wax : high brightness, good texture, strong protection, but short lasting (1-2 months).
- Synthetic wax : durable, easy to care for, and suitable for Hong Kong's humid and dusty climate.
- Liquid wax/no-polishing wax : the most convenient for beginners to get started and the fastest results.
3. Apply thinly and evenly
- Dip a small amount of wax on a waxing cotton pad and apply it gently in small circular motions.
- It is easiest to control the area of the door by opening half of it at a time.
- There is absolutely no need to apply wax thickly, a thin layer is enough.
4. Wait for drying (about 5-10 minutes)
- According to the instructions, wait until the wax is half dry (foggy) before polishing.
5. Polishing to brighten
- Polish with a microfiber cloth in circular motions until the surface is smooth, shiny, and free of wax marks.
- Avoid applying wax on glass, rubber edges, rims and other parts (some waxes will leave white marks), and you can use paper tape to protect them.
6. Full vehicle inspection
- Pay attention to whether there is any residual wax on the door edge, handle, logo and other small details, and wipe it off with a clean cloth.
Editor's experience :
A common mistake beginner waxers make is applying too much wax, which makes it difficult to wipe away and leaves streaks. However, applying a thin layer, applied gradually in sections, can produce a beautiful effect!
5. Common mistakes in car washing and waxing × The editor teaches you how to avoid
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Washing your car with dishwashing liquid/household cleaners → will damage the car wax and paint, causing it to fade and lose its luster in the long run!
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A bucket of water at the bottom → sand flows back, the more you wash your car, the more scratches there will be. The "two-bucket method" is the most basic!
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Washing and waxing the car under the scorching sun → Water stains and wax marks are extremely difficult to clean, and the car won’t slide even if you push it hard.
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Using the same set of tools for both the rim and the car body → Iron dust and mud can easily be transferred to the paint, leaving fine lines.
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Polishing before the wax is dry → The wax has not set and the effect is reduced.
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Ignore the residual wax in fine spots → Over time, yellow and white marks will accumulate and become difficult to remove.
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Waxing too frequently/too sparsely → In Hong Kong's climate, it is recommended to wax once every 2-3 months. Waxing too frequently will be a waste, while waxing too sparsely will not provide sufficient protection.
6. Hong Kong Car Wash and Waxing Locations × Editor's Personal Recommendation
- Self-service car washes (e.g., New Territories, Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun, Tseung Kwan O all have self-service car washes, $30-50/hour, fully equipped)
- Housing estate car park (please ask the management office if there are car wash and drainage facilities)
- Outdoor parking lot (pay attention to sun protection, wind protection, and keep the environment clean)
- Professional car wash and detailing shop (consider if you find it troublesome, $150-300/time, waxing is extra)
Editor's Tips :
Self-service car washes are the best place for novices to practice. They are fully equipped with tools and have clean water. Remember to bring your own towels, wax, and waxing cotton.
7. Car Washing and Waxing Advanced Maintenance × Editor’s Experience
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Regularly perform "mud and glue cleaning"
- There is a lot of iron dust in the air in Hong Kong, so it is recommended to use mud strips to thoroughly remove the dust every six months (before waxing) to ensure a more adherent wax layer.
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Quartz coating/glass coating
- The one-time cost is high, but the protection, glossiness and stain resistance are extremely high, making it suitable for discerning car owners.
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Wheel and tire care
- When waxing, you can use special wheel rim wax to prevent iron powder from sticking; you can use tire protector to keep the tire edge black and shiny.
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Inner cage is easy to clean
- Wash your car while vacuuming, mopping, and cleaning carpets for a more comfortable interior and exterior.
8. The editor sincerely reminds you × Car washing and waxing tips
- "Diligence does not mean carelessness" : Correct steps + suitable tools will produce far better results than random washing and smearing.
- "Don't be afraid of trouble" : Do it yourself, not only love the car, but also love yourself.
- "Do it slowly in sections" : do it one by one, don't be afraid of being slow, the most important thing is to be meticulous.
- "If you don't understand, just ask" : You can find new skills online/from friends/editors.
IX. Summary × Editor's Reminder
The most important thing about car washing and waxing in Hong Kong is perseverance, method and a sense of ritual!
- Washing and waxing your car yourself not only saves money, but also helps you understand your car better.
- Hong Kong car owners should adjust their driving frequency and methods according to local weather and pollution conditions, and not blindly follow foreign YouTubers.
- If you have any questions about car washing and waxing, please leave a message or private message the editor to share your experience and keep your car shiny and shiny...
