You may have waxed your car to add a protective layer to your vehicle. Moreover, it will prevent the fading and discoloration of your car’s bodywork. But eventually, they will wear off, and you will need to strip the old wax and reapply the new one.
To strip wax from your car, you need to use wax-removing material like a wax cleaner, shampoo, or clay bar. You can strip wax by rubbing the wax and removing materials gently on your car.
Stripping wax from your car can take time. However, if you follow some simple tricks and steps, you can cut down the time necessary by a large margin. So, for a proper guideline, you may follow the steps we shared in this article.
Required Tools for Stripping Wax from Car
Stripping wax from your car is a delicate job. Your vehicle may be damaged if you do not use the proper tools and methods. It can also make the re-waxing and repainting jobs more complicated.
The supplies you might need will depend on your chosen wax removal method. You can either choose a Clay Bar or Striping Agent to remove wax from your car.
| Supplies for Clay Bar Method | Supplies for Stripping Agent Method |
| Clay Bar Microfiber Cloth Lubricating Agent | Car Wax Stripping Agent Two Wash Buckets, A Microfiber WashCloth, Foam Gun, or A Foam Cannon |
How to Strip Wax from Car with Simple Materials
Stripping wax from your car is a delicate job. Your vehicle may be damaged if you do not use the proper tools. There are many methods to strip wax from your car.
But we have discussed the two best methods, which apply to most cars. Choose the one that fits your needs and is suitable for your car’s coating.
Prerequisite: Clean Your Car
No matter which method you choose, you need to wash your car first. Clean your car perfectly, and make sure to wash every part of it. By doing so, you can be sure that there is no chance of contamination or dirt when you strip wax from the car.
Method 1: Using Clay Bar
Clay bars are excellent for stripping wax from your car. Here are steps on how to use the clay bar method:
Step 1: First, take a lubricant and apply it to a small area of your car. Then take the clay bar and rub it on the lubricated part of the car.
Step 2: While rubbing, use gentle pressure and try to keep a constant up-and-down motion throughout the process.
Step 3: When the surface starts to dry up, add more lubricant and continue the process.
Step 4: After you complete the claying process to the whole car, inspect it. Check for missed areas that might have leftover wax and need more claying.
Step 5: Finally, rewash the car again with a soft microfibre cloth and remove any leftover wax or specks of dirt!
Things to keep in mind:
- Do not let the clay bar be warm. When they become hot, they do not work well.
- If the bars get dirty or contaminated, do not use them. Take a new one!
Method 2: Using Wax Cleaner Agent
Wax cleaning agents are not only good for cleaning, but they are also good for removing dirt, grease, or grime. Some wax cleaning agents have additives in them to give better results and a polished look.
Several brands make wax cleaning agents; choose the one that suits your car! Here are the steps for the wax cleaning agent method:
Step 1: First, take the wax removal agent on the car’s surface. Spread the agent evenly on the surface.
Step 2: Take a washcloth and gently stroke the surface where the agent was applied. While stroking, avoid circular motions.
Step 3: You may need to apply another coating if the first coating does not remove the wax properly.
Step 4: Repeat the process on the whole car.
Things to keep in mind:
- Do not use the cleaner on the plastic rim or rubber parts as it may damage the finish or color of that!
- Clean the microfiber cloth in the wash bucket if it gets dirty.
Difficulties You May Face When Stripping Wax from Car
Removing wax from your car is a time-consuming operation. You may find it quite taxing if you are not an expert or have little experience in car strip wax jobs. Here are some hurdles you might face if you are doing it for the first time:
No Clue About Time and Quantity
If you’ve never used car strip wax before, you might want to know how many agents to use or how long you should leave it on. An easy solution is to look at the product manual.
It will have instructions on using that specific product and whether it’s compatible with your paint job and strip wax method!
Risk of Scratching
In this particular strip wax method, it is possible to damage the car and scratch it. If you are inexperienced, you might need help understanding how much pressure to apply or how to rub it gently.
Even accidents can occur! So be careful with what you do, and start to strip wax with light pressure.
Determine When to Stop
Another problem you might face when removing car wax from your paint job is not knowing when it’s gone. Even so, seasoned experts occasionally require assistance in making decisions.
You can cut into the clear coat or worse if you still decide when the layer is gone! Here’s how to determine when to stop stripping wax:
- If the previous shine is gone, the wax is mostly gone. You can slow down now.
- Do the water test. If there is still wax, the water will roll down. It indicates that the wax is gone if it sits on the surface.
FAQs
Now that you have a basic idea of how to strip wax from your car correctly, here are answers to some frequently asked questions to clear your doubts!
Yes, you should. Clean the old wax using a cleaner, and then apply the new wax to your car to give it a shiny look. This not only extends the life of your wax, but it also results in a smoother protective layer!
If the car wax has been applied for more than two months, you can usually get away with using a degreasing or wax-stripping car wash shampoo or soap. However, if the wax is less than two months old, you might need to use more potent products to strip it.
Polishing your car will help you remove minor stains or imperfections. While waxing the car will give the car protection and shine. So, if your car’s paint has scratches or sun damage, you should polish the car before applying new wax because the wax will not fix this damage.
However, if you’re only applying new wax for shine and protection, you can remove the old one and apply a new coating.
If you get some wax on the glass on your car’s windshield, you can remove that easily with a glass cleaner or an IPA spray. Take a microfiber cloth and some cleaner spray; then, you can use the same strip wax procedure mentioned above.
Wrapping It Up:
Stripping wax from your car is relatively easy if you know the proper steps, but you need to be cautious. Because removing wax requires a delicate and refined touch to be perfect.
A good wax job can give your car the shine it deserves; in the same way, a rough strip wax process does the opposite! So, use appropriate tools and steps while removing the wax from your car.
Do a little research on your car’s paint to find a suitable wax removal agent. We recommend you not to use cheap homemade tools to strip wax and agents, as they might harm the paintwork!