Today many people take their cars to professional detailers for a good cleaning inside and out. But some people do not want to spend the money for a relatively easy job like cleaning and waxing a car. Or maybe your car just needs a little exterior TLC, not an entire detail. It will take some time, but is not a difficult or expensive chore to take upon yourself. So if you have the time, and the desire, wax your car yourself.

One of two things just happened here. Either you found an amazing deal on a used car that happens to be covered in a combination of bumper stickers, pinstripes, and/or window tinting or you're trying to cover up your former glory days that involved lots of concerts and rebelling against authority. Whatever the case, it's time to remove all the bumper stickers and see your vehicle in all its beauty as the manufacturer intended.

"It looks like new! I can't believe that car's seven years old!" Would you like to hear that from your friends? I'm sure all of us do, but keeping our car looking like the latest models is tough, even with today's longer-lasting finishes.

Having been involved in an accident when my truck was only three months old, and then having re-painting done while restoring a ten year old vehicle, I've had some experience with body repair shops.

Buying a new car is a great feeling. The smell of fresh leather as you The fresh smell of leather as you enter the car. The paintwork is gleaming and waxy smooth. You might even catch yourself stealing a glance at the reflection of your pride and joy as you drive it out your house.

Most plants have a thin protective coating of wax.. Most fruit trees and vegetables plants have wax on the fruit and vegetables they produce that we eat. Waxes are also produced by animals, even man makes wax for his ears. Other wax components are found in minerals and petroleum. And the are Polymer or synthetic, manufactured by man waxes. We get waxes from a variety of sources really.

Just as people can change their clothes to match weather conditions, car owners now have the option of matching different materials and designs for car covers to the environment when protecting a car against the weather.

Wax on, wax off. Wax on, wax off. In the 1984 film, "The Karate Kid," the main character, Daniel, learned some of the hand motions he needed to excel at karate by regularly waxing his mentor's car. On film, he only worked at it for a couple of minutes, but in reality, waxing a car is a job that takes hours to complete.

Road tar. Tree sap. Acid rain. All these and more conspire to wear away your car's finish. Regular car washing (every week or every other week) and waxing twice a year will help protect your car's exterior. The most important thing to remember is to use a product specifically formulated for automotive paint. Never use dishwashing or laundry detergents, which are much too harsh for a car's finish.

It's probably your second most valuable possession, yet it's exposed to some of the most adverse conditions. It's vulnerable to acid rain, dirt, dust, road grime and brake dust build-up. And if you're like millions of others, you plan on keeping your vehicle for a while. Industry renowned Car CoachTM, Lauren Fix, says the average vehicle is at least 10 years old. "Engines are lasting longer than they used to," comments Fix. "To keep up, vehicle exteriors now need to be maintained more often." Fix suggests you can help preserve the resale value of your vehicle by regularly cleaning and protecting its exterior.