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How do you remove car wax residue?

I’m trying to prepare my car for a different kind of wax, and I’m encountering some greasy residue from the old wax that’s making the process really slow. How can I remove the wax residue from my car?

avatar
Chloe Jenkins · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Great question! To
remove car wax
residue, you’ll need the right product. Here are five that can help you remove that stubborn wax residue fast:
  • Dawn Ultra Original Dish Soap. Although not marketed as a vehicle cleaning product, plain Dawn dish soap can easily cut through any amount of wax, grease, or dirt buildup on your car. Get a sponge and some water, and simply wipe down your car until the residue is gone.
  • Hydrosilex Rewind. This spray-on wax and grease remover is easy to use, and incredibly efficient. Simply spray it on and wipe it off, and you should be set.
  • Dupli-Color Paint Grease and Wax Remover. This liquid wax and grease remover is very effective at clearing away unwanted grease, road film, wax, and surface contaminants with a natural, soy-based formula. If you have environmental or health concerns when using harsh chemical cleaners, just follow the instructions, and you should be all set.
  • Adam’s Strip Wash Soap. This foaming car soap has the most uses of any others on the list. It easily strips old wax from car paint and works great for cleaning bug stains, dirt, grease, and streaking. It’s also formulated to clean plastic and rubber car parts without drying them out. Follow the instructions on the package, and you should be done in no time.
  • Rust-Oleum Automotive Wax and Tar Remover. This liquid solution is easily the most economical on this list. It works well to remove wax and tar from car paint, and is both easy to use and quick-drying. Follow the instructions on the package, and your car should be grease-free in short order.
Each of these products can be found at your local auto supply or grocery store (in the case of the Dawn dish soap).
Waxing a car yourself, while cost-effective, can take upwards of four hours depending on your vehicle’s size. If this labor of love is something you want to do, then right on! But lots of folks prefer to get their car waxed which can cost anywhere from $55 to $150.
If it’s a matter of needing extra cash to get your car waxed, check out the
Jerry
app! We’ll get you personalized
car insurance quotes
from more than 50 of the country’s most competitive companies, so that all you need to do is pick the plan that works best for you. And once you’ve chosen a plan, we’ll even help you switch over! Best of luck, and happy cleaning!
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