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How to wax a black car without leaving swirl marks?

Is there any way to wax a black car without leaving swirl marks? I'm trying to make my new car look nice but every time I get it waxed, I find swirl marks all over it. How can I wax it without this happening?

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Joshua Levy · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
When you wax your car, you’re temporarily filling in scratches and swirl marks, which makes the car shinier. If you’re still finding swirl marks after waxing your car, then you might be waxing wrong—which is easily fixable! Next time you wax your car, take a second to make sure you aren’t making any of these common mistakes:
  • Applying wax when your car is wet. Water repels wax, so applying it to a wet car won’t get you the sleek finish you’re looking for.
  • Using old rags. There’s nothing wrong with reusing a rag, but old wax can get stuck and harden in the fibers. If you wash your car with a rag that you’ve used before, you may be scratching off new wax or leaving bits of old wax residue as you go.
  • Putting on too much wax. A layer of wax that’s too thick will lead to a dense coating that’s harder to buff out. The result could be a duller shine than you’d get otherwise.
  • Waxing with an ordinary rag. Cloth towels may be easy to find, but microfiber towels will get you a smoother, cleaner finish in a much shorter time.
Avoiding these mistakes can go a long way in helping you get that shine you’re looking for!
As a heads up, though, the wax will wear off after a few months. If you’re looking for a more
permanent option
, try taking your car into the shop for a paint correction. We know professional work can be expensive, but you can make up for it by saving in other areas.
To save money in one area, try using the
Jerry
app to find affordable quotes on the coverage you need. The Jerry app can help you find customized quotes, compare offers, buy coverage, and even cancel your old policy! And we’ll automatically re-shop your policy every year, so you know you’re always getting the best price for your plan.
Best of luck with your car, and hope everything turns out shiny!
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

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