Step 1 Wash and dry your car thoroughly before waxing.
Step 2 Know that some waxes contain abrasives, which can damage clear-coat and lacquer finishes, and may be harmful to dark-colored paint jobs. When in doubt, use a nonabrasive wax.
Step 3 Park the car in a cool, shady spot. If you don't have access to a shady spot, wax one section at a time so the sun doesn't bake the wax onto your car. Avoid waxing if it's very hot or very cold outside.
Step 4 Dip a damp wax sponge into the car wax, getting a half-dollar-size clump on your sponge.
Step 5 Rub the wax onto the car using small circles. Avoid getting wax into seams and jambs, if this happens, use an old, very soft toothbrush to remove it.
Step 6 Working on a section at a time, cover your car's entire surface, remembering the path you took. By the time you have finished, the wax will be ready to remove.
Step 7 Using soft terry cloth towels (or, better yet, cloth diapers), wipe off the wax in the same order in which it was applied.
Step 8 Shake out the towel or cloth as you work, in order to avoid wax buildup and streaking.
Step 9 Leaning as close to the surface of your car as you can, look down the sides and across the front, back and roof to spot any residual wax.
Step 10 Use a cloth diaper or a cheesecloth to polish the car's entire surface.
Step 11 Wash your used towels, cloths and pads with liquid fabric softener to keep them from scratching your car the next time you use them.
<---- Article by ehow.com ---->
How to Wax a Car
How to buy for a New Car
Choosing a car is an important decision that merits careful deliberation, as well as a plan to set you up for the big purchase. Once you have decided on the right car, refer to "How to Buy a Car" to learn how to get the best price for your new vehicle.Planning
Step 1) Decide what you intend to use the car for - daily commuting, recreation, weekends and evenings out, carrying things, carrying two or more people, city driving or suburban and rural driving.
Step 2) Decide your price range. Be realistic.
Step 3) Decide whether or not you will finance the car. Consider your financing budget.
Step 4) Consider your preferred level of fuel efficiency. Many modern cars and trucks get surprisingly poor mileage.
Step 5) If considering a trade-in, check the Kelley Blue Book value of your current vehicle and add this figure to your budget. The blue book, a catalog of car values, is available at most bookstores and online.
Step 6) Add up your total budget. Adjust the total as necessary or desired.
Step 7) Locate dealerships in your area via newspaper advertisements (many Sunday papers have automotive sections) or word of mouth. Set out early, preferably on a weekday, and remember to bring your driver's license.
Shopping
Step 1) Go to the sales lot, not the showroom. Tell any sales representative lingering there that you are just looking around. Move away from the representative and toward the cars. Act pleasant but vaguely brusque, if necessary.
Step 2) Browse independently until you identify a car that looks interesting to you.
Step 3) Check the sticker on the window. The sticker will list the car's features, fuel-efficiency rating (miles per gallon expected for city and highway driving) and asking price.
Step 4) If the door is unlocked, open it and sit down to check the car's interior. The sales representative will likely come to investigate - if that hasn't happened already. If the car is locked, tell the representative you'd like to have a look inside.
Step 5) Target representatives who appear eager - ideally too eager - to help.
Testing the Car
Step 1) Sit in the driver's seat with both feet in the car as if you're driving. Close the door and place your hands on the wheel.
Step 2) Adjust the seat as necessary. Check the fit and the interior layout. Note the location of window controls, signals, gauges and the gearshift.
Step 3) Adjust the mirrors and check the blind spots.
Step 4) If the car has a manual transmission, check the clutch pedal's stiffness and run through the gears.
Step 5) Sit in the passenger seat. Move the seat all the way forward and check the leg room.
Step 6) Move the driver's seat to your preferred position and move the passenger seat, if separate, all the way back.
Step 7) Sit in the back seat and check leg room on each side.
Step 8) Ask the sales representative to arrange a test drive.
Step 9) Ask to drive the car yourself instead of having the representative drive. (The dealership may have to photocopy your license before you can drive the car.)
Step 10) Put any passengers in the seats they are likely to normally occupy.
Step 11) Drive on city streets first. Check steering ease, turning radius and braking response. Adjust the mirrors and the radio while driving to check for convenience.
Step 12) Head to a highway. Check engine performance and pickup and listen for any noise.
Step 13) Open the windows to check for buffeting.
Step 14) Return to the dealership and thank the dealer. If you like the car, say you will return later. The dealer will want to discuss a purchase.
Step 15) Demur pleasantly and ask for a business card.
Step 16) Head to the next dealership.
Step 17) Ask the dealer which car most closely resembles the one you previously test-drove. Specify makes and models. Tell the salesperson, for example, that you drove a large Lincoln or a Mazda four-door sedan. Explain all the things you liked about the last car and ask the salesperson to show you similar features on another car.
Step 18) Repeat these steps until you decide on a car.
<-- Article by ehow.com -->
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