Gay Family Kia - How to Properly Wax Your Kia's Exterior

July 05, 2018 · 3 min read

Knowing how to properly wax and polish your Kia is a good skill to have. It can help extend the life of your paint by ridding it of major wear and sealing your car's pores from potential dirt and grime buildup. If you want to rejuvenate your Kia's exterior, here are a few tips to help you get the job done right.

Which Car Wax Is Right for You?

The four main types of wax include:

Liquid wax

Paste wax

Spray wax

Wipe-on, clear paint sealant

A liquid wax works well with a buffer, while paste wax is best applied by hand. Spray wax is a popular choice if you regularly wash and wax your car, as it doesn't require much effort or a lengthy application time. A clear paint sealant is easy to work with, too, as you only need to wipe it on and leave it to dry.

How to Wax Your Car

Always give your Kia a nice wash before waxing the exterior. Use a buffer for liquid wax and a pad or sponge for paste wax. For spray wax, apply in small areas and rub the product in using a microfiber towel. Clear paint sealants can be easily wiped on with a towel and are safe to use on different trims. Make sure your car is completely dry, especially when using a clear sealant, and tucked away in the shade before you apply the solution. This will prevent streaking and leave you with a top coat that's easier to buff. You can use a poly foam wax applicator to help you get thin, even coats perfect for buffing.

How to Use a Buffer

A buffer attached to a soft foam pad is a helpful tool that's gentle enough so it won't damage the paint but firm enough for a thorough finish. Liquid wax and sealants should be distributed in 3-inch lines around the pad's edge. Paste wax, on the other hand, should be spread evenly onto the pad using a putty knife. Keep the pad pressed to the paint before turning it on to prevent any splatter. A machine speed of three is best for proper application, and avoid pressing too hard or tipping the machine at an angle while it's running. There are two types of buffers available:

An electric orbital buffer is a popular choice for beginners since it doesn't require much skill to operate. However, you'll have to put in more elbow grease to get a deep clean.

A high-speed angle grinder with buffing wheel cleans better than an electric orbital buffer. It requires less effort but more skill and attention to get the job done right.

How Often Should You Buff or Wax Your Car?

You don't need to buff your Kia every time you wax, but you should do so at least once a year. If you often park outside where your car is exposed to weather damage, oxidation, tree sap, and bird droppings, consider upping it to two or three times a year. When it comes to waxing, it's recommended you do so every three months or during seasonal changes. Knowing how to properly wax your Kia can keep it looking good for years to come! Image via Flickr by TeddyBuddy44, used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Posted in:

Blue Kia Seltos on Green Grass with Mountains in the Background

Feb 20, 2024 in Gay Family Kia Service

Why Spring Car Service is Important at Your Local Kia Dealer

As the winter season melts away and the vibrant hues of spring begin to bloom in Dickinson, TX, it's the perfect time to rejuvenate not just our spirits but also our vehicles. At Gay Family Kia, we understand the transition into spring isn't just about embracing warmer weather; it's about preparing your vehicle for the adventures that lie ahead. more Fresh Oil Spring road trips are the epitome of freedom and joy, but before you hit the road, let's talk about something crucial: your oil change. The transition from cold to warmer weather can affect your vehicle's performance, making spring the ideal time for an oil change at Gay Family Kia. Fresh oil ensures your engine runs smoothly, offering you peace of mind as you embark on your spring adventures. Whether you're planning a scenic drive through the Texas countryside or a family trip to the coast, our expert technicians will ensure your Kia is primed and ready for the journey ahead. Spring Cleaning Let's dust off the remnants of winter and ensure your Kia is ready to shine under the sun's embrace. Our detailing services are specifically designed to not only wash away the winter grime but also apply protective coatings to shield your car's paint from the harsh Texas sun. A clean car isn't just about aesthetics; it's a vital step in maintenance that keeps your vehicle looking as youthful as spring. Check Tires Moreover, as we swap our winter coats for lighter layers, it's also time to check your tires to ensure they can handle the spring's unpredictability. Tires are your vehicle's shoes, and just as you wouldn't wear boots to the beach, your car needs the right tires for the season. Our team at Gay Family Kia will check your tires for wear and ensure they're properly inflated, balanced, and aligned. This not only enhances your driving experience but also improves fuel efficiency and safety on those beautiful spring days. Spring Brakes Let's not forget about your brakes - the unsung heroes of every journey. After a season of dealing with wet roads and possibly icy weather, a thorough check is essential. Winter conditions can be harsh on your braking system, and ensuring they're in top-notch condition is vital for your safety. At Gay Family Kia, our specialists will inspect your brakes for any wear and tear, ensuring you and your loved ones can travel with confidence, knowing your vehicle is as ready for spring as you are. Your Local Car Service As the world awakens to the beauty of spring, let's ensure your Kia does the same. At Gay Family Kia in Dickinson, TX, we're not just about selling cars; we're about nurturing a community of happy, safe drivers. From washing away the winter dust to ensuring your vehicle's heart and soul are in perfect condition for the road ahead, we've got you covered. Spring is a time for renewal, and what better way to start the season than by giving your car the care it deserves? Visit us today and take the first step towards a spring filled with adventure, safety, and peace of mind.

Nov 09, 2017 in Gay Family Kia Service

5 Ways to Reduce Fuel Consumption

As the old year comes to an end and the new year gets going, many people will make resolutions to live a better life. Sometimes, these resolutions include living greener. If one of your resolutions for 2018 is to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle, you can start by reducing your fuel consumption with these five tips. more Carpool Carpooling is one of the easiest ways to reduce your fuel consumption. If you and your friends or neighbors are all traveling to the same place at the same time, create a carpool schedule so you only need to take one vehicle instead of multiple ones. Not only can this practice help you cut down on the amount of fuel you use, it's also good for the environment. If everyone in the country carpooled just one day a week, we could reduce traffic on the roads by as much as 20 percent. Streamline Your Vehicle You like to go camping or bicycling on the weekends, but that doesn't mean you need to keep all that gear on your car during the week. Engineers put a lot of work into making vehicles as streamlined as possible to improve aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. Leaving things like flags, luggage carriers, and bike racks on your car when you're not using them adds to your vehicle's wind resistance and increases fuel consumption. Follow the Speed Limit Speeding down the interstate at 80 mph doesn't help your fuel consumption at all. In fact, your gas mileage drops as much as 15 percent when you drive over 65 mph. While driving faster might get you to your destination one or two minutes sooner, you'll enjoy better fuel economy if you ease off the accelerator a little. Get a Car With Better Gas Mileage If you're driving around in a gas-guzzling truck or SUV when you don't need the extra space or power, consider trading in your old vehicle for one of the more fuel-efficient new cars. The Kia Cadenza offers streamlined performance and luxury to go along with its EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. For even better fuel economy, consider the Kia Optima Hybrid, which offers an impressive EPA-estimated 39 mpg in the city and 46 mpg on the highway. Follow Regular Maintenance Keeping up with regular maintenance on your vehicle can also help with your fuel consumption. Maintaining correct tire pressure improves your gas mileage. Keeping your tires properly aligned and rotated will also help you reduce your fuel consumption. Changing the oil and oil filter according to your owner's manual recommendation and regularly replacing the spark plugs and air filter can not only improve your vehicle's fuel consumption and performance, but it can also help prevent larger and more expensive issues from popping up down the road. If one of your New Year's resolutions for 2018 is to live a greener life, reducing your fuel consumption will cut down on emissions and help you reach that goal. This photo, " Traffic,” by DBduo Photography used under CC BY 2.o. " Traffic " is licensed under CC BY 2.0 by Gay Family Kia.

Feb 14, 2019 in Car Safety

$34.95 Oil Change at Gay Family Kia!

At Gay Family Kia, we put our customers first. That means we are happy to provide affordable service specials to keep money in your pockets and your vehicle in tip-top shape! These specials include new vehicle specials, specials for parts, and service specials for things such as oil changes and transmission flushes. You can view all of our available service specials on our service specials page. This month we'd love to tell you about our $34.95 Winter Oil Change Special. At this low price, we'll change your oil as well as check your other fluid levels, and we'll have it all done in no time! Feel free to reach out to our service department at (844) 568-0903 with any questions you may have about this great service special from Gay Family Kia! Feel free to schedule an appointment with us anytime! We're located at 3001 Gulf Freeway in Dickinson, TX 77539, and we look forward to providing you excellent customer service face-to-face!