How Long Should Turtle Wax Dry [How Long To Leave It On The Car]?

If you've never used Turtle Wax before, you'll probably benefit from some helpful tips on how to make the best use of this brand. Should you be wondering how long it should stay on the paint of your vehicle, we can help. We researched Turtle Wax in detail so that you'll know for sure the timeframe it takes to dry.

You should leave Turtle Wax on your paint for 10 to 15 minutes before buffing it. You should never let the wax completely dry before doing so, as this will make the excess wax much more difficult to remove.

Now that we know how long you should leave Turtle Wax on your vehicle, we'll take a look at the best way to apply it. You might also be wondering how long Turtle Wax Hard Shell takes to dry or if Turtle Wax is good for cars. For the answers to these questions and more, read ahead in this post to see what our research has uncovered.

Car auto detailer buffing the new car paint, How Long Should Turtle Wax Dry [How Long To Leave It On The Car]?

How To Best Apply Turtle Wax

There are many techniques that you can utilize to give your vehicle a good waxing with this product. But no matter which one you use, there are steps you will need to take to get the best results possible.

How you apply the Turtle Wax will depend on what type of wax you will be using. Turtle Wax comes in three varieties which need to be used a bit differently. 

But no matter what type of wax you use or what technique you employ to complete the job, you'll first need to clean the vehicle.

Car owner applying wax after washing it

Thoroughly Clean The Vehicle

Wax will seal whatever is on the paint. So it will be very important to remove any dirt, grime, and bugs from the paint's surface. Give your car a thorough wash. Don't be afraid to use washing mitts and plenty of elbow grease. You will want this paint to be as immaculate as possible.

When you are done washing, carefully inspect the paint to make sure that it is clean. Have an approved cleaner and cloth ready to attack and remove any grime that you might have missed during the wash.

As soon as you are sure the paint is clean, let the car air dry. If you are pressed for time, you can help it along by drying the paint with a soft cloth. Whatever you do, avoid applying wax to a wet car. The wax will not mix with the water and will end up running all over the place.

Waxing With Turtle Wax Spray Wax

Shake the spray bottle of Turtle Wax ICE Spray Wax before you begin. Waxing using this spray will require not only the spray wax but a couple of soft microfiber cloths.

Work in sections. Spray the wax on an area, rubbing it into the paint with one side of the microfiber cloth. Take your time and be thorough. 

When you are finished, gently rub the excess spray wax away with the clean side of the cloth. Repeat if necessary. Move on to the next section of the vehicle.

Waxing With Turtle Wax Liquid Or Paste Wax

Using the liquid or paste wax will require more elbow grease and time. But they will last a lot longer than the spray wax, which many people feel is worth it.

Like with spray wax, work one area of the vehicle at a time. Squirt the liquid wax on a special foam Turtle Wax applicator pad (or apply the paste wax to a dampened one) and gently buff the wax into the selected area. Be thorough, and use circular motions.

After ten minutes or so, revisit the area. Use a soft microfiber cloth to gently remove any leftover wax. This is important, as you do not want this excess wax to dry on the surface of the paint.

How Long Does It Take Turtle Wax Hard Shell To Dry?

A bottle of turtle wax

Turtle Wax Hard Shell Wax dries on a vehicle's paint very quickly. When applying this wax to your paint job, you will want to work on small sections of it at a time. This will ensure that you are getting the excess wax removed by buffing it before it dries.

This wax can dry in as little as a few minutes. So be prepared to wipe it away with a soft cloth before it completely dries.

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Is Turtle Wax Good For Cars?

Turtle Wax, like any wax, is great for prolonging the useful life of your vehicle's paint job. It provides a protective layer, keeping minor scratches from digging into your paint. 

Like many products, how effective it is will depend on how well it is used. Carefully follow all the instructions for the application of Turtle Wax products. This will help you get the most out of Turtle Wax and help your car stave off scratches and keep looking like new for years to come.

Can You Wax A Car Too Much?

Too much of any one thing can be a bad thing. Sometimes, though, too much isn't as bad as it is a waste of your time.

Applying wax to your paint job properly will make it unnecessary to wax it again for up to 12 months depending on what you use. But continuing to apply wax coats to your paint before it needs it will not harm it. You're just putting more wax on top of existing wax. 

You might be filling in minor scratches on the wax surface by reapplying with a fresh coat. But it's not that effective and is a waste of your time and money.

Car owner applying wax on his car

Does Car Wax Remove Scratches?

When you apply a fresh coat of wax to your paint, the small scratches on its surface seem to disappear. Without really thinking about it, you might believe that car wax will remove the scratches. But this is not the case.

Wax will leave your paint glistening and looking new. It fills in the scratches, making minor ones invisible to the naked eye. But these scratches are still there. When the wax wears away, you will be able to see them once again.

Wax does work to protect your paint from minor abrasions. Keeping a coat of wax on your vehicle will help make it look new, but don't expect it to make any scratch disappear.

How Many Coats Of Wax Should I Put On My Car?

One coat or two? The answer to this will depend on who you ask. But it boils down to how thorough you are when you apply the first coat.

Do a great job the first time and there won't be a need for a second coat. If you are confident in your ability to get every square inch with the initial coat, then you will save time and material leaving it at just one application.

Man wiping his car after applying wax to it

But if you did miss some spots, a second coat will most likely rectify the situation. You won't be doing any harm by applying the second coat and will surely get places that you overlooked. There will probably be no reason to apply a third coat, however.

Final Thoughts

Car auto detailer buffing the new car paint

Turtle Wax does not take very long to dry on the paint job of your vehicle and should be removed before it does. Any car wax that is left to dry on the paint will become hard to remove and can leave unsightly marks on the paint until you do so.

Keep a coat of wax on your vehicle and you'll keep it looking like new for years. Drive safe!

We hope you found this post on Turtle Wax to be helpful. For additional vehicle care information, we suggest reading the following posts:

What Is The Best Windshield Washer Fluid For Bugs?

Why Do My New Tires Look Dirty? [And What To Do About It]

What Kind of Soap Should You Use to Wash a Car [5 Suggestions]

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