Best way to keep it shiney and clean

[fdkirkland]

I searched on "best car wax" but nothing came up so I thought I'd start a string on what the best method of keeping your car looking good is. Things to ask would be best way to clean the paint, what is the best car wax and method of use, and things like that? I'm new to car shows and don't want to embarrass fellow Stangers.

[Jodaddy]

check out detailcity.org theres a bunch of good info on there. Everythings personal preference on what products you want to use. Ive always used meguiars and have used poor boys products a handful of times. I like them both, its just up to you.

[1966PonyGirl]

Step one ...have a garage. :-( the 06 has her monsoon outfit on still. Step two, do not park near sprinkers. When she is clean, i use a lot of meguiars stuff. :-)

[Blackmagic1]

Autotopia.com is good too. I personally use Zaino products. Their Faqs page is VERY informative. Plus when you get into the HUGE market of waxes and polishes it all comes down to the individual person. Do you want something to put on easy, and leave it ? Or do you have, and make the time to do something more often and involved ?

[fdkirkland]

Thanks. I found a good article: http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/it-takes-more-than-the-occasional-wash-and-wax-to-keep-your-car-looking-its-best.html
This pretty well says what you've all added.

[IansBAJ]

I love mothers stuff. I even got the carwash. It smells like bubblegum. :veryhappy:

[1tuff68]

Now that's a question I can talk about for hours :icon_lol:. First and foremost the key to your car looking it's best is keeping swirl marks off the paint. Do that by washing properly with thee 3 bucket method and use only name brand, high quality microfiber towels on the paint. If the paint feels rough to the touch then you should use a clay kit to remove the bonded contaminants, follow that with the cleaner wax that comes in the kit, and then finally use the wax of your choice for protection. Just keep in mind that 98% of the appearance of the paint is due to the flatness and cleanliness of the paint - wax adds that extra 2% and protection from the elements.

Let me know if you'd like I can email you the handouts we give to our clients after correcting their paint.

Check out the gallery on our website where you can see before/after pictures and explanations as to what we did to get the results:
http://www.infinitedetail.net/Gallery.php

Most importantly, have fun doing it :D

[fdkirkland]

Now that's a question I can talk about for hours :icon_lol:. First and foremost the key to your car looking it's best is keeping swirl marks off the paint. Do that by washing properly with thee 3 bucket method and use only name brand, high quality microfiber towels on the paint. If the paint feels rough to the touch then you should use a clay kit to remove the bonded contaminants, follow that with the cleaner wax that comes in the kit, and then finally use the wax of your choice for protection. Just keep in mind that 98% of the appearance of the paint is due to the flatness and cleanliness of the paint - wax adds that extra 2% and protection from the elements.

Let me know if you'd like I can email you the handouts we give to our clients after correcting their paint.

Check out the gallery on our website where you can see before/after pictures and explanations as to what we did to get the results:
http://www.infinitedetail.net/Gallery.php

Most importantly, have fun doing it :D

I'd really appreciate the hand outs. What kit do you recommend?

[1tuff68]

If we use off the shelf products, we typically use Meguiar's stuff. We recommend their Gold Class car wash and we like their clay kit better than Mother's clay kit (mother's clay is a tad too soft for us). Get a really good wash mitt made of high quality microfiber or lambs wool.

We get most of our supplies locally from http://www.autodetailingsolutions.net

Here is a great kit on that site:
http://www.autodetailingsolutions.net/meguiars-grit-guard-kit.html

PM me your email and I'll send you the material

[fdkirkland]

I got the material and printed it off. Interesting read and now I have questions... you recommend using soft water if possible. Not having a water softener, I notice that my wife adds something to the wather in our dishwasher prior to running it to keep the dishes from spotting. What do you think about an additive such as this to soften the water in the buckets?

[1tuff68]

Yes, there are several products like that - the most popular is "Optimum No Rinse" (ONR) which you can buy from www.autodetailingsolutions.net (http://www.autodetailingsolutions.net) . You can also get a filter for your hose, but they can be very pricey