 |  | | | It's been said that a clean car is a happy car. Okay, maybe it's never been said, but who's going to disagree? A clean car may not run any different under the hood, but your driving experience will change dramatically. Would you rather be behind the wheel of a dirt encrusted bird target complete with "wash me" inscribed in the rear window or a blindingly brilliant ride bound to turn heads at every traffic signal? Those who prefer the latter will recognize that the weekly washing in the driveway is barely enough for regular care of that precious high shine.
If you are one who aspires to attain that next level of shine and, at the same time, protect the long-term integrity of your sizable investment, then a regular paint-detailing schedule is in order. Detailing your car on a regular basis is the absolute best way to ensure your noble steed keeps her shiny coat long into the future.
Why Wax?
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A complete detail of your paint will remove the environmental fall-out that constantly pelts your paint. These contaminants will, over time, become imbedded in your paint and erode the high shine you first saw in the showroom. In addition, your paint is likely to suffer countless miniscule scratches from everyday occurrences, such as leaning against the fender in a pair of jeans, opening the door with long fingernails, or placing your coffee cup on the roof (hopefully not to be forgotten). All of these are normal exercises for many people and all of these can impact the integrity of your car's exterior. A good detailing can remove the environmental deposits, smooth out the scratches and provide a mirror-like shine worthy of admiration.
Where to Start?
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The first thing you need to do is determine the condition of your paint and the harshness of the environment where you live. If your car is brand new and you live in a rural area with minimal pollution and good weather, the paint is probably in good shape and your car should only need minor attention every four to six months. But if you live in a highly polluted area near the salty ocean air and you've been out of the detailing rotation for a while, you'll likely need to allow more time and effort to achieve your goal, not to mention regular maintenance every two to three months. Of course, most of us fall somewhere in between these two extremes.
What You'll Need
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Once you've determined the condition of your paint, you will need to choose which products to use. While at your favorite auto parts store, remember that every good detailing job depends on a few key elements; the quality of the chemicals and the quality of the towels you use are among the most important. Make sure to get high quality cleaning and waxing products, as you will notice a huge difference two or three months down the road. For cleaning products, you will probably want a clay bar, a good polish and, if you so choose, a sealer/glaze.
The clay bar is used to remove environmental contaminants that have worked their way into your paint, and the polish will smooth out imperfections such as scratches. Use caution when selecting a polish as they come in varying degrees of abrasiveness. Select one that is only as abrasive as needed, since heavier polishes can damage your paint if used improperly. A sealer/glaze will fill in any nicks or scratches making the surface nice and smooth.
Assuming you follow our 5-step process, you will want a simple carnauba wax for the final phase. There is also a multitude of cleaning waxes available. These products claim to combine the polishing and waxing processes; however, they seldom work as well compared to taking the time to do each task separately. For this reason, we suggest getting a simple carnauba wax to use after you've finished polishing.
Towels are perhaps the most overlooked and also the most important part of the detailing process. Make sure to get a healthy supply of new, 100-percent cotton (preferably terry) towels. Ten to 12 should do it for an average size car. If given more than one choice for terry towels, go with thicker of the two.
During the detailing process, towels will pick up debris that may cause scratches if dragged across your paint. Thicker towels have a greater nap and provide better protection against scratching. Best of all, terry towels are cheap, so you won't mind using a lot—and they make great shop towels when you're finished.
Above all else, the key to a great shine is consistency, so plan on waxing often and don't be stingy on the elbow grease, especially your first time out.
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