Car Wash
Whether your car is brand new or 17 years old, if you’re like me, then it is your pride and joy. But do you always have the time to spend the necessary time keeping your baby in show car condition. Well you should, because it is a proven fact that regularly car care and maintenance of your vehicles finish can help prolong the life of your car and cost you less than having to go to a body shop for a re-spray every three to four years. Now, for me, the guys at Meguiar’s have a proven, easy to follow, five step cleaning process that if done regularly can keep your car’s finish looking hot. Now the secret to this five step process is to evaluate your car, choose the right product and then always use the proper technique as indicated in the directions. Step 1 is washing. Now that’s easy right. There is no wrong way to get dirt and grime off your car but there might be better ways. Start by giving the car a nice rinse to loosen up any caked on dirt or grime. Next start washing by using a quality sponge or wash mitt, get it nice and sudsy and work your way from the roof of the car down to the bottom. I use Meguiar’s NXT Car Wash because of the extreme sudsing action from just a capful. Once your baby is all lathered up wash the soap and dirt off again starting from the top and working downwards. Finally use a dry chamois or a microfiber cloth to dry the car completely. Don’t forget the wheels though. You can use the same NXT Car Wash or if you are a true car enthusiast you can try Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner from Meguiar’s. Just spray on, let it soak for about ten seconds, and then wash off. Ahh now she’s clean. But we might have a problem. You might still see imperfections such as tree sap, bird lime, oxidation or even fine scratches. This is because over time contaminants bond with the clear coat of your vehicle due to the extreme conditions we live in. Just washing your car won’t get rid of these. To judge just how bad it is you need to do a feel test. Take your hand and rub your finger tips against the paint finish and if you feel any grittiness, marks or scratches, then we got work to do. We are now in step 2, Surface Prep. This is what will separate your car from your neighbour’s or even your friends’ rides. The best products for getting rid of all these contaminants are the Meguiar’s Smooth Surface Clay Kit and ScratchX 2.0. Even some of the best body shops around the world use these products to get that show car shine. Now the Clay it is for your above surface contaminants like the tree sap while the ScratchX 2.0 you would use on any oxidation or fine scratches you find on the finish. The images below give a perfect illustration of what I mean between above and below imperfections. Contaminants Great now the car is really clean. What’s next? Well let’s move on to Step 3 and try and make that paint job pop off with some polishing. True Car enthusiast will tell you that polishing your car with a pure polish is the proven way to get that deep, dripping wet, show car look . Now depending on the age of your car you have some options based on how the finish is looking. If the car is new or relatively new I would recommend the Meguiar’s Deep Crystal System Polish. This pure polish conditions and nourishes your finish to give you that deeper, wet reflection look. If the vehicle is ageing you might be noticing a dull paint finish with swirl marks. For this you can use the Ultimate Compound or SwirlX product. These products help revitalize an older paint bringing right back up to show car level. Almost home now, we got the car clean, free of contaminants, and shining bright. Now we need to lock in that shine with a wax. Step Four is protecting and the only way to get long lasting protection is with a wax. A common misconception is that by polishing your car you are waxing it. Sorry, that is just not so. Waxing is the missing link between a show car sign for months and having to polish after every wash. Now for that amazing last touch to your almost finish sow car is Meguiar’s NXT Tech Wax 2.0. Simply apply to your paint finish, let set for 15-20 seconds and wipe off with a microfiber cloth. Then after the entire car is done, do the unthinkable, wet the bonnet. You will watch in amazement as the water just beads off in seconds. And that is how you get that show car sign. Now step Five is the easiest, maintaining that show car look. Depending on the environmental conditions your car is in your wax could last up to 6 months. But to ensure that it lasts as long as possible you need a booster wax. I use Meguiar’s Ultimate Quik Detailer. Just wash the car as normal, dry it off and then spray on the Detailer for that just waxed look. It actually boosts the original wax locking back in that shine. Now do you have the energy to be a real car enthusiast? Look at these pictures and decide for yourself. Skyline350z