It's surprising that many people don't know how to clean, polish, or polish their vehicles properly. A lot of people are using products that were never intended for their vehicle, and others use products and equipment which should only be used by trained professionals. A lot of people do not wax their cars or clean them. They ask why dealers give them a low price for trade-ins or the reason their paint is flaky and dull.
We spoke to a number of experts in the field of automotive detailing and other similar professionals to create this article. We also asked them for tips and recommendations on products. The same advice was offered by them all.
Cars should be properly cleaned:
It is vital to remember that aggressive, non-automotive substances could damage the finish of your car and cause it to wear faster. Spray your car first, and then allow it to dry. Apply water to clean off dirt and other debris that will scratch your car if you do not start using a sponge or water first. Don't wash your vehicle in the sun on the hottest day. Make sure you use warm water as it works best to get rid of dirt. Once your vehicle is clean then you can apply an automotive car wash product. Place it in an empty bucket of water. Follow the directions on the bottle. Then, clean your car. It will be much easier to wash your car with an extended-handled brush (most auto parts stores have them). Be sure to clean and rinse the car in segments, so the soap used to wash your car does not dry prior to being rinsed off. Use terry cloth towels or chamois to dry the car. Use a squeegee to dry the vehicle. It's quicker and more simple.
Remove stubborn contaminants:
After washing, dirt bugs, and tar will remain. Many products are made specifically for removing these items as your car's paint. The most consistent answer from experts was Meguiar's Bug and the tar cleaner. Follow the instructions. Certain products may damage paint, so you should take out all pollutants. A tip from an expert: 3M and other manufacturers have created a plastic shield that can be applied to the areas of your car's paint like bumpers or behind tires to protect from contaminants as well as rock chips.
Make use of a cleaner polish:
This can remove any remaining dirt or stains that remain, like those found in bug splatter onto your painted bumper acid rain etching bird drop spots, as well as minor scratches. Just like wax, use a circular motion. Follow the instructions for the cleaner polish. Some require a moist or wet applicator while some don't. Take the car to one section at a given time, then apply a clean piece of cloth to polish once dry. Most cleaner polishes will dry to a whitish cloud. Be sure to scrub off all the haze and residue from the cleaner polish. When done, the car's appearance will be very smooth. For more severe scratches, dirt or other contaminants... it is possible to use an orbital buffer or polisher to apply cleaner polish. Utilize low-RPMs (under 2000), as anything higher will cause paint to melt.
Apply several coats of polish or wax:
There is a big difference between car wax and polish. Car wax is typically an amalgamation of carnauba with other waxes that give a deep, wet appearance and fresh car shine. It's available as either a solid or a liquid but it won't be as durable as a polish for cars. Car wax melts at high temperatures, making it less effective at higher temperatures. Car polish is a polymer blend generally without wax. Car polishing are able to last up to 1 year between coats and are very durable to protect your paint. Experts recommend a car polished with Teflon for maximum protection and durability. Experts appreciated the added, deeper shine from the car wax, but they all agreed it was better suited to car shows. They can be used in the same way, regardless of which you pick. Use a circular motion to apply the cream, and then allow it to dry to form a blur. Dry it with an unclean terry cloth or a microfiber towel.
Expert tip:
Avoid using regular towels or diaper cloths since they can trap dirt particles and similar things and leave scratches on your finish. To remove car wax or dried car polish a microfiber cloth is the best choice. For maximum protection and shine it is recommended to apply 2 or three coats. The best practice is to apply polish for your car or wax at least two times per year. Car wax can be applied to your windows instead of polish. This helps prevent streaks and smudges to appear on the glass. Apply a light coat of wax, then buff it off. Car wax is superior to any top brand of glass treatment for rain. It will also slow down the windshield wipers.