This is by no means the end all guide to paint care, but it should give some basic principles to caring for your car's paint no matter what products you use. I'm using Zaino here. This will only cover painted sufaces. Future posts will cover other stuff I think.
ALBUM Here with step by step:
Car Washing (Paint) - Imgur
Basic thoughts (will be edited more):
Which brand do I need to use?
I use Zaino. You don't have to, but I would recommend you do your research. I have good experience with Meguiars, Zaino, and have been very impressed with Zymol results I have seen (I don't use it, it's pricey!!!). Zaino is tried and true and is reasonably priced with lots of internet info. Meguiars makes nice products and is the bare minimum you should be using and are easily available everywhere. Other options are coming up all the time but I don't mention them here because many are new. Read forums and look at results to make your decision. Some people think Zaino makes the car look TOO wet and "plasticy". I love it.
Never buy Armor-all anything ever again.
Products are less important than the technique and materials you use.
What materials?
Application of products should use high quality microfiber (I like these) or 100% cotton towerls (more consistent, easy to find, many swear by it and hate MF). You must care for your materials or they are no good. Microfiber will not scratch your paint, but it will pick up debris that will scratch your paint. Wash MF towels after every use with liquid detergent and ONLY other MF towels. I divide my supplies into: EXTERIOR CLEAN (wax, polish, etc.), INTERIOR (plastic, leather) , DIRTY (things that touch tires or rims). Downgrade your supplies every 4-6 months. That old wax rag? Now its an interior rag or tire rag.
What do I need at minimum?
-Dawn dish wash
-Quality brand car wash
-Two wash buckets
-Polish/Wax
-Quick Detailer/Gloss Enhancer
-4-5 Microfiber (MF) or 100% cotton hand towels
-1-2 Large MF or 100% cotton drying towel
What mistakes do people make?
DON'T go through a brush car wash.
DO clean, wax, polish in a slow steady manner one body panel at a time.
DO wash twice. Your drying towel should be light color and always come back clean
How many coats of wax?
Depends on the products you use. Generally the car should be stripped with Dawn and redone about twice a year.
I only showed one wax layer here in this example.
Next weekend I will add three more layers. Wash/Dry -> Wax -> Gloss Enhance-> Wax -> Gloss Enhance-> Wax -> Gloss Enhance
And from there one I'll do one layer of wax each month. That's 10 layers over the course of half a year (but washes are easier with the well waxed car, rocks and debris are less likely to damage paint)
I am, as you've noticed, a little crazy with this. But it's work that pays off in car value down the line and intangible value of the joy of getting in that car every day.
Final Word? Strip it twice a year. Do 2-3 coats for two weekends in a row. Wash and gloss enhancer after that. Wax when you can.
MORE TO COME?
ALBUM Here with step by step:
Car Washing (Paint) - Imgur
Basic thoughts (will be edited more):
Which brand do I need to use?
I use Zaino. You don't have to, but I would recommend you do your research. I have good experience with Meguiars, Zaino, and have been very impressed with Zymol results I have seen (I don't use it, it's pricey!!!). Zaino is tried and true and is reasonably priced with lots of internet info. Meguiars makes nice products and is the bare minimum you should be using and are easily available everywhere. Other options are coming up all the time but I don't mention them here because many are new. Read forums and look at results to make your decision. Some people think Zaino makes the car look TOO wet and "plasticy". I love it.
Never buy Armor-all anything ever again.
Products are less important than the technique and materials you use.
What materials?
Application of products should use high quality microfiber (I like these) or 100% cotton towerls (more consistent, easy to find, many swear by it and hate MF). You must care for your materials or they are no good. Microfiber will not scratch your paint, but it will pick up debris that will scratch your paint. Wash MF towels after every use with liquid detergent and ONLY other MF towels. I divide my supplies into: EXTERIOR CLEAN (wax, polish, etc.), INTERIOR (plastic, leather) , DIRTY (things that touch tires or rims). Downgrade your supplies every 4-6 months. That old wax rag? Now its an interior rag or tire rag.
What do I need at minimum?
-Dawn dish wash
-Quality brand car wash
-Two wash buckets
-Polish/Wax
-Quick Detailer/Gloss Enhancer
-4-5 Microfiber (MF) or 100% cotton hand towels
-1-2 Large MF or 100% cotton drying towel
What mistakes do people make?
DON'T go through a brush car wash.
DO clean, wax, polish in a slow steady manner one body panel at a time.
DO wash twice. Your drying towel should be light color and always come back clean
How many coats of wax?
Depends on the products you use. Generally the car should be stripped with Dawn and redone about twice a year.
I only showed one wax layer here in this example.
Next weekend I will add three more layers. Wash/Dry -> Wax -> Gloss Enhance-> Wax -> Gloss Enhance-> Wax -> Gloss Enhance
And from there one I'll do one layer of wax each month. That's 10 layers over the course of half a year (but washes are easier with the well waxed car, rocks and debris are less likely to damage paint)
I am, as you've noticed, a little crazy with this. But it's work that pays off in car value down the line and intangible value of the joy of getting in that car every day.
Final Word? Strip it twice a year. Do 2-3 coats for two weekends in a row. Wash and gloss enhancer after that. Wax when you can.
MORE TO COME?
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