Car Styling

Car Styling

By David Maillie

We all love that brilliant shine of a new car in the dealer's showroom or at an auto show. There are hundreds of car care products and treatments available.

First, you must properly clean and wash your car. Polishing and waxing an unclean car is sure to leave hairline scratches from dirt and debris on the car. Proper car washing and cleaning should be a main staple of any car care regimen or treatment. It is a proven fact that cars that receive routine car washes will last longer (as evidenced in a recent Popular Mechanics magazine). To properly wash your car, first rinse it off. Get the whole car wet and try to spray off any loose dirt and debris. Then use specific car wash soap (regular household items and chemicals are usually too harsh and can strip the wax or sealant right off) and a soft sponge or towel. When done dry off the car with clean terry towels or micro fiber towels (a chamois works great also).

Next, examine your car. Are there any contaminants like bug splatter, bird droppings, tree sap, etc. To smooth out any imperfections in the paint we recommend a cleaner wax. Apply the cleaner wax in small circular motions and do one panel at a time, same as you did with car washing. Let the cleaner wax dry to a white haze and then buff with a clean terry cloth.

Next, what we recommend is that you use a polymer car polish (again, there is no need for expensive treatments - you are just wasting your money). A good polymer car polish can be obtained at Wal-Mart for between $2 and $5. They always come as a liquid and are very easy to apply and really do last longer than any car wax (up to 1 year and 50 car washes as some labels state). Apply to the whole car and buff dry. Apply 2-3 coats for maximum protection.

After the car polish we recommend a high-class carnauba wax (again there is no need for expensive treatments). Turtle wax platinum car wax is around $5-$7 and so are some Meguiars and Mothers top waxes. Apply 2 coats in similar fashion to the cleaner wax. Wait until you see the resultant shine from wax on top of polish. It is unbelievable and gives your car the best shine possible and also the maximum protection available. This is how they get that extra deep shine on cars at the auto shows - it works and you will be amazed.