From Meguiar’s
- The 5 Basic Steps for restoring and maintaining the appearance of your paint finish are:
Wash: Removing loose contaminants sitting on top of your paint finish.Clean: Removing bonded contaminants, stains, blemishes, scratches and oxidation before polishing and/or waxing.
Polish: The optional step for creating perfectly clear reflections on black paint finishes and other dark colors.
Protect: A barrier coat of waxes, polymers, silicones and resins that sits on top of your paint finish to protect it from the elements.
Maintain: The missing link between washing and waxing, Regular use of a spray detailer to keep your car looking like it was just detailed…every day.
- Unless otherwise directed, “show car perfect” results are best achieved when all 5 steps are implemented in the shade to surfaces that are not hot.
- Dishwashing detergents should never be used on paint finishes. Only use dedicated car wash shampoos and conditioners to wash your car.
- When washing your car, always work from the top down to prevent scratching your paint with the more abrasive contaminants from the lower sections of your car.
- After washing your car, rub the face of your hand across its top surfaces. You will quickly feel bonded contaminants that must be removed with a clay bar before clear gloss and lasting protection can be achieved.
- Abrasive compounds and cleaners are dangerous and should never be used on clear coat paint finishes. To guard against scratching your paint finish, only use non-abrasive cleaners and compounds to remove below surface stains, blemishes and oxidation.
- Polishes that boast of cleaning action or protective qualities should be avoided because they are not pure polishes that produce optimum gloss.
- The durability of any car wax varies widely depending on the local environment and how often your car is driven or parked outside. When your spray detailer becomes slow to wipe off, its time to re-wax.
- Swirl marks are microscopic scratches, primarily caused by harsh or contaminated application/wipe off cloths or abrasive cleaners, polishes and waxes. To prevent swirl marks, only use foam or cotton terry cloth applicators and either 100% cotton, deep pile terry cloth towels or premium quality micro-fiber towels for wipe off with non-abrasive formulations.
- Contaminants are continually landing on your paint finish whenever your car is driven or parked outside. Many contaminants can bond or etch into your paint finish in less than a week. For 100% protection and a “just detailed” appearance every day, keep a bottle of a quick spray detailer and clean micro-fiber towels in your car at all times for quick and easy removal of fresh contaminants before they do damage.
