How to achieve a glossy shine?

[ArkansasMystic]

I'm starting to think about the show on the 24th, wanna have the car ready. I typically just wash and wax it, but there's gotta be a better way to get the deep/dark shine. I know there's cleaners and such you can use, but I've never used them. What do I need to do to get my car in tip top shape? I'm limited to doing things by hand, but I don't mind spending a day on a good cleaning. I've never been much on fine detailing, so any input on steps/products will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Bigjht]

If it's been awhile or hasn't ever been done I would start with clay barring the car. You will be surprised at how much comes off a car you thought was clean. After that, depending the condition, you could use a mild hand polish to work out any scratches or swirl marks and then wax for protection, deepness, and a even out any scratches or swirls even more. Another option that may be good for you since it is not garage kept, if I'm remembering correctly, is using a polymer sealant instead of a wax, which lasts gives the same protection of a wax and lasts much longer. The downside to that is it doesn't give the deepness a carnauba wax will give, but you can put a coat of wax on top of the sealant to achieve the deepness and have the better protection of the sealant, just will need to reapply the wax as needed for the best of both worlds. I just detailed mine a couple of weeks ago and started with clay bar, then a glaze, didn't polish cause it didn't need it, then applied the sealant. I didn't bother with the wax with my white car since you don't have much of a deepness with white anyway but you would definitely want that with your color. By no means am I a professional detailer though but I've done a decent amount of research on the subject. A good forum you may want to check out is http://www.autopia.org. There are some really good detailers on the site and I'm sure you could search and find out pretty much anything you would like to know. I hope this helps.

[ArkansasMystic]

That helps a lot, thanks! Looks like clay bar the car (it's been about 10 months), a polish (any suggestions here?), then sealant, followed by wax. I knew there had to be more than wash and wax. Also, you're right, 75% of the time my car isn't garaged.

[stumbaugh]

For polish, you can't go wrong with Mothers of Meguiars.

[1low03gt]

I myself start with this at the start of every season....
http://www.mothers.com/02_products/07240.html
http://www.mothers.com/02_products/product/images/07240.jpg
then i use this threwout the rest of the season....
http://www.mothers.com/02_products/20224.html
http://www.mothers.com/02_products/product/images/20224.jpg
The end result is a slippery paint,that looks really shiny,and glossy.

[Bigjht]

a polish (any suggestions here?)

Meguiars M-8132 Hand Polish was suggested to me by a professional detailer back in Atlanta that was in the SVTOA with me. It's an easy product to use and I had good results from it. It's a shame I'm not closer or I'd let you use mine, plus you may have to order it as I had a tough time finding a store that had it. The sealant I used is the Meguiars #20 Polymer Sealant, also suggested by him. It went on and wiped off very easy. You're not going to go wrong with these, however, detailing products are like motor oils, different detailers prefer different brands. Also, some products work better for different colors from what I've read in my research.

[ArkansasMystic]

Anything will be better than the over the counter wax I've been using by itself. I kinda want to try the poorboy's products, but there pricey. I may try the M-8132, followed by the #20 Polymer Sealant, followed by the NXT 2.0 wax (great from what I hear). It may be a stupid question, but do you apply the polish and sealant just like you would wax?

[Bigjht]

Yeah, they are applied the same way. Apply, wipe off excess, and buff out.

[ArkansasMystic]

Sounds like I've got work to do. I'll probably take a full day off and spend it getting the car ready. I'm sure I'll be astonished by the results. I keep it waxed, but I'm using the old Meguire's Gold Class, it's not one I hear much about so I'm sure things like the NXT will be much better by itself, and night and day with the other products (plus it will really help protect the paint). One more thing. Can I apply these back to back, or do I need to allow some time between applications? Thanks a lot for your help. I'm gonna do some research on which brands to use, but at least now I know what I need to look for.

[Bigjht]

To my knowledge, they can be applied back to back. Just make sure you buff each stage out completely with the rag.

[racing2fast]

I agree with everything listed above....

I have used the NXT wax, and it does a fine job, but I think I like the "liquid glass" wax a little better. imo it last a little longer!! If your's is an outside car invest in some good mist-n-wipe and use it after you wash the car. It also works very well for a quick hit!

[ArkansasMystic]

I've looked at the Poorboy's products, they have some great reviews. I'm just not sure that I wanna sink $100 into cleaning products for just the outside (still have tires, wheels, engine bay, and interior).

[ArkansasMystic]

One more thing. I do have a buffer, just no pads and such. I've never used it, so I'm scared of damaging the paint. However, it may really help get better results and speed up the process just a little. What do you guys think? If I should use it, any tips or info on pads and such? Thanks!