[PocketRocketFox]

Got a '14 and we've taken care of it, but not had a heavy cleaning routine. Normally just run through car washes that are brushless. But that spot free rinse after a while builds up and you've got to hand wash it. The car is kept outside and any color exposed to sunlight and the elements does get weathered over time. It happens.

I generally use Meguiar's and Mother's cleaning products and quick detail sprays for shows. The Maguire's black detail spary
Meguiar's Gold Glass detail spray - http://www.meguiars.com/en/automoti...ss-premium-quik-detailer/#xdROcwFIvdA5mE0y.97
Meguiar's quick detailer spray - http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotive/products/a3316-quik-detailerreg-16oz/#708AQ72KCTdY88u4.97 - this one not as good as the gold class, but gets the job done


We have clay bared the car and do wax it on the season changes. I'm looking for a wax and polish that will really bring out the color of the car. I remember reading somewhere, and i'm failing at my searching skills, to find the info about wolfgang and black diamond polishes. Are there any that are better than those two? Got a spring show I'm planning for and want to make it where the car will catch your eye.


Side note, for interior, this stuff is great.
Meguiar's Quik Interior. Can use spray or wipes. Does not leave an oily residue behind like ArmorAll does. Cleans up most messes on the panels, cup holders, etc. Does not leave streaks. Do not use on glass.
http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotive/products/g13616-quik-interior-detailer™/#Su4P1dy1wbe6Omsb.97


Windex, amonia free! is the best for polishing those exhaust tips and cleaning the windows, tinted or not.

 

[Cooper]

This is a question that will get ten responses and ten different products. Personally I would skip the wax and use a sealant. If it was me I would...
Wash with two buckets when the car is dirty, but ONR wash it every week or so. It won't take long, and won't hurt the finish.
In the spring clay, polish, sealant.
In the summer use a water activated spray sealant when drying.
After every wash use a regular spray wax or sealant as a drying aid.
In the fall before winter re sealant the car. Come January's re water activated sealant the car. That will have you ready for spring and start all over.

Interior you may need APC at 5:1 and 10:1, I always have both ready to go. For regular cleaning Megs quick interior detailer is good stuff, I but it by the gallon. It is good for everything even safe on touch screens and leather.
For leather I use 3D liquid leather.

For wheels I use Adams wheel cleaner cut 1:1. I spray the wheel with water to rinse it off, then spray wheel cleaner. Wait till it turns colors and brush with wheel woolies.

Engine bay mist with water, do not use stream. Spray APC wait 30 seconds and brush with a soft brush on a handle. Re mist till clean. Dry by hand the best you can. Use a dressing on hard surfaces you can reach and spray Megs plastic and vynal coating where you can't reach.

 

[PocketRocketFox]

Thanks. I know many of us have our own method.

I'm trying to find out about black diamonds or wolfgang products for the wax/polish stuff. Just could not find that original thread.

 

[betterthansx]

To properly protect your paint, you will need to do a few different steps. As mentioned, everyone has a different way to do it, but this way gives you amazing protection, but also great gloss.

Find a good coating. I use AMMO NYC Reflex for example. You will wash the car with normal car soap, but add a few shots of dish soap in to help strip everything you have on the paint. Then use a damp microfiber towel to dry the car. You dont want to use any sort of lubricant as it may cause the coating to not adhere properly. Apply the coating as per the manufacturers directions. Coatings give a REALLY protective base and give a good amount of base gloss. Coatings can last a year or even more depending on the manufacturer, but do not pick your product based on how long it will last because a lot of manufacturers seem to over do it.

Then do a good sealant. I use AMMO NYC Skin for example. This goes on just like wax, but sealants are man made so they last longer and protect better. Super easy to do. Sealants typically give better gloss as well, but not quite what a Carnauba wax will. Sealants will last 6 months to a year.

Then do a wax. I use AMMO NYC Creme. This is a Carnauba wax and due to the fact that it is a natural product, it does not last long. Carnauba typically flashes at 100F so it burns off quickly. You can do wax once a month, or just before you go to a car show kind of thing. Carnauba gives the best gloss, and gives the paint that wet look. Like I said, carnauba wax can last a month, maybe two.

Then you can wash the car normally (without dish soap), and typically this set up will last up to a year. I do it every 6 months just to be safe. Water still beads amazingly after a year though.

 

[rott3np3anut]

Everyone's got different methods. But I just want to recomment Blackfire Midnight Sun as a final wax. It looks absolutely amazing on black cars. Expensive, but worth it imo.

 

[PSURT]

I have shadow black but it's close enough to tuxedo black, and I used the pinnacle black label diamond coating with great success. I purchased the car from the dealership and the following weekend applied the coating after prepping the paint. I spent quite a few hours polishing to perfection before applying the coating. The coating went on super easy, it was my first time using a coating, I had always used sealants and traditional waxes before. It essentially wiped on with a foam applicator and spread it on thin, then immediately buffed off with a short pile microfiber. Be sure not to use it in direct sun, it flash dried really quickly then. I applied it to the entire exterior paint and the door jambs. Months later it is still slick and glossy. I had some water spots form on the car when I was laid up after a knee injury, but a little cleaner wax took it right off. I want to get the booster from pinnacle to see if that will maintain the protection, I will probably do that in spring though. I also thought about topping it with a sealant but decided I wanted to see how it performed over the winter. I think I only used about 1/4 of the small spray bottle, and I probably could have been more efficient with it's use.

 

[Finitalia]

The wax I use is the meguiars cleaner wax. It's goes on and off real easy. The trick is to wax at least once a month.

 

[Finitalia]

Zip wax car wash by turtle wax

 

[Cooper]

The wax I use is the meguiars cleaner wax. It's goes on and off real easy. The trick is to wax at least once a month.

That is the problem with wax. Sealant you are good for upto 9 months. Coating upto 5+ years depending on the one you choose.

 

[betterthansx]

That is the problem with wax. Sealant you are good for upto 9 months. Coating upto 5+ years depending on the one you choose.

Wax is meant to be the final, last minute touch to make the paint pop. It really doesn't offer a ton of protection compared to a sealant or coating.

Sealant is the next step up in protection, and should be done twice a year. Once before winter and once in spring. This way you have all year protection. Coatings can last up to a year to 18 months, but for how easy it is to do, there is no reason to not do it every year.

Some coatings say that they can last 3-5 years, which is total BS. There are also "glass coatings" which are BS as well. They offer protection, sure, but not to the extent that they claim.