I know there are threads on this stuff, but they are all about promoting different products or people just sharing "coming out" pictures.

My situation: My car suffered damage this past winter from sliding on ice into a snow pile and just bad driving in a small parking lot by me (truck bumper in my blind spot go crunch...lol). I'm getting my car back this Friday and will also be getting my summer wheels in the mail. The weather has been getting better but is still cool. So here is the goal: Since I will have a complete car again and the weather is ideal I want to finally clean up the car for Spring/Summer and have my own coming out party (not in a gay way either).

What I want: I don't want to be sold products or be given a step by step how-to. I need info on something I'm unfamiliar with. I don't know the difference/importance between/of polish and wax. So, to get my car looking its best humanly possible, short of getting it repainted, give me a step by step how to wash and restore my car from the winter and explain what the detailing steps will each do (waxing and polishing).


Example and cliffnotes:
Here's an example and what I know so far:

1>Wash
2>Dry (remove water so it wax can go on dry)
3>Keep Cool (So wax can apply properly)
4>Wax (not sure what the wax actually does to the paint)
5>Let Wax dry (so it can soak in and react with paint)
6>Remove wax with microfiber towel (remove with paint sensitive texture)
7>Polish (never used it and don't know what it adds to the process)

Cliffnote:^^Verify this is right and add what I don't know or I need to know

thanks in advance.

 

autopia.org check that site out.

 

go to http://www.meguiars.com/howtocenter/ they have a car care Rx it will walk you threw a questionare on what you want to advice and then tell you what to do and use

 

sweet, thanks

 

no prob hope it helps

 

I took the quiz and it already has helped. It's given me a list of products I'm definitely going to check out.

So, the wax is the protective layer and it also shines and gives the wet look. What is polish for, the site didn't recommend it so I'm assuming I don't need it?

 

polish is to help remove contamintes and deepen the paint gloss, I know I can't spell

 

I would between the wash and the wax, run a claybar over the car to get any containiments off of the paint and it makes the wax shine better
It takes along time time to do wash, clay bar, wax. If done right it should be around 4 hours. But it is so worth it. Plus it will be easier to wash next time.

 

^^^agreed. you'll love the feel of the car after using the claybar. i suggest getting a kit not just the claybar. the one i got came with clay, quik detailer (used as a lubricant), and a mcrofiber towel to clean it off.

 

yeah, didnt clarify, get a kit, much easier. its all there waiting to go

 

i support clay bar all the way.. i did it in october and waxed right after.. my car still feels very smooth.. im gonna go through and do a 4 step wax when the wind dies down with clay bar in between... the meguiars kit comes with everything you need... definately worth the money