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One of the most commonly asked questions posed to our Surface Care Specialists in our Customer Care Center is "how do I get and keep the best possible shine on my car?". The answer, as you can imagine, involves a few steps. In fact, it involves 5 Steps. Let’s look at what these steps are and briefly define each of them:
Step 1: Wash – Washing is the removal of loose contaminants from the surface. This is your soap and water step that removes mud, dirt, road film, etc
Step 2: Clean – Cleaning involves the removal of defects from the paint and is a two fold process. Once the loose contaminants have been washed off the surface you must evaluate the finish both visually and by touch. Literally touching your paint will let you feel how smooth the surface is or isn’t and determine if you have what are known as bonded surface contaminants that need to be removed with a clay bar treatment. A visual inspection of the surface, under bright and intense light, will tell you if your paint has swirls, towel marks, etching from bird droppings or other below surface defects. These are very, very fine defects that you can not feel, but you can remove them with a liquid paint cleaner. These two steps, claying and using a liquid paint cleaner, are what levels the surface to reveal the true color and clarity of the finish. These steps also prepare the surface to properly accept your wax, meaning wax will be easier to apply and remove, and it will also last longer due to proper bonding.
Step 3: Polish – Simply put, polishing is the process of adding gloss to a well prepared surface. Meguiar’s always considers this to be an optional step, especially on a modern clear coat finish. A simple process that can really deepen darker colors, the application of a pure polish will not correct any defects, nor will it provide any protection. Rather, it is a beauty treatment for your paint.
Step 4: Protecting – The preservation of brilliant, high gloss is what protection is all about. This protection comes from the wax you apply once you’ve achieve a near defect free finish. Waxes are available in a variety of configurations, from cleaner waxes to pure synthetic sealants. Each is intended to do essentially the same thing, but in slightly different ways. Which you choose is dependent on a lot of personal preferences, what kind of exposure the vehicle is subjected to, and other considerations.
Step 5: Maintaining – Between washings you can maintain your finish by using a mist and wipe product to safely remove fresh contaminants before they have a chance to bond or etch into the surface. Another simple process that, when done correctly, can keep your finish looking great for a very long time.
While each of these steps seems straightforward enough on the surface, they all involve choosing the right tools and products to give optimum results as well as using proper technique. The best products in the world won’t do the job on their own.
You can learn more about Meguiar’s 5 Step Paint Care Cycle, complete with images, product recommendations, and videos, by clicking here.
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New format for
the MOL Newsletter |
If you have received the meguiarsonline.com newsletter in the past it should be immediately obvious that something has changed!
We have redesigned the MOL Newsletter not only to add continuity to the design of the meguiarsonline.com website, but also to bring you expanded content. Many of you have asked about upcoming car shows where you might be able to stop by a Meguiar’s truck or booth and either purchase some product or just say “hi”. We’re adding some of these events to our new calendar section, as well as upcoming Saturday Car Care Classes and Thursday Night Open Garage sessions in Meguiar’s Garage at our Irvine, CA offices.
We will also provide content from the many magazines and websites Meguiar’s works with each month, bringing you in depth car care articles with helpful tips and product recommendations. We know you can’t subscribe to every publication out there, so we’re bringing some of this content to you.
Each month we’ll showcase a new product in the Meguiar’s line too, and with our 2010 New Products scheduled for introduction at SEMA during the first week of November, we’ll have a lot of new information for you in the coming months.
Of course we’ll continue to highlight some of the more interesting discussions taking place on Meguiar’sOnline, just in case one of them got passed you! We hope you enjoy the new layout and content. |
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This month we’re going to highlight a pair of “Extreme Makeovers” from opposite sides of the globe. Both involve rare and unique vehicles but the paint could not have been more different on these two vehicles, and not just because one is white and the other black!
Throughout the process he documents his procedures and products for the various aspects of the project. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and seech’s images do just that. His pictures provide plenty of tips along the way, and each step brings the Porsche closer and closer to its original glory.
Our second “Extreme Makeover” is part of a restoration of a 1975 Cosworth Vega performed by Frank – AKA SHYNEMAN123. Frank is a long time body and paint man but the owner of this car was on a shoestring budget. Frank prepped the car for paint but the actual spraying of the paint was done at a well known discount autobody shop, and the word “inexpensive” is not an exaggeration!
Obviously the processes used are very advanced and should not be entered into lightly by a novice. In fact, some steps probably shouldn’t even be considered on a new, factory direct paint job. Frank has spent years perfecting his craft, and he truly is a craftsman. The Cosworth Vega has had new life breathed into it, and it could only be done by someone with a true passion for this sort of work. Frank obviously has that passion!
Congratulations on being featured on the newsletter Seech!
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