Car Detailed now what?

[rvnmaniac]

Just had the car detailed this weekend:

A thorough interior and exterior cleaning was followed up with a 2-step decontamination process (clay bar and iron contaminant removal), and finished off with a 3-step paint protection regimen (paint sealant, glaze, premium paste wax).

I have a Porter Cable car polisher. And tons of stuff to keep it right, pads polishes, etc.. Always do the 2 bucket wash using the correct cloths for washing and drying.

So since the car is straight i want to try to keep it that way. What are the recommendations to keep it pristine in the future?

[CamaroDreams07]

Learn how to wash properly. Keep your LSPs topped off.

[DylanVK]

Bingo! Now its all about maintenance.

2 bucket wash
pH balanced soap
quality wash materials
occasional touchup of the wax to maintain protection

Lesson #1 - the less you touch your car the better off you'll be.

[JTruck]

You're already on the right track, just make sure to use appropriate techniques when washing. Don't skimp or take short-cuts.

[lbls1]

Nice. I just completed a detail on my ZL (I will post my results in a few days). I started with a clay, then a 3-stage polish regimen with my porter cable and pads; Followed the polish with a spray clean using a synthetic detailing spray, and then followed with my favorite wax. Its backbreaking, but the results pay for it all!

If you've added wax, then just continue adding wax thru the warm months until you're ready to detail the car again (in 6 months or up to a year).

[Adam's Polishes]

Yep, it all comes down to safe maintenance techniques.

You're on the right path with the 2 bucket system, that will minimize the damage you'll inflict into the clear coat over time.

As you wash, you'll notice the water beads will begin to grow larger and "flatten" out a bit. That's a sign you need to refresh your protection.

Do you have a blower to help with the drying process? As Dylan mentioned, the less you touch it, ESPECIALLY with black, the better.

[DarkneSS]

Don't use a car cover, park in garage if possible and never let it see winter. Don't let any wash mitt, drying or buff towels touch it if it's not high grade.

[Nor Cal ZL1]

You could also consider coatings such as
Opti coat
22PLE
C-quartz
Of course with anything the correct washing, or waterless technique.

I hope CD07 or someone will chime in their opinion of the above coatings.

[Chris14RS]

I use a foam cannon with Chemical Brothers washes and waxes. I also use an electrical blower to dry the car. Limits the chances of swirls by about 80 percent. lol.

[JTruck]

Originally Posted by Nor Cal ZL1

You could also consider coatings such as
Opti coat
22PLE
C-quartz
Of course with anything the correct washing, or waterless technique.

I hope CD07 or someone will chime in their opinion of the above coatings.

They serve as a more permanent protection to the traditional sealant or wax.

[CamaroDreams07]

Originally Posted by Nor Cal ZL1

You could also consider coatings such as
Opti coat
22PLE
C-quartz
Of course with anything the correct washing, or waterless technique.

I hope CD07 or someone will chime in their opinion of the above coatings.

Great choices and we can't forget the excellent coatings offered by Gtechniq, my personal favorite.

But for him to use any of those he would have to re-polish the car, which I'm going to assume would not be an option.

Originally Posted by Chris14RS

I use a foam cannon with Chemical Brothers washes and waxes. I also use an electrical blower to dry the car. Limits the chances of swirls by about 80 percent. lol.

Can I see your data?

[AmericanMuscleCars]

I'd check out your front license plate before anything else, looks like someone spray painted over all of the letters and numbers!

[rvnmaniac]

Originally Posted by AmericanMuscleCars

I'd check out your front license plate before anything else, looks like someone spray painted over all of the letters and numbers!

I hate when that happens..

[2010abmss]

I just spent about 28 hours on my wife's black 12 yukon denali, I used Gtechiq Exo! It looks amazing and I just left for a 3 month deployment. I told her to drive my truck and leave her denali in the Garage!!! Dont want her washing it while I'm gone!