How to make car shine, like new, "Just off the dealership" shiny?

[Marshall_Placid]

Hey guys!

I'm going to take delivery of a new Misano Red RS5 in early October.

When I go to a dealership, all the showroom cars' bodies are "blindingly" shiny and reflective.

How do I achieve such a gloss/shininess on the RS5?

Is it a wax they use? Or, do they use a waxing machine?

If they use a wax, what type of wax that I can get off the shelf at an auto parts store?

And, what about the wheels? How do I get those to shine on an alloy wheel?

Any help is much appreciated.

[bobalis]

Wax will give you the shine. For the ultimate paint glow (or whatever you want to call it) use a paint sealant, then put a coat of wax on over it. Waxes with higher concentration of carnauba are usually thicker in consistency and are considered to be better. They are harder to apply and remove so if you want something a little easier, go with a liquid wax. A "waxing machine" is probably just a random orbital and it doesn't necessarily do a better job over application of wax by hand, its just faster. As for the wheels, they do make wheel wax although I don't know if they work for every type of wheel. Hope this helped.

[B-Time]

Check out the Detailing forum. Search for "new car prep".

Off the shelf products are far from the best.

[Liquidsystm]

It's because they are in a controlled environment, with lighting that usually gives it a "wet" look. Most cars at the dealership get a wash or wipedown when they go in the showroom, and that's about it. So technically your car will already have that shine off the lot, but just depends on the lighting environment, such as, overcast days, garage lighting etc gives it that glossy appearance. Use carnauba wax your car to upkeep the shine.

[NYSpeedRacer]

Personally, I wouldn't let the dealer "prep" your car. 9 out of 10 times, they'll put scratches on the car.

Give it to a professional and it'll come out better. I took the $350 dealer prep fee and put it towards a new car prep with Phil @ Detailers Domain.

[Rodmar]

^^^ this

[endless5]

Check here for good videos on Adam's Products

http://www.adamspolishes.com/t-videos.aspx

With the help of Mops and some research, I was able to put together a nice collection of items to use on the RS in a few weeks :) PM if you want a list of products I got (in the pic)

[Mops@Nemesis]

^Great products. Its easy. I due a full detail including swirl, polish and wax/seal at least twice a year and layer the wax/seal 4-6 times a year. Finish each wash with detail spray. Adams makes a great one. My paint looks way better then a new car. Hell, my 7 year old subi looks better than a new one.

[endless5]

Do you clay each time prior to waxing? (the 4-6 time a year wax)

[bobalis]

Do you clay each time prior to waxing? (the 4-6 time a year wax)

Clay bar is used to removed oxidized paint and other foreign entities embedded into the clear coat/paint. If sealant and/or wax are applied to a clayed surface you shouldn't have to clay every time. Unless, of course, you drive behind a tar flinger.

[Mops@Nemesis]

Do you clay each time prior to waxing? (the 4-6 time a year wax)

No Sir, once a year for DD. Only clayed the 5 one time during first detail. If properly maintained its not needed unless you pick up overspray etc or need to spot clean. The GTI has only had full clay once but the hatch gets it every detail being it collect so much trash.

[GotRS?]

Do you clay each time prior to waxing? (the 4-6 time a year wax)

Personally, I never wax without claying first, I don't want wax over the build up of crap baked on by the sun that washing cannot remove.

[Mikei182]

I always clay before waxing. Only takes about 20-30 Mins and makes a huge difference in the surface prep.

Just slide your hand across a clayed vs non clayed surface. Which would you want to wax?

Or as I like to say, It's a one beer job!

[endless5]

Just when I thought I had it figured out

Thanks for the tips guys!

[endless5]

Personally, I never wax without claying first, I don't want wax over the build up of crap baked on by the sun that washing cannot remove.

That's what I was thinking as well...

[NYSpeedRacer]

I clay every time before a wax. A clean surface is easier to work with too. It's a lot easier now with the NanoSkin. I can clay my A5 in about 20 minutes.


Sent telepathically

[Marshall_Placid]

Thanks guys!

I'll use your advice to good use.

And, I'll check out endless's link.

[u080570]

Check out www.zainostore.com also - great stuff !!

[Mops@Nemesis]

Clay everytime you wax. Crazyness. I would never clay 4-6 times a year. Never more than twice. You should not clay if it is not needed. It can actually dull your clear over time unless you use a VERY fine clay. And they say, "non abraisive" but in most cases that is not true. Plus, it scrubs away your wax/seal so you erase your previous work each time. I like to layer. People will go for anything these days. I bet the clay maniacs use two buckets and grit guards as well. Newbs;)

[NPuter]

Mops's paint looks fantastic. Wish mine looked remotely cose to his...

[FaceSmA5h]

I forget to clay before I wax =(

[Mops@Nemesis]

Holy shiiiit!!! If someone rubs a plastic bag against your car you are caught, son.

[FaceSmA5h]

Holy shiiiit!!! If someone rubs a plastic bag against your car you are caught, son.

I did it 1/3 times I waxed the benzo lol.

[jumanji404]

1) Take car home
2) dawn wash
3) clay bar
4) car shampoo (I like mothers)
5) Klasse Polish
6) Klasse Sealant Glaze
7) p21s wax..
8) detailer's spray over the wax here and there will give it that crazy shine.

California car duster is your friend.. especially in high pollen areas.

I glaze and wax my wheels too.. keeps them looking nice..

[FastMoneyPlaya]

I've been using Griot's Garage products for years and highly recommend them: http://www.griotsgarage.com/

I do my usual weekly/bi-weekly wash using their special bucket and microfiber mitt and towels. They sell really good microfiber wheel brushes which help get into those hard to reach places http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...ortby=ourPicks ... After the wash/dry, I use the spray on wax to keep it shiny between waxes http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...ortby=ourPicks

For my semi-annual waxings, I clay the car which really smooths out the paint and gets rid of whatever little grit is embedded. I use their Speed Shine product to lubricate the paint for the clay which makes the whole process non-abraisive. Then the Best of Show wax to finish the job off. I've got 30K on my car and not a swirl mark to be found. I think it's important to use the microfiber towels to keep the swirl down.

Also, between washes, I really love the Speed Shine kit that comes with super fluffy microfiber towels. This is good to use if you need to do some spot cleaning such as bird droppings or dusting off pollen. http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...ortby=ourPicks

[Mops@Nemesis]

Mops's paint looks fantastic. Wish mine looked remotely cose to his...

Thanks, Nick. I was very impressed with your BB car. For a young guy you already know how to properly care for your car.

[CLA5ACT]

As far as the way the cars look in the dealership, the use special 8 series lamps which has a much higher CRI (color rendering index). Which intensifies colors. Usually grocery stores retail stores and another places that needs to show off colors only uses 8 series lamps.