Achieving that showroom-worthy finish doesn't have to be difficult or consume your entire weekend. With the right tools, techniques, and a little bit of elbow grease, you can make your car shine like new. In this blog post, we're gonna break down the steps you need to take to get that detailer shine for your car and leave everyone on the road wondering how you do it. So, let's get started!
1. Wash Car
If you want your ride to look like a million bucks, you gotta start with the basics. And that means snow foaming your car with a quality shampoo. Why, you ask? Well, deep cleaning your car with remove loose dirt and grime and prep the paintwork for the next steps. With so many options on the market, you'll wanna do your homework and pick the one that's just right for you. So don't skimp on the suds!
2. Clay Bar
If you're serious about giving your ride the ultimate shine, you gotta get rid of those pesky contaminants that are embedded in your paintwork. Luckily, there are a ton of options out there for detailers like us. From clay bars to clay cloths, you've got choices galore. Each option has its pros and cons, but we're partial to the clay towel. Why? Because of its larger surface area we can work much faster than a standard clay bar.
But no matter what you pick, you'll need plenty of lubrication to avoid marring your paint. That means using dedicated clay lubricants, water-based detailing sprays, or even just fresh water mixed with a little bit of car shampoo. So don't wait - get to work and watch your ride shine like never before!
3. Polish
If you're looking to get your ride looking as good as new, you've got to apply a good polish. Why, you ask? Well, it's simple - car polish helps smooth out any imperfections or scratches in your car's paintwork, giving you that perfect, mirror-like shine. And who doesn't want that, right? Polishing your car is the key to removing minor blemishes like surface scratches, swirl marks, and even minor stone chips and scuffs.
But to get the job done right, you'll need the right tools. That means a good quality polish and either a simple applicator pad for a hand-rubbed finish or an electric buffer for a faster, more efficient job. If you're going the hand route, just apply a small amount of polish to the pad, rub it into your paintwork in circular motions with moderate pressure, and then remove any residue with your trusty microfiber cloth. And if you're using an electric buffer, don't worry - it may take some getting used to, but once you've got the technique down, you'll be able to polish your car like a pro.
So what are you waiting for? Get to work and let your ride shine like never before!
4. Wax
Now that you've put in the hard work of cleaning, polishing and buffing your car, it's time for the final step to really make it shine.
Applying car wax not only enhances the shine but also adds a protective layer to your paintwork, guarding against dirt and other contaminants.
Use an applicator pad and apply a small amount of wax onto the pad and work it into a small section of the car at a time, using circular motions. After applying the wax, use a clean microfibre cloth to wipe down each section and remove any residue.
Once you're finished, step back and admire the glossy shine of your newly waxed car!
5. Detailer Spray
Alternatively if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to enhance the shine and protection of your car, then a detailer spray is the way to go. They offer a hit of gloss to a freshly detailed car, and most detailers use special hydrophobic formulas to protect your car from water spots, while also adding a slick layer that prevents other contaminants from sticking.
To apply a detailer spray, simply spray it onto one section at a time, and buff with one of your microfibre cloths until the bright, high-gloss shine is achieved!
For those of you who have polished and waxed a quick detailer spray can be used to give an extra boost to your paintwork and prolong the life of your wax coating.
6. Glass Cleaner
If you're looking to take your ride to the next level, don't forget about your windows. Clean, sparkling windows can make all the difference in giving your car that extra bit of wow factor.
But what's the best way to get them gleaming? Well, it's all about the glass cleaner. There are plenty of options out there, so pick one that suits your needs and budget. Once you've got your cleaner, it's time to get to work. Spray it directly onto your windows or onto a glass cloth, then buff until there are no visible streaks. And voila!
7. Tyre Shine
Finally, if you want to go the extra, extra mile to make your car shine like new, then sleek black tyres are the final step. After snow foaming and using a wheel cleaner you can apply a tyre shine. This will restore the deep black finish as well as prevent cracking and fading. This is the final and ultimate step to give your car that luxurious feel.