How do I make my car shine?

[Enigma_Man]

Okay, I have no idea how to make my car look really nice and shiny. All I've been using is generic car wash, and some polymer-based "wax" stuff that's easy to use, but doesn't look very good.

My car has some swirl marks in the paint, and some scratches here and there.

The "wax" stuff also doesn't repel water very well, and it beads but doesn't run off, and the next day after a rain, my car is spotted with grime all over it, where the water collected crap.

So, does anybody know what I should do/buy to make the car look glossy and awesome, and possibly remove the swirls and scratches in the paint (or help conceal them at least)? I've heard lots of different things from different people, and I want to know if there's a way that really works great for our cars. I'm prepared to spend a reasonable amount of money, and a good deal of time, as long as the investment will be worth it.

Let me know, what wax, what kind of cleaners (and whats a claybar?).

Thanks a ton in advance,

-Jesse

 

[Nikita]

umm good wax? try mother's or meguiars. use maybe the clay bar and then some caranuba wax. otherwise i'd say you need a paint job.

 

[Tallen]

my paint...well, su cks. i used the clay bar, cleaner, polish, then wax. all meguiars products. looks much better now, but only so much can be done

 

[Enigma_Man]

What's involved in applying the wax? Do I need a buffer? I'm assuming there'd be instructions on the bottle or tub or whatever it comes on. And I still don't know what a clay bar is.

-Jesse

 

[Nikita]

you'll see the clay bar if you just go to wal mart or advanced autoparts or wherever...it's in a box that says "clay bar" . instructions will tell you how to use all the stuff. buffer is not needed but may help. otherwise some good ol' elbow grease will do the trick.

 

[kyle]

I suggest Zaino Bros. great results from their products..

 

[eclipsegs96]

3m also makes some great products

 

[benleyd19tx]

I used to drive a GTP, and all the people on the correstponding forum swore by ZAINO wax products.... they would prefer to get hit buy a semi over using another wax.... Seriously though. Zaino did a test on a hood from an NSX, and not only did the Zaino have a slightly better shine, but it lasted for a little over 30 days, where-as the others wore off after only a few days to a little over a week. I'd highly suggest it too, but it can only be bought online that I know of. Not much of any store I've ever seen carries it.

 

[A. Van]

Originally posted by kyle
I suggest Zaino Bros. great results from their products..