Now that you’ve mastered the perfect car wash and scrubbed your interior you might be looking for another challenge? Or maybe you would just like your car to look as good as it did the day it rolled off the production line?
Apart from the obvious dents, scratches and lacquer peel, even the most tired looking paintwork can gleam with a little elbow grease! Over the next 3 weeks we’ll explain how!
Part 1 – Tar Removal and Clay Bar
You will need to organise a few specialist products for the next few stages – borrow if you can, until you learn which ones are your favorite!To start, ensure you have washed the car thoroughly and NO grit or dirt remain – See our car wash guide. It’s best to try the following steps panel by panel – not only will you be able to compare before and after, you will learn how the products apply and buff off so you don’t run out of time (before it rains) with the entire car covered in polish that won’t come off.
- Tar Remover
- Clay
- Clay Lube/Speed Detailer
- Polish
- Coloured Polish
- Wax
- Polishing cloths
- Applicator Pads
- Microfibre Cloths
Next, following the instructions on your tar remover, get rid of all those pesky tar spots and dead bugs that washing couldn’t remove.
A clay bar may resemble play-doh, but used correctly it will remove little imperfections from the paintwork and improve overall condition without being abrasive.
To use, spray clay lube/speed detailer on a small patch of paintwork – then rub the clay over this section until it moves freely – don’t allow the area to become dry or the clay will stick to the car. Repeat all over the car and then rinse to remove the residue.
If you’re still unsure how to use clay correctly watch How to Clay bar from Meguiars
Keep an eye out for Part 2 next week!
