Some good advice here. I'll weigh in on what has kept my paint largely swirl free and looking like new over the past 200k:
(1) Avoid car washes unless it's winter time and you're trying to get salt and other grime off. Then go to the touch free washes.
(2) When you wash your car, use the two bucket method. One bucket = soapy water, other bucket = clean water used for rinse. You'll be amazed by how much dirt this will keep from being reapplied on your car.
(3) Use a quality car wash. All of the Meguiars stuff available locally are good. I like the NXT wash.
(4) Use a quality applicator to clean - I like the synthetic mits. Wash from top to bottom, one panel at a time.
(5) I prefer to dry with a waffle weave towel. Not a fan of squegees as previously mentioned - one missed spec of dirt can end up getting drug across your car's finish.
(6) Clay bar 2x/yr (spring/fall) prior to waxing. Make sure you follow the instructions by applying some sort of lubricant (usually supplied) prior to clay bar.
(7) Wax 2x/yr. If you follow the method above you should'nt need to polish much to remove swirls. Sealants generally give you good, durable results, and are generally easier to apply than carnubas. Some expensive brands were thrown out earlier, but there are quality waxes available at local places from Meguiars, Mothers, and Duragloss (my favorite.)
(8) When waxing, you want the paint to be clean, cool, and out of the sun. Focus on light, even coverage, not quantity of product. Make sure to let it set up (haze) before you remove.
Hope this helps.
Well so far Kymatt is the only one that I think is mostly correct...
1) 2 bucket car was system: this is a must. This way you don't keep scratching the paint with dirt, at least as little as possible. Buy two 5 gallon buckets, and one snap on lid. Keep the buckets clean. You can nest them together to save storage space, and you can put your mitts, towels, etc, inside to keep them clean (dust / garage dirt free).
2) Make sure anything you rub on the truck (mitt, towels) are absolutely clean of dirt, woodchips, etc. You'd be suprised how much stuff gets on them if they are in a pile on a shelf in your garage. Inside the bucket works best.
3) If you aren't waxing after the wash, use a good brand car wash. Meguiars is fine. You're looking for lubricity & foam here, to lift the dirt away and to keep from adding fine scratches to the paint.
4) If you are waxing after the wash, I would wash once quickly with car wash to remove dirt, then wash again with Dawn dish soap to strip waxes.
5) Prior to a wax job, clay with plenty of lubricant (quick detailer).
6) Polish before waxing.
7) I used the term waxing lightly...use a synthetic sealant unless you want to wax monthy or every other month, as thats all waxes last. I use zaino (Z-2) and love it (zaino.com). I apply a coat of zaino and a couple weeks later wash again, apply zaino quick detailer, and then seal it with Z-2 again. It looks freakishly shiny, I love it. You can also put a coat of wax on top when you're done, if you're so inclined. The zaino will last 5-6 months. I'd recommend this treatment right before winter driving, for sure, as you're not likely to be waxing it as much at that time.
8) During the winter, get regular trips to "no touch" car washes. They just spray, no scrubbing. Make sure to get underbody wash if you see any salt...or even if you don't. I try to wash mine that way every week or two as I live in salt heaven (indiana).
It sounds like a lot, but its really not that bad, and pretty fun. My recommendation would be to google "how to wash a car" and find a video that shows how and when to use the 2 bucket system, bug and tar remover, etc. you'd be suprised what you'll learn.
Washing is easy, doesn't take too long, and kind of fun. Claying is kind of fun. By the time you wash, clay, polish, seal, and then detail the tires, interior, clean up, etc, have a weekend set aside to work when it is time to wax (seal). Usually all takes me about 20 hours, but then I like to spend time in my garage / with my jeep.
GL and have fun!
