Steps to take for the best shine

[desertsandbronco]

So i have been using Meguiars ever since I started driving. I own a 91 Ford Bronco and the paint and body are noteworthy for a 15 year old truck. I believe that it was repainted at one time but i'm not sure.

I say all this to say what are the best steps to get the best shine on my truck. I havent tried claying but thats on my list to do after work sometime this week.

I currently wash, use paint cleaner, polish, and apply a coat or two of wax. I am always pleased with the out come but i would love to make it glossier. What steps should i add along with product suggestions to make my 91 truck look glossier than my neighbors 2006 truck.

While i'm on a roll, any suggestions on wheels? I have the black wheels that are impossible to keep clean. And they have lost alot of there shine and have become kind of dull.

[Murr1525]

What are the products you have been using so far?

Adding the Smooth Surface Clay will be a great step.

Not sure what you mean by those type of wheels, but someone probably knows about them.

And just for fun:

1986 Ford Bronco II - Extreme Makeover

[desertsandbronco]

Mequiars Gel Car Wash (not sure the actual name)
Meguiars Rubbing Compound: Step 1 For Deep Crystal® System
Meguiars Polishing Compound: Step 2 For Deep Crystal® System
Meguiars Liquid Wax: Step 3 For Deep Crystal® System
(on occasion i will use the Rain X Wax - I know, I know, i'll watch my language)

I think the wheels are Black American Racing wheels ((AR-767 (Series 767) Steel alloy, painted))

[Murr1525]

They are not really compounds, at least in the old fashioned sense of the word. These few links might tell you a bit more about each step, and I'll put a couple for how to work on any swirls that you may have...

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

Step 1 Wash

Step 2 Clean

Step 3 Polish

Step 4 Protect

Step 5 Maintain

Suggested Products for Taking Care of a New Car

What it Means to Remove a Scratch

How To Remove Swirls By Hand

How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

1. Wash - Your current wash is good, but the Meguairs Gold Class is really top of the line as far as gloss goes.

2. Clay - As I mentioned, you will want to add the Smoot hSurface Clay kit to your detail.

3. Clean - DC#1 is a good cleaner, but as in the links above, you will also want ScratchX to deal with any swirls, light scratch marks, etc you may have.

4. Polish - DC#2 is good, but #7 Show Car Glaze is pretty much the top of the line polish.

5. Wax - 2 Coats of any Meguiars wax is recomended, for even coverage and looks. DC#3 is good, if you like carnuba based waxes, you could also try the #26 Hi-Tec Yellow or Gold Class. I really like the #21, which is a synthetic wax.

Of course to really take things up a notch, you would need to invest in a G-100 DA polisher. But that is up to you how much money, etc you want to put into it.

Rotary vs. PC vs. Regular Orbital Buffer

Recommended Products - G100a Dual Action Polisher

Using the G-100 to remove swirls with the Professional Line

[desertsandbronco]

Would synthetic wax hold up better?

Is the dupont tefl0n wax a marketing gimmick?

Since my wheels are painted should i follow the steps above?

[gb387]

Originally posted by desertsandbronco
Would synthetic wax hold up better?

Is the dupont tefl0n wax a marketing gimmick?

Since my wheels are painted should i follow the steps above?

Here is the process I use on my painted CC/BC wheels:

Wheels the extra step....

[Murr1525]

Yeah, tefln is nothing speacial.

Now some kevlar....

[desertsandbronco]

Originally posted by Murr1525
1. Wash - Your current wash is good, but the Meguairs Gold Class is really top of the line as far as gloss goes.

2. Clay - As I mentioned, you will want to add the Smoot hSurface Clay kit to your detail.

3. Clean - DC#1 is a good cleaner, but as in the links above, you will also want ScratchX to deal with any swirls, light scratch marks, etc you may have.

4. Polish - DC#2 is good, but #7 Show Car Glaze is pretty much the top of the line polish.

5. Wax - 2 Coats of any Meguiars wax is recomended, for even coverage and looks. DC#3 is good, if you like carnuba based waxes, you could also try the #26 Hi-Tec Yellow or Gold Class. I really like the #21, which is a synthetic wax.

So what would you recomend for applying these? I normally use terri clothes for the cleaner and pads for the polish and wax.

Also, i have some spots that i can't get out of the paint. It looks like its old sap but its smooth so i wonder if its in the paint now. Also it looks like there are water spots that i cant get out. I have used the paint cleaner numorous times but can never get them out. Any suggestions?