How do I properly wash a car??

"K-Roll-PorscheTamer" (k-roll390) 05/04/2014 at 15:11 • Filed to: Car Washing

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I suck at washing cars! Every time I wash them, I'm too scared to scratch the clear coat that I use small microfiber cloths to dry my car. And I don't have a shady place to do it either so the sun dries up and water spots happen! They're all over my car. :(

I use quarter washes, I never use a brush on anything but the wheels(ST's have brake dust problems), I use simple soap and water, and wheel/tire cleaner. I can't wax for crap either..

My quick detailer makes the spots go away, but I know they're still there. I don't want to use a towel that you'd normally use for showers because I'm worried about scratches in the clear coat. I don't want to polish because you've only got so much clear coat to start with.

Tell me Oppo, what am I doing wrong? How do I fix this?

jkm7680 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 15:13

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I don't have a shady place to do it either.

I try to keep the car somewhat moist as I keep washing it, spraying over what I've already done, especially on the windows. Get a shammy, or even a bath towel. Those don't seem to scratch the clearcoat much.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 15:14

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I don't usually have time to wash my own car. I find that a good one of these gets the job done fine. I'm sure there are those out there who will say that it ruins the paint, but it really doesn't.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > jkm7680 05/04/2014 at 15:16

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I thought bath towels did scratch?? That's why I never used them..

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 05/04/2014 at 15:17

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I hear they scratch the clear coat, so I use the quarter washes.

jkm7680 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 15:18

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Not in my experience. I've washed some shiny ass new cars using bath towels. Nothing got fucky at all. I also prefer to buy used cars, so I don't have to worry about that first scratch, or blemish in the paint.

PS9 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 15:18

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Coolest gas tank door ever?

crowmolly > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 15:21

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Get ready for 1,000 opinions LOL.

Here's mine:

Need a bucket, good condition rags, grit catcher, hose, car wash soap or Dawn if I'm waxing.

0.) I always do the wheels and tires first with their proper chemicals and brushes. Just my thing.

1.) Hose down the car, knock off all loose dirt and grime.

2.) Add soap to the bucket and fill making foam.

3.) Wash from the top of the car down, with gravity.

4.) If it's in direct hot sun I'll rinse right away.

5.) Check your rags. If the car is really dirty switch rags after doing a few panels. If you drop it on the ground, it's gone.

6.) After all of the panels are done, hose it down thoroughly.

7.) Dry using a chamois or a water blade. I do NOT use a leaf blower and would not recommend it.

Then it's detail time- waxing, polishing, glass cleaning, weatherstrip care, etc.

BeaterGT > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 15:22

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I use 2 buckets with a grit guard and a mitt for washing. Tons of microfibers and chamois for drying. Leaf blower is the best for drying. If you're still worried, go to one of those washing bays and then have a nice spirited drive home to dry off. Other than that, it's just a Ford!

LeadfootYT > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 15:22

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Are you washing one corner at a time or doing the whole thing? [Speaking for quick rinses here] If you rinse the whole thing, then go corner by corner, top down (so, roof > hood > fenders > doors > etc.), and dry each with a microfiber before it has a chance to dry in drops, you should be okay.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > PS9 05/04/2014 at 15:23

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Every time I open it, I feel like this.

I couldn't find a Fonzie gif with the jukebox, but this should give you some idea?

It's also not that painful..

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > crowmolly 05/04/2014 at 15:25

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Do you ever use these??

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 15:26

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Hire some hot girls in bikinis to do it for you.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > LeadfootYT 05/04/2014 at 15:27

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I'm washing the entire car at once. You've only got 4 minutes(unless you add more quarters) to rinse, soap, and wash the car so I can't do it a panel at a time. and there's very little space in my driveway to wash my car when I want to.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 05/04/2014 at 15:28

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Can they actually wash a car? I need to know who they are before they touch my car..

LeadfootYT > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 15:32

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Ah. That would be the issue. Have any friends with driveways? That's what I did for a while.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > jkm7680 05/04/2014 at 15:32

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This is my first new car, my last one was used, but was spotless as if it left the showroom when I got it, so I was always anal about keeping it as clean as possible.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > BeaterGT 05/04/2014 at 15:33

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When I've got time at home I normally use three buckets:

1. Water

2. Soap

3. Rinse

What do you mean it's just a Ford?? :(

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > LeadfootYT 05/04/2014 at 15:35

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They're all always busy and never home when I want to hang out. Pisses me off!

Svend > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 15:39

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Hi fella. First thing to bare in mind is many of the swirls and minor scratches are caused in the wash process, so with this in mind minimal 'physical' contact with the car is best.

If the car is 'really dirty', pressure wash off any heavy debris, now its best to use either a prewash (such a citrus degreaser) or a snow foam

(a foam lance connection at the front of your pressure washer, some use a regular 'hand pump sprayer' if you don't have a pressure washer or access to one) and spray the whole vehicle allowing the wash or foam to emulsify and soften the dirt as much as possible prior to physically touching it. Allow a few minutes to work but not to dry out and rinse off. Now using a good 'lubricious' car shampoo in one bucket and another bucket of clean water, place your wash mitt in the shampoo bucket and get the mitt fully charged with shampoo, now starting at the top do a quarter or half the roof and then place your wash mitt in the clear water and agitate (this is to loosen any debris like fine grit or dirt into this bucket), now put the mitt back into the shampoo bucket and continue working like this going from the top (roof, then windows, then bonnet (hood) and upper doors and tailgate, then lower sides of the doors and front and rear bumpers (fenders)) as the top is normally the least dirty going down the the door sills where the most dirt is present. Now thoroughly rinse off any shampoo and dry with a damp microfibre towel (wet a microfibre towel and wring it out till its just damp, a damp towel will absorb water more readily than a dry towel) and again working from the top wipe the vehicle dry if concerned about scratching, merely place the towel over an area and 'pat' the towel down, lift and place the towel on another area and repeat. Your car has now been washed with the least contact and is either ready for a top up of sealant or wax.

Gratuitous shot of friend STs I look after.

Victorious Secret > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 15:41

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I use 2 buckets, all microfiber towels, and then clay bars and polish. Wax if I'm up for it, otherwise a sealant instead.

If you get scratches thats fine, cause the polishing stage will get rid of them. Just more work for you if you do have more scratches.

And don't be cheap. Never cheap out on car products.

Go to Adams polishes, use the discount code mops10. I think thats what it is. 10% off. Get a starter kit. You'll be very happy. Thats not my discount code or anything, its just what I use from time to time if I don't mind waiting for a shipment to arrive.

Make friends with a local detailer, buy what they recommend. They usually have products that will fit every price segment you care to spend in and they tend to know a fair amount more than anyone on the internet. Unless they are also on the internet. Then they know a lot.

BJ > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 15:42

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Check out /r/AutoDetailing - they have tips on getting a great wash, detailing basics, and lots more. Check out the "Helpful Links" section on the right.

My personal experience - use a pressure washer and then dry quickly. It might just be our water here, but if I'm in a rush and only use the hose, I get spots even if I dry. With the pressure washer, the rinse is much more thorough and spots are less of a problem.

PRBot II > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 15:42

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I've always found instructional videos from How To Basic to be very informative.

"How To Wash A Car"

Svend > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 15:43

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Is there no place you can put the car in the shade after you've washed it so you can dry the car at your own pace? Under a tree on a hot day isn't best but you only need it for shade for half an hour. Dry off the area in the most direct sunlight first and then work round to the cooler sides.

BeaterGT > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 15:44

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I jest. Do you use grit guards? They really do help. Source:

jkm7680 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 15:45

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Yeah, I try to keep my car clean and still baby it.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Svend 05/04/2014 at 15:45

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Wow! That is quite the detailed response if I ever saw one! :D

How do I wax a car?? I usually end up with white/green powder all over the cars and it just brushes off giving them a look of "I've just driven through a pollenated area"..

lonestranger > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 15:48

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As for avoiding scratches, while using the right material is important, most scratches are caused by contamination. Use lots of water, lots of soap, clean cloths, etc.

Avoid washing in the sun. If you have to, wait for a cloudy day. It's better to avoid the water spots from appearing, than to have to remove them later.

Use a synthetic chamois to dry the car. Unless it gets dirty, there's nothing in it that coluld scratch the paint, and it absorbs an astonishing amount of water. Some geeks prefer natural chamois, but IMO they have more disadvantages and few (if any) advantages over synthetic.

Terrycloth (shower towel material) is actually a great material for paint work, such as removing wax. Again, as long as there's no dirt in it, and nothing else such as a tag. Other than for final finish polish, I generally prefer it to a good microfiber.

Microfibers vary wildly in quality. Good ones are often expensive, and cheap ones are often awful. Even the good ones are really only useful for removing wax, final polishing, quick detailer, etc.

And as for using a spray-on quick detailer, they're great for in-between waxes. One that I like a lot is Eagle One Wax-As-U-Dry (this isn't an ad, but I don't know of any similar product). You spray it on the clean wet car just prior to wiping it dry, and it uses the water and your wiping action to apply some quick detailer. It sounds gimmicky but it works well, and could suit your situation to a tee.

Ferrero1911 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 15:50

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I also use a quarter wash because I don't have a driveway. It usually costs at least 10 dollars because it takes a while to fill up a bucket and the wheels are kind of a pain. To avoid water spots I use a sea sponge and run it over the paint in sections just before drying. Make sure one side of the car doesn't dry while you're washing the other side. Never use a bath towel on your car.

My car was my first new one too, and I know exactly how you feel. I obsessed about washing and detailing my car (and I learned a lot about doing it). Although I'm still obsessed and I keep my car clean, I'm not as worried about the little clear coat scratches anymore, because there is nothing I can do to keep dust in the air from scratching my car. Once I realized that detailing my car actually became less stressful and more enjoyable.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Svend 05/04/2014 at 15:51

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I'd have to drive to a park or a friends house, provided that they're actually there, the problem is that they are all over 20-30 minutes from the wash.. :(

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > BeaterGT 05/04/2014 at 15:51

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What's grit gaurd?

Svend > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 15:52

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A microfibre towel is best as even a bath towel can cause swirls or micromarring of the paint. You can pick them up for a few dollars and virtually everyone does them now. CarPro, Gtechniq, Poorboys, Rubbishboys, Chemical Guys, Meguiars, Mothers, etc... they all have their own but like paper you want the highest gsm rating, like paper the higher the gsm the higher the quality of paper but in microfibre talk the higher the gsm the more plush and softer the towel.

Svend > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 15:57

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On the right is a BMW with black sapphire paint (BMW paint is well known for being a very hard paint to work with) after some years of drive through car washes. On the left is a start at restoring the paint for a friend.

Svend > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 16:01

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Is there no shaded area next to the wash, even if just next to the wall.

BeaterGT > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 16:04

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Amazon is yo friend

http://www.amazon.com/The-Grit-Guard…

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Svend > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 16:06

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When you say 'wax' and 'white/green powder', do you mean polish.

To put it into context. Polish=shiny and wax=gloss and protection.

If however you've got too much powder residue from polishing then your over applying. By hand only a small amount of polish is needed, like wax, if you need to add more you can. If however you stick getting powder, wipe with a small damp microfibre and then with a dry microfibre and your all set. For waxing you want to apply a small amount and work in then buff off once its 'hazed' and then gently buff over again to remove anything left over.

Manuél Ferrari > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 16:06

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You don't.

I have a pro come to my work. He brings filtered water and does an amazing job for $20. I could never in a million years do the job as well as him.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Ferrero1911 05/04/2014 at 16:08

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it cost me about $6-8. I never use bath towels on my cars. what is sea sponge?

I always want my car looking like it did in the showroom.

Svend > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 16:12

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If you want any advice or anything, check out Detailing World at http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/ there are 70,000 of us from 'weekend warriors' (people who clean their own cars) to professionals and most manufacturers are there to offer tips, advice or discounts. So you cantake your query straight to the rep at the manufacture company.

You'll probably see me there, my screen name is similar to the one I use on here.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Svend 05/04/2014 at 16:14

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Sadly no. Everything in that quarter wash's area is in direct sunlight.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Svend 05/04/2014 at 16:16

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I mean wax yes. I'm never sure how much I need.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Manuél Ferrari 05/04/2014 at 16:16

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I wish I could have someone come to my house and do that..

Svend > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 16:21

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Sadly, all I can suggest would be a small $50 gazebo from Walmart (or similar of course). Sides are available, alternatively place to one side causing it to cast a shadow over the car.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Summer-9322…

Is it not possible to dry the car (even a little) whilst in the wash bay?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Svend 05/04/2014 at 16:22

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I sure will! Thanks for such detailed and awesome help and advice! :)

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Svend 05/04/2014 at 16:24

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Oh I try to wash it in the bay, but every time I finish, someone's waiting behind me, and I don't want to hold them up so I just leave the bay and try to dry as fast as I can. It's also conveniently sunny every time I leave the bay..

Manuél Ferrari > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 16:24

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I'm lucky cause there are enough people at my work to make it worth his while to come once a week. There are always at least 5-6 people that want their cars washed.

He's such a cool guy too. It makes me feel good about giving him business.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Manuél Ferrari 05/04/2014 at 16:27

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I'd give him business too if I was there..

Manuél Ferrari > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 16:28

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Move to So Cal!

Tetrisaurus > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 16:29

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https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=…

Svend > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 16:30

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You should only need to wax at most every two months and a shampoo and spray with a quick detailer in between time.

Apply a small amount of wax by placing your applicator in the wax tub and apply a small amount of pressure (if a coloured wax, you may only see a slight shade on the applicator), and remove and wipe into the vehicle body (not too much pressure, just enough to get an even coating and then repeat). If you remove the applicator from the tub and there is very visible signs of wax paste on the applicator, its too much and should remove any excess. Like polish, if you've over applied the wax and allowed to to haze, take a damp microfibre and wipe then gently buff with another clean microfibre.

Microfibres are your friend (just washed and hung out 27 mf cloths and two mf towels, I have 70 mf cloths and three mf towel, you can never have enough).

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Manuél Ferrari 05/04/2014 at 16:31

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Across the country?? Eh.... I have no money for that. Looks like I'm screwed! Again.

Manuél Ferrari > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 16:33

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Once you graduate college you can get a job out here though.

Or you could skip So Cal and go straight to Nor Cal. They have the BEST driving roads.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Svend 05/04/2014 at 16:36

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I've got 14 now. 8 of which need to be washed now.. Is there a specific way to clean the cloths?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Manuél Ferrari 05/04/2014 at 16:37

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Michigan roads are pretty god awful..

Manuél Ferrari > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 16:38

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:(

No twisties?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Manuél Ferrari 05/04/2014 at 16:43

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Not that. there are some. But this is the MAJOR problem.

Manuél Ferrari > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 16:46

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The roads are trying to swallow your car!!

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Manuél Ferrari 05/04/2014 at 16:47

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Svend > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 16:51

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Anytime fella. Some people see clean and others see where it can be cleaner. Its something that you can do on a shoestring budget or go all out and spend thousands. I choose to only spend hundreds, but I enjoy it and find it therapeutic.

This is my kit. Not a hell of a lot but many still think too much. Lol.

Yes. I love my Gtechniq stuff, probably too much. :(

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Svend 05/04/2014 at 16:58

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That is a lot of cleaning products!! WOW!

I have a small shelf of products. I'm only a college budget.. :(

DirtyBird > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 16:59

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ive mainly only had black cars so my advice would be to wash it in early morning or in the evening, get yourself some soft terry towels for waxing also, that and one of those synthetic chamois for drying they work awesome. Wipe the wax with the terry first then buff with a microfiber and only do 1 to 2 panels at a time, you can also wax the wheels if they are painted so the brake dust comes right off. The picture above is after using paste wax in one of the cheap 5-6in buffers

Svend > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 17:01

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Using a non-biodegradeable wash (if a dedicated mf wash isn't available Chemical Guys do a good one that doesn't need much per wash) put on a 40 degree (celsius, not sure in Fahrenheit) wash with a little white vinegar (warning will make the machine smell and cause SWMBO (aka She Who Must Be Obeyed) to hit the roof so you can leave the white vinegar out if need be) and wash with a gentle spin after or you'll cause the pile to drop on the cloths and then you've lost the main qualities of the microfibre. Hand out to dry naturally or only spin on a very cool setting for half an hour.

Ferrero1911 > Manuél Ferrari 05/04/2014 at 17:07

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Will he come out for just one car? My detail guy dropped off the face of the earth and I'm looking for a new one...Sometimes we have a group of 3 or 4 cars too.

Manuél Ferrari > Ferrero1911 05/04/2014 at 17:09

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No, not for one. He comes out every week on Thursday and our receptionist emails the whole company when he gets there. That way he always gets at least a few cars to wash

Ferrero1911 > Svend 05/04/2014 at 17:14

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Great responses. I love the Chemical Guys Micro fiber wash. White vinegar can clean hard water build up out of your washer and dishwasher, so you can explain to SWMBO that you're cleaning it for her!

I always apply my wax with my hands instead of an applicator. This is the only time I ever touch my paint with my hands. It helps to warm up the wax so it spreads better and gives me better control over the amount I apply. Are there drawbacks to doing it this way? Should I be using an applicator?

Svend > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 17:15

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Local shops and supermarkets like Walmart have quite good car sections these days.

The main things you need are

a good wash mitt (microfibre noodle wash mitt will do if you don't want to go for the lambs wool which needs a bit more maintenance),

two buckets (a third for wheels if you can),

three or four small brushes (no metal) for nooks, crannies, wheels and cleaning around badges,

a good shampoo, an all purpose cleaner (for door shuts and the like), a wheel cleaner if you can, a good drying microfibre towel and many good microfibre cloths. Anything else like a wax or sealant is a bonus and will aid keeping the car clean and time washing in the future.

Ferrero1911 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 17:20

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like this: http://www.pinnaclewax.com/natseaspon.htm…

I don't use mine to wash though. I use a lambswool mitt to wash and then I use a wet sea sponge to get most of the water off before drying. It also can help with water spots in places that have already dried.

Svend > Ferrero1911 05/04/2014 at 17:24

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Soft waxes are good applied by hand. A hard wax is probably best applied with a foam or cloth applicator. Meguiars do a range of different applicators. Foam or cloth wrapped foam will give a more even coat while also spreading out and evening the pressure applied. The trick is not over applying as the car doesn't benefit, its just wasting product and some waxes can be expensive, the most expensive I've come across was equal to $20,000 U.S.

But I'm a 'sealer' I like sealants as they last longer than waxes, even a good sealant on top of the wax will make the wax last longer.

Ferrero1911 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 17:26

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This video was made for the exhaust noise, but it shows how shiny my car has stayed. When this video was made the car about a year old and this was about a month after the last wax.

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Svend > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 17:32

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I would gladly do so if you were in the U.K. Its what I do for my friends. They like a clean-clean car but don't have the time or know how to do it and I enjoy doing it, please I don't charge, so win win all round.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 20:53

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You won't be focused on the car.

Planktron > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 21:01

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My house faces East, so I either wash in the morning when my house blocks the sun, or at dusk when someone else's house blocks the sun. I should move to the two bucket method, but probably won't do so until I've polished the car. Other than that I just use good car wash, microfiber wash mitt, an Absorber, squeegee for windows, Collinites 925 and whatever good quick detailer is on sale. Oh, and invisible glass. I also wax everything except the windshield.

Planktron > Planktron 05/04/2014 at 21:03

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Fiberglass boat wax FTW

Baskingshark > PS9 05/04/2014 at 21:23

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Pretty cool. I always liked this one; they just neatly cut off the corner of the trunk lid.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 05/04/2014 at 21:30

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Focused! Hahaha! I see what you did there! :D

Right?

CementShoes > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/04/2014 at 22:03

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Only once to de-gut my grille after hitting a deer.

kabdyeaoldb > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/05/2014 at 01:29

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didnt you watch karate kid? Wax on wax off - whats next - a how to wipe your ass post?

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > kabdyeaoldb 05/05/2014 at 01:34

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Never watched it. Any of them for that matter. Seems like someone's in a bad mood. Wiping an ass? Really? That's the best thing you could say? All I was looking for was some advice from people that probably knew more than me about the topic; not for someone to give me shit for asking a simple question.

mikeluscher159 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/05/2014 at 05:59

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We don't have those here in NYC, I wish we did though

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/05/2014 at 07:40

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Yes a car pun.

crowmolly > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/05/2014 at 09:42

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Not on a nice paint job. On a car with slightly less than pristine paint, sure!

One side note: I said "rags" over and over above and my "rags" are really microfiber towels. Don't use shop rags or anything like that.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/05/2014 at 13:23

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Just go late at night when no one else is there, take your buckets and other gear, and take your time.

kabdyeaoldb > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/14/2014 at 16:59

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oh come on brain dead stories covering hat should be common sense acts? of course you're going to get shit for it. Now be a good journalist and go write a REAL story with some actual research and investigative stuff

Buick Mackane > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 05/16/2014 at 04:30

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Regular Carnauba wax will only last about 2-3 months at the most. If you do not enjoy waxing your car every two months and also want some UV protection for your paint job then try this. Wash the car and rinse it, and while car is still wet use a clay detailing bar with spray lubricant to remove all the dirt stuck in the paint. The clay bar will make your paint finish as smooth as glass. Next dry the car and use NuFinish car polish, it is a paint sealer, not a wax, with UV protection. Apply the Nufinish, you will find it much easier to buff off by hand than regular carnauba wax. Also Nufinish car polish can be applied in direct sunlight, unlike regular car wax. A second coat of Nufinish is recommended within 30 days of first application to ensure your paint job is protected for a year, tops. In between Nufinish treatments I use Turtle Wax "Wax & Dry" liquid wax, it so easy and smells good too. Just spray the "Wax & Dry" on your wet car and just dry it off with a towel. It looks great and is much easier than doing a full wax job every few months.