Today's microfiber towels, such as Meguiar's Water Magnet, are far more absorbent than old-fashioned cotton or terry cloth towels, which shortens drying time considerably.
Below-the-surface contaminants require a different approach, one that will actually take a little paint off the car in order to get down to the affected area. Conventional rubbing and polishing compounds are typically too abrasive for today's finishes and may actually "inflict more damage than they fix," according to Pennington. Instead, use a mild swirl remover or clear-coat-safe paint cleaner to treat those areas.
These products usually can be applied by hand or by using an orbital, dual action (DA), or rotary polisher. Hand application is safest, since there's little to no risk of damaging the paint by rubbing through too many layers. This method is the most time consuming, however, and requires more physical effort.
A machine applicator will do the job quicker, though an inexperienced operator could burn through the paint if he or she doesn't know how to properly operate the machine. (This is especially true when using a high-speed rotary unit.) The secret to using a machine applicator, says Pennington, is to work a fairly small section of the body-about a 2-foot-square area-with overlapping strokes. Then methodically work your way around the car.
Don't forget areas such as the doorjambs, inside the trunk lid, and under the hood when drying off your car. Otherwise, the water trapped in these areas will eventually dribble out and leave water spots.
When working by hand, or using an orbital or dual-action polisher, how many applications should you plan to use? "Do it until you're happy," Pennington says. "You may need more than one. But if you're not getting the results you want after two or three applications, you may need the help of a professional."
Once the painted surfaces are free of defects, you can choose to polish the paint or move on to a protectant step. Polish will add gloss to the paint, especially when used on dark colors. "We recommend it for dark paint if you want that deep, wet look," Pennington says. "It won't give you the same benefit when applied to white or light-colored paint." Like swirl removers, most polishes can be applied by hand or with a machine applicator.
The final step is to protect the paint by putting a barrier of wax between it and the damaging effects of Mother Nature. These days, waxes tend to fall into two general types: carnauba, the traditional, natural wax that comes from palm trees; and polymer, a synthetic wax that's formulated to tighter tolerances than natural wax but also tends to be a little more expensive. "Either type works on paint of any age," Pennington says, though he feels the high-tech nature of a modern polymer wax will provide a better level of protection.
Once the car is clean, it's time to move it into a well-lit area to evaluate its surface. Don't use just your eyes; run your hands over the paint to feel for imperfections. If the surface is not glass-smooth, there's environmental fallout that needs to be removed.
Pennington won't go so far as to say that a polymer wax will last longer than carnauba. In fact, he warns against using products that make claims of extended longevity. "There are too many variables to establish that type of time frame, from how often you wash your car and what you use to wash it, to where you park, and so on." Instead, he recommends establishing a regular waxing schedule "so you know you're on top of it." A daily driver could be waxed as few as three or four times a year, he says, while a hobby car should be waxed every two to three months to keep up its looks.
With either type of wax, it's best to apply in thin coats, and then give it time to set up and cure. Otherwise, you won't be getting the wax's full protective benefits. Apply wax to the entire car; then, before you wipe it off, test an area by wiping it with your finger. If it smears, it hasn't fully cured yet.
Once you've finished these steps, it's time to step back and admire how great your paint looks. Then get ready to keep it that way. "Frequent car care is easy car care," Pennington says. Between washes, if your car isn't too dirty, you can maintain its good looks with a wipe-down from an instant-detailer product, which lubricates the surface while encapsulating small dirt particles. If there's any concern that the surface is too dirty to wipe with the detailer, it's time to get out the buckets and soap again.