Very interesting so far.

The products boil down to an opinion.
What one person likes to use and how it responds.

I have tried a few polishes, waxes, sealants and glazes.
I know what I like to use however it will not prevent me from trying something else.

 

There's only so much shine you can get out of a car. If done right it will look it's shiniest. It has more to do with taking the proper steps than what product is used. I can see my face and even my eyes just fine in my paint and i didn't use overly expensive products to do it. Nor did i apply it 10 - 20 times.

 

shockme, you pretty much hit the nail on the head. I'm sure someone with a great deal of experience could make a car look a lot better with the exact some products than someone with little or no experience. No offense, but I'm sure I could do a better job than a 16 year old who's waxing his car for the first time. It's experience, trial and error, and preference. I tend not to push products on other people, because they may not like them or be able to use them properly. It saves me a lot of hassle in the end. But I do know that some of the big manufacturers make good stuff: Meguiar's, Mother's, Eagle 1, Turtle Wax, even Armor-All. These companies have been in business for many years for a reason...

 

+1 on Megs

 

I am of the mind set of giving it a good wash in the spring then doing a round of claybar washing it again then a coat of wax and finishing with a polish then all I need to do is keep it washed and it looks great all season and this is a year round daily driver car in MN so it gets some abuse but twice as much love.

 

The polishing step needs to be done PRIOR to WAX

Richard

 

+1 Waxing is the last step to seal in all the hard prep work you did.

Also our cars are brand new. It doesn't take a lot of work to make them shiney. If your car sits outside all the time like mine and you haven't taken proper care of it then 5 years from now you'll be working harder to get that same shine you once had. Then again, 5 years from now i'm sure we'll be trading ours in for the next generation of mustang!

 

Love your black beauty by the way!

 

While I've always taken care of my paint.. this is my first black car. Recently, I have been using Optimum's no rinse wash, and their spray on wax (serious stuff)... and in-between using Meguire's spray detail...and occasionally the wax.. although I don't think the wax lasts as long as it should.

Basically what I do is.. if it rains.. I wash quickly with the no rise wash in my garage when i have the time (one gallon of water, to cap fulls.. and a MF towel).. .. and then go over it with the spray detailer and a MF towel.
I found some great MF towels at Sam's Club.. bought 200.
On nicer days, I will go over it with the wax. I plan on using the claybar once a year, with spending a day liberally applying a glaze.. then sealing it with a good wax.

Sounds like a lot of trouble.. but I bought black for a reason.. I really enjoy keeping it clean.. some people make their cars faster.. I like keeping it like new.

There's nothing more beautiful than a polished black Mustang..

 

I'm not really "Qualified" to respond, as my car has seen rain twice, and has less than 1500 mi, in 7 mos. But, (since this is a post that belongs in detailing,) I guess I can add my 2 cents.
#1 2 buckets to wash with--- 1 with sudsy warm(Car Wash Grade soap) the other to "rinse" your washing sponge.
#2 Always rinse with clear water from hose or other source
#3 Buy / borrow a leaf blower, try to NEVER put a chamious or towel in drying your car.
#4 Follow the above steps, and FOLLOW with THE PREFERRED WAX of your choice. THEY all do a GREAT / GOOD Job, SObuy,.......... WHAT you are comfortable with, and believe in.[sm=bounceybounce.gif][sm=closed.gif]

THAT'S IT