well everybody seems to be showing their secrets, so here goes. 1) Wash and chamois the car. 2) Mothers clay bar. 3) 3M paste wax 4) a good coat of Nu Finish. Nu Finish is good for protection in all nuclear disasters by the way. Did this same thing on my previous 2 black T-Birds and still see one 96 driving around town and man, the car still looks great and has the same cheap-*** stripe I put on the side 4 years ago. 3M is what the car dealers in my neck of the woods use on their used cars. Its expensive and doesn't last very long which is why I seal it with Nu Finish. 3M I have to get from an auto body supply store and its bout $20 for a tin and it lasts forever. Try it guys (and girls) my car is 6yrs old (original paint) and get compliments all the time.

 

Nah, I don't bother to chamois prior to claying. I just wash the car, grab a fresh bucket of soapy water, and go to work with my bar. After barring each panel, I wash.

 

Ken -

Clay bar is not really a substitue for a paint cleaner. Basic same idea but different.
The clay bar removes larger particles from the surface and the cleaner (usually chemical versus abrasive) "cleans".

You don't have to use a paint cleaner prior to sealants, but it will help promote "bonding" of the sealant.

 

Thanks, I'll pick up some Meguiar's step 2.

 

Ken,

Here is a bit more...

Using a clay bar.

Another clay tip.


A little on polishing...

Brief how to polish...

Lots of tips and guides from Autopia.

Best of luck.