How I keep my muscle car looking new.. " Black Beauty!: Based on my own trials and tribulations.

How I keep my Muscle Car looking New ' Black Beauty !' Based on on my Own trials and tribulations!

First of all I own a 2012 RT  DODGE CHALLENGER V8 HEMI ,, Pitch black with Black wheels and tinted windows,, 

Now I'm not saying I'm an expert and everyone should use what they feel is great for their car needs or budgets,, But I will share what i have done over the 3 years to maintain that show room show car look !

First off ,, avoid muddy areas and avoid letting Bird crap stay on cars.. that destroys any paint surface, if you see it remove it immediately.. and if possible ,, keep your car in a garage or park in parking structures to avoid that harsh California or any other states sun.. Sun damages cars more than any other natural elements.. Keep your car covered.. Invest in car cover.. and dont be cheap!!

Interior first! Why you can avoid bring dirt into a car. plus like building a football team. you build from the inside out , or in this case clean the inside and work your self out..

Interior
1) remove Mats, I blow out the mats,,, Yes,. I have a vacuum with a blower device, but you can you your garden blower to do this,, It really clean out carpets well really well.
2) Next I have a brush,, carpet brush. with handle,, It brings up the carpet.. for easier vacuuming..
3) I  vacuum up the mats,, and of course the interior of car.. don't forget to brush up your interior to bring up carpet strands.. 
4) I use carpet protector- Its a solution that provides barrier in case something falls on it,,,Its a added step that can keep your interior looking good.. 
5) I then wipe down the dash board , door jams.. Don't use armor. they dry out your plastics.. I usually meguairs or mothers or Lexol products.. Pricey but worth the effort,, Sold at Pep Boys or walmart. 
6) I apply protectorate on dash board.. their are two types.
     One is natural shine . mostly used because people don't want a glare bouncing off their dash on sunny days,,,
     Then there is the shiny one or ultimate shine,,, I use it along the door jams and other interiors areas I want shiny.. I usually spray it on a pad or towel,, instead of on the dash... it can get messy when it gets on your windows,, 
7) Now Windows.. Inside / outside..
1) one cloth for wiping off products
2) one cloth to remove the glaze we see.. its what detailerss do.. ( My first job after high school)on detail jobs,,, so stock up on towels.,

Always use glass towels for glass, and interior towels for interiors.. Never mix them up.. 

Washing the car:
1) I use 4 buckets..
     One bucket is for the suds and soap.. I use Meguiars or Mothers.. whatever is on sale,,, and stock up..!!
    One bucket full of clean water with a grit protector.. its a round plastic item that catches the dirt while you put the soapy microfiber mitt .. It removes dirt and grime that could damage your car finish. You can buy them at auto geek.com or if your lucky at car shops.. 
   One bucket used for the wheels.. I use soft brushes for the tires and wheels... I bought mine at Pep Boys.
  One bucket full of clean water , to wash off your brushes,, always keep the buckets separated and never use your tire buckets for the exterior of ones car.. 

If you car has bugs use a bug sponge or towel to remove those disgusting bugs,, remember.. don't use the same towel on the bugs ,, that you are using for the body... 

ok.. after I gather up my materials,, Oh I have caddy that hold all my cleaning products. 

1) rinse off car .. top to bottom.. and don't forget the wheel wells and wheels.. remove all dirt and debris,,, 

2) then use your mitt to gently wipe down your car,, one again top to bottom and ensure the entire car has been touched . (i USE MEGUIARS ULTIMATE CAR WASH) 

3) After soaping down car,, get your hose and spray off the car..once again top to bottom.. Now if your car is really dirty,,,, like trucks can get.. redo step one,, 

As for wheels;
1) I soap down wheels and tires using the buckets separated for them and rinse it off.. 

Now the drying : Chamois--
1) I use chamois.. its more expensive , but if you love your car,, money or price doesn't matter. I like it because its gentle and removes excess water quickly ,, I sometimes use a drying towel.. always use a soft materials,, But Chamois is my choice,, Once again,, Pep Boys, Auto Zone , target sells these items as well as Walmart.. But if that's too pricey,, there are other products like the Absorber,, but those items hold dirt that can damage your paint.. But if your budget is the issue thay are cheaper, but I found you have to replace them more often than a chamois..

Now the clay bar, polishing and waxing techniques..

For New cars. 
1) I always clay bar to remove dirt and bird dropping safely,, I use Mothers or Meguiars.. Once again, its pricey , but its worth it .. You have to use a detailed solution ,, to spray it on and then use clay bar to remove dirt. But before you clay bar you must wet the bar and spread it out like a pad.. 
simply spray and wipe down car.. I go down ward ,, to avoid scratching..

2) Next I use Polish. Once again,, Mothers or Meguars.. This step is often neglected or not used because people don't want to make the effort,, But by polishing, the car,, you are bring out that glossy , glass , show room look, if that what you want,, Its a added time to your detail process, but you wil be pleased after all the other steps are done.. 

3) After I polish.. I Use the Mothers or Meguiars Ultimate wax..  Paste , liquid or spray.. Its all up to to you I have all three,, Paste is harder to remove, I use liquid , but have spray if time is a issue.
Well anyways,, I wax the vehicle one section at a time and i ensure I remove all the wax before proceeding to the next section.. I use a Microfiber towel to remove wax .

1) One towel removes the wax ..
2) One towel to buff it out.. makes it shine better.. 

Tires:
1) For glossy tires. I use the meguiars gel. I use the tire pad to apply .I let is sit .and remove excess..

Wheels;
1) use cleaner to remove dirt and use wheel polisher products.. 
1) Use a tire protectorate to keep brake dust from accumulating.. I use any product form mothers or meguiars...

For older cars..
1) I use the cleaner wax to clean up car ,, and then clay bar polish ,, and then wax.. 

Oh by the way I wax my cars 3-4 times a year.. 

if the car is really worn out, you need to use ultimate compound to bring out that shine you want. another step.. but worth it,, to get that show room shine...

Now how long does this take,... lets break it down..
1) car washing - 15-20  minutes.. including drying 
2) Clay bar - 10-15 minutes
3) Polishing and removal  - 20-30 Minutes
4) waxing and remove-20-30 minutes
5) Tires cleaning and protectorate 10-15 minutes
6) Tires dressing - 10-15 Minutes 
7) Interior - 10-15 Minutes 
8) Windows 10 minutes. 
Total time can be 2-3 hours.. Not counting breaks,, so look at a 4 hour time frame or more to ideally getting you car done,, Like I said,, This involves.. a full polishing and wax job.. 

On regular car wash days.. a Little over an hour or so.. 
Wash car .. 15-20 minutes
1) I clay bar 10 minutes
2) use spray wax - 20 minutes 
3) clean interior /Windows// etc.. 10 minutes 
4) vacuum.. 10 minutes.

Now I know that sounds like a alot of work.. But when people compliment you, and you get the looks,, than its worth it,..

In between car wash.. There is no water car products.. like and i use quick detail er to wipe down car on a daily basis to remove dust,, if you like the CA DUSTER,, use it lightly to rmove dirt, But I like quick detail er.. and always wipe straight down..  

Now this is what I do not only for black beauty , but for my 4x4 truck and the family van.. 
Hey if you care about having a nice looking car,, then you have to do these things,, and if you do decide to have a dealer put sealant protection on your car.. it doesn't last forever and it can be pricey.. Just my opinion.. But like I said,, do your own research and use whats good for you,, I'm just like using these items because they are convenient and well know and proven@@

You can use a polisher , but be careful, you can cause swirl marks ,, that will lead to another detailing day.. by using meguars swirl x - to remove the marks,, 

I hope you enjoyed my techniques,, and this is what I do... and if have a chance to see Black Beauty.. Its show room,,, quality,, well almost, I do have rock scratches on the bumper and parts of the front hood,, But after 3 years of driving to Las Vegas, San Diego and all around SO CAL.. its the wear and tear .. you can expect.. Hope you enjoyed my blog and enjoy your ride and have fun,,  !
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