[Bolt on 5.0]

Guys maybe some one can tell me what to do with my car. I polish it up real nice with the wheel and its shines up like new. But after it rains the paint really dulls, I mean even like a few days after a full wheel/polish and wax. The car is single stage factory fire red. I have used mothers polish and carnuba wax and also mcguires polish and wax. What can I do other than clear coating the car?

[Gearbanger 101]

If your paint is old, I would consider doing the Mothers 3-stage set up (Stripper/cleaner, polish, carnuba wax) just to make sure you're getting the best shine out of your paint. If your paint is really oxidized, I would also recommend going over it with a clay bar to clean it up some.

That being said, how are you washing it between wax jobs? Some soap’s contain a lot of detergent in order to strip road grime, but the unfortunate draw back to this is, that it strips the way finish as well. I would recommend a low detergent soap as a replacement for whatever you're using now.

Also, stay away from car washes. The coarse brushes and soaps will buff the finish right out of your paint. This goes for the touch less washes too. They just replace the brushes with even more powerful soap.

Finally, if you want to be really meticulous about it, I would rinse and chamois your car and the wheels after it rains. This will ensure there are no water spots and that particulates in the air don't adhere to the finish.

[08blueskunk]

I usually hit mine with a duster and meguires "Quik Detail" after it rains to get the spots out.

Don't substitue this for a good washing though. Like Gearbanger said give it the old 1-2-3 , strip wash (simple green will clean all tar bugs and wax off great), polish, and expensive wax. Then between washings or after it rains you can go with a "quik detail." To keep it shiny and purdy.

Polish will basically "sand" away a minimal amount of the old clear coat leaving fresh smooth stuff to wax over. The car will look brandy newbie if you spend a good part of a weekend doing it all correctly. Then with a real good wax the water will bead up so well it won't even leave spots it will just roll away.

Frankly i think the water gets scared and avoids landing on the car directly.

[Bolt on 5.0]

Yeh I did clay bar and and nice polish job. Car looks like new. I use mother car wash highly diluded in water and have tried mother and mcguiers waxes. So sad seeing the car dull out, Maybe just time to get a garage

[NastyStang113]

What year vehicle? I doubt it's single stage.

[08blueskunk]

yeah you migth need to give it a good 3+ stage polish job (machine). Most polishes are rated by the size grit they remove like it will say 1500, which means it will remove 1500 grit sanding, and go up form there, Try starting at like a 3500 and up to a glaze (basically wax). Then wax after, ONe could spend 2-3days doign this process. I have seen people go through about 10 steps on older cars.

[Jim D.]

Even if it looks nice after a wax, "dead" paint will tend to lose it's gloss rather quickly. Rain will accelerate this condition.

I'm assuming you're getting a fair amount of red on your applicator with your current products?

About the best thing you can try is the 3-step method, but keep the pure carnauba wax applied every couple of weeks if you can, or at least something like FX Spray Wax after every time you wash.

[larrendeuce]

A high quality paint sealant should last longer. I used Klasse all in one and Sealant Glaze on my '91 which has single stage paint. It would look freshly washed after a rain. I now use Griot's paint sealant on my Mach 1. It seems to hold up even better and its much easier to use.