Clay Bars are used to remove contaminants from painted surfaces. With today's soft paints any contaminants that sit on your paint can quickly become embedded and cause damage. These contaminants aren't easily removed, even by washing or waxing, but the clay makes it easy. If you can feel bumps in the paint after washing and drying, chances are you'll benefit from using a clay bar on your vehicle. Remember to wash your car before using a clay bar, and to always wax afterwards (clay bars will remove wax from your car's finish).

When applied before waxing, a Sealer and Glaze helps hide minor scratches, spiderwebbing, swirl marks and other surface imperfections. It enhances clarity and shine, while giving paint that deep, wet look. If left unprotected, a Sealer and Glaze will not last long. It therefore needs an immediate coating of protective wax to truly have long lasting benefit.

Polishes contain compounds designed to remove scratches from the surface of your paint, while waxes protect your car with a clear, hard coating. Waxes can be either synthetic or natural, though high-grade carnauba wax delivers the best combination of lasting protection and deep gloss. Polishes provide the "shine" for your paint, while waxes provide the "protection."

Your car deserves better than once-a-year products. It is likely the second largest investment you've made, after your home. Don't scrimp on the quality of the products you use to maintain it, or the care you give your vehicle. A regular regimen of washing and waxing pays enormous dividends for years down the road. The intrinsic weakness of once-a-year products will become painfully apparent as the years pass.

Chances are, you'll care when the lease ends. If you check your contract, you'll find that you're probably responsible for the appearance of your vehicle when it is returned. If the paint is dull and lifeless (because it was never washed, polished or waxed) you could be hit with a reconditioning fee of $500 to $1,000!

Generally speaking, you get what you pay for. Many of those car washes use mechanical brushes which can damage your paint surface. In most parts of the country, the water is recycled, meaning your car is getting the same water applied as the rusted out 1974 Plymouth Volare that just pulled out (unless your car just happens to be that Volare). While filters can catch small particulates, they can't filter out the dissolved salt from winter use, or all those hoards of other nasty chemicals.

Household cleaners like dishwashing detergent are specifically designed to dissolve grease. Because wax is essentially a grease, household cleaners will remove your car's wax finish; leaving you with little shine and no protection. Also, some household detergents have micro-fine abrasive in them. These can permanently scratch your car's surface. Always use a premium quality, commercial liquid car wash. They are formulated to dissolve dirt and grime without removing your car's beautiful wax finish.

"Clear coat" is a name given to the multi-stage paints used today. A "base coat" is applied with a pigment (color). Then, a top layer of clear paint is applied over the top of the base coat to add depth, brilliance and provide protection for the base coat. Clear coats still require the same care as the old single-stage paints. Just because the top coat of paint has no pigment in it doesn't make it impervious to environmental conditions. Top coats of clear paint still oxidize, and the softer paints used today also allow contaminants to easily embed in the surface. These softer paints require modern formulations and technology to protect them against damage. In short, the need for proper care and maintenance of clearcoat paints is just as important as years ago. Actually, because of their softer, fragile nature, they really should be maintained better than the older single-stage paints.

It depends on environmental elements your car typically endures. If your vehicle is kept garaged on a daily basis, then a polish or wax can last as long four to six months. If your car is kept outdoors under harsh conditions, then it will need to be waxed as often as once a month. As a general rule of thumb, we recommend that a light colored car be polished and waxed at least every two to three months. Dark colored cars on the other hand, will usually require more frequent and specialized attention.