Originally Posted By: BillPa
Before waxing wash the vehicle with any regular car wash product. Stay away from dish or laundry detergents, they will remove waxes.
One step, if you haven't done so already, use a clay bar. If you rub your hand over the paint you may hear a sound similar to rubbing it lightly over sand paper and it will feel rough. Thats contaminates on or embedded in the paint or clear coat. A clay bar will remove them and leave the surface smooth as a piece of glass. If you do a search for "clay bar" on Youtube you'll see about 20 examples of the process. Afterward do a once over and remove any remaining tar,tree sap, bugs and etc. the clay bar may have not cleaned off. If there are any fine scratches they can be buffed out with something like Mequire's ScratchX. The Mequire's detailing clar bar kit is a reasonably priced product to get good results.
The next step is waxing. Its a necessary step since the clay bar removed any existing wax. What you use is up to you, but I recommend Super Doublecoat Collinite 476s especially if your vehicle is or outside most of the time. Apply it the same as any other paste wax then buff it off with good quality clean microfiber towel. When applying the wax try to apply it in straight lines instead of a circular motion to avoid making swirl marks.
When your done you should have a smooth long lasting high gloss job. BTW, the clay bar treatment is basically a once a year thing. A good quality wax will protect the finish against contaminants, UV and etc.
I posted a picture of my '05 Dakota's' engine bay, so here is the outside with the clay bar treatment, one coat of Collinite 476 and after one wash . You can get a good idea of the results looking at the front door below the mirror. Even though its a dark color you can clearly see the reflection of blue Saturn Vue sitting next to it., both daily drivers.
The last step might be restoring the color to the plastic trim with Mothers "Back to Black".
I don't work for or sell any of those products. They're things I regularly use and are available locally at most auto stores, Advance, Autozone and etc.
Bill
Very nice thanks for posting.