New cars aren't painted like...
New cars aren't painted like our older muscle cars, and with special care late model Mopars can stay looking great for a long time. This month we'll show you the best techniques to protect the base/clear paint on your Mopar.
We all want our Mopar to look fantastic and stay looking great for years to come, and modern base/clear automotive finishes make this task easier than ever. Unlike single-stage paints which contain the pigment, solvents, and protective chemicals all mixed and sprayed together, base/clear paints involve a two-step process in which the pigment, or basecoat, is applied first, and then covered by a protective clear coat. This two-step process not only provides a deep glossy finish, but also offers more protection than single-stage paints. But even though modern paints will last longer and stay looking better than outdated auto refinishing products, they still require routine, preventative maintenance using the proper car care products to stay looking their best.
If you've been to a car show or local cruise night, you're likely aware that a car is often first judged by the quality of its paint. And keeping a car's paint looking good can be a daunting task for a variety of reasons, especially if your Mopar is driven regularly like our '09 Dodge Challenger. Living in Florida, the paint on our Dodge is exposed to sand and road debris kicked up by the nearly always heavy traffic, and gets parked in hot sunlight followed by intense rain showers if driven during the summer months. But no matter where you live the elements can take a toll on your paint, as can the chemicals of acid rain and driving through corrosive products designed to remove ice from winter roads. Parking under trees can provide some shade to protect your paint, but can also subject your car to falling tree limbs and sticks, tree sap, and even acorns, causing damage to your car's painted surfaces. Believe it or not, some of the worst things that happen to your car's paint can be caused by you or whoever washes or details the car, and you may not even know its happening.
Modern paint systems involve...
Modern paint systems involve a tinted base coat of paint, covered by a protective clear coat. This system is far better than older single-stage paint methods, but still requires routine maintenance to be properly protected.
So with all of these factors contributing to the eventual demise of your car's paint, the question is, how can we protect our paintjob and keep it looking its best? The answer is not as simple as it seems. First, if you drive your car and expose it to the elements, the paint will suffer inevitable defects over time no matter how often you clean and wax your car. The key is to reduce the effects of these elements by keeping your cars paint clean and protected with high-quality automotive cleaners and waxes, and use the proper procedures to apply these products.
There are numerous products on the market that seem to be the latest craze when it comes to cleaning your car, many offering ridiculous claims like "waterless car wash" or "effortless wax removal". And though we haven't tested each and every car care product out there, we have noticed that Meguiar's does a great job of providing modern products that are well engineered and provide quality shine and maximum protection for not only the paint, but the interior, glass, trim, wheels and tires.
Remember that even having the best car care products doesn't matter a whole lot unless you know how to use them properly, and we'll show you some common mistakes people make when taking care of their car's paint. And although good car care products do add expense to the maintenance of the vehicle, compared to a new paint job or paint repairs the expense is money (and time) well spent.
One of the first steps in...
One of the first steps in protecting your car's paint is to use the correct products. For a long time we've relied on Meguiar's for our car washing, waxing, and detailing needs, because they consistently provide a variety of well-engineered, easy-to-use products. Before any protective products can be applied to the paint, it's important to wash your vehicle thoroughly with a product meant for washing cars. Meguiare's Deep Crystal car wash soap is concentrated, and won't strip the wax from the car like dish soaps and other detergents.
Washing a car may seem like...
Washing a car may seem like a simple task, but care should be taken to avoid several common mistakes like pulling yourself up using the car for leverage or leaning on the car to gain extra reach. These actions will actually dent a car if repeated every time the car is washed, especially a late-model due to the thinner sheet metal. Belt buckles, jewelry, and jeans with riveted pockets can all wreak havoc on a paint job, so be sure to remove your rings, and stand away from the painted surfaces while washing the car.
We have two wash mitts, one...
We have two wash mitts, one for the paint and one for the wheels, tires, and other areas prone to pick up more dirt and road grime. Your wash mitt or sponge should also be rinsed between dips in the soap bucket and always cleaned thoroughly if dropped on the ground in case it picked up contaminants that could scratch the paint.
A micro-fiber towel is a good...
A micro-fiber towel is a good choice for drying, but we've found 100 percent cotton bath towels also work, and are easier to swipe from the bathroom. Once the paint and windows have been dried, the same towel can be used to dry the wheels and wipe the door jambs clean. It's very important to ensure you dry the car with a clean towel, not the one by the drill press . . .
Vacuuming the car is something...
Vacuuming the car is something most of us do when we're cleaning our Mopar, but don't do it like this. Over time, dragging a plastic vacuum hose over painted surfaces will scratch and wear the paint, causing unsightly defects. We suggest laying a towel over areas like door jambs for the vacuum hose to rest on.
Paint that is several years...
Paint that is several years old will have imbedded particles and debris in the clear coat that can't be removed by washing alone. Using a clay bar like one from Meguiar's, and Quick Exterior Detailer, the bar is rubbed back and forth on the wet surface, grabbing the dirt and removing it from the paint.
With our car clean and dry,...
With our car clean and dry, it's time to apply the protective coating of wax with the car parked in a shaded area away from direct sunlight.
Waxes come as a paste or liquid,...
Waxes come as a paste or liquid, but perform the same function. Using a damp applicator, apply the wax in circular motions, then use a clean 100 percent cotton towel or micro-fiber towel to remove and buff the wax once it dries.
While the shelter of a garage...
While the shelter of a garage is best for your paint job, carports and car covers are good ways to protect your paint as well. We suggest waxing your Mopar at least twice a year, and before seasonal changes if the car will be driven in snowy areas. Using these techniques, your car should stay looking great for years to come.