Paint Detailing Tips From the Pros

Washes:

NEVER use household detergents. They will strip away wax protection and shorten the 'life' of your paint finish.
ALWAYS wash your vehicle in the shade or the cooler times of the day (eg evening), and make sure that the surface is cool to the touch.
Rinse the entire vehicle first, this helps cool the surface and rinse away loose debris.
Wash vehicle from the top down.
If possible, use 2 buckets. 1 for the wash solution and 1 for rinsing the mitt (to help remove loose debris).
Final rinse should be done with a stream of water, not a spray.

Paint Cleaner:

ALWAYS use the least aggressive method possible.
Use correct method of application per product (hand, orbital or rotary). See the product instructions.
Work one section at a time. Work evenly and thoroughly, letting the product do the work.
If one application doesn't remove the defect, a second application is sometimes needed.
Use separate 100% cotton terry cloth towels, Microfibre or Microwipe Polishing Cloths for wipe-off of cleaners.

Waxes and Polishes:

ALWAYS apply in the shade and on a cool surface.
Apply uniform coats.
2 thin coats are better than 1 thick coat.
Apply 2 coats of wax to lower rocker panels in winter.
Apply 2 coats of wax to top surfaces in summer.
Always wash with a quality car wash to help extend the 'life' of your wax protection.
Use a clean, good quality cloth to remove wax.
When the wax is wiped off, use Quik Detailer to remove any remaining streaks.
Be careful around moldings and emblems. Tape off if necessary.
Allow proper time for wax to 'set up' before you remove it, ie: 'hazed' and non-greasy. This is the reason you work in the shade.
When paint detailers, such as Quik Detailer, become slow to wipe off, it is time to re-wax.

Paint Detailers:

ALWAYS work on a cool surface.
Use clean, good quality terry towels, Microfibre or Mircowipe clothes.
Keep a bottle of Quik Detailer or Nxt Generation Speed Detailer in your car boot for quick clean up situations, eg: bird droppings, greasy fingers, tree sap etc.
When these Detailing products become slow to wipe off, this is an indication that it is time to re-wax your vehicle.