How to Touch Up Car Surfaces
The surface of your car is what most people notice when you pull up. If the surface is dull or faded, it makes your car look old and dirty, even if you have recently washed it. If these faded areas remain dull even after a wash and wax, the surface needs to be touched up and cleaned to bring out its shine again.
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Things You'll Need
- Car wash soap
- Towel
- Clay bar kit
- Car polish/rubbing compound
- Orbital polisher
- Carnauba wax
- Cotton towel
Instructions
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Wash your car while it is parked in the shade. Sunlight heats the surface and may distort the final results. Start at the top of the car and work your way down, washing all surfaces of the car. Go over the car with a synthetic chamois to dry it completely. This prevents water spots from showing on the car.
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Use the spray lubricant from the clay bar kit to spray a small area of the surface. Rub the clay bar across the lubricated area a few times, spray that spot again and wipe it with a microfiber towel. Repeat this process on any faded, dull or stained areas of the car. You can do this on the entire car to get it looking like new. The clay bar can be folded over and smashed around to reveal a clean area. Two full bars should do an entire vehicle.
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3
Pour medium to light abrasive liquid car polish on the polishing pad of an orbital polisher. Place the pad against the car, starting at the front of the car, and slowly move the polisher in small circular and back and forth motions. You can do this over the faded area or on the entire car. Polishing the entire car will help blend any imperfections and make them much less noticeable.
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Apply a thin coat of pure carnauba wax over the entire painted surface of the vehicle, allowing it to sit for about five minutes. Remove the wax by buffing it with a cotton towel. Repeat this step if you want more protection.
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Tips & Warnings
Clay bar kits remove faded areas, stains and even small build-up like paint overspray or tar from the surface of a vehicle without harming the paint.
Use protective goggles when polishing the car's surface. If the polish is flung from the polisher, it can be harmful to your eyes.
