Cleans Water Spots Off Cars & Windows

Water spots can be a problem on cars from the hazy stains they leave. They can result from acid rain and remain after rainwater dries off the car. They can be unattractive on the body and paint job, but they present a bigger problem on the windows as they can impair vision. Success in cleaning these spots off the car depends on how long you wait and how hard the stains are.




Glass Cleaner
Glass cleaner may get some of the softer, easier water spots off the windows but not the harder spots. At the very least, the glass cleaner removes other dirt and debris from the car so you can easily see the hard spots better. Apply the cleaner from its spray bottle to the entire surface and then wipe it away using clean cloth towels. Use glass cleaner without ammonia; this means you should avoid most household cleaners. You can use basic soap and water in place of glass cleaner for the car body.

Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol can get water spots off if you apply it and clean the car immediately after the rain. It works best if you mix it with water and vinegar, making sure the solution is at least 70 percent alcohol. Apply the alcohol to the rag first and then rub the rag across the surface. Use a very soft cloth and don't rub the surface too hard as you may cause abrasions. Alcohol dries and evaporates quickly, so let the car dry in the shade.

Commercial Compounds
A number of commercial rubbing compounds are designed to remove the spots completely; some even advertise as keeping them away afterward. Many of these compounds require a special brush-like applicator that rubs the compound onto the car. You then must rinse the car off to remove the compound. You may need to do this process multiple times to completely remove all the water stains.

Orbital Buffer
While brush-like applicators are usually recommended for applying rubbing compound, an orbital buffer can be effective. This works especially well because it can apply the compound to the surface quickly before it dries, which is a concern as that can scratch the windows. Use a buffer with a terry cloth bonnet since it is the one of the softest available. Only use the buffer on glass surfaces; using it on the car body can singe your paint job

Recommended Auto Glass Cleaner:
Sprayway Glass Cleaner
Stoner 92166 Invisible Glass
No Touch GS8 Auto Glass Stripper (See all Automotive Glass Cleaners)

Tips to Clay Bar Your Car

If you are new to the world of auto detailing, clay bar car will sound odd if you are unfamiliar to this process. There are 4 specific areas of proper paint care when it comes to the paint on your car:
• Washing
• Cleaning
• Polishing
• Protecting

I don't consider myself an excellent detailer by any means, but I have a good amount of experience sanding, buffing, and waxing cars. One thing I have never tried, however, was using a clay bar to clean the paint's surface.

Honestly, I've always considered the "clay bar treatment" a gimmick- promising an easy way out of doing labor intensive work, and patently dismissed it. Well, I've become a believer. Last weekend, I was trying to rehabilitate the paint on my Subaru and among it's problems was massive overspray caused by careless spraying of motorcycle parts by me a while ago. Ironically, it was the same black paint I used on my Crown Victoria- a single stage black urethane, and it is really sticky.

I tried a couple different polishes and cleaner waxes with little success. Rubbing compound and a high-speed buffer was the next step, and if that didn't work I would have to wet-sand the whole car to get rid of it. That's a lot of work.

Clay bar is advertised to remove surface contaminates- tar, water spots, rail dust, and overspray- so I thought it was worth a try. And I'm happy I did; it works very well. I bought a box of Clay Magic at Autozone for about $16, and the it included a small brick of clay and a spay bottle of "Clay Lube" (probably soapy water).

Spray a section of paint, and start scrubbing with the clay. It feels like there is a lot of drag on the clay at first as it picks up all the junk off the paint, but once the surface is clean, it glides across smoothly, and the paint feels smooth as glass. The clay, however, will be black with all the junk from your car, so just turn it over or knead it like silly putty to expose a fresh section. It also does a good job cleaning up plastic trim, headlight and taillight lenses, and probably your glass, too, though I didn't try that.

Clay bar will not remove scratches or swirl marks, though. You will still need your buffer for that stuff. But this is a great way to clean your paint and prep it for polishing and waxing. I'm a fan.

Instructions

1 First, you want to wash your car completely with a recommended car shampoo. This will remove any wax that may help seal in the contaminants on the paint. Regular car wash is made not to strip wax, so it may not be as effective. Put your hand in a zip lock bag and run it over the surface. It will feel like sand paper. These are the contaminants sticking to your paint.

2 Next, Make sure your car is parked in the shade and it's surface is cool to the touch. You can now take the clay bar out of the container and divide it into 3 or 4 pieces. This is so you will have spares in case you drop the clay on the ground (the clay will pick up dirt and grit if dropped, rendering it useless). Knead the piece of clay until it gets softer and then flatten it.

3 Take some spray detailer or clay lubricant and spray it on a 2 foot square area and on the clay itself. More lubricant is better. Work the clay across the surface in a back and forth motion using moderate pressure until it begins getting easy to glide across the surface. Once it glides then you can move on to another area. You can use the zip lock on your hand to check to see if it is smooth enough for your liking. Every now and then you should knead the clay and refold in order to create a clean clay surface.

4 Once you are satisfied with the area you are working on, move on to another 2 foot square area. Continue this until you have completed the entire car. Keep in mind that this is not a quick job. It may take you 4 or 5 hours to do it properly, but it will be well worth the time. Nothing makes your paint as smooth and shiny as a clay bar detailing.

5 Make sure to buff your car with a polish and a wax in order to seal in all of your hard work and to help seal out paint contaminants and debris.

Things You'll Need
• Car Shampoo
• Clay Bar (Meguiar's, Mother's, 3M, etc.)
• Clay Bar lubricant (Meguiar's Spray Detailer, etc.)
• Paint Polish (to remove excess clay on paint)

Recommended Clay Bar :
1. Meguiar's G1001 Smooth Surface Clay Bar
2. Mothers 07240 California Gold Clay Bar
3. Wolfgang Elastic Poly Clay

How to Compound & Buff

Most automobile owners want the exteriors of their vehicles to be clean with a buffed shine. Rain, snow, oxidation and ultraviolet light can all have detrimental effects on surface paint, producing a hazy or fogged appearance. By using cutting compounds and polishing wax, surface paint can be restored to look like new again. A vehicle owner who learns how to properly use an orbital buffer, compounds and waxes can perform a partial or full polish restoration with professional-looking results.

Instructions
1.Mix a solution of dish-washing soap in a bucket of warm water. Use a washing mitt. Remove all grime, oil and oxidation. Dry with clean towels. Use a crescent wrench to bolt a cutting pad onto an orbital buffer, or install a Velcro pad. Use a medium cutting pad to start with. Select a small area of the surface to perform a test run.

2.Apply a smear of medium-grit cutting compound to the cutting pad. Turn on the orbital buffer; if the buffer has a variable speed control, set the knob for 1000 to 1500 rpm. Run the buffer from side to side over the surface, keeping mild contact with the paint -- do not push the buffer pad into the paint with excessive pressure. Switch the movement to up-and-down buffing strokes, then pull the buffer away from the paint.

3.Wipe the compound residue off with a microfiber towel and examine the surface. You should be able to see your reflection in it, with no haze or oxidation. If the surface appears deeply fogged, switch to the heavy cutting pad and heavy-grit compound and buff over the same area. Depending upon your results, use the pad and compound that worked best and run the buffer over a larger section of about 2-by-3 feet.

4.Use side-to-side movements, then up-and-down strokes. Always keep the buffing pad spinning and moving -- do not let it sit in one area, where it can burn the paint. Lighten the touch of the buffer around sharp edges and seams. Wipe down each section with a microfiber towel and examine the surface. Re-buff any areas that seem heavily oxidized. Change to a clean cutting pad if the old one loads up. Take frequent breaks if you are buffing the entire vehicle. Use a dab of cutting compound on a microfiber towel to get any areas that the buffer could not reach.

5.Remove the cutting pad from the buffer and install a polishing pad on the sponge backing. Apply a liberal amount of polishing wax on the pad, and using the same procedure, buff the wax into the paint. Remember to use side-to-side, then up-and-down movements with the buffer. Wipe down each section you polish with a microfiber towel and inspect the results. You should be able to see a crystal clear reflection of your face in the paint, particularly with a darker color.

6.Change the polishing pad if the old one loads up. Use some polishing wax on a microfiber towel to reach any spots the polishing pad missed, such as the corners of the side panels, or in and around door handles. Use clean microfiber towels to wipe away all wax residue after you have finished the entire buffing procedure.


Things You'll Need
• Liquid-washing shampoo: Detailer's Pro Series Xtreme Foam Formula Auto Shampoo
• Washing mitt
• Bucket
• Towels
• Crescent wrench
• Porter Cable's buffer
(with cloth or sponge backing pad)
• Microfiber towels
• Cutting compound (fine, medium and heavy grit)
• Cutting pads (fine to heavy)
• Polishing pads
• Polishing wax
• 3M Swirlmark Remover

Recommended product of Car Wax & Sealant to use :

Top 3 Waxes

1. Meguiar's A-2216 Deep Crystal Carnuba Wax
2. Surf City Garage 150 Barrier Reef Carnauba Wax
3. Meguiar's M2611 #26 Yellow Wax Paste

Top 3 Sealants
1. Surf City Garage 701 Shine-On Sealer and Glaze System
2. Wizard's - Supreme Seal Paint Sealant (12oz) : 11500
3. MEGUIAR"S SYNTHETIC SEALANT 2.0

Top 3 Spray Wax

1. Surf City Garage 100 Speed Demon Wax Detailer Spray
2. FLITZ Speed Waxx
3. Meguiar's G14422 Ultimate Quick Detailer

Essentials to start an Automotive Detailing Business

Starting your own detailing business is a rather simple process. There are some caveats and information you should be aware of before you move ahead on it. The first one being, is it something you like to do? I ask this because the work involved in detailing a vehicle is labor intensive sometimes. That is unless you plan to build a business and hire all your staff, detailers, etc. In that case, there is no labor for you in the actual polishing, and detailing processes.

What is Automotive Detailing?

Auto detailing is basically performing an extremely thorough cleaning of a vehicle, inside and out. As well as paint restoration and correction. The primary focus of an auto detailer is the paint. Most people associate detailing services with fixing the paint and making it look like new, removing all the imperfections, scratches, swirls, stains, oxidization and more. Many people detail cars for pure enjoyment, some do it as a full time business or are employed as automotive detailers. Either way, there is a general dedication among most professional detailers to acquire the best finish they can on vehicles. An experienced detailer has a wide range of knowledge of the materials, paints, and fabrics in all makes of cars and trucks. They also have a wide range of chemicals used to clean, treat, protect and make any vehicle shine above the rest. They use their knowledge and understanding of the varied surfaces to rejuvenate and protect the entire vehicle. An automotive detailer also has to be able to experiment and learn new techniques, especially as new materials become common among newer vehicles. Painting process, sealants, clear coats, fabric all change over time within the automotive world and a good detailer needs to keep up with these changes.

Starting a New Detailing Business

Starting a detailing business is no different then starting any other small business. There are locations to consider, but generally most new detailers start out of their house or garage. Many also incorporate a mobile server, which requires a few more resources and tools. For starting a new business from home and to work out of the garage, you will need to get a few things sorted out. First, you need to check with your local government on the laws for running a home based business. There are a lot of tax breaks and rules you will need to follow. Paperwork and proper records are probably the biggest part of it. You will also need a business license or registration, depending on the start, country or area you live. Giving you specific information on what forms to complete and where to go would be useless, every area is different. Start with your local city or town government website and go from there. Once you have the paperwork in order , it is time to acquire your startup material and tools.

The Tools and Equipment to Start a Detailing Business

Generally you will not need everything when you first start out, but you will need to have enough product, tools and supplies to meet the basic requirements of detailing a vehicle. The basic things you will be doing are engine, interior and exterior detailing. You will need to have a reasonable budget to start up and buy all your products. You will need at least the following items to be able to do a complete detail of a vehicle
* Vehicle Washing Buckets
* Washing Brush or preferably a micro fiber wash mitt
* Drying towels ( micro fiber only )
* Standard garden hose and spray nozzle
* Vacuum for interior work.
* A variety of spray bottles for your chemicals and cleaners
* Carpet brush - for removing stains, etc.
* Wax applicators
* Rotary or Dual Action Machine Polisher
* 3 to 8 polishing pads for the polisher
* Detailers Automotive Clay Bar
* A variety of polishes, heavy, medium, light - 1 of each to start
* A glaze type, finishing compound
* Wax or sealant product
* All purpose cleaning agent, water soluble
* All purpose detailer spray
* Tire cleaning and detailing product
* At least 30 to 50 small micro fiber cloths for cleaning and buffing

That should get you started with enough tools and products to complete a full vehicle. There are a lot more products you can buy and if you want to experiment and have the budget for it, great, get it all. As you work on vehicles and use the online resources , you will find that you want to try new products. When you have specific problems or issues with vehicles is when you end up picking up new items.

What's Next?

Now you need the customers. Well, if you are just starting out from your home, start spreading the work around to your friends, relatives, etc. You will probably have to show them what you can do, either with pictures or in person. I would recommend doing a few things at first. Go to your local automotive wrecking yard and get your self a used hood, preferably black ( best to practice on ), then set it up in your garage on a bench. Then tape off sections, about 8 sections. Then start using your products on each area, seeing what they can do, etc. Take pictures before and after everything you do. Use those pictures to advertise. Then once you get a section look good... scratch it up. Take your shoe, sand paper, a key, anything. Then see if you can remove the damage. Practice on the hood before you practice on a car. Next, you will want a car to work on. Detail your families cars for free, or start with your own. It really does not take long to figure out what works and what does not work. This also gives you the opportunity to see what other products you are missing.... say a leather cleaner and protectant, or an engine brush, a wheel brush, a trim detailer, glass cleaner, etc.... this list can go on for a long time.

I only briefly highlighted the basic things to start into the automotive detailing business, please take the time to look at all other resources as well. I hope I have provided you with some additional information you can use.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED CAR WAX:

Top 3 Waxes
1. Meguiar's A-2216 Deep Crystal Carnuba Wax
2. Surf City Garage 150 Barrier Reef Carnauba Wax
3. Meguiar's M2611 #26 Yellow Wax Paste

Top 3 Sealants
1. Surf City Garage 701 Shine-On Sealer and Glaze System
2. Wizard's - Supreme Seal Paint Sealant (12oz) : 11500
3. MEGUIAR"S SYNTHETIC SEALANT 2.0

So what is the best car wax maintainer? Whether you use a Carnauba wax or a sealant, the best way to maintain that “just waxed” look is to use a spray wax. With an “easy on - easy off” application, these products will maintain the highest gloss without re-waxing every time. Spray waxes are applied and taken off with microfiber towels like Surf City Garage's Nano-Detail Polishing Cloths (3/pack) or Meguiar's X2020 Supreme Shine Microfiber - Pack of 3

Top 3 Spray Wax
1. Surf City Garage 100 Speed Demon Wax Detailer Spray
2. FLITZ Speed Waxx
3. Meguiar's G14422 Ultimate Quick Detailer

The High End Car Wax reviews

Definitive Wax Marble “Brough & Howarth”

You've just put a new set of $38,000 tires on your Bugatti Veyron after getting the $21,000 service and replacing the $12,000 set of wheels. You've had her hand washed by a pro, but you want that little something special to finish the job and make the paint look as much like a black hole as your wallet does. Brough & Howarth have the answer: a $37,000 canister of car wax.

Called "Definitive Wax Marble," the white-and-grey marble cube runs a cool 24,000 British pounds, or about $37,000 USD. The company claims the wax to be the rarest and most expensive in the world. Definitive Wax Marble is sourced from Athens, Greece, made of refined fruit oils, local Greek beeswax, and imported canauba wax from northern Brazil.

Brough & Howarth think the investment in a car's finish is well worth the price of entry, however, particularly for the rare and vintage collector. Some of these vehicles are valued at over GBP1m and are pieces of art in their own right, so the correct car care methods are critical in maintaining their value," says Jason Brough, Brough and Howarth's master polisher. "You can put a GBP5,000 bespoke, tailor-made suit in the washing machine and it would clean it. But you wouldn't, would you?"

Definitive Wax Marble is so exclusive, it's not even for sale. It's only available as a wax treatment through Brough & Howarth. Just the one pot of the wax exists.

The latest Definitive Wax Marble wunderpot is due for its own special unveiling soon at a "prestigious" London spot. Those with the cars and the cash to make use of this service probably already have an invitation. As for myself, I just wonder what $37,000 car wax smells like.
Price : £ 24,000 / $ 37,000 USD

[Brough & Howarth]

Zymol Royale Glaze


It was originally formulated to protect the finish of the Bugatti Royale, a rare late 1920's ultra-luxury car (only about half a dozen were built) so meticulously crafted and exquisitely engineered that today it is considered a work of art. Suitable for all paint types and colors. Royale Glaze contains 70% Brazilian No.1 White Carnauba by volume, which is the absolute highest quality available anywhere! Ingredients: Contains white carnauba sap, Montan Evergreen Oil, Sunflower Oil, Cantaloupe Oil, Coconut Oil, Honeydew extract, Strawberry extract, Propolis (derived from bees) and pure glycerin. Royale Glaze contains 70% Brazilian No.1 White Carnauba by volume.
Price: $8,415.00
Zymol Royale Glaze
- Features
• Contains 70% Carnauba Sap/Wax by volume (100% White).
• Refilled at no extra charge, for life.
• Ingredients derived from nature include sunflower, honeydew and cantaloupe oils.
• Provides protection that polishes do not.
• Greater protection with increased depth of shine and reflection.
• No harsh chemicals or abrasives.
• No white residue or buildup along seams

Swissvax SP10155500 Crystal Rock Paul Dalton's Carnauba-Glaze



Product Features
• Concours-wax with over 76 percentage Vol. of pure ivory colored Grade one Carnauba wax from Northern Brazil
• Special development for Paul Dalton in Great Britain, one of the most famous automobile detailers in the world
• Produces a streak-free gloss and enhances the paintwork surface with best beading characteristics
• Proverbial ease of application
• Prepare the paintwork with Cleaner Fluid prior to the wax application
Price: $1,265.00

Crystal Rock has been developed by Swissvax in partnership with Paul Dalton, probably the most renowned car detailer in the world.
With 76% by wax volume of pure Brazilian ivory carnauba wax, this wax has one of the highest Carnauba contents of any wax on the market. In effect, it coats a car’s paintwork in a smooth and glossy, yet tough and protective, water repellent film and even brings a shine to white and silver. A layer of ‘Paul Dalton’s Crystal Rock Wax’ can last up to 6-12 months and can be ‘topped up’ with additional layers for even more protection.
The waxes come in a satin pouch with a certificate personally signed by Paul himself.
Approx 76% Carnauba wax by volume.
Please Note: As with any premium wax your paintwork should be prepared and ready to accept the wax. For this product use a clay bar (if required) followed by Swissvax Cleaner Fluid as a pre-wax cleaner, before first applying any Swissvax Wax as the wax will not bond to bare paint surfaces.

Ideal Application:
Apply by hand or foam applicator pad with only a light pressure to form a uniform film. Leave for 10 minutes.
Buff off with a premium Microfibre cloth, turning occasionally to use a clean surface.
Try not to touch the paintwork for a minimum of 3 hours and if possible leave the car in the sun. During this time the luster will continue to deepen. A second buff may be beneficial at this time.
For best results (depending on vehicle usage):
After 1-3 months; simply wash, dry and just re-wax.
Then after 6-8 months; repeat the full treatment with Cleaner Fluid preparation and then wax.
Note that discounts do not apply to this product
Size: 200ml


Zymol Atlantique




Features
Contains 60% Carnauba Wax by volume (100% White).
Based on the formula for Ralph Lauren's 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantique. Used to Win at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Ingredients derived from nature include cinnamon bark, sunflower and clove oils.
Provides protection that polishes do not.
Greater protection with increased depth of shine and reflection.
No harsh chemicals or abrasives.
No white residue or buildup along seams.
Price: $1,350.00

Zymol Atlantique Glaze (226g) - Description
Zymol Atlantique Glaze(wax) is based on a custom formula developed for Ralph Lauren's 1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantique. Like many Zymol-prepared cars, the Bugatti won "Best of Show" at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1990. The protective ingredients in Atlantique are clove, coconut, cinnamon bark and sunflower oils. Suitable for all paint types and colours. Atlantique contains 60 percent Brazilian No. 1 White Carnauba by volume.

You may also wish to consider the following waxes containing higher levels of carnauba for increased durability, added depth and reflection; Zymol Vintage Glaze and Zymol Royale Glaze.

Zymol waxes are actually "enzymes" that turn into wax when exposed to air during application on your paint surface.

How to Apply Car Scratch Remover

Anatomy of a scratch
Swirl marks are the light, often circular scratches that can result from washing or drying your car with a dirty cloth, using an overly abrasive polish, or using a drive-through car wash that hasn't been well maintained, among other causes. In addition to the scratch removers we tested, a cleaner/wax or some car polishes can be used to smooth out the marks.

Deeper, more noticeable scratches are harder to correct. Those that haven't penetrated the paint's clearcoat layer can be made less noticeable by using one of the better products in this group. Scratches that expose the primer or metal underneath, however, must be repainted. You can try using touch-up paint, but a professional is most likely to provide the best results.
You will find it easy to remove a scratch in your car's paint with car scratch remover. Inevitably, at some point in time, the glossy paint job on your car will become damaged by scratches. You can save money over taking your car to a professional by applying these simple steps.

Step 1 - Wash Car
Park car in a shaded area. You will want to mix water and soap into your bucket. Be sure to read instructions for use on back of soap container on how to mix with water. Ensure you select a soap that is gentle, yet strong enough to cut through any grime you have picked up from your travels. A good soap can be purchased at your local automotive supply and accessory store. Wash car thoroughly using the soft bristled brush.

Step 2 - Dry The Car
Hand dry the car with the soft towel. This enables you to remove any remaining dirt and debris and ensures the surface will be ready for Step 3.
Step 3 - Prepare Buffer and Pad
Attach the polishing pad to the buffer. When the pad is securely in place, apply the scratch remover compound to the center and outer edge of the pad. Be sure not to over saturate the pad with compound.

Step 4 - Apply Compound
Place the pad against the scratched area of your car's paint. Before starting the buffer, move the pad and buffer in a circular motion over the scratch to allow the compound to get into the scratch.

Step 5 - Buff the Area
Set your buffer at approximately 1400 RPM and turn it on. Move the buffer in a back and forth motion over the scratch. Check the scratch after a period of time to see if it is still visible. Continue to buff until the scratch is no longer visible.

Step 6 - Wipe Area
Once the scratch is gone, use the second soft towel to wipe away any excess scratch compound. The area is most likely glossier and more revived than the rest of the paint. Move on to Step 7.

Step 7 - Buff Entire Car
Remove the wool buffing pad from the buffer and put on the foam buffing pad. Proceed to buff the entire car. Once you are done, use the soft towel again and wipe down the area to move any pad debris.

Step 8 - Apply Wax to Car
After you are done buffing, you will now need to apply the wax to your paint's surface. A high quality wax will ensure you get an even and lustrous shine. Your local automotive supply and accessory store stocks a wide variety.
Step 9 - Buff Car to Shine
With the foaming pad in place, buff the entire car thoroughly leaving no waxed spots untouched. You now have a scratch free and beautifully shiny car again all on your own.

Preventing scratches

• Wash your car once a week. Dirt on the paint can easily lead to scratches.

• Don't slide objects across the paint. Even grocery bags can cause scratches.

• If you wash a car by hand, don't use an abrasive cloth such as one with synthetic fibers. We suggest a clean sponge or sheepskin mitt.

• Hose off any dirt or grime before you begin washing, and frequently rinse the sponge or mitt in clean water. If it drops on the ground, don't use it until it has been thoroughly cleaned.

• Dry the paint with a clean chamois or terrycloth towels.

• Wax using microfiber towels or soft all-cotton cloths, such as cloth diapers

Tools and Materials Needed
• Hose
• Water
• Soap (designed for cars)I use Meguiar's G7101 Gold Class Wash Shampoo
• Bucket
• Soft Bristle Car Brush
• Soft Towel(for drying)
• Soft Towel (for compound)
• Scratch Remover Compound I use Meguiar's G10307 Scratch X 2.0
• Buffer (variable cycle)
• Wool Polishing Pad
• Foam Buffing Pad
• Car Wax. I recommend :
Zymol Carbon Wax (See all Car Waxes) , Meguiar's ,  3M Paste Wax (See all Car Waxes) , Swissvax Crystal Rock