 It's important to care for the paints on your new or used vehicle to keep it looking its best, both short and long term. But with all the different detailing products available, choosing the right solutions for your paint on your car can become complicated and even overwhelming very quickly. That's why Maguire's developed a simple process. Once you understand our five steps to paint care, selecting the right products will be much, much easier. Step 1 – Washing Waxing removes loose contaminants like dust, dirt and road film that settle on top of clean paint. We always recommend using a high quality Maguire's Car Wash. This ensures its pH balance and optimized for washing automotive surfaces while also preserving wax protection and other beneficial nutrients. Stay away from dish detergents and other relatively harsh wash solutions not intended for cars as they will dry out the paint finish and remove or diminish existing wax protection. If you're doing a classic bucket and hose wash, Maguire's Ultimate Wash and Wax is a great choice as it'll gently clean your paint, boost gloss and leave additional wax protection behind each time you use it. If you prefer washing with a foam cannon, Maguire's Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo and Conditioner foams great and will gently clean and condition paint without removing wax protection. If you don't have access to a hose, a great alternative to traditional washing is Maguire's Ultimate Waterless Wash and Wax. Just spray on and wipe gently with a clean, premium microfiber towel like Maguire's Supreme Shine microfiber towels. With a second clean microfiber, wipe dry, then flip your towel for a final wipe. We recommend washing your vehicle at least once a week to keep it looking its best and free of contaminants. Also, always be sure to wash your car in the shade and make sure the surface is cool to the touch. This will help reduce water spots and streaking during the drying process. Step 2. Cleaning and Prepping. The cleaning step removes defects like oxidation, stains, swirls, overspray, and even environmental fallout. It's essential for achieving crystal clear reflections and maximizing long lasting protection. Depending on the condition of your car, the cleaning step can usually be done with a clay system like our new Hybrid Ceramic Quick Clay Kit or our Classic Smooth Surface Clay Kit to remove contaminants that have bonded on top of the paint. After these above surface contaminants have been removed, it's time to focus on the below surface defects in the paint like swirls and scratches. Defect removal by hand or dual action polisher is simple when using a clear coat safe paint cleaner like Maguire's Ultimate Compound. Keep in mind, if the paint on your car is smooth to the touch and doesn't have any defects, swirls or hazing, you can skip the cleaning step and go right to polishing or waxing. Step 3. Polishing. It's important to note that using a polish, like Maguire's Ultimate Polish, is an optional step that is designed to bring out maximum gloss and depth of shine. If you have a dark colored vehicle and you are looking for the deepest gloss possible, you'll want to apply Ultimate Polish before applying wax. Step 4. Waxing. Applying a quality wax like Maguire's Ultimate Wax or Gold Class Carnuba Plus is the best way to protect your newly cleaned finish from contaminants. It provides a sacrificial barrier between your car's paint and the environment to maintain its new appearance longer. Whether you use a liquid or a paste, we recommend waxing your vehicle at least 3-4 times per year to ensure you have maximum protection at all times. For this step, Maguire's also has advanced options that deliver longer lasting protection beyond conventional wax. These products, like our new Hybrid Ceramic Platform or Synthetic Polymer based platform, use cutting edge technology to push the boundaries of traditional wax. For extreme durability that employs our latest SiO2 based technology, Maguire's Hybrid Ceramic Wax is now available in both spray and liquid formats. Both are extremely easy to use and offer some of the latest technology available for outstanding protection and water beating performance. If time's a concern, another great option that offers protection and a brilliant shine is Maguire's Ultimate Quick Wax. Simply spray on and wipe off with a clean, high quality microfiber towel for a brilliant shine and long lasting protection. Step 5. Maintaining This step is all about keeping your car looking better longer so you don't have to do the previous four steps as often. Using a spray detailer like Maguire's Ultimate Quick Detailer or new Hybrid Ceramic Detailer is the easiest way to remove light dust or fingerprints on a regular basis. Simply mist on and wipe off to give your car's exterior a longer, just detailed look. In addition, spray detailers and spray waxes are a great way to maintain and extend the life of paint protection films and coatings. Now that you understand the five steps to paint care, it will be easy to choose the right products and obtain even better results every time you detail your car. For additional detailing tips and techniques, visit Maguire's.com or check us out on Instagram and Facebook.