The car care isle is a war-zone of products competing for your dollar with the biggest claims and flashiest packaging. The selection process can be daunting- but Jim Dvorak, a car care specialist from Mothers, helps sort things out in an interview with Justin Pritchard. Our correspondent then put Jim's advice to the test on an old pink Mustang.
JP What sort of procedure do you recommend for new car owners interested in keeping their finish looking great, but that don't have a whole lot of time to spend?
JDMaintenance is key, and preventive maintenance on your finish is as important as changing your fluids and filters regularly. Spending a little time each week or weekend to protect your finish will pay off when it comes time to sell or trade-in your car.
If all you do is a basic car wash to remove light dirt, you've protected your investment. Following the wash with a spray-on, wipe-off spray wax, can help boost the shine quickly and easily, while extending the intervals between traditional waxing.
JP My older car's paint is starting to look faded and aged. I don't want to re-paint it- can it be saved?
JD Oxidation can eventually destroy paint beyond the restorative capability of any polish. Caught in time, a 3-step system with a pre-wax cleaner can polish away oxidation to reveal a fresh surface that's ready to shine with a glaze. This can be finished with pure wax.
JP Waxes? Sealants? Glazes? What's the difference? Do many people get confused shopping for paint care products?
JD There are a lot of products out there named to catch the eye of the consumer more so than to communicate their actual function.
A "sealant" is essentially a synthetic form of a pure carnauba wax, and can require extensive preparation and drying time- so they're generally sold in the "enthusiast" community to people who don't mind spending all weekend working on their cars.
A "glaze" adds depth and shine while helping to fill in minor defects that normally reflect in the sun and cause a spiderweb-like appearance. A glaze should always be followed by a pure wax.
"Wax" has become a segment of products designed ultimately to protect your paint. They traditionally have contained carnauba, though in recent years they might instead contain a synthetic wax or polymer. Some contain cleaners or polishes (which strip off oxidization), while some are just pure wax.
Read the fine print.
There are often compromises with combination or 1-step products, but these compromises mean little to most people- especially if their paint is in good condition.
JP What sort of procedure do you recommend for new car owners interested in keeping their finish looking great, but that don't have a whole lot of time to spend?
JDMaintenance is key, and preventive maintenance on your finish is as important as changing your fluids and filters regularly. Spending a little time each week or weekend to protect your finish will pay off when it comes time to sell or trade-in your car.
If all you do is a basic car wash to remove light dirt, you've protected your investment. Following the wash with a spray-on, wipe-off spray wax, can help boost the shine quickly and easily, while extending the intervals between traditional waxing.
JP My older car's paint is starting to look faded and aged. I don't want to re-paint it- can it be saved?
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JD Oxidation can eventually destroy paint beyond the restorative capability of any polish. Caught in time, a 3-step system with a pre-wax cleaner can polish away oxidation to reveal a fresh surface that's ready to shine with a glaze. This can be finished with pure wax.
JP Waxes? Sealants? Glazes? What's the difference? Do many people get confused shopping for paint care products?
JD There are a lot of products out there named to catch the eye of the consumer more so than to communicate their actual function.
A "sealant" is essentially a synthetic form of a pure carnauba wax, and can require extensive preparation and drying time- so they're generally sold in the "enthusiast" community to people who don't mind spending all weekend working on their cars.
A "glaze" adds depth and shine while helping to fill in minor defects that normally reflect in the sun and cause a spiderweb-like appearance. A glaze should always be followed by a pure wax.
"Wax" has become a segment of products designed ultimately to protect your paint. They traditionally have contained carnauba, though in recent years they might instead contain a synthetic wax or polymer. Some contain cleaners or polishes (which strip off oxidization), while some are just pure wax.
Read the fine print.
There are often compromises with combination or 1-step products, but these compromises mean little to most people- especially if their paint is in good condition.