Because having your car re-painted is one of the most expensive things a person can do with their vehicle, almost everyone at one point or another has wanted to make their exterior look as new as possible. Be warned that if you want it done to perfection, it should really be handled by auto detailers, but can be accomplished on your own if you so choose. The important thing to keep in mind is that to make your car’s paint appear as if it is just off the lot, it is a multiple step process that takes patience.

“Detailing clay is a valuable tool in your arsenal that is underused because most people don’t know exactly what it accomplishes, the incorporation of clay smooths rough bumps and edges on your vehicles shell”

A Clean Car Is Your Canvas

Just like you would paint on a blank page, you need your vehicle as clean as possible before making your paint look fresh. This is done initially by a thorough wash, using detergents and cleaners. It is up to your make and model as to which will procure the most solid results, but the point is there can be zero foreign particles on the exterior. Using a microfiber cloth will also help you in this exercise. Its soft, smooth feel is gentle on the body of the automobile, but forceful enough to make a difference where needed.

Use Detailing Clay To Your Advantage

Detailing clay is a valuable tool in your arsenal that is underused because most people don’t know exactly what it accomplishes. The incorporation of clay smooths rough bumps and edges on your vehicles shell. Why is this important? Because beyond the eyesore it creates and the value it robs your car of, it makes it easier for impurities to get embedded into the outside. The deeper the dirt is in your finish, the less ‘new’ your paint will appear. Detailing clay also makes paint look fresh because imperfections negatively impact how a light shines on a car. When you see a brand new car off the lot, there is a reason why it looks as if it just came from the assembly line. It has not been hurt by the elements, and has not had the time to collect debris and scratches.

Polish With Precision

Using a buffing pad, or the aforementioned microfiber towel, apply a thin layer of polish in a systematic fashion leaving no inch untouched. If you have the luxury of using an electric buffing tool, apply gently, as not much force is needed for the polish to resonate. The polish you strategically place will work wonders in restoring your paint’s aesthetic, and will also help with areas that have faded previously.

Protect Your Paint

Finally, a sealant wax will make your vehicle’s paint look as new as the day you acquired it, if done correctly. Using gloves, place the wax all over the exterior, paying special mind to the hood. Sealant waxes in essence ‘trap’ the cleaners and polish products you used, making sure they do not come off in the next wash or fade immediately when exposed to harsh temperatures. Most importantly, this sealant will make your car paint look wet, giving it the feel that it just came from the factory.