Ask a Professional Detailer
I don't have to use anything under my hood in the way of a degreaser because I don't allow my engine to get greasy. Engines are not supposed to leak anything so if mine develops a leak of some sort, I fix the problem ASAP. I don't drive over 300 miles without cleaning my engine. Because of that, I don't need anything but soap and water. The last thing I want my cabin smelling like is some Gunk Engine Degreaser so I am proactive. I am constantly addressing my engine so that I can work on it in a white shirt in the church parking lot. Ask any mechanic. They will appreciate your car a lot more when you bring them a clean engine to work on. If you bring them the Exxon Valdez, they will treat it a such.
Now exactly what to do varies from engine to engine. For example, what I do can't be followed with a Lamborghini, unless you plan to wait a week for the thing to dry out before it starts. Thus, each engine is a separate case. What I do with my LS1 is cover the alternator with a plastic bag, make sure that I don't shoot water directly at the A.I.R. pump, keep water away from the battery terminals and fuse box and do not saturate any of the for pully's. I only use a gentle misting of water because I don't want water to get forced into any area that water shouldn't get. After I'm done washing, I blow the entire engine dry with my Master Blaster so that no water sits and creates any rust spots. Then I either run the engine until it is hot or drive the car. The finishing touch is some In & Out Spray dressing.
If at any time I get the opportunity to work on the engine, I'm going to really detail it then. Taking parts off the engine is a great time to clean spots you normally can't get to. I love those opportunities. Most guys just want to get done with the repair. I go so slow, you could have pulled the engine and replaced it by the time I get done but hey, that baby is clean when I'm done. It takes a certain kind of **** to get that involved. I make no excuses. I can't stand a dirty engine, and mine has 133,000 miles on it.
Here I am fixing a leaky valley cover gasket and EOP sensor.

Now she's clean again.

Wagner Thermo Quiet's my friend. You will seriously thank me later.
Wagner Thermo Quiet's my friend. You will seriously thank me later.

After I finished crying, the process of paint correction remains the same. There is nothing different about paint correction from car to car except the abrasiveness of the polish you start with. Deeper damage, heavier cutting polish. But the basic process is the exact same process for everyone. I've linked to that process a few post back.
As for protection, the longest lasting protection is going to be a sealant. Sealants last longer than anything, however, they are more work to apply. So if you want the longest lasting protection, choose a sealant. There are plenty on the market. I use a combination of a sealant and a carnuba paste. Here's what I use and how I use it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgBJG...el_video_title
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUa_j...el_video_title
Yea, you need to post some pics. I'm trying to imagine what you're talking about and can't.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/eastern-c...els-cheap.html
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
The car is black and what can I do to make the paint shiny? Will just waxing it do the trick?
I want to finish this the most efficient and easiest way
The car is black and what can I do to make the paint shiny? Will just waxing it do the trick?
I want to finish this the most efficient and easiest way
That's what polishing does. Wax is a protectant. It protects the shine that you get from polishing. Polishing aluminum wheels is what makes them shine. Polishing jewelry is what makes it shine. Polishing glass is what makes it shine. Polishing leather is what makes it shine. Polishing paint is what makes paint shine.
Now answer Justin's questions. At what point did they stop?
Every brand does it. Guess its just the crazy humidity. The worst is Zaino....that stuff is terrible. Its like glue. I'll never use it again.
I use that new Meguires Polish.....excellent durability.
I've just been washing my car after I polish it to get it off. It washes right off with light soap and water. So I don't remove polish anymore with a dry towel after applying it. Much easier to just take 5-8 minutes and wash it real fast....then to use a towel the polish off.
Works great and every bit of polish comes off in that quick wash. Zaino actually told me to do this when I called to complain about their polish not coming off.
.
Swirls come from improper care period, end of story. They will appear over time regardless of how much care you take, but polishing shouldn't be a twice a year event if you take proper care with the proper materials.
The car is black and what can I do to make the paint shiny? Will just waxing it do the trick?
I want to finish this the most efficient and easiest way
I use that new Meguires Polish.....excellent durability.
I've just been washing my car after I polish it to get it off. It washes right off with light soap and water. So I don't remove polish anymore with a dry towel after applying it. Much easier to just take 5-8 minutes and wash it real fast....then to use a towel the polish off.
Works great and every bit of polish comes off in that quick wash. Zaino actually told me to do this when I called to complain about their polish not coming off.
.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/eastern-c...els-cheap.html


