3 Easy Steps to Wet Looking Paint!

[RayBay30]

Want the wet look without investing hours claybaring, buffing, and polishing? We all know we should but who always has the time or energy? It took me experimenting over two years and more products than you could imagine before I discovered a method that really gave consistent results. Thanks to coworkers and neighbors allowing me to test on their vehicles for many months I can say that it will work with just about any color paint. It's perfect if you're in a pinch because it should only take around 15 minutes to do. For best results use the products recommended and don't skip any of the steps outlined below. So if you want to turn heads with sticky, dripping-wet paint in a matter of minutes try this:

1. Wash the car: Use Chemical Guys Citrus Wash and Gloss to get the paint squeaky clean. Apply proper washing techniques such as two buckets and microfiber cleaning towels or sponge. After the final rinse dry the paint slowly and completely. Gloss enhancers in Chemical Guys Citrus Wash and Gloss will provide the foundation by making the paint look hydrated and moisturized.

2. Wash the car again: This time you'll use Optimum No Rinse Wash and Shine. Use the proper washing method for a no rinse product when using Optimum and afterwards you'll notice added reflections, depth and jetting. Be sure to dry the paint properly--that's the secret to using these products.

3. Finish with detail spray: So by now your vehicle's exterior should be so clean you can eat off of it. That once dull and lifeless paint now has an impressive sticky and wet look to it. To finish we're going to amp up the gloss by using Optimum Instant Detailer and Gloss Enhancer (if your paint is a dark color) or Optimum Opti-Clean (if your paint is a light color). Spray it on a panel, wipe it on evenly across the surface using a microfiber towel and then wipe it off using a separate towel. Do the entire vehicle like this. Go around one more time to make sure you didn't miss wiping off anything. By this time your paint should be shimmering and glistening with such a wet shine you won't believe your eyes!

Top with your favorite glaze, wax or sealant if desired.

[RevitalizeAutoSpa]

If you're not taking care of the defects in the paint, you're just putting makeup on a pig.

[RayBay30]

If you're not taking care of the defects in the paint, you're just putting makeup on a pig.

I see your point. On the other hand in theory everyone should brush and floss after every meal for fresh breath. Unfortunately real life situations may sometimes only allow us to use gum, mouthwash or breath mints to get the job done.

[David Hayward]

That works and all but I'm thinking it would take more than 15 min though. Typically on my wife's car I just wash do a Nanoskin fine and then xmt 360 or megs d156 spray wax. Some light swirls are left behind but she spends over 100 miles a day on the highway so it's rock chipped up anyway. But the simple wash and constant coat of spray wax keeps it slick and smooth and high gloss.

[RayBay30]

That works and all but I'm thinking it would take more than 15 min though. Typically on my wife's car I just wash do a Nanoskin fine and then xmt 360 or megs d156 spray wax. Some light swirls are left behind but she spends over 100 miles a day on the highway so it's rock chipped up anyway. But the simple wash and constant coat of spray wax keeps it slick and smooth and high gloss.

You're right. I was using my small car as a benchmark and after reading your post realized it may take longer due to factors such as vehicle size.

[slimnib]

If you're not taking care of the defects in the paint, you're just putting makeup on a pig.


No one walks up to my car with a defect light. It is a waste of time and money to mess with small defects.

They come back very quickly.

[Vrtcl]

No one walks up to my car with a defect light. It is a waste of time and money to mess with small defects.

They come back very quickly.

I walk up to my own car with a defect light. Detailing is a hobby the members here are passionate about, doubt many would call it a waste of time, I know I do not. Just my .02

[slimnib]

I walk up to my own car with a defect light. Detailing is a hobby the members here are passionate about, doubt many would call it a waste of time, I know I do not. Just my .02

If you do it yourself, because its your hobby and you have nothing else to do with your time and energy, then you are correct. Why not kill the clear coat with constant polishing and correction.

It is your choice.

[allenk4]

No one walks up to my car with a defect light. It is a waste of time and money to mess with small defects.

They come back very quickly.

Your attitude is different than mine

[allenk4]

If you do it yourself, because its your hobby and you have nothing else to do with your time and energy, then you are correct. Why not kill the clear coat with constant polishing and correction.

It is your choice.

Have you looked at Mike Phillips thread where he measures the amount of CC removed by the various polishing stages?

[Vrtcl]

If you do it yourself, because its your hobby and you have nothing else to do with your time and energy, then you are correct. Why not kill the clear coat with constant polishing and correction.

It is your choice.

Skill throughout process which includes maintenance - not reintroducing defects through poor washing technique - results in very few complete correction sessions and only very small amounts of clear being removed. I have many things to do, work, family, charity and my hobbies. I view none of them as a waste or poor allocation of my energy. Guess my attitude is different. To each their own.

[Pureshine]

I will have to disagree with this. Most cars to bring out any kind of wet look will need at least a light polish like an AIO. Here is a pic of mercedes I did a little while back and used Auto Finesse Tripple on.
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/o580/kicku9/Meredese%20SLK/DSC_0726_zpsad070d7a.jpg (http://s1148.photobucket.com/user/kicku9/media/Meredese%20SLK/DSC_0726_zpsad070d7a.jpg.html)
http://i1148.photobucket.com/albums/o580/kicku9/Meredese%20SLK/DSC_0739_zps49d5f292.jpg (http://s1148.photobucket.com/user/kicku9/media/Meredese%20SLK/DSC_0739_zps49d5f292.jpg.html)

[Kamakaz1961]

Skill throughout process which includes maintenance - not reintroducing defects through poor washing technique - results in very few complete correction sessions and only very small amounts of clear being removed. I have many things to do, work, family, charity and my hobbies. I view none of them as a waste or poor allocation of my energy. Guess my attitude is different. To each their own.

:iagree:

Vrtcl, I am in your camp on this one as well as allenk4 and RayBay30's. I enjoy taking care of my car as well as my girlfriend's and very close friends. I like trying different products and try to learn new washing/waxing/correction techniques if I see the need to improve. IMO for me at least; detailing a car is my stress relief and mind relaxation. I feel I am not wasting time and energy and causing more defects.

I believe maintenance is real important in maintaining a great shine and it is fun. Any technique that I see on this post is a possible learning technique for me to try. If I like it; I use it, if I do not like it; no problem either. I just appreciate the fact that people on this site gives great ideas for me to ponder upon.

[NikonGuy]

Yep. I don't consider it wasting time cleaning and prepping my car correctly. If that involves using a DA to polish defects than that is what I will do. I don't take shortcuts anymore. If I prep and coat it correctly, with proper washing technique it won't need much more than washing to maintain the cars look for years

Not interested in covering up defects, I want to remove them and then protect car

[Loach]

A lot of people don't have the time, patience, desire, or finances to perform heavily complex detailing on their cars. So when someone comes up to me and asks what is going to get the fastest "OTC" shine for the price, I usually recommend a good soap, a spray wax to facilitate faster drying and spot free drying, and a spray wax again after the car is dry to really leave the car looking good and make sure the wax bonds better to a dry surface. That's a 15-20 minute wash and wax for me, and it certainly gets the job done to the level that doesn't require anyone to strain their backs over. I use Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Wax after the car is dry, as it has an ability to fill in minor swirls and has a better durability with regard to spray waxes. And when it's wet I end up using a cheaper spray wax to help dry the car, like TW Wax & Dry because it's cheaper and comes in 26oz and smells excellent (coconut). Doesn't replace doing it properly but it's a different method for people who don't have our perfectionist style mindset and just want a fast and decent looking shine.