Still shines purdy good for a 5 year old vehicle that sits outside 100% of the time in the hot southern sun:





And the Jeep is seven years old now:

 

i've always had good luck with maguires. i am not very impressed with their gold class wax... everytime i use it i get a smeary look, no matter how long i let it dry. next i am going to try their tech 2.0 because the box is shiney.

 

I wash my car once a week, sometimes twice. Im alittle OCD about keeping it super clean. i use maguires soaps and then ICE polish. I wax every month or so but try to use the ICE polish after every wash, especially for anyone who has plastic on there truck like me (mirrors,bumpers,moldings) it makes the plastic absolutely pop. Try it you wont be disappointed

 

well, i ended up going with some maguires. turned out really nice. i spent all day detailing just the outside. started off with a wash, then the maguires clay bar, then the new tech 2.0 wax. looks pretty shiny. im uploading a few pics to my photobucket now, but taking the truck on a photo shoot tomorrow.

 

look up turtle wax ice. that stuff is good, easy to find, cheap, & easy to apply. heres the site: http://www.turtlewax.com/main.taf?p=2,1,1,1

 

I like this stuff too:

http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+G12711

http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+G12310

How does a clay bar work? What is the process of using it?

 

HammerZ71, I'm going to try your method, super post. Your secret stops here w/me.
Your key words are "too abrasive". Once the your clear coat is damaged, the fun is over.
I will not apply any waxes with cleaners, most are too abrasive, and never electric buff anything.
My fav wax, is or equiv to Johnson's Paste floor wax on painted metal and light lens.
Armor-All the rubber and plastic clading. Plenty of buff'g towels.

 

I used Zaino bros products when I had a dakota and it worked great. There soap was especially good. Wax was easy to apply and wipe off, they recommend a 100% USA cotton towel for removal. It doesn't leave the nasty white stuff on the black plastic trim. Also, if you wash your vehicle with dish soap it will strip all the old wax and crap off the paint.