12 Detailing Tips And Tricks - OCD: Obsessive Compulsive Detailing

2. Dry
1. There are many things you can dry your truck off with, such as a plain towel, a Water Blade, a microfiber, or an Absorber.

2. Everything but the plain towel works great, and we don't have a preference. We will say that the Meguiar's Water Magnet dries great, the California Water Blade makes quick work of initially getting the water off the truck, and the Absorber is a great piece to keep in the truck for drying on the go. The California Water Blade is made from ultra-soft silicon and allows you to squeegee off 90 percent of the water, so all you have to do is come back and touch up the little leftover droplets.

3. One last little tip for drying: Use either compressed air or your shop vacuum to get standing water from areas like the mirrors or around the door handles(3&4).

3. Paint
1. The wash should have removed the loose stuff, but for the harder, more stubborn contaminants, we will start with a Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay treatment. To use the clay, form it into what looks like a hamburger patty, spray the truck with the Quick Detailer, and then rub the clay in a circular motion. The clay will grab anything stuck to the paint and hold it, leaving your finish nice and smooth.

When the clay becomes dirty, fold it over and knead it back into shape.

2. Take your time, and be thorough. When you are finished with the clay, you need to remove any stains or light scratches with a Cleaner Wax like this one from 3M.

3. After the cleaner wax has dried to a haze, buff it off with a microfiber towel.

4. Then, a final application of a good wax will seal in the shine and protect the paint from the elements.

5. When it comes to waxing, we recommend applying the wax in small, overlapping circles.

This will help you evenly spread the product. The best way to tell if the wax is dry is to wipe it with your finger.

6. If the wax doesn't smear, it's dry. Once it is dry, wipe it off with another microfiber towel.

7. For you owners of suede paint, here is an option to care for your finish. A duster like this one from California Car Duster does a great job of removing the loose dirt and dust.

8. To protect your paint, try some of this Natural Finish Detailer from Armor All. It is loaded with UV protectant, but it won't add any shine to the suede paint.