Here's How the Lead Detailer at ECD Gets Vehicles to Look Spotless

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There really isn't anything like a showroom shine. That elusive impeccable quality is typically reserved for prepurchase cars, as the first drive home begins your ride's descent into the dark realm of swirls and scratches. Higher-end vehicles do this best, as price reflects an expectation of quality and flawlessness. Nobody knows this better than the experts at the restoration firm ECD Automotive Design; their wheeled creations are works of art. Check 'em out.

But how can everyday enthusiasts revive their ride's showroom shine? Is it even possible? How do the professionals do it? To answer these questions, we checked out ECD's main facility outside Orlando, where brand-new custom Land Rovers are parked out front, and chatted with lead detailer Jay Flowers. He's been detailing cars for 27 years and was a source of excellent information.

What to Expect

• Estimated time: Two to 20 hours, depending on the condition of the paint.

• Experience level: Amateur to professional.

How to Give Your Ride a Showroom Shine

Step 1: Some Good Know-How

First, a general rule of thumb: It's always easier to maintain a showroom shine than to resurrect one. Of course, there are options for reapplying a like-new shine to your ride's exterior, but you'll need access to plenty of cash and a good shop. For the rest of us, it's all about how close we can get it with our own hands.

Now, a simple wax job won't give you the shine you want—you gotta lay that foundation first. That means using some abrasives and clay bars. Sounds like scary stuff, but Flowers assures us it's doable, not to mention necessary.

Step 2: Clay Bar

Performing a clay-bar wash on your vehicle before using any abrasives is essential but tedious. It's important to take your time with this step. Rush through it, and any junk left behind will find its way into your paint during the polishing process. Flowers likes the Meguiar's clay bars and recommends three types depending on how damaged your paint is:

Meguair's Aggressive Detailing Clay (Red)

For severe scratches, you'll need to buff afterward.

Meguiar's Mild Detailing Clay (Blue)

Non-abrasive, you will need to wax after.

Meguiar's Consumer-Grade Clay Bars (White)

Wax-safe.

Step 3: The Polishing Stage

Once your clay-bar wash is complete, it's time to move onto the polishing stage. Flowers's polisher of choice? A classic Porter-Cable dual-action (DA) model paired with a Meguiar's microfiber pad. He uses it for just about any type of minor to moderate surface cleanup, including swirls, scratches, and hazing.

Just as important as the tool, the compounds Flowers recommends are Meguiar's Correction Compound and Meguiar's Finishing Wax. Fortunately, they come together in a handy kit aptly named the Meguiar's DA Microfiber Correction System.

Porter-Cable Dual-Action Polisher

Meguiar's 6-Inch Microfiber Finishing Disc

Meguiar's DA Microfiber Correction System

For technique, Flowers recommends these steps for the best results:

• Apply the compound with the DA until it begins to penetrate the paint.

• Allow it to glaze.

• Apply wax with the DA.

• Let sit for 30 to 45 minutes.

• Wipe away everything together.

What You'll Need to Maintain That Shine

Now that you have your vehicle's paint nice and shiny, what should you use for maintenance? Here's what Flowers says:

3D Wash N Wax Car Wash Soap

Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wax

Ardex Nano Wax Sealant

Borla Stainless Steel Polish

Meguiar's Metal Polish

Invisible Glass

Chemical Guys Big Mouth Foam Cannon

Chemical Guys Cyclone Dirt Trap Bucket Insert

Ardex 4288 Spot Delivery

Once you've built this arsenal of paint correction and cleaners, you're ready to get to work bringing your ride's paint back to its original brand-new look. Don't just take our word for it—take it from Flowers!

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