Retired_CPO

That's really a very cool shot. Nice work Steve

Nice shot!

If you seal them (QS or LPS) they will stay cleaner longer.  Since you probably will be washing them more often, Car Wash Shampoo should work fine.  I keep some pre-mixed in a bottle with a foaming sprayer and that works great for me (no rear discs on my cars)..

I actually wipe it off with a clean micro after I've used it to avoid that problem.

Yup, less is more. On hard plastic surfaces I apply, let it sit for 10 min or so, then wipe it down.

Way to take one for the team.

Basically its a new spin on the 2-bucket method, you should still have your soap and rinse buckets, but keep a 3rd bucket of a different color and SOLELY dedicate it to wheel/tire cleaning, as well as your tools for wheel and tire cleaning.  Never use a tool that has been used on wheels/tires, on the paint, and vice versa.  Add the 3rd bucket to your routine and you will be significantly safer washing the vehicle IMO.  This is a tip I picked up from Larry Kosilla.
 
For what its worth any tools I use on wheels/tires can be used in the engine bay as well, but I don't use them on paint.

I'm not familiar with the 3 bucket method but I do use the 2 bucket method.  I will have to check it out...thank you.

If you're using Americana, I would wax every 2-3 months. I would say Americana durability is about 3-4 months. If you just enjoy waxing your car which many of us do, you could use something like buttery and wax like every month. After your car has accumulated a few coats of wax though, I would do a strip wash before layering any more wax. 

Ok, I will be the one to chime and say 'use BG!".  
 
As the others have said, using Americana that often is overkill, but using a glaze on top of the wax will be fine.  Truthfully, the solvents in BG can deteriorate the wax, but if you are waxing every few months you should be fine.  After your wash just wipe on BG and remove, it goes on and off very easily, but adds a nice 'pop' to the paint.  
 
I don't use it often on my own cars, but I use on client's garage queens and they love it! 

I reapply wax whenever my drying towel doesn't guild effortlessly across the surface.

I agree BG is what you want to use instead of waxing so much........Wax every 3 months and you can apply BG every weekend, the great thing about BG is it won't build up like wax will.
 
Adam's Brilliant Glaze

No more than once a month! 
 
It really depends on many variables...  Garaged?, DD?, hot weather? and such...  
 
A base of sealant on clean untreated paint is best for a DD then top with Americana if you wish.  
 
Chris

personally - im a huge 911 fan
 

 
or the singer builds
 

Wow Steve, those are great shots!

Looks great. 

What color is that car?
 
:lolsmack:
 
 
Very nice car and photographs. 

Nice!

Great to see an unmolested, well-taken care of SRT-4 that doesn't have cracked fenders and chipped paint all over.   

Recent photoshoot that took place in various places around South Eastern Connecticut.  Pictures were taken on June 16, 2014 by a friend of mine who is a photographer.  Any and all comments and suggestions are appreciated.  Thank you.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

Recent photoshoot that took place in various places around South Eastern Connecticut.  Pictures were taken on June 16, 2014 by a friend of mine who is a photographer.  Any and all comments and suggestions are appreciated.  Thank you.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

Also, tape off the paint around the tip to protect it from the steel wool.  This will also allow you to be more aggressive with it without the worry of harming the paint. 

Any hardware store should carry #0000 Steel Wool.
 
I'd definitely use that with MP #1 after cleaning them with APC since those will take some effort to bring back to life.