Best way to get a shiny car???, What are your secrets? Options

[massbrandon]

Hey guys I thought I would start a thread because I wanted to know some of you guys secrets to making your car very shiny. In other words, what cleaning products do you use (i.e. car wash, wax, clay bar, etc). I wasn't sure where to put this so I put it in general discussion. Thanks guys and please do share your secrets unless you just really do not want to.

[97lestyousay]

meguiars nxt shampoo often with microfibre rags 8 or more per wash so not to
pick up dirt and rub in other areas.

I wash in zones.
bug off should have been already used and rinsed if needed.
along with wheel cleaner
1 roof and hatch
2 rear
3 driver side down to body line where chip guard is
4 pasenger side same
5 hood to front highest to lowest
6 lower drivers
7 lower passenger
8 scrub wheels and tires
new rag for each zone maybe more depending on build up.
careful inspection of water and rags to not bring contaminants back onto
paint.
constant re wetting of areas washed previously.
Final rinse with no nozzle to get a good sheeting action before drying.

micro fibre towels for drying and waxing
meguiars nxt paste wax 3 to 5 times a year
meguiars scratch x once a year complete car

dawn to strip wax base about once a year then fresh wax right after

[saleeka]

dawn to strip wax base about once a year then fresh wax right after

I always have heard to NEVER use household detergents because they strip wax and the oils out of the paint itself... I don't remember where I read this exactly, but it's stuck since I was a little kid... Is this not true? I've used a step 1 "cleaner wax" on my cars about once every 1-2 years to strip old wax reside away...