Keeping your paint looking fresh is an important part of being a classic car owner. Not only does the paint make your ride look appealing, it is also an important part of protecting the metal parts of your car from rust and damage. Your Ford electronic auto repair manual will give you input on creating that beautiful finish so let's go over how to keep that paint looking beautiful.

Before beginning, make sure your car is not in direct sunlight and that the paint is cool to the touch. You don't want to bake in any polish or wax that you might use on your car. That would be counterproductive. The first step you should perform is to wash your car. To do this, you need some important tools:

* A cotton or micro-fiber mitt * A 5 gallon bucket * Cleaning supplies that are both pH balanced and non-detergent

Make sure that you pre-rinse your car with plenty of water before you wash your car. Water is a universal solvent and will loosen up and remove articles on the vehicle that may scratch your paint when rubbed with a cloth. If you do scratch your paint, consult your Ford download automotive repair manual on how to repair your paint. When washing, you should wash and rinse your car in sections, to ensure that any soap that you use doesn't dry onto the paint.

Once you have washed your car, it is important to dry the car. You should never skip this step. Drying your car will prevent water spots and mineral deposits that will break down your car's paint over time. You should use a detailing cloth made of cotton or sheepskin to dry your car as polyester may scratch the paint.

Washing may not get rid of all the road grime, tar, sap, and bug guts that your car may have encountered while out on the road. For road grime, you might try a detailing clay bar as these bars can pull off the road grime without damaging the paint. For tougher substances, like tar, sap, and bug guts, denatured alcohol can do the trick. First, pre-soak the area you would like to clean by pouring a small amount of the denatured alcohol on a soft cloth and holding it over the affected area. Once you have loosened up the material you wish to remove, you will need to use different methods to remove it. For bug guts, use a circular motion to remove them. For tar and sap, rub gently towards the center, without making circular motions as this action will rub the substance in further. Once you have completed this step, you will need to rinse the car again to remove any trace of the alcohol. Then you will have to repeat the drying process.

The most important step comes next: waxing. Use a carnauba wax or paint sealant to wax your car. Carnauba wax, while more affordable, only lasts 8 - 12 weeks and will need to be reapplied. A paint sealant, however, will last up to six months.

While these activities could take up a full day of your time, they are well worth the effort as, when done correctly, these things will keep your car looking shiny and new.

By Colin Graham

Colin is a freelance writer.

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