Keeping Your Paint Mint: A Real-World Guide to Protection

Give the car a proper wash using the two-bucket method. Use a high-alkaline soap if you've got old wax to strip. Get into the wheel arches and behind the fuel door, dust hides everywhere.

Spray your iron remover over the dry paint. It'll turn purple as it dissolves brake dust and rail dust. Rinse it off thoroughly after a few minutes, but don't let it dry on the paint!

Use your clay mitt with plenty of soapy water as lube. Run your hand over the paint, it should feel smooth as glass. If it feels like sandpaper, you haven't finished.

Wipe the whole car down with an IPA solution or a dedicated panel prep spray. This removes any leftover oils. If the surface isn't 'squeaky' clean, your ceramic or sealant won't bond, and it'll wash off in a month.

Wait for a cool arvo or get started early in the morning. If the metal is hot to the touch, stop. I've made this mistake myself on a black Commodore, the product flashed instantly and it took me hours of polishing to fix it.

Work one panel at a time. For big panels like the bonnet or roof, split them in half. Don't try to do the whole car at once unless you're a masochist.

Apply a few drops of your sealant or ceramic to the applicator. You want it damp but not dripping. A little goes a long way, trust me on this one.

Apply in straight lines, up and down, then left to right. This ensures you haven't missed a spot. Avoid circular motions, it's not 1985 and we aren't using Turtle Wax anymore.

If you're using a ceramic coating, look for it to 'rainbow' or bead up slightly. This usually takes 1-3 minutes depending on the humidity. Sealants usually need a bit longer to haze over.

Use your first clean microfibre to gently level the product. You aren't scrubbing, just lightly spreading the excess.

Use a second, fresh towel to buff the panel to a high shine. Use a torch (the light on your phone works well) to check for 'high spots' or dark patches. If you miss these, they'll harden and be a pain to move later.

Repeat the process. Remember to flip your towels frequently to a clean side.

If your product is trim-safe, chuck some on the plastics too. It'll stop them turning that ugly grey colour after a summer in the sun.

This is the most important part. Most coatings need 12-24 hours to cure without getting wet. Don't go for a drive, don't let the sprinklers hit it, and for god's sake, don't wash it for at least a week.