Three Steps To A Fast, Show-Stopping Finish

Achieve A Stunning Show Car Shine With Only Three Essential Products

We all know how busy life can get, and sometimes, unfortunately, that means your detailing plans get put on hold. But don’t worry if you don’t have the time for a full correction before your next show, because we’ve got the perfect trio of paintwork-enhancing products that deliver stunning results—faster than ever before.

With just three simple steps, you can take full advantage of this powerful combination of cleansers and finishers. Trust us, they always work together to create results that are far greater than the sum of their parts!

The results speak for themselves. Whether you're prepping for an event next weekend or just want to treat your paintwork to some deep, glossy perfection, this three-step process is sure to take your car's shine to the next level.

Here's How To Get It Done Like A Professional

The Most Important Step - Safe Washing & Proper Preparation Are Key

It's essential to complete these final finishing steps on paintwork that’s thoroughly clean and decontaminated. Otherwise, you risk damaging the surface by dragging contaminants around as soon as you make contact.

Start by washing your car safely, beginning with a thorough pre-wash using Citrus Power Bug & Grime Remover, followed by Avalanche Snow Foam and a two-bucket wash with Lather Car Shampoo. Once you've removed the grit and grime with your wet work, don’t forget to carry out a full 3-stage decontamination. This step is crucial to eliminate embedded, often invisible contaminants that washing alone can't remove.

Finish your "decon wash" with Iron Out Contaminant Remover to remove ferrous metal particles, ObliTARate Tar & Glue Remover for sticky residues, and a Clay Bar with Glide Clay Lube to physically lift organic and inorganic contaminants from the surface. This will leave your paint as smooth as possible, ready to be thoroughly dried and masked for the next steps.

For a comprehensive guide on decontaminating paintwork, check out our full article, "How to Safely Decontaminate Your Paintwork."

Remember, there’s no substitute for proper preparation—only once that’s done can we move on to the next steps.

Step 1 - Make Sure The Surface Is Spotless

The first step to achieving the ultimate finish is to clean and refine your paint with Rejuvenate Paintwork Cleanser. This unique blend of fine, diminishing abrasives and deep-cleaning solvents effectively removes stubborn paint oxidation and light swirl marks, refining the top layer of your paint to a flawless finish.

As a polishing compound, Rejuvenate works by removing a microscopic surface layer to mechanically eliminate defects. The key point to note is that the advanced diminishing abrasives in Rejuvenate start off very fine and become even finer as they're worked into the surface. This gentle abrasion makes Rejuvenate more of a light paint refiner and deep cleaner, rather than a heavy-duty cutting compound for extreme defects.

When it comes to application, the fine abrasives in Rejuvenate make it relatively easy to work by hand using a Polish Pad or Microfibre Applicator. For even faster and more consistent results, however, Rejuvenate can also be applied with a machine polisher.

Simply mask off any sensitive areas and edges, then use a soft foam pad to work the product, panel by panel, until it becomes clear. Once you buff away the residue, you'll instantly notice the difference that a little refinement can make. If you're looking for enhanced polishing performance or using Rejuvenate on harder paint types, you can switch to a slightly firmer foam pad for added cutting power.

Rejuvenate is specifically formulated to create the ideal surface for wax bonding, perfectly complementing the unique properties of our Signature Hard Wax collection. This means you can go straight to applying your wax protection after using Rejuvenate for a stunning, long-lasting finish. However, before you jump to waxing, we’ve got a professional tip that can add an extra layer of brilliance and take your gloss to the next level!

Step 2 - Hiding Imperfections & Achieving A Deep, Wet Gloss

Paint glazes are often the secret weapon for achieving a flawless, concours-level finish. For those in the know, these products are an essential step to elevate the appearance of any paintwork before applying wax-based protection.

Our Ultra Glaze Paint Glaze is a unique formula designed to enhance clarity and deliver an ultra-deep, wet-look gloss while simultaneously concealing minor imperfections. Its effectiveness lies in the inclusion of advanced non-abrasive acrylic polymers, which work to fill in light scratches and swirls. By smoothing out these imperfections, Ultra Glaze ensures that light is refracted and reflected more evenly, creating a visually stunning finish.

Ultra Glaze isn’t intended to refine paintwork through abrasion but rather to reduce the visibility of minor defects, effectively masking swirl marks and other imperfections. By subtly altering the way light refracts off the surface, this product creates the illusion of greater depth in the paint, particularly on darker colours. It also intensifies red tones, making them appear more vibrant and fiery, while adding an extra sparkle to metallic finishes, enhancing their overall brilliance.

Ultra Glaze can also be applied with a machine polisher, but since it contains no abrasives to break down, applying it by hand is nearly as quick and effortless. Regardless of the method you choose, Ultra Glaze consistently delivers the perfect finishing touch before adding wax-based protection.

Step 3 - Enhance The Shine & Lock It In With A Wax

Similar to glazes, waxes amplify shine by smoothing the top layer of paint or clearcoat, but they operate on an even smaller scale. On a molecular level, paintwork surfaces aren't completely flat—they're riddled with tiny ruts and recesses, resembling a miniature mountain range. These imperfections, though much smaller than scratches or swirls, still scatter light in various directions, which can make the paint appear less deep and vibrant.

In addition to providing long-lasting protection—which is a key reason for applying wax—waxes enhance gloss by "leveling the optical finish." Essentially, they create a smooth, translucent layer over the surface while filling in the microscopic imperfections, much like plaster smooths out a wall. This uniform layer reflects light more evenly through the wax, giving your paintwork a richer, deeper, and glossier appearance.

A common misconception is that natural wax-based products, particularly those with carnauba, are completely clear and sterile like man-made ceramic coatings or paint sealants. In reality, these wax layers aren’t fully transparent but are rather "pellucid," meaning they contain subtle impurities that add a slight color tint, affecting how light is reflected. This is actually a good thing, as these tints create the warm glow that's signature to wax finishes. It’s precisely this quality that makes wax layers stand out, offering a look no other protection can quite match.

There are different approaches, of course. For those seeking the ultimate in quick, effortless application, we recommend Radiance Carnauba Crème. This product delivers the deep gloss and smooth finish of a hard wax, but with minimal time and effort required.

This quick-hazing cream can be effortlessly applied by hand in seconds, and under normal conditions, there's no need to work panel by panel. Simply cover all paintwork and gloss plastics, then buff off the residue. Radiance bonds to surfaces instantly, providing up to 3 months of protection. It’s also perfect for topping up protection with every detail, making it an essential product for regular showgoers.

That’s how you achieve an incredible show-car shine in no time at all. Give it a try yourself and don't forget to share your results with us on the AF socials.

If you're after longer-lasting protection, though, consider applying a product from our Signature Hard Wax Collection, tailored to your paint type. With either choice, you can't go wrong.