In the April 2022 issue of Hot Rod magazine, there was an article about car detailing entitled, "Bring Out Your Best." In the article, professional detailers list their tricks, techniques and tools. Here is a brief recap of the article, in which they describe the stages that lead to a mirror finish: Cleaning Remove surface contaminants by washing with a high-end product, like Double Black Renny Doyle Collection Auto Shampoo. It won't foam up and rinses away clear without leaving a residue. Use a microfiber towel or mitt and the two-bucket method with grit guards. Claying Use clay bars and pads, with lubricants, to remove tough contaminants, if any, before paint correction and polishing. Compounding Use rubbing compounds to eliminate heavy defects in the paint. These come in different levels of abrasion. Always start with the least aggressive compounds and pads first. Remember that it is easy to move to a more aggressive level, if needed, but not so easy to move in the other direction if you started too high. Polishing Apply polish to eliminate finer scratches and enhance the light reflection that produces shine. This is a fine-tuning step that "finesses the paint." Some detailers call this "jeweling." Similar to compounds, always start with the lowest abrasion level for protection of the finish. Any procedure for removing scratches and swirls involves removing a portion of the finish. The goal is to avoid removing any more than is necessary. The hardness or softness of paints, as well as the thickness, are all factors detailers need to know when planning paint correction. Generally, OEM paint is cheaper and thinner than multi-coat custom paint jobs. Electric Polishers Rotary polishers were once standard in the detailing industry. Now, they have been replaced by dual action polishers, such as the DeWalt, Rupes and Flex polishers. These polishers spin and oscillate and eliminate the risk of burning the paint off of a car. Pro-Lighting Shop or garage lighting is not very good for seeing surface defects, so detailers use professional-level LED lights, such as Scangrip Colour Match, Husky and Utiltech Pro, to spot swirls and scratches. Note- There is an authoritative 92-page guide on this subject entitled, "Detailers Dictionary," by Christopher Evans.
I believe one needs a special cleaner/protectant to protect the satin finishes on the Challenger like the rear end spoiler and the black gas cap. I would not want that optional black satin hood. I have seen too many on used car dealer lots that have been neglected with water spots and everything else. Probably alot more higher maintenance to keep that black satin hood looking good.
