Let me count the ways on the subject of having the showroom new car! First the do nots. DO NOT send your car through the gas station car wash, I will reach through this article and slap you. In fact don't let anyone else touch your car, not even the courtesy wash at the dealership. I've had a few luxo cars in my time and I've had to request they not give me a courtesy wash.

Convenience is not the key to the nice looking car we all pay dearly for each month.

Having said that, now I'll give you the must do's. Use car wash soap from some of the major brands, Eagle One is a favorite of mine although there are many good ones, but don't use dish washing soap, no good for the paint. Another key is to use 2 quality leather chamois. One to wash with, one to dry with. Never use a towel at all, it will put tiny hair line scratches in the clear coat, although temporary until you wax again. Using a chamois for both the washing and drying process will cut down tremendously on needed waxing, especially on black cars.

Mix your bucket with warm water and car wash soap, water your car down with the hose, preferably with a jet spray or garden attachment. Use the chamois starting at the top of the car ( this allows the soap to run downward and do some preliminary work for you). If your car is in the sun be sure and do not let the soap dry by spraying your sections down before they dry. As you work through the sections wet down the already washed sections to prevent water spots.

When the body of the car is done, spray your wheels with a wheel cleaner, start at one and go around the car. Be sure you keep a little water on the body at all times during the wheel cleaning, then use the washing chamois for the wheels. It's ok to do one side at a time for the wheels before spray off. Give the whole car one more spray down of water.

Here's the cool part, get in immediately and drive the car around the block, if you live really close to a highway that's even better. Give the car a quick air dry,this will spin off excess water from the wheels, the windows, and the annoying crevice in the side view mirrors where water will sit otherwise after you dry off. This is the air dry mode and it will save you alot of time when drying the car. Don't air dry much longer than a few minutes though. When you get back immediately dampen your drying chamois and get to work on drying the rest of the car.

After you've dried the car, use a spray wax, again I suggest Eagle One, but there

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