# Best stuff for a shiny car **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** crosstrek, subaru\ **Created:** [August 12, 2020, 4:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/best-stuff-for-a-shiny-car/168575 "2020-08-12T16:49:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![eleanorsky\_146661](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b38774/32.png) [@eleanorsky\_146661](https://community.cartalk.com/u/eleanorsky_146661)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2020, 4:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/best-stuff-for-a-shiny-car/168575/1 "2020-08-12T16:49:21Z")
What’s the best shine and protectant product out there, and where do I find it? I heard about a product called F-11 (?) that’s supposed to be great, but can’t find it anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2020, 4:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/best-stuff-for-a-shiny-car/168575/2 "2020-08-12T16:53:05Z")
A properly (professionally) applied high-quality ceramic coating will be a long-lasting shine and paint protectant that is probably the highest-quality choice. But it’s expensive, and unless your car is something special like a show car or an exotic – or you just don’t want to have to be bothered with waxing your car ever, it may not be worth it to you. If you’re looking for a DIY option that doesn’t cost 3-figures, I like Meguiars Ultimate synthetic polymer spray coating. You’ll have to re-apply that every couple of months or so (frequency will depend on how much time the car spends outside in the elements). ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2020, 4:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/best-stuff-for-a-shiny-car/168575/3 "2020-08-12T16:53:06Z")
Just any name brand vehicle wax is good enough . I only wax our 2010 3 or 4 times a year and it still looks good. Now if you want real good videos and articles about vehicle care go to the Autogeek web site . Don’t waste your money on some over priced after market coating . ---
**Author:** ![eleanorsky\_146661](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b38774/32.png) [@eleanorsky\_146661](https://community.cartalk.com/u/eleanorsky_146661)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2020, 5:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/best-stuff-for-a-shiny-car/168575/4 "2020-08-12T17:40:57Z")
I do see Meguiars at the stores I frequent. Being in a wintery state, we wash our garaged cars about once a month. Is one supposed to reapply after washing? ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2020, 5:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/best-stuff-for-a-shiny-car/168575/5 "2020-08-12T17:43:32Z")
It should hold up to several washings. Me, I never wax, store the cars in a garage at home and at work, look fine after 9 and 12 years. Heresy! ---
**Author:** ![wolyrobb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wolyrobb/32/45497_2.png) [@wolyrobb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolyrobb)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2020, 6:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/best-stuff-for-a-shiny-car/168575/6 "2020-08-12T18:41:33Z")
Using a good quality product such as the ones available from Meguiar’s or Griot’s Garage as long as you apply more than one coat at a time you should go 6mo or longer before you need to reapply. Autozone has Griot’s products on the shelf at least around here.