1. Always buff clean. Clean your pad often. Use a spur if using wool pads or a brush if using foam pads. 
• Keep the pad surface as clean as possible, void of any foreign contaminants. 
• When you’re done sanding, make sure to clean off the sandpaper grit and clear dust that has been left behind. A good way to do this is with an ultra-soft microfiber towel and Presta’s Spray ‘N Shine™. This prevents paint defects caused by dirt scratching in swirl marks as you buff.
2. Always buff flat. Buffing on edge will usually create a swirl mark. But there are times when you may find a troublesome spot that needs to be buffed on edge. Try not to come up on too much of an angle and then run over that area again with the pad flat. 
3. Always buff wet. If your pad runs dry you are likely creating swirl marks with the friction of the pad. Presta products are water based so just a quick mist of water or Presta’s Spray ‘N Shine™ will lubricate the pad and extend the use of the Presta buffing product.
4. Always buff in a cross hatch pattern. Make vertical passes covering each pass 50% and then do the same for horizontal making each pass cover 50% of the last and this will help eliminate swirl marks as it ensures the product has a chance to work on the entire surface area. 
5. Always follow manufactures recommendations. Follow manufacturer’s recommendations on RPMs as well as moving the buffer across the area at the right speed … not too fast, not too slow so the product can work.

One Final Tip: If you have a troublesome finish and still see some slight swirl imperfection in your paint, apply polish again but this time with a wax applicator pad in straight lines from front to back and then remove with an ultra-soft microfiber towel.  

A clean boat is a happy boat.  Keeping watercraft in ship shape means extending the years of enjoying these large investments, and Presta’s complete line of marine products are designed to protect and beautify from stem to stern.

Presta offers a complete line of refinishing, cleaning and detailing marine products that can be safely & conveniently used in OEM's, marinas, boat yards and driveways:

• Water-based and VOC Compliant
• Available in a variety of sizes and packaging for convenience 
• Offer 2-1 and dilutable products for maximizing economy
• High quality, consistent performance & developed by chemists in a professional lab
  

Question: 

What’s the best combination of products that will consistently produce the highest quality shine and protection without causing solvent pop or causing costly rework?

Answer:
Presta recommends the following solution options:

1. Use a polish from the Ultra 2Step^® Buffing System like Finishing Polish or Ultra Buffing System like Ultra Polish to produce a clean, swirl-free surface without leaving silicones or waxes.
2. Use Ultra Complete Glaze™  when you have freshly cured paint and need breathable paint protection for up to 30-days.  For additional protection, try Fast Wax^® for pre-delivery prep & up to 30-60 days of protection.
3. For ultimate protection and durability, try Best Wax™ Paint Sealer.  Best Wax is a crème wax that produces a deep gloss with long-lasting protection from environmental contaminants and provides 90-180 days of protection.

EXTRA SHINE TIP
Presta makes two great instant detailers for extra shine:

• Spray ‘N Shine™ is ready-to-use, breathable film that that won’t cause solvent pop.
• Nano Finishing Spray- is an instant detailer that produces a durable shine that won’t white-out plastic.

Prepping a bumper cover and other surfaces is critical to ensuring proper paint adhesion. Correct surface prep can minimize or eliminate costly, time-consuming rework.

Scuff Stuff^® is the ideal paint prep product because it addresses two of the most common complaint areas regarding improper topcoat adhesion: 

1. Bumpers and other plastic surfaces
   
   
2. Blend areas near the repair/repainted area

How Scuff Stuff^® Works
Scuff Stuff features three attributes that make it ideal for prepping surfaces for painting:

• First, Scuff Stuff acts like a cleanser and removes surface contaminants such as waxes, road films and dirt.  This is important because those contaminants prevent proper paint adhesion.
• Second, Scuff Stuff is a water-soluble formula that rinses away without causing sand scratch swelling.
  
• Third, Scuff Stuff contains super-fine abrasives that create a consistent surface profile helping coatings spread flatter and bond more securely to treated surfaces.

Scuff Stuff^® Works Better
Because Scuff Stuff combines a cleaning and scuffing agent in one, it has superior workability.  In side-by-side bumper cover trials, using the same amount of material, Scuff Stuff outperformed the competition by 60%. The technician was able to clean and scuff more than double the surface area with Scuff Stuff vs. the leading competitors.

Scuff Stuff® Demo
Watch this DEMO to learn more about how to use Scuff Stuff and see how Scuff Stuff can save time and costly rework.

• Detail the interior and exterior of their car including washing, dressing and air fresheners
• Free tire rotations, fluids top-off, lubricating hinges and don’t forget floor protectors

• Preferred method of contact
• History of their services
• If your system is electronic- keep their credit card information on file to make the payment transaction easier and send receipts
• Mail or email service specials and promotions

Sanding & Buffing Headlight Restoration Interior Detailing Exterior Detailing

Less than 8 Credit Hours = $57
8 Credit Hours or more = $114

• Tire tread and windshield wiper effectiveness
• Windshield cracks
• Headlight cracks and output
• Salt and grime buildup
• Stale interior odors and stains
• General appearance of the tires, painted surfaces and interior carpet, plastic and upholstery

• There are a limited amount of insulated trailers for freight companies and times when temperature controlled trailers are not available to ship temperature-sensitive products. 
  
  
• Some freight companies will not ship products when freeze warnings are issued, especially when the shipment may arrive over the weekend or sit outside for any length of time.

The majority of Presta products are not damaged when frozen and can be used confidently after being thawed. In order to protect your order and minimize loss of product that is damaged when frozen, Presta may split an order containing products that are sensitive to freeze damage during frigid cold weather until it’s safe to ship.  An order may be split for this reason and Presta will notify a distributor through an Advanced Shipping Notification (ASN) should this occur.

1. At the beginning of the cold weather season, thoroughly clean the interior and exterior of the vehicle.
   Bonus Tip: Try the newest wash from Presta- Wash & Wax. Cleans & leaves a durable shine!
   
   
2. Use a durable, protective wax on the exterior.
   Bonus Tip: Use our most durable wax to prep for winter. Best Wax offers 90-180 days of protection!
   
   
3. Make sure headlight lenses have sufficient lumen output. Headlight Lens Restoration is effective and much more economical than replacing headlight lenses or having an accident.
   Bonus Tip: Presta’s ReNuLite® Professional Headlight Lens Restoration lasts up to 3 year (aerosol kit)!
   
   
4. When there’s a break from the harsh wet weather, wash the vehicle using a power washer. It helps remove salt, brine, oil, grime, dirt and other contaminants. Be sure to clean the wheels and under the chassis.
   
   
5. Apply a wax or glaze again.
   Bonus Tip: Try the newest glaze from Presta, Ultra Complete Glaze™ or an old favorite, Fast Wax™.
   
   
6. Every couple of weeks, clean the interior including protecting the leather, vinyl and plastic surfaces.  Odor eliminators and/or foggers can be helpful as the windows are not down as much in the winter months.
   Bonus Tips: Radiant™ Waterborne Dressing should be a go-to for interior and exterior detailing. Don’t forget the Leather & Vinyl Cleaner and Odor Eliminator!
   
   
7. Be careful when scraping snow and ice from a vehicle as the tools and actions can damage paint and  vehicle surfaces.
   Bonus Tip: When surface correction is needed, try the Ultra 2 Step® Buffing System featuring a choice of compounds: MaxCut™ Compound, Finishing Polish and Ultra Complete Glaze. 
   
   
8. Check tires for tread depth and windshield wipers for aging as these vehicle components are in direct contact with ice and salt, and can wear quicker. 
   
   
9. When spring rolls around, take a day to really clean and wax the vehicle. Check to see if there has been any damage to the vehicle’s surface from rocks, salt and other winter-weather road debris.
   
   
10. Fall and spring car care is the perfect time for professional refinishing and detailing.

• Body shop safe: contains no silicone
• Produces a durable, lustrous shine on a variety of surfaces
• Water-based formula can be diluted for variable levels of gloss and economy
• Ideal for quick delivery prep and a higher CSI
• Two convenient sizes to meet your needs 1 GAL. and 5 GAL. 

To purchase Radiant™ Waterborne Dressing, Click Here.

• Ideal for use on freshly cured paint
• Easy-on / easy-off application perfect for quick delivery prep
• Body Shop Safe: contains no silicone
• Produces a long-lasting, high-gloss shine that lasts up to 30 days

To purchase Ultra Complete Glaze, Click Here.

Super-hard, diminishing abrasives that cuts quickly & produces a high-gloss finish STEP 1 of the Ultra 2 Step Buffing System to produce a flawless, swirl-free final finish Water-based for quick & easy clean up Body shop safe: contains no waxes, fillers or silicones Available in three sizes: 8 FL. OZ , 32 FL. OZ and 1 GAL. for convenience and economy For best results use with Presta Black and White Wool pad #890146 or White Waffle Foam pad #890171

To purchase Ultra 2 Step MaxCut Compound, Click Here.

•    High-performing, fast-acting and easy-to-use products
•    Broad offering of versatile and time-saving products
•    Several silicone-free, body-shop safe products
•    VOC compliant, yet powerful and effective options
•    A variety of sizes, many that can be diluted for greater economy

Radiant™Non-Silicone Dressing (Solvent-based)
All-Weather Dressing
Conquest™ Heavy-Duty Cleaner
Non-Acid Tire & Wheel Cleaner
Sudzz™ Car Wash
Ultra Concentrated Car Wash
Lubri-Suds™ All-Purpose Shampoo
Fast Wax® VOC Compliant
Best Wax
Spray ‘N Shine™ Instant Detailer
Ultra Concentrated Glass Cleaner 
Glass Cleaner Aerosol
Leather & Vinyl Cleaner
Leather Conditioner
Metal Polish

• the cleaning ability of the surfactant
• the amount and lasting power of foam produced
• the concentration of the formula

1. The amount of foam they produce
2. The concentration of their formulas
3. The overall price

• Ultra Concentrated Car Wash outperforms Sudzz Car Wash in the amount of foam and the concentration categories. Foam is important in a car wash product because it allows the active cleaning ingredients of the formula to cling to the intended area of the vehicle rather than running down the side, allowing the product to cover more surface area and more effectively clean it.
  
  
• Ultra Concentrated Car Wash is highly concentrated. The concentration level refers to how much product is needed to mix with water in order to produce the performance of the car wash solution. It is usually stated as a ratio (i.e 1:128) in which the first number identifies how many parts of the product should be mixed with water.
  
  
• Manufacturers typically concentrate car wash product for convenience in shipping since water is readily available at the point of use. Water weighs a lot and is expensive to ship.
  
  
• Sudzz Car Wash carries a lower overall price. However, when effectiveness and concentration are considered, Ultra Concentrated Car Wash provides the lower cost per use as it produces over three times more car wash solution from the same 5 gallon carboy of concentrate. 

• Ultra Concentrated Car Wash is concentrated at a level of 1:400, which means only 1 fl. oz. of product is needed for every 400 fl. oz. of water (approx. 3 gal).
  
  
• So a 5 gal. carboy of Ultra Concentrated Car Wash produces 2,000 gal. of car wash solution!
  
  
• It is more convenient and affordable to transport 5 gal. of concentrate than 2,000 gal. of solution.
  
  
• Sudzz Car Wash, on the other hand, is concentrated at a level of 1:128 and therefore, one 5 gallon carboy of Sudzz Car Wash will produce 640 gallons of car wash solution.
  
  

• The majority of buffing compounds on the market are petroleum based or have a significant amount of fillers in them.
  
  
  • Buffing an area that has recently been sanded and then using a product with fillers will actually cut out a large percentage of the sanding scratch and fill in the remainder, hiding the scratch but not completely removing it.
  • Over time, the petroleum and filler components shrink from heat, direct sunlight or are washed out of the sanding scratch, thus revealing the sanding scratches that were not completely removed.
  • If you sand out a dirt nib and then apply baby oil (a petroleum based product) on that area, it will look shiny and scratch free until the area is cleaned.

•    Ultra 2 Step® Cutting Compound •    Ultra 2 Step® Finishing Polish •    Ultra Cutting Crème •    Ultra Cutting Crème Light •    Ultra Polish •    Swirl Remover •    Gel Coat Compound •    Super Cut Compound

Tip 1: Cover the wiper cowl and windshield with masking paper or towels. Even though Presta’s water-based compounds and polishes wipe up easily and (unlike some competitive products) don’t harden to a cement-like paste when dry; taking this step avoids having to wipe out vents, wipe off wiper blades and re-clean the windshield after you’re done buffing the hood.

Tip 2: Keep your buffing pads clean. Also, avoid using pads too long. As the pad gets overly saturated with product, you’ll create more and more sling. Clean wool pads regularly with a buffing spur, and be sure to use a brush to rid your foam pads of excess chemical. Finally, take the time to wash your pads after compounding and polishing.

Tip 3: Use compressed air to blow debris off of the car after you buff. If you have the luxury of working in a shop or garage with compressed air, use your compressor to blow any remaining dust and fibers left behind from the buffing pad off of the vehicle surface.

Tip 4: Wipe out doorjambs and body seams. Often overlooked, leftover compound caked in the jambs and body seams of a vehicle can be an issue. Use a clean microfiber towel to wipe excess compound out of seams.

Tip 5: Finish with a coat of breathable wax or glaze. You’ve just spent considerable time removing scratches, flaws and bringing up the paint’s gloss. A quick wax will not only make your freshly polished finish really pop, it will help protect the finish and make it last. Fast Wax helps protect surfaces from minor scratches, dust and other contaminants.

Cloudy and yellowed headlight lenses can cause serious visibility issues. The problems increase in the winter due to shorter days and inclement winter weather. Many people find that even after they replace their old bulbs, their lights still don’t have the same power as they did when the car was new. That’s because the light cannot escape from the worn and etched plastic lenses. The solution? Presta’s ReNuLite^® Headlight Restoration Kit.

Why spend hundreds of dollars on full replacement headlight assemblies, when in a few easy steps, you can restore your lenses to their original clarity? Unlike the kits you’ll find at your local auto parts or department store that are a temporary fix, the Presta ReNuLite® Headlight Restoration Kit includes a special UV Curable Headlight Sealant that protects your newly restored lenses and keeps them from re-yellowing for up to three years.

So how do you know if your lenses need restored? If the surface looks milky, hazy or yellowed, your car could benefit from a headlight restoration. As long as the lens is free of cracks, serious stone chips or other damage, you can restore it to like-new quality with our easy-to-use kit.

All you need is a drill. Click Here to watch the video.

Ultra 2 Step Cutting Compound: Ultra 2 Step Cutting Compound, Presta’s fastest and most efficient cutting compound is formulated to remove P1200 grit and finer sand scratches. This advanced formula is effective on new and aged clear coat paint surfaces over a broad range of buffing speeds. Use with Presta’s black and white wool compounding pad or white foam waffle cutting pad. This compound is part of Presta’s Ultra 2 Step System, a true two-step system. Along with the Ultra 2 Step Finishing Polish, it is the ideal choice for production shops where cycle times and finish restoration to pre-accident condition are equally important.

Ultra Cutting Crème: Presta’s best selling and most versatile compound, Ultra Cutting Crème was developed specifically for automotive clear coat surfaces. Its diminishing abrasives enable the compound to transition from a cutting to a polishing mode resulting in fewer compounding marks and less work in your polishing step. Ultra Cutting Crème removes P1200 grit and finer wet sand scratches from both fresh and aged paint. Use with Presta’s black wool cutting pad. This compound is part of Presta’s Ultra Buffing System, a tried and true workhorse. This traditional three step system provides outstanding gloss and a show car quality finish.

Ultra Cutting Crème Light: Presta’s Ultra Cutting Crème Light is a mildly abrasive compound that removes P2000 grit and finer sand scratches from any painted surface -  freshly painted to fully cured. Many detailers use Ultra Cutting Creme Light on areas of the car that need to be polished to match the newly finished section. It also works well to remove car wash scratches and snow brush scratches. Use with Presta’s yellow wool cutting pad.

Super Cut: Super Cut is a very aggressive compound designed to remove P600 grit or finer wet sand scratches from hard surfaces such as gelcoats and some paints. Many high-end boat detailers also use it on granite, Corian® and simulated granite countertops found on larger boats and yachts. Most technicians find Super Cut to be too aggressive for newly painted and clear coat surfaces. However, if you are preparing a show vehicle and have applied multiple layers of clear coat, you may start with P600 grit and use Super Cut to create that orange peel-free, mirror-like finish. Use with Presta’s  100% white wool buffing pad.

Gel Coat Compound: Specially formulated for worn and weathered gelcoat surfaces, Presta’s Gel Coat Compound will remove P800 or finer DA sand scratches and P1000 or finer wet sand scratches. This aggressive compound is the favorite among high-end boat detailers for its quick cut and easy cleanup.  Gel Coat Compound would also be the best choice for technicians that prefer starting with P1000 or P1200 in their paint refinishing process. Use with Presta’s 100% white wool buffing pad.

If you have additional questions regarding our compounds (or other products), please send us an email using our contact form.

• Product name (found on the front label)
• Part number (use the first 4 digits found on the front label)
• HMIS (found on the back label)

• Start with a white terry cleaning towel and a lint-free polishing towel.  Fold each towel in quarters.  This makes 8 small cleaning sections in a single towel.

• Choose a glass cleaner like Ultra Concentrate Glass Cleaner or Ammonia Free Glass Cleaner Aerosol.

• On the exterior glass, spray a generous amount of glass cleaner either on the glass or the cleaning towel. Wipe the glass horizontally left to right or right to left. By wiping in a single direction, you won’t smear any dirt or grime back over the clean surface. Next, spray a mist of glass cleaner on either the glass or the polishing cloth. Gently wipe the glass again in the same horizontal pattern. Move to a new section or side of the towel frequently. Make sure to lower the side windows and clean the edge of the glass hidden by the weather stripping.

• On the interior glass, use the same process as above but this time wipe the glass in a vertical pattern; top to bottom or bottom to top.

• Stand back and inspect the window, preferably in the sunlight. See a horizontal streak? You’ll know it’s on the outside. Any vertical streaks will be on the inside.”

• Rinse after each use with water or Sudzz Car Wash. When using the polymer side with Spray ‘N Shine as recommended, the polymer coating can become subject to build-up, reducing its effectiveness. A gentle rinsing will remove the build-up and return the polymer to its prior state.

• Avoid the use of any degreasers with solvents or high pH with the Wash Mitts. These cleaners can damage the polymer coating.

• Leave your Wash Mitt out in the open so it can air dry between uses.

• Avoid leaving your mitt in direct sunlight or inside a hot vehicle. Heat can cause the polymer to lose its shape and impact its ability to remove surface contaminants.
  

• Do not use on a hot vehicle. Cool the vehicle with a generous spray of water before using.
  

Now that we’re in the dead of summer, you’ve probably seen some news reporter show how hot the interior of a car gets by baking cookies on the dashboard. While a nice warm, chocolate chip cookie sounds pretty good right about now, just think of what that heat does to leather interiors.

Day after day of heat can bake any spills and soils into the leather. Compound that with the drying effect of the heat and the leather can become brittle and crack. How can you counteract the impact of heat on leather interiors?

First, remove any spills and soils from the leather with Leather & Vinyl Cleaner. This powerful penetrating formula cleans deep down into the pores to remove any dirt and stains and leaves the leather clean and film-free. Because it does pull oils from the leather, Leather & Vinyl Cleaner should be used as a deep cleaner, not as an everyday cleaner.

Now that the leather is clean, it’s time to condition the leather with a product that is specifically formulated to replace leather’s natural oils. Leather Conditioner contains mink oil and other conditioners that penetrate into the pores to condition and protect the leather. This easy to use, leather-scented cream formula is thin enough to spread freely yet not run off the surface. With its mild cleaning properties, Leather Conditioner can be used daily to maintain a rich, lustrous gleam.

• Use less product with each application but apply it more frequently
• Slow your buffing speed down from 1400 to 1200 rpm and then finish the polishing off at 1000 rpm
• Use a small amount of Spray ‘N Shine to lubricate the pad and keep the product moist

How to use your AUTOSCRUB^TM Wash Mitt: 

Step 1: Wash and dry the vehicle to remove all loose dirt and dust using the micro-fiber side of the mitt and Sudzz^TM Car Wash.

Step 2: Use the polymer side along with Spray 'N Shine^TM, as a lubricant, to remove the paint contaminants. 

Step 3: Rub, using gentle circles, and add more Spray 'N Shine^TM as necessary, to keep the mitt well lubricated. 

Step 4: Rinse the mitt with a hose, every quarter section of the vehicle, to remove any dirt from the mitt. The polymer coating works 3 times faster, and lasts four times longer, than traditional clay bars.

Owner, designer and collector, Barry Penfound, of Penfound Designs has a passion for cars and an eye for style that has earned his projects national attention from all of the most respected shows and publications.

It was called a ‘tiger’ back in the day… a performance icon that forever changed the car world by virtually inventing the term “Muscle Car.” It was the 1964 Pontiac GTO.

• Cuts Fast
• Creates a Flawless Finish
• Cleans Up Easily
• Saves Time & Money

• For the first 30 to 45 days, wash only with a regular automotive car wash like Sudzz or Ultra Concentrated Car Wash.  Using a car wash with a wax can interfere with solvent flash.  Even though a clear may be hard to the touch, solvents continue to flash for 30 to 45 days.  Use of a product with a wax during this time can cause solvent pop (small craters in the surface of the clear that look like tiny holes).
• Wash & Wax car washes can be safely used after the 45 day period.

• As mentioned above, during the first 30 to 45 days, solvents in the clear continue to escape.  Most crème or paste waxes applied during this time can trap solvents.  If you want to put a protective finish on your paint, we recommend the use of Fast Wax.  This breathable wax will not cause any issues with fresh clears and can be applied as soon as 24 hours after the paint job.
• Once 30 to 45 days have passed, a longer lasting wax, such as Best Wax, can be applied to create dazzling gloss and provide protection against environmental damage.

• Alcohol-based glass cleaners like Ultra Concentrated Glass Cleaner (#1383) at 1:13 can be used for basic surface clean up without streaking. 
• Automatic car washes are a matte finish’s arch enemy. Hand washing is the only way to go.  Use a car wash like Sudzz Car Wash (#1355) to remove road dirt and grime. Avoid any car wash with a wax in it. Rinse the car down before beginning to wash. Gently wash the car in small sections, working from the bottom up and using a back and forth motion.
  To avoid putting any scratches in the finish during the washing process, make sure you are using the two bucket system with a Grit Guard in the bottom of the car wash pail.
• To remove dust and light dirt between washes, use Spray 'N Shine (#1309). Spray on and wipe right back off with a microfiber or terry towel. This quick detailer will enhance the finish without leaving a shine.

1. Buffing at lower speeds allows the products, compounds and polishes to work more effectively at removing sand scratches and imperfections then running the buffer at high speed. The new Presta Ultra 2 Step Buffing System has proved that you can buff to a high gloss, with maximum depth and a swirl-free finish while buffing from a moderate to low speeds.
   
   
2. Lower buffing speeds gives you better control of the buffer, especially with today’s sophisticated vehicle designs that have more delicate edges and beveled surfaces than older models. Newer models have more plastic buffing surfaces that burn easily with high speed buffing.
   
   
3. Foam pads heat up very fast and the higher the speed the higher the risk of paint burns and swirls.
   
   
4. Swirl marks and “holograms” are more notable on dark paints, so it is advisable to buff at lower speeds to minimize swirl marks.

Presta is pleased to announce the introduction of our new Ultra 2 Step Buffing System. This system is designed to simplify the buffing process, while delivering unparalleled results:

• Cuts fast
• Creates a flawless finish
• Cleans up quickly
• Easy to use
• Saves time and money

The Ultra 2 Step Cutting Compound features a non-diminishing abrasive that grips immediately for fast cutting. An innovative emulsion enables you to see through the product and watch the scratch removal as it happens, ensuring precise buffing time.

Like all Presta products, the Ultra 2 Step Buffing System features water-based products. This means minimal splatter and no staining of cladding or trim, making clean up quick and easy.

Whatever buffing speed or pad preference, the Ultra 2 Step System will accommodate it. With little learning curve, anyone from a rookie to a seasoned paint finishing expert will be achieving superior results in no time.

Finally, in just two steps, the Presta Ultra 2 Step Buffing System removes 1200 and finer sand scratches from fresh or cured paint and creates a deep gloss and flawless final finish. With no waxes, fillers or silicones to hide or cover up scratches and imperfections, the finish you get stays true with no die back. Two steps and two products speeds up production, saving shops time and money.

Each Kit contains the following:

32 oz. Ultra 2 Step Cutting Compound
32 oz. Ultra 2 Step Finishing Polish
32 oz. Fast Wax
22 oz. Spray 'N Shine
Black & White Wool Compounding Pad
White Waffle Foam Compounding Pad
Grey Waffle Foam Compounding Pad
Flex Foam Backing Plate
Hornet Wipe Out Cloth
Presta Catalog

1. Place the product on pad or panel and spread it by hand
2. Place an "X" on the pad or panel with the product
3. Place an asterisk design on the pad or panel with the product
4. Place 3 to 4 nickel to quarter size dots on the pad or panel

Place the pad on the panel with no pressure. Smear product around on panel to allow it to cover the pad. If you apply too much pressure while placing the pad onto the panel it will cause the product to soak in and not spread properly. This procedure causes the product to cover from the center of the pad out to the edge. This provides better contact between the pad and the panel and uses the full surface of the pad.

• Scuff Stuff’s thick foaming action makes it easy to ensure good coverage to quickly and effectively remove wax, road film and soils.
  
  
• Scuff Stuff’s abrasives help create a consistent surface profile in blend areas and on bumpers, improving the quality of your repair. I always suggest using a fine scuffing pad and letting Scuff Stuff do the work for you. Using an aggressive scuff pad could create deep scratches that might lead to scratch swell, so it is best to work with a fine scuffing pad. 
  
  
• Scuff Stuff features a nice, fresh scent making it pleasant to use. All these benefits make Scuff Stuff the ideal paint prep product.

Visit him at wildwespaintworks.com

• Tested and approved by Ford Motor Company 
• Fast! - Cures in 10 minutes with UV light
• Contains UV absorbers and neutralizers to protect the headlight from continued discoloration for up to three years
• Protects the plastic headlight from scratches
• Easy to apply - streak free aerosol formula
  
• Economical

1. Slower rate of polish absorption. Less product is absorbed into the foam offering longer working time for better polishing results.
   
   
2. Improved control. The pockets act as little reservoirs and slowly release the polish for even pad coverage and precise control.
   
   
3. Prevents pad skipping. CCS pockets reduce surface tension and virtually eliminate the sticking and skipping that often occurs with flat/smooth surface pads.
   
   
4. Reduces heat build-up. The pockets reduce the amount of friction against the flat paint surface and can significantly reduce heat build-up. 

Bug Splats

One of the biggest challenges is dealing with bug splats on the front of your vehicle. To loosen bug splats and make them easier to remove, we recommend spraying surfaces down with Conquest Heavy-Duty Cleaner. The detergents in Conquest are paint safe and help break down bug splats. Therefore, when you go over them with your wash mitt, they will wipe away much easier. We also recommend adding an extra coat of wax to forward facing surfaces. The added slickness of the wax will help make future bug splats wipe away easier.

Washing

Headlights

Road grit, dirt and sand can break down the protective coating on your headlight lenses, causing them to dull and yellow. This etched surface makes it more difficult for light to escape, and can dramatically reduce the amount of light available for nighttime driving. Presta’s Headlight Restoration Kit lets you restore your lights to like-new clarity in just a few steps… Click here to see how it works.

At Penfound Design, the philosophy underlying every build is “Dream… Display… Drive.” Owner, designer and collector, Barry Penfound, has a passion for cars and an eye for style that has earned his projects national attention from all of the most respected shows and publications including Goodguys, NSRA, Hot Rod Magazine, Rod & Custom and a whole lot more.

For Barry, every concept starts as a dream. Then, Barry typically enlists the help of a skilled artist to create a rendering of the concept. Next, Barry uses the finished rendering to generate some excitement and interest in the build. Finally, after enlisting the help of his network of shops and suppliers the build begins.

Penfound Design’s style blends modern elements with classic styling. Always careful not to deviate too far from the vehicle’s original looks, some of his modifications are so subtle that it takes a very trained eye to even notice them. Others, like 20-inch rims and air suspension, make his cars not only appeal to hot rod enthusiasts, but low-rider and modern builders as well.

With four projects under his belt, and at least four more builds in the works, Barry is well on his way to making Penfound Design one of the premier custom car shops in the country.

Barry’s body shop partners use the Presta Ultra Buffing System Shop Pak to finish the painted cars, and Barry trusts Presta detailing products to keep his cars ready for judging at the shows he attends.

To find out more about Penfound Design, visit penfounddesign.com

Tony is not shy about showing you his binder full of impressive photos of his past builds for clients throughout the Midwest.  But, perhaps the most impressive photo is the one shown above… especially when Tony asks you to “guess what it is?”

While this low-res digital reproduction doesn’t really do the photo justice, it is actually a picture of the door panel of a ’55 Chevy Tony had just finished buffing. Not only can you make out a perfect reflection of the photographer in the foreground, the gloss is so deep that you can see with incredible clarity the trees, house and horizon in the distant background.

As owner of Tony’s Rod and Custom in Dorsey, IL, Tony Goodrich has earned a reputation as a master builder and painter. For over 11 years Tony’s Rod and Custom has been turning out one or two full-blown show cars per year, plus slews of custom flame and ghost-flame paint jobs.

As is the case with many car lovers, Tony’s passion for vehicles started at an early age. Growing up, Tony’s dad collected and restored old Mercedes and Ferrari racecars. Even during his youth, Tony showed a talent for seeing cars through a custom lens. In fact, some of his early drawings and renderings were printed in Mercedes Benz Star magazine.

These days, Tony focuses more on custom hot rods. Some of his more recent builds have been selected as “Pro Picks” at Goodguys shows and were featured on the Discovery channel series American Hot Rod.

Tony made the switch to Presta for his paint finishing a few years ago and hasn’t looked back. To achieve the mirror-like perfection he demands of his finishes, Tony uses a three step buffing process: First, he uses Ultra Cutting Crème with a black wool cutting pad to remove wet-sand scratches and start bringing up the gloss. Next, he uses Ultra Polish and a green wool pad to add depth to the gloss and remove any compounding marks left behind from the more aggressive Ultra Cutting Crème. Finally, he takes out any swirls and adds that final “pop” using a combination of Presta Swirl Remover and a blue foam buffing pad.

Once the finish passes Tony’s intense scrutiny, he protects it with a coat of Presta Fast Wax. And, in between waxes, Tony likes Presta Spray ‘n Shine to quickly wipe away loose dust and fingerprints.

To find out more about Tony’s creations, feel free to reach him at the contact information below:

Tony Goodrich
Tony’s Rod and Custom
(618) 377-2487
tonygoodrich45@yahoo.com

I have been using Presta Ultra Polish for many years.  This year the jobber salesman recommended I try Presta UV Creme Wax versus two of the leading brands which I have also used for years.

After Ultra Polish with a green wool pad, I waxed with Presta UV Creme Wax. Boat looks Great!!!!! Easy on and easy off.  Waxed sides of High Heel (41’) in hour and half (took 4 hours to polish). Went back and bought more and told everyone at the store to highly recommend it.

Great products!

Bryce C.

Hinckley, OH- February 28, 2011 – Fourteen year old driver Matt Tifft competed last week in one of stock car racing’s premier events, the 45th Annual World Series of Asphalt Racing held at New Smyrna Speedway during the annual Speedweeks in Florida.

Tifft and the #89 Presta Products Chevrolet team went into the week looking to pursue extended “seat time” for the up and coming competitor. “I knew that there was going to be a lot of competition down there and that I needed to go into this ready to learn,” said Tifft. “To be able to race that many nights in a row at a high level of performance really helped me to fine tune my racing skills,” added Tifft.

Through a week of jam-packed racing, Tifft exceeded the team’s expectations and finished tenth in overall points as well as capturing his best finish to date. “Getting a third place finish with all those great drivers was awesome!” said Matt. In addition, Tifft was also a consistent top qualifier during the week. His coach BJ McLeod was impressed adding “Matt is a mature fourteen year old who did a great job at adapting to the horsepower of the Super Late Model. He took his place among much more experienced racers and did more than hold his own. His consistent high performance bodes well for his rapidly rising career”.

Matt Tifft and Matt Tifft Racing would like to thank BJ McLeod Motorsports for all of their help and support at Speedweeks as well as all of the sponsors of the #89 Chevrolet. Tifft is sponsored by Presta Products; Judge, Lauric & Pahoresky, Certified Public Accountants and Business Advisors; Chad Allan Consulting; Rapid Marketplace; and Clinical Research Management, Inc.

Matt’s next race will be March 12th at the DeSoto Super Speedway in Bradenton, Florida for the Hoosier Elite Super Late Model 100. For more information on Matt, or for sponsorship opportunities, please contact Tracy Lindley at 608-487-1978 or Tracy@MattTifftRacing.com. You can also follow Matt on Facebook (Matt Tifft Racing) or visit www.MattTifftRacing.com.

Once again Presta will be at this year's Hot Rod and Restoration Trade Show. The show takes place March 17-19 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.

This is the premier show for the hot rod, street rod, muscle car and restoration markets. It is where the world's best hot rod builders, custom shops and industry professionals go to see the latest trends and hottest products the market has to offer.

Presta will be at Booth 421, so please stop by and see us.

In the meantime, here are a few pics of some of the amazing vehicles at last year's show:

Hinckley, OH- December 21, 2010 – Up and coming 14 year old driver Matt Tifft has had a busy off season. With various testing, sponsor meetings, driving schools, etc. things are “on track” for the 2011 race season. Driver of the #89 Presta Products car has secured more sponsorship and would like to welcome them to the team in addition to thanking returning sponsor Presta Products.

Presta carries an entire line of professional car detailing and paint refinishing products. Presta Products provides professional -quality car detailing products and buffing compounds to automotive body shops and car enthusiasts. Specializing in car care products since 1953, Presta has earned a solid reputation in the paint and body shop industry. Now, Presta Products is proud to offer its impressive line of car washes, car waxes and other car care accessories to car enthusiasts. For more information on Presta Products please visit their website at www.prestaproducts.com.

One of Tifft’s new sponsors includes Judge, Lauric & Pahoresky Certified Public Accountants and Business Advisors. They offer a full range of accounting, tax and financial services options designed to meet the needs of your business. They can help you save on taxes, prevent costly mistakes and free up your time to run your business. Through their work with many small businesses, they have developed valuable expertise in accounting and tax practices that can immediately benefit any new or existing business. For more information on Judge, Lauric & Pahoresky please visit their website at www.jlpcpas.com.

In addition, Chad Allan Consulting is also a new sponsor. Chad Allan's internet solutions accurately address the needs of small to mid-sized businesses, and start-ups. Their flexible, modular content management system allows them to customize a solution for your business. Chad Allan Consulting's portfolio includes many ecommerce, business to business and business to consumer websites, all of which utilize their content management system. They’ve also helped a multitude of nonprofit organizations convey their message. For more information about Chad Allan Consulting you can visit their website at www.chadallan.com.

Tifft and his team have their goals set high this racing season and look forward to running several events at various tracks throughout the country, primarily in Florida in the winter and Midwest as it warms up. “I’m very excited,” said Tifft. “We have a lot of work to do yet, but things are really coming together. It’s great to have sponsors in line for this season as we couldn’t do it without them” added Tifft.

Matt’s plans are to continue to work with Tim Schendel/Iron Eagle Racing, BJ McLeod/BJ McLeod Motorsports, and Benny Gordon/North South Racing. For more information on Matt, or for possible sponsorship opportunities, please contact Tracy Lindley at 608-487-1978. You can also follow Matt on Facebook (Matt Tifft Racing page) or visit www.matthewtifft.com.

Presta Products and Ranger Boats have a long-standing relationship of mutual respect and admiration. For anyone not familiar with Ranger, they are among the most highly regarded names in the bass boat market.

In addition to boats, many of the guys at Ranger are also into hot rods and classic cars. Among the most passionate car enthusiasts are long-time Ranger Boat employees (and brothers) Randy and Greg Hopper. Both Greg and Randy started at Ranger more than 36-years ago and have worked in just about every area from plant and maintenance to painters. Today, Greg serves as the Quality Manager, while his brother Randy is the President of Ranger Boats.

This '26 model T touring car was completed for Greg's father-in-law

Greg and Randy’s passion for cars started at a young age. During the 60s and 70s, the brothers spent time working on hot rods, racing in the area’s dirt track circuit and working in the local garage. While building and tuning engines is his true passion, Greg’s time spent spraying boats at Ranger increased his passion for painting hot rods as well. Among his favorite projects was his 55 Chevy Bellaire. Greg and his brother did nearly 90% of the work on this blue and white beauty themselves in their amazing custom garage. Greg eventually sold the 55 Bellaire to help pay for his kids’ college tuition, however that didn’t stop the team from diving right back into other projects and even starting their own custom, hot rod garage call Hoprods.

A work in progress, this is the frame for the '54 pickup

Among Hoprods latest undertakings are a 54 Chevy Resto Rod Pickup and a 32 Ford Roadster. The 54 Pickup is in mid-build, and although he and his brother can’t agree whether to paint it silver or red, it’s sure to look great either way.

The '32 Ford Roadster is nearing completion

Both on cars and on boats, Greg trusts Presta Products. Some of Greg’s favorites include Spray ‘n Shine to quick detail and ward off dust and fingerprints and Fast Wax to provide an easy-on-easy-off wax to his hot rods. In addition to their fleet of show cars, Greg and the rest of the guys at Ranger trust Presta Products to prep and polish each boat prior to delivery using Presta compounds. Plus, they provide all customers with a boat care kit that includes a selection of special Presta waxes and cleaners.

This is the cab for the '54 pickup – NOTE: Presta Banner in the background!

Oh yeah, Greg and Randy have a bit of a thing for Corvettes too

For more information about Ranger’s complete line of boats, visit www.rangerboats.com

One of the biggest causes of minor scratches and swirls in your car’s paint is improper washing technique. Here are a few tips to make sure that you’re not adding swirls to your paint when you wash.

Keep in mind anything that is even mildly abrasive will add micro scratches and swirls to your paint. This includes dirt nibs trapped in your wash mitt and coarse or abrasive drying towels (never use household towels – they’re much too coarse).

First, you’ll need the proper supplies. Here’s a quick checklist before you get started:

• A good all-purpose cleaner/degreaser like Presta Tire & Wheel Cleaner.
• Two buckets – one for soap and one for rinsing.
• A quality car soap or wash and wax.
• A wash mitt.
• A high-quality chamois for drying.
• A speed detailer spray like Presta Spray 'n Shine.
• Clean microfiber towels.

Before you begin, thoroughly rinse and inspect your buckets and wash mitt to make sure they are free of all dirt and debris. Next, fill your wash buckets – one with clean water for rinsing and one with your soap mixture. Be sure to follow the dilution ratios on the soap. Wash and wax products typically require more product, while concentrated car soaps typically require very little. Always mix your car soap as directed.

If you are a car or race enthusiast of any level, a visit to the Mid-Ohio School is a “must-do” for your bucket list. The day begins with a timed test of your “uneducated” skills through a coned-off road course. This time will later be used as your benchmark to see how your skills have improved when you’re tested again on the same course at the end of the day.

Next, there is a short classroom session to go over some performance driving basics including braking, hard cornering and vehicle control. These sessions are taught by Mid-Ohio’s team of veteran drivers that are experts at how to handle a vehicle.

After the short class session, it’s back out to your personal 2010 Acura TSX that you’re assigned for the day for some cornering and braking drills. This is followed by some more road course work to give you time to practice what you’ve learned in the braking and cornering drills, and to help you shave valuable seconds off of your time trial from earlier in the day.

Next it’s off to Mid-Ohio’s Honda Civic Skid Car for some more drills. By creating a very small area of rubber to road contact, this specially-designed car simulates the over steer and under steer conditions that a driver might experience – but does so at safe, slow speeds in a controlled setting.

Finally, the class is broken into several teams and taken out on to the main 2.4 mile track for some white-knuckle lead/follow laps on one of the nations’ top road courses. Then, to cap off an amazing day, it’s back to the road course that you started on for another timed run to give you an opportunity to show off your new skills.

For more information on attending the Mid-Ohio School, visit their website at www.MidOhio.com.

Autumn leaves can leave ugly stains on vehicle paint. To avoid stains, always pick leaves off immediately. Avoid brushing them off as you may scratch the surface. However, if you’re too late, and the paint does get stained, it’s not the end of the world. After washing the surface, we recommend using Presta Conquest Heavy-Duty Cleaner at a dilution of 1:10 to remove any spots and stains left behind after ordinary washing.

Step 1: Spray the area thoroughly using Presta Conquest at a dilution ratio of one part Conquest to ten parts water.

Step 2: Allow the solution to dwell for several minutes. Then, wipe the surface dry with a clean microfiber towel. Repeat if necessary – be careful not to apply too much pressure as you may end up adding scratches and swirls into the surface.

Step 3: Once the surface is clean, add Presta Fast Wax to protect the clean finish and prevent future stains and contamination.

For those of us who live in harsh winter climates, the snow, ice and road salt that we have to deal with forces many of us to garage our babies for the winter. But, there’s more to proper vehicle storage than simply parking it and forgetting it. By following a few simple tips, you can ensure your ride will emerge fully preserved in the spring.

Clean it up before you put your car away:

This one’s obvious. Any dirt you leave on your car will be even tougher to remove if you let it sit for months and months. Do the work ahead of time, and perform a thorough top-to-bottom detailing. Start with a good wash and follow that up with a healthy coat of wax. Use metal polish to shine up and protect any chrome or stainless trim. Degrease engine compartments and doorjambs and clean the wheels and tires. Finally, don’t forget to dress and protect interior surfaces and condition leather seats (if applicable).

Perform any routine maintenance and top off the gas:

Don’t put off that brake job until spring. You’ll just be pissed off when you waste a beautiful spring Saturday doing it later. Plus, it’s a good idea to go ahead and change the oil and top off all of your other fluid – including the gas. Doing so leaves less room for air, which makes it less likely that moisture will accumulate in the tank.

Find a clean, dry place:

Generally speaking, the dryer the location you can find, the better. Try to find a garage with a full concrete floor (rather than dirt or gravel). Reason being, concrete is much better at blocking out moisture. Next, clear away as much of the clutter as possible. Mice and other varmint are attracted to relatively warm and unoccupied spaces (like garages), and they love hiding behind and building nests out of your junk. And, trust me, you don’t want these guys around your car. When they get bored they do nasty things like chew through wires, use your car as their own personal toilet and worst case die and decompose somewhere inside your car where you can’t find them.

Use a quality car cover:

Once you’ve gone though all the steps above, the last thing you need to do is select a vehicle cover. For a relatively dry garage, a simple “over the top” car cover should do the trick. However, if you are concerned that moisture might be an issue, a full cover like the drive-in car capsule (shown below) may be a better alternative.

Racing got under way at Marshfield on Saturday the 11th for the opener of the Fall Shootout. In the Presta Products Impala SS, Matt qualified in the eleventh position, finished third in the heat race and drove to a respectable ninth place finish in the twenty-five lap feature. “I had a lot of fun in the race I just wish the race would have been a bit longer.” Tifft said. “It really took me like ten laps just to get a good feel for the car but we just ran out of time.” It was a great warm up for Sunday’s race which brought in over thirty-three cars that consisted of a lot of top-running drivers from central Wisconsin. Matt qualified in the 31st position and had his work cut out for him. “Qualifying is the toughest part of racing and this is just one thing that we need to work with Matt a bit more on.” commented Schendel.

With the first event of the twin 50 lap features, Tifft started in the last row in the 31st position and finished 17th in just 50 laps and got great experience in heavy traffic. With a short break in between features, just a few minor adjustments were made to the car and Tifft was sent back on his way for the final feature where he contended for a top-five spot early on. “We were really proud of him. He was under a ton of pressure at times in this race and to battle back and forth like he did at his age was pretty impressive” said driver coach Tim Schendel. Through several cautions and even a red flag, Tifft gained some great experience in avoiding wrecks and even working with the changing track conditions, etc. “The car felt awesome most of the race, but after the red flag I started to fall back a bit. I kept on charging and seventh was just the best I could do” said Tifft. Driver of the #89 Presta Products Impala SS, Tifft brought home yet another top- ten finish in his early asphalt racing career. Tifft will continue to work with Tim Schendel/Iron Eagle Racing with more testing and possibly even a few more races yet this season. Until then he plans to keep his studies up at Highland High School!

Tifft is sponsored by Presta Products that carries an entire line of professional car detailing and paint refinishing products. For more information on Presta Products please visit their website at www.prestaproducts.com. For more information on Matt, or for information on possible sponsorship opportunities, please contact Tracy Lindley at 608-487-1978. You can also follow Matt on Facebook (Matt Tifft Racing page) or visit www.matthewtifft.com.

Bonded contaminants are airborne particles and droplets including: tree sap, industrial fallout, overspray paint, pollution, road grime and plain old dust and dirt. These contaminants often settle on the horizontal surfaces of your vehicle and get further baked into the surface with the heat of the sun.

To test if your car has bonded contaminants on its surface, simply run your clean hand across the surface. If you detect bumps, or the surface feels etched or rough, you probably have some dirt embedded in your vehicle’s finish. If you really want to get a good idea of what’s sticking to your paint, grab a sandwich bag or piece of cellophane and use it to feel the surface. The thin plastic intensifies the effects so you can really feel the imperfections. Be sure to keep the bag or cellophane around so you can feel how slick and smooth the surface feels after treatment with a clay bar.

How to use your clay bar: 

Step 1: Wash and dry the vehicle to remove all loose dirt and dust. Step 2: Break off a palm-size piece of clay, and kneed it into a flat, pancake shape. Step 3: Working in approximately 2’ x 2’ areas, start by misting the area with a detailing spray like Presta Spray ‘n Shine to lubricate. Next, rub the clay bar over the surface several times. To begin, you’ll feel resistance, but it should loosen up after several passes. Work the bar over the entire area until it glides effortless across the surface of the paint. This ensures that you’ve removed all of the debris from the surface of the car. Step 4: Dry the treated area and repeat the test above by running your hand or a piece of cellophane over the treated area. Step 5: Protect your freshly cleaned surface with a coat of wax to help prevent and slow the formation of future contaminants. Presta offers both light cut and heavy cut overspray clay. For lightly effected areas, use light cut. For heavy accumulations of overspray paint or visible contamination, step up to our heavy-cut overspray clay. Presta clay bars include a plastic case to keep the clay clean and prevent it from over drying when not in use.

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When it comes to detailing, there are a million opinions and tons of information available online. A lot of the information is good, but some of it is simply misleading (or just plain wrong)! The following are three common misconceptions that we at Presta would like to clear up. 

Myth 1: Washing a car and cleaning a car are the same thing. While regular car washing is important, Car Wash Soaps really only break up and remove loose dirt and contaminants. The trouble is, even the best car wash soaps won’t touch stubborn stains, bonded dirt and oxidation. If you run the back of your hand across the surface of the paint and it feels bumpy or rough, you may consider using a clay bar. Clay bars help break loose and remove bonded on contamination that regular washing cannot. The best part is, clay bars are easy to use and even the most novice of driveway detailers can achieve a clean, smooth as glass surface with just a little elbow grease. Just remember to continually kneed and lubricate your clay!

Myth 2: Waxing alone will remove fine swirls. If only it were that easy. Unfortunately, polishing and waxing are two entirely different processes that serve two entirely different purposes. Wax is simply a layer of protection that sits on top of your paint and prevents dirt and contaminants from becoming bonded to the surface. The misconception comes from the fact that waxes typically contain ingredients that fill fine scratches and swirls, creating the appearance of a smooth and flawless finish. However, as the wax eventually begins to wash away, the scratches and swirls will reappear. Polishing, on the other hand, flattens out scratches and swirls by removing the uneven portions of your clear coat. The result is a flat, flawless finish that will not wash away. For show car quality results, we recommend polishing surfaces to bring up and enhance the gloss and using wax as a top coat to protect and add shine. 

Myth 3: Paste wax offers better, longer-lasting protection than liquid waxes. Years ago, this may have been the case, but now, with breakthroughs in ingredients and technology, liquid waxes offer every bit as good of protection as your favorite paste wax. Presta Best Wax, for example, offers 60-90 days of protection. However, keep in mind, how long your wax lasts depends heavily on how much you drive, how often your vehicle is outdoors, and your local climate and environment, so individual results may vary. 

1) Clean and rinse wheels and tires thoroughly before moving on to the paint. This seems silly, but the brake dust from constant stopping and starting of daily driving combined with the fact that your tires are continually kicking up road grime make your wheels and tires among the dirtiest places on your vehicle. We recommend spraying down the tire, rim and wheel well thoroughly with Presta Non-Acid Tire and Wheel Cleaner, and allowing the product to dwell for several minutes. Then, rinse the wheels and tires completely before you spray your vehicle and begin to wash. When your wheels are clean prior to washing, you don’t have to worry about dirt spraying back up on your fenders while you’re washing and rinsing the rest of your vehicle.

2) Loosen bug guts before you begin washing. Bug guts are not only gross, but once they’re baked in by the summer heat and sun, they can be nearly impossible to get off. One way to help loosen bugs before you wash is to coat the front of your vehicle with a light mist of Tire and Wheel Cleaner before you wash and rinse. Our Tire and Wheel is paint safe, so you don’t have to worry about damaging painted areas. The mild detergents in our wheel cleaner help break down dried on bugs, so that later when you hit them with a soapy wash mitt, they slide right off.

3) Get rid of dried bird droppings as quickly as possible. The acid in bird droppings can actually penetrate into your clear coat and leave a nasty etched spot. Therefore, you’ll want to get it off of there as quickly as possible. One, fast and easy way to do it is to fold a microfiber into fours and soak one side with Presta Spray ‘n Shine. Place the cloth on top of the spot and soak the rest of it with water (but not to the point where water is running down the vehicle’s panels). Allow the saturated towel to sit on the spot for 5-10 minutes. Finally, using your palm and fingertips, grab all around the droppings and pinch, gather and lift the spot off of the paint – this will help avoid scratches. Finally, spray and wipe away any remaining residue with Spray ‘n Shine and another clean microfiber.

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Dishwashing Soap/Detergent as a Car Wash: Dishwash soap is designed to remove everything from the surface being cleaned. Unfortunately for your vehicle, that includes stripping away all of the car wax and/or paint sealant from the surface. Repeated use leaves your surface dry and unprotected. In fact, continual car washing using dish soap has been proven to accelerate the oxidation process. Finally, dish soap is often very alkaline, which leaves surfaces with a “non-neutral” charge. This causes new wax that is applied after washing with dish soap to adhere less securely to the vehicle surface – reducing durability, longevity and protection. Professional washes, like our Sudzz Car Wash, leaves surfaces clean without stripping. And, for an added bit of protection, Presta Nano Wash and Wax actually cleans and adds a layer of protection in one, easy step.

Household “Blue” Glass Cleaners to Clean Car Windows: Most household glass cleaners contain large amounts of ammonia. While ammonia can be a powerful cleaner for cutting through the grease and grime that builds up on windows, it can also be very damaging to other vehicle surfaces like leather, vinyl and rubber. Plus, ammonia has been known to ruin aftermarket window tint. Last, but certainly not least, breathing in ammonia fumes not only smells terrible, it’s also very damaging to your health. For these reasons, all Presta glass cleaners use an ammonia-free formula with different blends of cleaners and polymers to power away grease, grime and oil without damaging window tint or other vehicle surfaces. Read more about Presta Glass Cleaners.

“Green” General Purpose Cleaners/Degreasers as Tire and Wheel Cleaner: “Green” all-purpose cleaners are more or less intended for shop use: cleaning floors, brushes, parts washers, etc. Do you really want to trust your expensive wheels and tires to the same cleaner people scrub floors with? We don’t recommend it. In fact, some of these all-purpose cleaners are extremely corrosive and may react with bare aluminum and other types of wheels. Presta Tire and Wheel Cleaner is a fast-acting, non-acid based cleaner that powers away break dust and grime from both the wheel and tire. Best of all, it’s completely safe on any type of rim when used as directed.

Those Oily Spray-On Dressing or Disposable Wipe-On Dressings for Treating Dash Boards and Seats: While products like these have been around for years, most professional detailers and car enthusiasts will tell you to shy away from them. While they initially add a very glossy shine, the problem is that these products are very oily, which actually attracts more dust and dirt. Furthermore, as they evaporate, they can leave a filmy residue all over your interior window. Plus, while they are very convenient, the disposable wipes simply dry out over time, so you typically end up wasting every other wipe. That is why we recommend trying Presta Leather and Vinyl Cleaner or Presta Clean and Shine. Both provide powerful, deep-down cleaning without the oily residue, but Clean and Shine also adds a smooth, satiny gloss for those who like a little more shine.

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Presta Products is proud to announce its three-year partnership with Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Presta will be providing detailing and reconditioning chemicals for Mid-Ohio to maintain its fleet of racecars, bikes and course vehicles.

Presta's Director of Marketing, Pat Doyle, is excited about this project. She explained, "Presta's association with Mid-Ohio is a natural extension of our marketing strategy. Not only do our current customers in the paint refinishing industry enjoy racing, race enthusiasts are also seeking the types of products Presta has to offer."

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is the Midwest’s premier destination for race, driving and riding enthusiasts. The course is home to a number of nationally sanctioned racing events for amateur, club and professional drivers and riders including: The Vintage Grand Prix, Vintage Bike Days, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge and more.

Located 60 miles north of Columbus and 75 miles south of Cleveland near Mansfield, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course features a permanent 2.4-mile, 15-turn, and a 2.25-mile, 13-turn road-racing circuit.

In addition to spectator racing and private club events, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course also offers driving classes. The Mid-Ohio School offers 15 different driving courses and five performance track riding formats to the public including: Defensive Driving, High Performance, Motorcycle Riding and more. Since its creation in 1993, over 31,500 participants, including approximately 10,500 teenage drivers, have graduated from The Mid-Ohio School.

To learn more about the track visit MidOhio.com.

The problem often gets worse in the winter months, as there is dramatically less humidity in the air. Add to that a shop heater or space heater that further dries out the air, and you're just asking for trouble.

Presta Pre-Paint Cleaner helps reduce these nasty problems and can actually help save you a step down the road. We recommend starting with our best selling Scuff Stuff Surface Prep. Unlike simple sanding, Scuff Stuff strips away wax, sealers, road film and creates a consistent and even scratch profile. Plus, Scuff Stuff washes away much cleaner - leaving less debris lying around to begin with.

Next, follow it up with Pre-Paint Cleaner. Pre-Paint Cleaner uses a blend of detergents and degreases to rid the surface of any oil, grease, wax, sanding residue or other nasty stuff that can ruin a great paint job. Plus, it's formulated to reduce static build up and help to repel some of the airborne dust and debris.

Follow these links for more detailed product information about Scuff Stuff or Pre Paint Cleaner.

Buffing black cars can be really challenging. The following guide will walk you through the process to help you achieve the best possible results. Plus, if you can do a good job on black cars, you should be able to add a beautiful, high-gloss shine to other colors as well.

Black is not really any different than other colors, it just tends to amplify even the tiniest imperfections. That makes it tough to get a mirror-like finish, free of scratches and swirls. But, if you follow the tips in this article, you can achieve outstanding results and get a flat, flawless, high-gloss finish.

Buffing tips and tricks: While there are thousands of ways to buff, we recommend following these simple guidelines to ensure the best possible results. Here are a few of our favorite tips and tricks:

• Technique: Always keep the buffer as flat as possible. Move the buffer front to back and side to side in a crisscross pattern overlapping about 50% with each pass. Keep the buffer moving, don't let it sit too long in one place. Following these simple techniques will maximize effectiveness while minimizing swirls.
• Buffer Speed: For cutting and compounding with wool pads, set your buffer at about 1800-2000 rmp. For polishing with a foam pad, set your buffer to about 1000-1400 rpm.
• Keep Your Buffing Pad Clean: Use a buffing spur or conditioning brush to regularly remove excess compound, dirt and debris from your pads. Consider purchasing a buffing pad washer to clean and recondition pads. And, be sure to replace pads often – do NOT overuse pads. It's just not worth it.
• Keep Pads Moist: This is especially important for polishing with a foam pad. Foam tends to dry out quickly, and keeping your pad and compound moist minimizes the risk of dry compound and dust adding swirls back into your paint. We recommend using Presta Spray 'n Shine to keep the pad moist and bring out the gloss.
• Buffing Hoods: The one place that you'll notice remaining swirls the most is looking out over the hood from the driver's seat. To minimize this effect, we recommend your finishing polish passes go in smooth strokes from the windshield to the grille. If any swirls and lines are left over, they'll be far less noticeable than if they're running left-to-right from fender to fender.

Getting Started:

Assess the condition of the paint: This is especially important if you're buffing a customer's car. Knowing what can realistically be accomplished through chemical reconditioning and setting the customer's expectations are important first steps. Plus, whether you're buffing your own car, or a customer's car, you're going to want to start with the least aggressive compound that will get the job done. This is because 1) you will remove less clear coat and 2) you will save time removing scratches left behind by aggressive compounding.

Select the appropriate compound and buffing pad: For heavy damage, you'll want to do a three-step process. We recommend starting with Presta Ultra Cutting Creme and a black wool heavy-cut buffing pad. This combination will remove heavy to medium scratches, oxidation, waterspots and acid rain damage. It will even remove up to 1200-grit wet sand scratches.

For step two, we recommend Presta Ultra Polish and a green wool medium-cut buffing pad. This combination removes any left over imperfections and polishes away scratches and swirl marks left behind from the more aggressive compounding done with Ultra Cutting Creme.

Finally, for step three, we recommend Presta Swirl Remover and a blue foam polishing pad. This combination flattens out the clear and leaves a smooth finish free of scratches and swirl marks.

For less severe damage, you may want to do a two-step process. We recommend starting with Presta Ultra Cutting Creme Light to clean up scratches and defects, and skipping right to Presta Swirl Remover to flatten and take out any left over swirls.

Protect Your New Finish: Now that you've gone through all of this work you're going to want your new finish to last. For your final step, we recommend adding a coat of Presta Fast Wax to keep the finish protected. Apply the wax in straight horizontal and vertical strokes – DO NOT USE A CIRCULAR MOTION. Forget what you learned from the Karate Kid, you've just spent a considerable amount making sure that your finish was swirl free. Don't add swirls back in when applying your wax!

Note: The Presta Shop Pak provides a great way to get all of the products you need in one, convenient kit. To find a local distributor, click here. Or, to order your Shop Pak online, click here.

Although the race did not go as everyone had hoped, it was one hell of an experience. Here's a quick look at the events of that weekend.

Ready for qualifying laps.

Qualifying... the team is unhappy with the car's performance.

Back in the garage, the team tries to tweak a few problems and get the car faster for the next day's race.

Race day, the car is wheeled out of the garage and ready to race.
Special thanks to Chris Beard for this amazing photo.

Trouble on turn two... Josh is driving blind through a thick cloud of white smoke. Photo courtesy of Chris Beard.

Ouch... This was the side that was pushed up into the wall. Josh had a sore foot, but was otherwise okay...

This side was hit first, another driver slammed into Josh and forced him into the wall... The team is scrambling to get the car in good enough shape to push it back on the hauler.

Fenders hacked off with a sawsall and plasma torch, the tires are ready to go back on...

Finally ready to go back on the hauler.

Presta Products hopes to be involved in future events as more opportunities develop – stay tuned...