Detailing.

First of all apologies for the americanism in the title.

I have a couple of questions that I would be interested in fellow forum member's opinion on:

I have a Sapphire Black E46 that I like to keep as well looking as possible! It is waxed and washed regularly using Meguiar's products. My first issue concerns "beading"; my car beads extremely well, to the point where all the air-borne dust and dirt gets trapped in the water-bubbles and the car looks terrible when the water dries.

Example: Sunday; fine morning, washed and dried the car. Mid-day - one small shower; car remains wet (on account of beading) sitting still the rest of the day. Monday morning; looks dirty.

All my neighbour's cars appear to have not a smidgen of wax on them and water clearly doesn't bead but their cars, even without having been washed on Sunday, look better on Monday!

Are there any good car-care products designed not to create beading?

I bought a Meguiar's Clay Bar kit and intend to finish using the Meguiar's 3-step (cleaning/polishing/waxing) procedure, any experience with either?

What's the best product you've used to beautify your cars?

I am looking forward to trying the clay bar and 3 Step; all I need is a long, dry Saturday or Sunday without direct sunlight!

I do use my car on an almost daily basis but used to travel for extended periods during the summer; seriously considered getting a cover but was discouraged by friends warning that it would increase the likelyhood of vandalism (I don't understand the logic myself but haven't bought the cover, nonetheless).

I do actually use the Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection. It has to sit on the car until completely dry and I am always dreading a sudden light shower during this part of proceedings.

Thanks for the tip on Tesco tyrespray. I have until recently stayed clear of tyreshine, prefering my tyres au naturel, but my Michelins have a boring tendency to turn a very tedious brownish colour. I now use Autglym tyreshine which looks great but doesn't last long - will try Tesco's.

Had a nice long, windy, cold but dry day yesterday so I washed, clayed and three-step'ed the car using Meguair's. Spent 7 hours and had had enough before the lower sills and wheels were done! Read Clarkson in the Sunday Times; made me laugh; I don't agree with much he says but he is an excellent writer!

With Jeremy's article ringing in my ears I went out this St. Patrick's morning and finished the job.

Claying takes a bit of a leap of faith but it certainly lifts "stuff" off the surface, mostly tar in my case, I think (the one thing you notice less on a black car, compared with my previous silvers).

The three step absolutely brilliant but since it requires application/removal of product three times, it is time consuming and tiring. Motivation is found in the result it produces.

Swirl-marks are all but gone and this after my local dealership "washed" my car after working on it - I was not impressed; they have this fancy set-up for washing cars and then they finish the job by drying it with that green workshop paper towel that I wouldn't even like to use as toilet paper; you could trace every stroke of drying in the scratches it had left!!!

In the two years I've had the car it has never looked better; it positively sparkles and the reflection from the metallic aspect of the Sapphire Black has never been more apparent. There is also much more of what is often described as "wet look" with the paint looking cleansed and moisturised.

I would thouroghly recommend these product to anyone with the care and dedication required.