There’s hardly anyone who knows more about car care than Jay Guy. As crew chief for one of the premier racing teams in the Busch Series, he knows how small things give a race driver a critical edge.

IN RACING, DO LITTLE THINGS REALLY MAKE THAT BIG A DIFFERENCE?

Absolutely. You’re searching for hundredths of seconds. Some of the pole positions we lost last year during qualifying we only lost by a hundredth of a second. So how well you wax the car can make a difference.

Even the underside of the car is waxed, and we keep the motor bay and everything spotless. This way, if a problem comes up, we can quickly detect where it is.

When we get the car back to the shop, we tear it completely apart and clean every piece of it. It looks like a brand-new show car every time it rolls out of there.

ARE YOU AS METICULOUS ABOUT YOUR STREET CAR?

Oh yeah. Once a week I wash my truck and keep everything nice and clean. I also have protectant wipes and leather wipes for inside, just in case I’m going to pick up an important person or go out on a date.

Tires are also critical. I always want them looking their best, so I clean them at least twice a week.

WHAT CLEANING PRODUCTS DO YOU USE?

When I was growing up back in Pennsylvania, the household name was Armor All®. It’s what we used then, and it’s what I use today. Their products perform. And in my business, performance is key.

CAR CLEANING TIPS FROM THE PROS AT ARMOR ALL®

TIRES: Keeping your tires clean is essential. Using a quality tire product such as Armor All® Extreme Tire Shine Gel will protect tires from damaging elements that can make them look old and dull.

DASH: It’s been rumored that protectants cause your dash to crack. THIS IS NOT TRUE. Damage is a result of neglect, not use. Using a protectant—especially one with UV protection—can keep your dash looking great for years.

EXTERIOR: Always work in a cool, shaded area. High paint temperatures can cause waxes and polishes to dry too quickly. Be sure to use a car wash soap formulated for car paint as dish soap can strip wax and damage a car’s fnish.