Probably want to look for terms like adding high gloss, or shiny surfaces to objects.

You also might get some of those photos from magazines and look closely at them.  Then go out and take a picture of your car and see if you can get a similar effect.

The key here will be the angle of light and its intensity.  Perhaps set up a camera with tripod and use a flood light and vary the light angle and distance.  A direct bounce into the camera will give quite a shine, but the intensity will be such it will be hard to control the details.

Good luck and hope this helps.

I use an action I created that does a "local contrast enhancement" operation to deepen the shine.  I also add the occasional star filter effect.

-Noel

Stupid forum software inserted a space...

http://Noel.ProDigitalSoftware.com/ForumPosts/MustangImage_NoelCarboni _2.jpg

-Noel

My "Local Contrast Enhancement" action is based on a large radius Unsharp Mask operation, with subsequent operations that give it a bias toward darkening more than lightening.  I find it really helps deepen inherent shine and reflections in shiny surfaces become more prominent, while at the same time bringing out the color of the surface.  If applied selectively it helps draw attention to the subjects to which it is applied.

-Noel

I think you'll find that a good percentage of the work is done with lighting and makeup, and that there is not so much left to do in Photoshop.  I love flicking through posh magazines trying to reverse engineer the advert photos.  Mercedes are among the best IMO, with images almost definitely shot in cyloama studios under huge silks.

I have an acquaintance, Brett Lucas, who invested heavily building such a studio in Auckland, and the difference it makes is clearly evident in his work.  BTW if you take the trip to his F-stop studios site, then be sure to check out his Animated Video link.  Brett entered it in a national AV competition last year, and I think the only reason it didn’t win was that some of the judges felt uncomfortable with its content.

I attended a two day lighting workshop Brett ran last year, and apart from learning a few new tricks for myself, I was astonished at how obsessed he is lighting.  He does the same reverse engineer thing that I do, but takes it to obsessive levels.