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Spring Wash Questions

Traeger2591

Traeger2591

New member
Posted this over at gpona also but I thought I'd post here to see what kind of results I get from both places.

Anyway, I'm gettin ready to do a full out spring detail and everything. I did just a wash this past weekend just to get my car lookin a little bit better but I want to get it better than it is. It's got alot of swirl marks and "scratches." I was gonna get some of that meguiars swirl x stuff to take that off but first I have some other questions.

I'm not really sure what the whole polishing this is all about. Usually I just wash and wax. Can someone explain to me what I would want to do if I'm gonna do a polish and everything, and explain what a polish does compared to a wax. After searching around, I'm thinking I need to do something like this:

Wash/dry
Claybar
Wax

I'm not really sure where the polish fits in at. And as far as the wax goes, I usually use meguiars gold class liquid. I'm thinking about either trying out some of the gc paste, or getting some of the nxt 2.0 paste and putting the gc liquid on after the nxt. I'm not really into zaino, I just don't have the money for that right now and meguiars has always treated me well.

I got a lot of rock chips on the front end of my car from driving on the interstate alot. It makes me sick to see all those. I know most of them probably can't be dealt with. But if you guys know anything I can do to help that'd be cool. The car got wrecked a few years ago and the front end had to be all repainted and stuff. I know the paint is never as good once you get it repainted, but it's only been a year since it got repainted and theres little chips everywhere. You think maybe I should get it repainted somewhere else that would do a better job?

Sorry for the long post and all the questions. Haha I just want to know what I'm doin when it comes to detailing.
 


here is my process:

clay (removes dirt embedded in clear coat) You should do this before polishing so you aren't swirling around dirt in the clear coat, causing more scratches/swirl marks

polish. I use a porter cable 7424xp with a white pad. You might need to start with an orange pad and then do a round with a white pad. Orange has more cutting. I use Meguiars m105 and m205. M105 is for heavy cutting and m205 for moderate cutting. Autogeek.net has tutorial videos on how to use porter cables and polishes. You need to polish to bring shine back to paint, and remove swirl marks. You can polish by hand, but it is tiresome, and you usually can not do it fast enough to break down the polish like a orbital buffer can.

wax/sealant. I use Meguiars NXT paste wax. Gold Class is good stuff too. I will switching from wax to sealant in the future, as i have heard sealant is better for the paint and provides better looks. Good waxes are Menzerna and Collinite along with Meguiars. I will be using Blackfire wet diamond for a sealant next time. Wax/sealants are for protection against rain/sun/ etc.
 
so what is good to use before winter to protect from salt and junk. i usually just put a good coat of wax on it.
 
hmmm well theres Menzerna, Collinite, Adams, Meguiars, Zaino, and Blackfire.... i know those are good waxes/sealants.

I have always used Meguiars and had great results. If your car hasnt been polished or claybarred in a while, i would do that before waxing

something else that helps in the winter, is just to hand wash it as often as you can to get the salt off. I take a bucket of hot soapy water and put it in my car to take it down to the quarter wash. Wash your car with that warm, soapy water and it cleans it so good. feels good on your hands too when its 35-40* out. I will also use detailing spray in the sun (if you do it in the shade, it will freeze on the paint).
 
When you claybar, wash first with Dawn Dish Soap. It will pull off all of the old wax. Claybar, then wash and wax. Using a claybar makes a huge difference. I used mine on my motorcycle a couple weeks ago and it really made it stand out.
 


you dont need to use dawn dish soap. claybarring removes old wax, and polish cuts right through any old wax.

+ i heard dawn dish soap isnt good for clearcoats. just what i heard. i dont use it
 
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