Car blog edited the following
Q&A: Prep before/after using clay bar?
The pictures have nothing to do with the content!!
I’ve never used a clay bar before, though I want to really clean my car and make sure I take care of the finish. But I have a few questions about prep work and the order of detailing. I washed my car yesterday but won’t have the time to detail it until two days from now. I can’t imagine it will get too dirty but by then I won’t have access to a hose (old rental house). So before I clay bar it is a good idea to go through a Rutter’s car wash using touch-free wash (water jets only) or use the full wash? And also, after I clay bar the finish, should I go through touch-free wash again? And finally, do I just need one or two coats of wax after clay barring or should I use a polish as well?
The following is the answer:
Answer by ford crazy
go threw a full wash,then use the clay bar,then polish.dont go threw another wash,one will do it,and one coat of wax will get it shining.
Answer by KB
you should wash it again
or use the quik detailer spray
and give it a quick wipe down
no need to wash afterwards
and polish if needed
then 2 coats of wax
1. wash car
2. clay car-This removes contaminants stuck to your paint that normal washing wont get off. I recommend Meguiar’s Smooth surface clay kit. You can also use the clay bar on your windows/wheels too, but of course, do the paint first. Can also wash your car after claying, but isnt necessary
3.paint cleaners-These remove swirl marks/scratches/oxidation/etc. Different strenghts, depending on the severity of the paint. I suggest Meguiars Swirlx. Swirlx may not be aggressive enough, so you may need to step it up to Meguiar’s ultimate compound, then follow it with Swirlx.How to use Paint cleaners: after washing and claying your car. Apply the product to a microfiber applicator. Work the product in a 16×16 in section for about a minute, then remove with microfiber towel, dont let dry. Inspect results, repeat process if needed, see if its up to your par, if not, step up to ultimate compound. Otherwise, if youre done with the section, move on and repeat. You apply ultimate compound in the same way.
4.Pure Polish. This step is optional, as if you were to use a paint cleaner, such as the ones mentioned above, since they already have polishing oils in them. You’ll notice more of a difference in using a pure polish on darker colors, but wont hurt to do it on lighter colors. Meguirs deep crystal polish is their most user friendly polish. Their #7 polish is the best polish, but side-by-side, it will be hard to tell a difference. To apply polish, apply to microfiber applicator. Work in about the same size section, kinda message it into the paint (much like applying lotion to your skin) for about 40 seconds, then wipe off with microfiber towel, dont let dry.
Wax:. Protects paint, gives shine, locks in polish. This is the only product you let dry. Apply to microfiber applicator, apply to paint evenly in circle motions. Let dry to haze. Wipe off with microfiber towel. Two applications is best. Also best to wait 12 hours between applications, but if not, wont hurt. Nxt 2.0 tech wax is Meguiars most popular wax.
Then, tire shine, cant have shiny paint with horrible dull looking tires. Any will do.
All these products can be found at wal-mart.
Then for the plastic trim/bumpers
Meguiars Natural shine protectant, or supreme shine protectant
It’ll make it look like new.
Apply to microfiber towel, wipe on
let dry for 10 min, wipe off
Any questions
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