Strip Wax, Clay, Polish, Wax??

[basshog]

Please let me know if this is a good plan for my 2005 Black Dodge Ram:

Strip old Wax with 50/50 Solution of Alcohol and Water
Meguiars Quik Clay Detailing System
Meguiars Paint Cleaner (step 1)
Meguiars Deep Crystal Polish (step 2)
Collinite 476S Wax

Here are a few questions I have:

How do I go about putting the 50/50 solution onto and take off of paint?
Am I at risk of marring my paint if I use the clay system, paint cleaner and deep crystal polish? Are these no abrasive techniques??

Any info or insite would be appreciated...THANKS!

[Murr1525]

Re: Strip Wax, Clay, Polish, Wax??

You dont need to strip old wax.

Just:

Wash
Clay
Clean - DC#1/ScratchX as needed
Polish - DC#2
Wax - Well....

You want to use high quality applicator pads, sponges, towels.. these are what will marr your paint if they are dirty or poor quality.

[gb387]

Re: Strip Wax, Clay, Polish, Wax??

Welcome to MOL!

FWIW, Clay will remove a bit of wax and DC#1 will remove the rest and your paint will become 'squeaky clean'!

[basshog]

Re: Strip Wax, Clay, Polish, Wax??

Thanks for the info guys.

Also, sweet truck! Blak Lightning's always make my heard turn

Haven't had a chance to race one yet to see how bad is smokes my Black Standard cab 05' Hemi but my brothers Supercharged Dakota R/T will sure give them a run for their money

[gb387]

Re: Strip Wax, Clay, Polish, Wax??

Thanks for the info guys.

Also, sweet truck! Blak Lightning's always make my heard turn

Haven't had a chance to race one yet to see how bad is smokes my Black Standard cab 05' Hemi but my brothers Supercharged Dakota R/T will sure give them a run for their money

I bet the SC Dakota R/T would a quick little truck. Sometime ago I looked at getting a Dakota R/T vs. S10 Xtreme and ended up with a S10 Xtreme, it was a troublesome little truck but more economical to drive at the time... anyway.

[Nosbusa]

Re: Strip Wax, Clay, Polish, Wax??

Question? What's the difference between deep crystal paint cleaner and A12 cleaner wax? Are they basically the same thing or different.

[Murr1525]

Re: Strip Wax, Clay, Polish, Wax??

DC#1 is a mild cleaner.

A-12 is a cleaner/wax. I would say the cleaner is milder than DC#1, but it also contains some polish and wax as well, to make it a one-step product.

[Nosbusa]

Re: Strip Wax, Clay, Polish, Wax??

DC#1 is a mild cleaner.

A-12 is a cleaner/wax. I would say the cleaner is milder than DC#1, but it also contains some polish and wax as well, to make it a one-step product.

Thanks for the info.

As far as the steps of

Wash
Clay
Clean - DC#1/ScratchX as needed
Polish - DC#2
Wax

Would you recommend DC#1 or ColorX in place of it.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Strip Wax, Clay, Polish, Wax??

Thanks for the info.

As far as the steps of

Wash
Clay
Clean - DC#1/ScratchX as needed
Polish - DC#2
Wax

Would you recommend DC#1 or ColorX in place of it.

There are dedicated paint cleaners whose sole purpose is to clean the paint and there are cleaner/waxes which in the Meguiar's line do three things, clean, polish and wax.

Generally speaking, you will get better results by breaking your paint polishing process into dedicated steps, that is to clean the paint with a dedicated paint cleaner, polish the paint with a dedicated polish and then wax the paint with polish wax or pure wax, but not a cleaner wax.

If you want to avoid steps yet still want great results then wash, clay and use a cleaner/wax.

If you're new to detailing, or unfamiliar with these product and terms then please take a moment to read through this as it explains much of this in detail ans is the basis of our Saturday Detailing Classes...


Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle
(Posted in the The Information Station)

[Murr1525]

Re: Strip Wax, Clay, Polish, Wax??

Well, maybe look at it this way if working by hand:

Full detail:
1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Clean - DC#1/ScratchX where needed
4. Polish - DC#2 or #7
5. Wax - Your favorite
6. Wax - Remember 2 coats are best

Short Detail:
1. Wash
2. Clay as needed
3. ColorX, ScratchX if needed on a bad spot first
4. Wax - I like topping ColorX with #21, but any favorite of yours will do, if you want to top ColorX

[possessed]

Re: Strip Wax, Clay, Polish, Wax??

Well, maybe look at it this way if working by hand:

Full detail:
1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Clean - DC#1/ScratchX where needed
4. Polish - DC#2 or #7
5. Wax - Your favorite
6. Wax - Remember 2 coats are best

Would it be okay to do this same routine if using a PC?

[Murr1525]

Re: Strip Wax, Clay, Polish, Wax??

You can use the Deep Crystal products withthe PC if you really want to... but you will almost always get better results with products designed for the PC, such as the #80, #83.

[TH0001]

Re: Strip Wax, Clay, Polish, Wax??

I would recommend...

Wash
Clay (which will strip the old wax)
ColorX (think of it as step 1, 2, and to a lesser degree three) worked with a little passion behind it. I have personally had better results with ColorX then DC1+DC2 seperately, ColorX is that good...
Top with Collinite for long lasting protection.

If you are looking to top with a carnuba for more looks I would recommend Meguiars #26, Pinnicale, Nattys Blue, or a handful of others instead of Collinite, but Collinite is probably the longest lasting Carunuba out thier.