Cleaning/prepping/waxing non-clearcoat white paint

[Shevy11]

I have a 2000 Chevrolet Tracker that is white. The brochure states that " White exterior does not include clearcoat process". I really would like to get it to shine.

I thought the paint was clean but started to notice that the outside has a tan/yellow tinge when compared to the white in the door jamb. What is the best way to clean the paint to get back to white, and once clean, to protect it.

[Murr1525]

Re: Cleaning/prepping/waxing non-clearcoat white paint

Welcome... Read and understand these, and you will have most of the knowledge you need. We can fine tune your product choices after that.

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle
Step 1 Wash
Step 2 Clean
Step 3 Polish
Step 4 Protect
Step 5 Maintain

Suggested Products for Taking Care of a New Car

What it Means to Remove a Scratch

How To Remove Swirls By Hand

How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

1986 Ford Bronco II - Extreme Makeover

Rotary vs. PC vs. Regular Orbital Buffer

Recommended Products - G100a Dual Action Polisher

Using the G-100 to remove swirls with the Professional Line

Each one, teach one... Ferrari Fiorano 355 F1 Spider

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Cleaning/prepping/waxing non-clearcoat white paint

Welcome to Meguiar's Online!

What is the best way to clean the paint to get back to white, and once clean, to protect it.

You could use a cleaner/wax like ColorX, this would be a one step approach. Of course before using this or any product you should wash the car well and then feel the paint with your clean hand to inspect for above surface bonded contaminants and if you discover them then after washing but before any other product or process clay the paint.

If you want a two step approach then you could use a paint cleaner like Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner to rub down the paint with, this will clean the paint from any staining or oxidation and prepare it for waxing, then apply a wax of your choice.

ColorX is a one-step product that means it will clean, polish and protect in one step.

A paint cleaner like Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner is a "Dedicated" paint cleaner, after you use it you will need and want to apply a wax as it won't leave any protection behind.

Both approaches will work really well, you usually get best results when you take a multiple step approach but at the same time, ColorX is a great product.

Here's an extreme makeover using nothing but ColorX after washing and claying.

1986 Ford Bronco II - Extreme Makeover


It also goes over the process step by step.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Cleaning/prepping/waxing non-clearcoat white paint

Whoops... posted that without noticing Murr1525 had already included the link...

Thanks Murr1525

[Murr1525]

Re: Cleaning/prepping/waxing non-clearcoat white paint

No problem... it is probably the only real cleaner/wax type link there is.