How often do you "clean" the paint?

[akimel]

By "clean" I am referring to the use of a paint cleaner (e.g., DC1) or a cleaner-polish (e.g., #9, #80, #82, or #83). For purposes of this poll, I am excluding claying from the meaning of "clean." I am also excluding cleaner waxes such as A-12 and ColorX, though you may want to explain your use and choice of a cleaner wax in your comment.

Please feel free to describe your cleaning/waxing regimen. Thanks!

Al

[RaskyR1]

Re: How often do you "clean" the paint?

I actually use ColorX/M66 a lot on my car. From my understanding it is more agressive than M09 when using the same pad/polisher combo and it doesn't give me micro marring like I get form a lot of the other polishes.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: How often do you "clean" the paint?

I tend to keep my personal vehicles well maintained with regular washes and waxing, therefor contamination is kept to a minimum.

That said, I might do a fine clay once a year or so, and possibly a cleaner wax or an AIO (All-in-one) like D151 once a year as well for good measure.

For a client's car, or a car that doesn't get such regular maintenance I think claying once every 3-6 months (depending on whether or not the vehicle is a daily driver, garaged, etc) is about right, and a cleaner wax twice a year.

Hope that helps.

Mark

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: How often do you "clean" the paint?

I try to do a thorough cleaning at least twice a year. The rest of the time it is as needed. By that I mean if it looks good, no scratches or swirls when it is time to wax, then that's all it gets. If there is a random scratch I will take care of it when its time to wax.

[eric_son]

Re: How often do you "clean" the paint?

I limit myself to 2 sessions a year, or until non-detailers start to see swirls on my car.

[akimel]

Re: How often do you "clean" the paint?

Just in case my original explanation was confusing, please note that an option is given in the poll for those who use a cleaner wax. I know that many Meguiar's customers use a cleaner wax (e.g., Cleaner Wax, ColorX, #6, #66) instead of a cleaner-polish, either exclusively or as preparation for LSP.

I don't want anyone to feel left out.

[Ryan L.]

Re: How often do you "clean" the paint?

I agree with others, kind of a need be basis. Like my moms car that I did this weekend, hasn't been "cleaned" since Mothers day of 2006, so about 2 and a half years. Relatively not swirls, just some RIDS and a little lack of shine, but other than that it was fine.

So like others, if it needs it, I'll do it. Other than that its usually clay and NXT once a month.

Ryan

[christian6984]

Re: How often do you "clean" the paint?

twice a year, before autumn, and around spring time usually. Claying wise probably only one a year as i did it recently and i couldnt remember the last time i did it but nearly nothing came off, is this because i polish and wax every few months, its an easy step and well worth doing IMHO

[Bert31]

Re: How often do you "clean" the paint?

I use an all in one about three times a year.

[Justin Murphy]

Re: How often do you "clean" the paint?

I have 76 clients that I see weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly. If we set up a long term regimen, I tell them that no matter how many times we wash, we to need to clean and protect the paint at least every 120 days. This is usually after a full correction detail. Of course the area that a customer lives in will determine what "cleaning the paint" consists of.
So after a full correction.......
75% will get D151 as a constant protection routine.
15% will pay more and get a high end wax applied on top of D151.
10% will again get a correction due to either the enviroment or other situations.

[Nappers]

Re: How often do you "clean" the paint?

I tend to evaluate during each season that passes and do as needed. The Neon is easily swirled but the Yukon can go for days without nary a cleaner/polish/waxing but I do wax more often than not for protection more than anything.

I need to do a full on swirl removal on the Neon soon though it's looking a little shabby right now.

[gb387]

Re: How often do you "clean" the paint?

Twice a year for me - seems to be just about right spring and fall.

[Bert31]

Re: How often do you "clean" the paint?

I used to use Medallion to clean my paint but I believe Meguiars discontinued it. Let's put it this way, I can't find it anymore. Assuming it was discontinued, not sure what Meguiars recommends in its place.

[akimel]

Re: How often do you "clean" the paint?

Yes, the Medallion series was discontinued. If one is looking for a simple chemical paint cleaner, one can use Deep Crystal #1. I also presume that all of Meguiars' cleaner/polishes will also clean paint. I got myself a bottle of #9 precisely for this purpose.

Al

[gjohn28]

Re: How often do you "clean" the paint?

I answered every two months because I didn't read your explanation on cleaner/waxes before answering the survey. I use ColorX every couple of months, but only use a cleaner/polish twice a year - spring and fall. So, I guess I should have answered twice a year.

Bi-monthly: wash/clay(if needed)/ColorX/LSP
Semi-annually: wash/clay/#80/LSP