A little confused about steps

[ahs483]

Hi Guys. So once I wash my car and then clay bar it, do i need to use a paint cleaner before I use a polish, and then wax? Or can I skip the paint cleaner?? Also, would the paint cleaner be used all over or just on parts that need it? Anyone who can clear this up, I would greatly appreciate it!! thanks!

[greg0303]

Welcome to Meguiar's Online.

5-Step paint care:

1. Wash/ Clay (if needed, if bonded contaminants present on paint surface)
2. Cleaning
3. Polishing (optional step)
4. Protection/ Waxing
5. Maintain - keep your paint surface in good shape by using quick detailer and spray wax.

If you clay your vehicle and use a pre-wax cleaner then you'll ensure better bonding between wax and your paint surface resulting in longer protection.

Polishing is an optional step and mostly rewarding on dark colored cars by adding wet-look effect. It's not necessary to do it but if you're willing to perform full 3-step paint correction you can include polishing step.

Paint cleaner goes first, before paint polish, but if you just have isolated problems then just use it on those areas. ScratchX 2.0 is an excellent paint cleaner for those isolated problems.

[ahs483]

I see. Thank you for clearing that up!!

[Murr1525]

A product like Ultimate Polish or SwirlX will have cleaning ability and polishing oils, so you still get the oils for your paint to stay healthy, etc.

[Marc08EX]

Hi Guys. So once I wash my car and then clay bar it, do i need to use a paint cleaner before I use a polish, and then wax? Or can I skip the paint cleaner?? Also, would the paint cleaner be used all over or just on parts that need it? Anyone who can clear this up, I would greatly appreciate it!! thanks!

It really depends on the condition of your paint. If you have a lot of defects/swirls/scratches then using a paint cleaner is a good idea to remove below the surface defects and prep it up for your polishing/waxing steps. If your paint is swirl free or has very minimal amount of swirls then it would be ok to skip the paint cleaner and apply your pure polish or even skip to the wax.

[Giorgi]

What is general paint cleaner? what is the difference between cleaning and polishing?

[Murr1525]

The 'general' paint cleaners would be something mild like SwirLX or Ult. Polish.

Different companies use different terms so it can get confusing. We try to stick with the Meguiars terms here of course. That would mean:

- Cleaning - A paint cleaner will remove the dirt from the pores/imperfections of the paint, and if strong enough, can remove swirls, scratches, etc.
- Polishing - A polish will add oils to the surface to moisturize the paint, and temporarily help fill imperfections to create more gloss.

[chrisalvarez]

hi im new to the forum and i also have a question about this subject. so i understand the steps cleaning, polishing etc. but do u have to do all these steps everytime you wash or just before waxing is involved ? thanks i hope someone can help i just would like to think its not necessary to spend hours of labor everytime you clean your vehichles

[Murr1525]

No, if you just wash, you just wash.

You could just use a good car wash soap like Gold Class, and stop there. Or you could use something like the Ultimate Wash and Wax to add some wax back.

Or you could use a soap like the Gold Class, and then use a spray wax like the Ult. Spray Wax after.

[IrishStout]

I'll chime in with a few inquiries too.

Once all the steps are complete, would you repeat this process in full monthy or every few months or could you wash polish and wax over the previous full detail?

My car is new. I've purchased the Ultimate compound, and Ultimate polish. Is the Ultimate compound too much for new car paint? I certainly don't want to damage the paint.