Wash n Wax

[jjjCorolla]

I'm very new to this but I just bought a new car and have vowed to keep it well. I've read a lot here and got a lot of good info. I've bought a PC, the video, #83, 80, 26, grit guard, lambs wool mitts, etc. but I have a question.

Is it necessary to polish with #80 before 'waxing' with #21 or can I just wash well and 'wax' (x2). Do I need polish to remove the previous wax or can I just add another coat or two?

[Mister B]

Re: Wash n Wax

Yes, you can wash and then go straight to wax. However For best results it would be recommended to use a paint cleaner/polish such as #80 to clean and prepare the paint surface before waxing. If your paint is already in good condition or if time is of concern, it is not absolutely necessary to polish with #80 before waxing.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Wash n Wax

Meguiar's teaches people to inspect their finish and this will reveal to you what it is you need to do to reach your car care goals. To inspect your car's finish, first wash and dry the car and then feel the paint on the horizontal surfaces with the palm of your clean hand, if you feel little bumpy thing, this is an indicator that you need to clay your car's paint with detailing clay.

Next look at your car's paint in bright sunlight and if you can another source of light, like florescent lights, looking at your car's paint under two different types of light will reveal whether you have swirls and scratches.

If you have above surface bonded contaminants, then before waxing you will for sure want to clay your car's paint because claying restores smoothness and gloss comes from a smooth surface, removing the aboves surface bonded contaminants will also enable your choice of wax to bond or adhere better to the paint.

Whether you want to remove the swirls and scratches or just make them shiny is up to you and your car care goals. If you want to remove them, then machine cleaning with the PC and the M80 Speed Glaze has been shows to be a very effective method for most paint types.