Clean,Polish,Wax: Do i have to do all three?

[i-vtec]

I am confused if have to polish between cleaning and waxing? and do i have to do all 3 each time i wax? also can i pick between claying and cleaning? cause claying,cleaning,polishing,waxing, seems like a big job that i don't want to do. i have a new car and would like to take care of it the right way. i always used to just wax 2 times a year i never cleaned or polished my previous cars. HELP thank you

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Clean,Polish,Wax: Do i have to do all three?

Welcome to Meguiar's Online!


Polishing with a Meguiar's pure polish is an optional step. If you have a brand new car or a brand new paint job you shouldn't need to apply a pure polish. It would be better to invest your time into applying two thin coats of wax instead.


Check out some of the below articles as some of them will apply directly to you and what you want to do, especially the 5 Step Paint Care Cycle.


You'll find lots of friendly and helpful people on this forum always willing to lend a cyber-hand!



List 'O Links

Many of the things we cover in our Saturday Classes are discussed and talked about in the threads found in the sub-forums of the Information Station


Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle
How To Remove Swirls By Hand
How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX
Using the G-100 to remove swirls with the Professional Line
Circles or Straight Lines?
Which LSP is Best for Light Colors
How to locate Meguiar's Professional & Detailer products in your hometown
How to tell when a Meguiar's wax is ready to remove - The Swipe Test
The Dual Action Counterweight "Controversy"
What are the Differences Between Meguiar's Waxes
What's the Deal with "Layering"?
Measuring Clear Coat Thickness
Rotary vs. PC vs. Regular Orbital Buffer
Glass Polishing...Deep Cleaning
NXT Tech Wax Cure Time
Suggested Products for Taking Care of a New Car
Colored Waxes - Do they really work?
PC + #83 not "Cutting" it! - The Limits of the Dual Action Polisher
What it Means to Remove a Scratch
Why Meguiar's Recommends Polishing Paint
A Lesson From White Paint
Each one, teach one... Ferrari Fiorano 355 F1 Spider

[Murr1525]

Re: Clean,Polish,Wax: Do i have to do all three?

Something like Cleaner/Wax or ColorX could be nice in your situation as well.

1986 Ford Bronco II - Extreme Makeover

[Rick McDonough]

Re: Clean,Polish,Wax: Do i have to do all three?

i-vtec, you would want to do each of those steps as needed. For each environment, and/or situation that is going to be different. Our clay bar system (Smooth Surface Clay Kit) is designed to remove above surface contaminants such as tree sap mist, road grime, paint overspray, etc. If you run your hand over the surface and it doesn’t feel as smooth as glass, then we would recommend using the clay bar system after washing and drying the vehicle. The paint cleaners are for removing below surface defects such as swirls, scratches, etches, etc. The polishing step works to maximize your gloss/shine. Then, finally the wax is to seal in the work you’ve done, and to provide a protective barrier. Our NXT Generation Tech Wax is would be a great wax to use on a new car.

Now, since you said the car is brand new you probably don’t need to do all of those steps at this time. Analyze the surface, and if the surface is already new, or like new, then go right to your wax. As time progresses, you will probably need to employ the other steps, and we would say to do those other steps only as needed. Hope that information is helpful.

[i-vtec]

Re: Clean,Polish,Wax: Do i have to do all three?

Thanks for all of your awnsers. i now have a better understanding of all the steps and i am just going to wax right now since it is a new car. although it is a fiji blue pearl paint so i am thinking of polishing also. maby i'll just save the polishing for next winters prep. but anyway thank you all again. this is a great place to learn.

[i-vtec]

Re: Clean,Polish,Wax: Do i have to do all three?

also thanks for the welcome. i am new here. so if i start asking too many questions, let me know. off to work to pay for the cars. later

[i-vtec]

Re: Clean,Polish,Wax: Do i have to do all three?

Mike or anyone, why should apply 2 thin coats of wax instead of 1 good one? whats the difference?

[dietoremain]

Re: Clean,Polish,Wax: Do i have to do all three?

If you put a ton of wax on at once you're just wiping off more than is getting INTO the paint. If you put on two coats removing the excess after each you are adding further protection. get it?

[cornflake_81]

Re: Clean,Polish,Wax: Do i have to do all three?

Or, if you're using #16 and put on one really thick coat, your only solution is to push your car off of a cliff or set it on fire.

[i-vtec]

Re: Clean,Polish,Wax: Do i have to do all three?

thanks guy's. common sence i guess. oh well

[d.mopar]

Re: Clean,Polish,Wax: Do i have to do all three?

first off u know u should always wash the car first... after that its pretty important that you use clay to remove the above surface contaminents, paint cleaner or colorx doesnt exactly do the job as well, they are more for below surface contamenents. if ur car is still looking good(without swirls scrathes etc) you shouldnt have to apply paint cleaner or colorx. it wouldnt hurt to apply those anyway just to be safe . you could try this...

1-wash
2-clay
3-(paint cleaner or colorx depending on u know wheater or not u decide to use)
4-wax.....your wax could be ur deep crystal carnuba or gold class or nxt..w/e it is

so try this and tell me how it works