Clay or Clean 1st?

[Ivan Yap]

Hi guys, got some stuff to ask and hope bros out there can help to clear my doubts.

I just bought a whole lot of Meguiar products and like to query on some instructions. After washing with NXT Generation car wash, do I:
1) Clay using the Meguiar Smooth surface Clay Kit first or
2) Clean the surface with Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner
Which should come 1st? Clay then clean or clean then clay?

In addition, after waxing with NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0, is it fine to use the Ultimate Quik Detailer (UQD) to to top it off? Also, I can use this UQD after car-wash in between the 2-3 mths period when I wax to continue to protect the wax that I applied previously?

Lastly, I'm really sorry to say this. I still have a huge amount of Autoglym Super Resin Polish left. I probabably shouldn't ask but its a waste to throw it away. Is it fine to use this as a substitute in the polish process or will this different product 'spoil' the finishing of the other meguiar products that I just bought?

Thks

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Clay or Clean 1st?

Hi Ivan, welcome to MOL!

I moved your thread over to Detailing 101 as this is the best place for questions. (Hot Topics is for moderators to move topics into).

As for your questions, I am not the detailing guru here, so hang tight and someone will take care of you when the sun comes up tomorrow.

Mark

[CarbonBlack]

Re: Clay or Clean 1st?

You should have an answer by early morning-

There are lots of experts that reply!

-Nick

[i pamper my corolla]

Re: Clay or Clean 1st?

Hi guys, got some stuff to ask and hope bros out there can help to clear my doubts.

I just bought a whole lot of Meguiar products and like to query on some instructions. After washing with NXT Generation car wash, do I:
1) Clay using the Meguiar Smooth surface Clay Kit first or
2) Clean the surface with Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner
Which should come 1st? Clay then clean or clean then clay?

In addition, after waxing with NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0, is it fine to use the Ultimate Quik Detailer (UQD) to to top it off? Also, I can use this UQD after car-wash in between the 2-3 mths period when I wax to continue to protect the wax that I applied previously?

Lastly, I'm really sorry to say this. I still have a huge amount of Autoglym Super Resin Polish left. I probabably shouldn't ask but its a waste to throw it away. Is it fine to use this as a substitute in the polish process or will this different product 'spoil' the finishing of the other meguiar products that I just bought?

Thks

After washing the car, you should clay first then apply the paint cleaner. Clay will remove most, if not all, of the bonded contaminants while paint cleaner will only remove a little. You want to clay first so when you use paint cleaner, you're not rubbing against bonded stuff that might damage the paint.
A freshly clayed, smooth surface will also aid the paint cleaner in doing its job (the less contamination there is, the more exposed paint surface there is to be worked on)

It should be fine to use a detailer spray right after waxing, but since NXT contains hydrophobic polymer technology just like UQD, it might be a little redundant.

Quik Spray Wax will help maintain the wax in between washings better than UQD

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Clay or Clean 1st?

Hello and welcome to mol.

After washing, I would then clay.

Then use your paint cleaner.

Hope this helps you out.

[Mike Pennington]

Re: Clay or Clean 1st?

In addition, after waxing with NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0, is it fine to use the Ultimate Quik Detailer (UQD) to to top it off? ?

Absolutely

Also, I can use this UQD after car-wash in between the 2-3 mths period when I wax to continue to protect the wax that I applied previously?

That is exactly what it is designed for. Keeping your car looking its best

Mike

[onawrxhigh]

Re: Clay or Clean 1st?

Hi guys, got some stuff to ask and hope bros out there can help to clear my doubts.

I just bought a whole lot of Meguiar products and like to query on some instructions. After washing with NXT Generation car wash, do I:
1) Clay using the Meguiar Smooth surface Clay Kit first or
2) Clean the surface with Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner
Which should come 1st? Clay then clean or clean then clay?

In addition, after waxing with NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0, is it fine to use the Ultimate Quik Detailer (UQD) to to top it off? Also, I can use this UQD after car-wash in between the 2-3 mths period when I wax to continue to protect the wax that I applied previously?

Thks

One question for you. Is the car a newer clear coated car or is an older car with oxidized paint? If it is a newer car wash, clay, polish, wax. If the car is oxidized single stage paint I would use the paint cleaner first to help remove some/most of the oxiddized paint first then clay. This will help save the clay as it too would remove the oxidized paint but will load up the clay really badly and make it useless after this claying. Just some more info to throw out thee.

Andrew

[Ivan Yap]

Re: Clay or Clean 1st?

One question for you. Is the car a newer clear coated car or is an older car with oxidized paint? If it is a newer car wash, clay, polish, wax. If the car is oxidized single stage paint I would use the paint cleaner first to help remove some/most of the oxiddized paint first then clay. This will help save the clay as it too would remove the oxidized paint but will load up the clay really badly and make it useless after this claying. Just some more info to throw out thee.

Andrew

My car is just a little over 1 year old. I wash my car once every week; polish once in 3 mths and wax once every month. Should be in goor condition. Problem is I work at construction site and the dust settling on my car is duh..... unbelivable. Anyway, its still shiny after my constant care. Been using Autoglym products all the way. Its fantastic. But some of my friends kept recommending Meguiar's products. So...there I am. Bought a bunch of Meguiar's products before knowing how to exactly use them.

[onawrxhigh]

Re: Clay or Clean 1st?

My car is just a little over 1 year old. I wash my car once every week; polish once in 3 mths and wax once every month. Should be in goor condition. Problem is I work at construction site and the dust settling on my car is duh..... unbelivable. Anyway, its still shiny after my constant care. Been using Autoglym products all the way. Its fantastic. But some of my friends kept recommending Meguiar's products. So...there I am. Bought a bunch of Meguiar's products before knowing how to exactly use them.

I totally understand. I have found that the directions provided on the bottles/packaging is very accurate in telling you how to use the products from Meguiar's. One tip I have for you when it comes to claying your paint is this. After you wash your car with your wash of choice, get yourself a plastic sandwich bag place your hand inside it and gently run this hand over your paint. The plastic will help to applify your sense of touch when it comes to feeling the paint surface for surface contamination.

Andrew

[enzodetailing]

Re: Clay or Clean 1st?

wash then clay or you will get swirls .

[Woodie6250]

Re: Clay or Clean 1st?

If it is a newer car wash, clay, polish, wax. If the car is oxidized single stage paint I would use the paint cleaner first to help remove some/most of the oxiddized paint first then clay. This will help save the clay as it too would remove the oxidized paint but will load up the clay really badly and make it useless after this claying.

+1 - This is my standard approach and the process I recommend.

[Ivan Yap]

Re: Clay or Clean 1st?

Thks guys for all the advice.