How to Polish?

[csauer52]

Hey everyone. I'm looking to do a full detail this coming w/e and was wondering about the proper way to polish the car. I've watched several videos on application of polish, but how long do you leave it on the car for?

Does it need to dry for 30 minutes like wax does?

Thanks in advance.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: How to Polish?

The only products in the Meguiar's line that you ever want to let dry on your paint are waxes and sealants.

Paint cleaners, the products that actually remove defects below the surface such as swirls, fine scratches, stains, oxidation, etchings, etc, need to be vigorously worked against the surface in small areas and wiped off before they dry.

Pure polishes, often called glazes by other companies, are essentially gloss enhancers that need to be gently worked against the paint in small areas and then wiped off before they dry.

Waxes and sealants should be applied to all the painted surfaces of a car in a very thin coat and then be allowed to dry completely before wipe off.

Read through the 5 Step Paint Care Cycle for a full run down on how to properly evaluate your paint, what to look for, how to correct different kinds of issues, and how to properly maintain the paint.

[Ryan_Bihun89]

Re: How to Polish?

No you do not let the polish dry.

-#M07 (Which is a pure polish or DC2) is a non-drying oil. Thats why its rich in oils.

Dont apply a thick coat of polish, and dont remove it like a wax. You'll waste the product.

Wipe a wet area then move to another area, then you come back to the first area and finally remove whats left.

And always apply it before a coat of wax.

You use the wax to seal that wet paint look you'll get.

Thanks, hope i helped.

Ryan

[csauer52]

Re: How to Polish?

Mike / Ryan,

Thanks for the tips. Mike - I'll check out that thread.

[csauer52]

Re: How to Polish?

Mike/Ryan,

Thanks for the advice. One other question, should the vertical surfaces be hit with clay also or just the horizontal?

[Ryan_Bihun89]

Re: How to Polish?

You should clay the whole car to remove all the surface contaminants.

Even if the vertical surface does not make as much contact with environment because of gravity sometimes they are cleaner than the horizontal.
But still, you would like to clay the whole car.

Regards,
Ryan

[Dmaaaany]

Re: How to Polish?

the only products in the meguiar's line that you ever want to let dry on your paint are waxes and sealants.

Paint cleaners, the products that actually remove defects below the surface such as swirls, fine scratches, stains, oxidation, etchings, etc, need to be vigorously worked against the surface in small areas and wiped off before they dry.

Pure polishes, often called glazes by other companies, are essentially gloss enhancers that need to be gently worked against the paint in small areas and then wiped off before they dry.

Waxes and sealants should be applied to all the painted surfaces of a car in a very thin coat and then be allowed to dry completely before wipe off.

Read through the 5 step paint care cycle for a full run down on how to properly evaluate your paint, what to look for, how to correct different kinds of issues, and how to properly maintain the paint.

so if i will use gold class carnauba plus wax or nxt generation tech wax 2.0 i dont need to use a pure or cleaner polish ?? Right?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: How to Polish?

so if i will use gold class carnauba plus wax or nxt generation tech wax 2.0 i dont need to use a pure or cleaner polish ?? Right?

You don't need to use a pure polish. We consider this to be an optional step, especially in light of the higher gloss levels afforded by modern clear coats and the introduction of products the two you mention, both of which contain some level of polish.

A cleaner/polish may be a different story. If your paint has some minor below surface defects then you may want a cleaner/polish like M80 or SwirlX to address those prior to waxing.

[Chubbz91]

Re: How to Polish?

So could you use a polish and swirlx after one another?

[Andy M.]

Re: How to Polish?

Swirlx first and then wax unless you are going to use a pure polish, it would be swirl x, polish, wax.

Andy

[Nuscence813]

No you do not let the polish dry.

-#M07 (Which is a pure polish or DC2)

Wipe a wet area then move to another area, then you come back to the first area and finally remove whats left.

Ryan

Can you please translate this step of removing the polish. I am confused about removing the polish now. I always felt like I wasn't getting the best shine out of my polish and this might be why. I am probably removing it wrong. I usually apply it quickly and fast using a yellow 2.0 foam pad or black 2.0 foam pad. What does it mean to move it around? Is there a tutorial video? I've watched a couple of videos that the product was just worked in and then wiped off. No special removal process. Can someone please verify??

[ffboy]

Re: How to Polish?

Just apply it thinly and thouroughly, then immediately remove while wet. You may need at least 2 microfiber towels as one gets oversaturated with the polish, no real special removal process. Other articles say you can initially remove the polish with 2 passes of a microfiber. 1st pass is to remove the bulk which will leave the paint smeary, and the 2nd or final pass is to remove the rest of the residue instead of trying to remove it in one go. This is far as M07 show car glaze is concerned, DC2 should be more user friendly being a consumer product.