Lets review

[E'sStang03GT]

Hi everyone

I wanted to clear up some questions I have about car cleaning.

1) wash car with Dawn to remove any wax.
2)Claybar car. Do I need to wash it again here when done claybarring?
3)prep paint (paint cleaner). Do I need to wash it again after this step?
4)polish
5)wax.

BTW the car is a 03 Mustang GT (black)

[travisdecpn]

I have a couple suggestions that may help you out a bit. First off, you can drop the dawn wash. If you are going to clay, it will remove any residual wax. I would suggest using a regular car wash soap such as NXT or Gold Class as dawn tends to dry the oils in the finish. Since you are going to be cleaning the paint you don't need to wash again after claying. The rest of your steps all look good. Hope this clears things up a bit. Good luck and have some fun.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Lets review

Hi E'sStang03GT,

Welcome to Meguiar's Online

Originally posted by E'sStang03GT
Hi everyone

I wanted to clear up some questions I have about car cleaning.

1) wash car with Dawn to remove any wax.

You don't need to wash your car with dish washing soap to remove wax. Wash instead with a wash formulated for car. Meguiar's never recommends washing with dish soap. The paint cleaning step will remove any wax present on the finish and quality paint cleaners are beneficial to the paint.

2)Clay bar car. Do I need to wash it again here when done clay barring?

No need to wash after claying, you can if want, but you don't need to. Just wipe your spray lubricant off as you go with 100% cotton towels or microfibers.

3)prep paint (paint cleaner). Do I need to wash it again after this step?

No need to wash the car after applying a Meguiar's paint cleaner or cleaner/polish.
[quote]4)polish Correct, use an easy to use pure polish like Deep Crystal Polish.

5)wax.

Correct, after polishing, apply your favorite wax. Two thin coats are better than one.

BTW the car is a 03 Mustang GT (black)

[Mike Phillips]

Here's the basic order of steps to follow,


Washing
Before detailing your car, first do an extremely good job of washing it. Remove all the dirt from all the nooks and crannies. This prevents any small abrasive dirt particle from entering into the machine polishing process and potentially instilling a swirl. Get the Car Sparkling Clean to start with and everything will be downhill after that.

Claying
After that clay the car, at least the horizontal surfaces. Again, do a good job of claying to insure you remove all above surface contaminants. The level of gloss you can achieve from your car's finish is mostly determined by how smooth you can make your paint. Claying will make your car's finish as smooth as glass.

Cleaning
Cleaning is different than washing. Cleaning is removing both above surface defects like oxidation and below surface defects like swirls, scratches, etchings, and dirt that has embedded itself under the surface. Choose the appropriate paint cleaner for the condition of your car's finish and your application process. If you're unsure of which paint cleaner or cleaner/polish is right for your car, describe your car and if possible post a picture and we'll be glad to make some recommendations.


Polishing
Polishing after removing the defects is typically using a pure polish that is non-abrasive to restore brilliant high gloss and deep, dark reflections. This is an optional step and one best used on medium to dark colored car.

Protecting
This is where you apply your choice of wax or paint protectant. Adding a layer or two of wax creates a sacrificial-barrier on your car's paint to protect it and also add shine and gloss. Generally, two thin coats will insure even coverage with a uniform appearance.

Maintaining
Maintaining is the use of products like a quick detailer or a spray wax to maintain that "Just detailed look" in-between regular washings, and the regular application of a normal coat of wax.

[onawrxhigh]

hey E'sStang03GT,

here are some answeres to your questions
1) do not wash with dawn or any kind of dish soap. you should use a good car washsoap. (gold glass wash, nxt car wash, hi tech wash to name a few)
2) you do not need to wash again after claying you car but some people choose to wash again.
3) again you do not need to wash after the paint cleaner
4) polish If you have a dual action polisher then i would recommend 80 speed glaze, if you don't have a machine you can use the meg's step 2 polish or the professional series 81 hand polish.
5) wax you could use # 26 hi tech wax, gold glass wax, nxt tech wax or the step 3 carnuba wax.

BTW how close to pittsburgh are you my parents live in california pa
mike got to it before i did lol

andrew

[E'sStang03GT]

WOW Thanks for all the very quick responses you answered all of my questions you guys are awesome! btw a little town called Ambridge