switching to Ultimate Wax... questions about prior steps or lack there-of

[audi49]

I'm planning to use Ultimate Wax on my 2006 Audi S4. Paint is in great shape overall, and i used Ultimate Compound / Swirl Remover / Gold Class the last time i waxed it (about 6 months ago). Ideally, I'd like to just put wax on it (due to time and due to the fact that I don't want to use any abrasives unless necessary).

So I'm thinking of the following:
1) Just Ultimate Wax
2) Clay and Ultimate Wax
3) Clay, Meg's Swirl Remover, Ultimate Wax

Other companies sell cleaners/polishers that have no abrasives, which is something I'd consider prior to the UW but Meguiars doesn't seem to have a product like that (???). Or do they?

Any suggestions? Can i use UW directly? I'm worried about actually 'locking-in' surface contaminents if i don't use something prior to UW.

Thanks.

[Murr1525]

Re: switching to Ultimate Wax... questions about prior steps or lack there-of

I dont believe the Ult. Wax has any cleaners in it.

By Swirl Remover, do you mean SwirlX?

Looking at something like SwirlX or Ultimate Polish before the wax would be good, or a cleaner/wax then wax.

The fact that SwirlX or Ult. Polish have some abrasives isnt as bad as it sounds. In the big picture they are quite mild, and need worked in well to remove swirls. So if you dont work it in well, and apply more gently/quickly, they are even milder.

[audi49]

Re: switching to Ultimate Wax... questions about prior steps or lack there-of

i have meg's swirl remover #9 - have that on hand and have used it a lot.

[Shawn T.]

Re: switching to Ultimate Wax... questions about prior steps or lack there-of

I would definitely clay before applying Ultimate Wax.

[Murr1525]

Re: switching to Ultimate Wax... questions about prior steps or lack there-of

i have meg's swirl remover #9 - have that on hand and have used it a lot.

Also a product similar to SwirlX, Ult. Polish. Bit older, but same ideas. Can remove swirls if worked in well, mild cleaner if applied gently.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: switching to Ultimate Wax... questions about prior steps or lack there-of

If it's been six months since you last waxed, odds are there isn't much wax left on the surface anyway. Given that, you should be good just washing, drying and applying Ultimate Wax. But the best thing to do is wash and dry the car, then critically evaluate it both visually for below surface defects (swirls, etc) and by running your hand over the surface to feel for above surface bonded contaminants. If your visual inspection shows clear, defect free paint then there's no real need to use a paint cleaner like Ultimate Compound, Ultimate Polish, etc. If the surface evaluation shows the paint to be glass smooth, then there's nothing to be gained by claying, either. But if is starting to feel even a bit rough, then a quick claying will clean that up and shouldn't take more than 15 to 20 minutes anyway (unless, of course, your car was exposed to something nasty and the contaminants are heavy). Waxing after that should be a breeze.

[audi49]

Re: switching to Ultimate Wax... questions about prior steps or lack there-of

Sounds like a common sense approach. Thanks.

Which product would you recommend for normal/standard maintenance cleaning prior to waxing? Car is garaged when not used.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: switching to Ultimate Wax... questions about prior steps or lack there-of

For routine light cleaning, with the added benefit of great gloss enhancement and a gain in visual clarity (especially on darker colors, and especially when using a DA or rotary) we'd recommend Ultimate Polish.

[audi49]

Re: switching to Ultimate Wax... questions about prior steps or lack there-of

OK. Sounds good. One more follow-up question.. which has more abrasive/cutting action. Swirl Remover #9 or Ultimate Polish?