waiting time between each detailing process

[Silvia]

After I wash my car with the Gold Class Wash and Conditioner and dry the car, how long should I wait before using the clay bar? How long do I have to wait to use the Ultimate liquid wax?

If I could, I rather wash my car, leave in garage overnight so it completely dries and then start the clay bar. Would this work?

I have 2 vinyl sports striped on the hood of my mini cooper. Do I clay bar it ? Do I use ultimate liquid wax on the stripes?

Does the clay get the tiny gray smudges off my car?

[Shawn T.]

Re: waiting time between each detailing process

As soon as you dry the car you can go ahead and clay. There is no reason to wait. Actually, waiting may be worse as it would give time for dust to settle on the car before claying.

After claying you can immediately go to Ultimate Wax if you want. Once again, I recommend going straight to Ultimate Wax right after claying to prevent dust from settling on the car.

I don't really know about the vinyl stripes.

What are the gray smudges? Hard to tell if clay can remove them if we don't know what they are.

[wifpd4]

Re: waiting time between each detailing process

Here's some info on the stripes from the expert:
http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/sho...40&postcount=2

If you have the time, I would be tempted to go ahead and use the clay bar immediately after washing. It's kind of a wet process and seems like a natural follow up to washing. If you read around on the forum, you'll see some folks wash, clay and wash again.

Although it is perfectly fine to clay the next day. I would suggest having a dry car before applying Ultimate Wax. Wash, clay and wax can be done right after one another or spread them out over day(s). Just keep the car clean before waxing to prevent marring the finish with dust or dirt when you use an applicator.

As far as clay-barring removing your grey smudges. If on the surface, washing might remove them. If a bonded contaminate, claying may remove them. However, you want them removed before waxing. Notice I said a lot of might and mays in that sentence. No telling what the smudges are and how they should be removed.

Post a couple of photos and someone here will be more than willing to help you remove the smudges.

[Silvia]

Re: waiting time between each detailing process

I could remove the vinyl stripes. It has been in my car for 1 1/2 year. Do i need to do anything special if the stripes are removed BEFORE I clay bar it?

[Silvia]

Re: waiting time between each detailing process

think the little gray smudge at bottom of door sill is grease with dirt or tar.

[wifpd4]

Re: waiting time between each detailing process

I could remove the vinyl stripes. It has been in my car for 1 1/2 year. Do i need to do anything special if the stripes are removed BEFORE I clay bar it?

Silvia, you're venturing into a slightly more complicated process here and if unfamiliar to you I would suggest a bit more research.

Google it, search here on Meguiar's or visit YouTube. This guy makes it look easy, but like one of the comments below the video indicate the lettering may have been on the car a short time, rather than the 1 1/2 years you indicate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqO85sXw2a8

[wifpd4]

Re: waiting time between each detailing process

think the little gray smudge at bottom of door sill is grease with dirt or tar.

You might have some WD40 around the house. Try that before washing the car. Some citrus cleaners or other non-chlorinated cleaners may also work.

If you don't have WD40, there are commercial products available at automotive stores.

[Silvia]

Re: waiting time between each detailing process

Geez, not kidding but just removed the bonnet stripes now. No problem at all. Used hair dryer for about 20 seconds then peeled , then hot heat again and peeled again. I didn't have to use goo gone.I washed the area with gold class wash and conditioner and then rinse it with a cloth and dried it.

Stripes were from cooper flag and not OEM.

Also used goo gone for the smudgy gray stuff on door sill.

When my products arrive I will be
1/ Gold class car wash and shampoo
2/ dry with the Meguiar water magnet drying tower
3/ use clay bar, spray ultimate detailer and supreme shine microfiber towels
4/ Ultimate compound
5/ Ultimate liquid wax

Is the above correct? When do I use the even coat applicator pads?

[Shawn T.]

Re: waiting time between each detailing process

Why are you using Ultimate Quik Detailer in the claying step? You can not use Ultimate Quik Detailer to clay as it is too slick (plus it would be really expensive). You should use either the QUik Detailer that comes in the Smooth Surface Clay Kit or Last Touch Spray Detailer at 1:1.

You might want to think of following Ultimate Compound with Ultimate Polish. It will bring out some extra depth, gloss and reflectivity. Set up two test areas side by side separated by tape and ine one side apply Ultimate Compound and the other Ultimate Compound followed by Ultimate Polish. See if you can tell the difference and go from there.

[Silvia]

Re: waiting time between each detailing process

Oh, I mean the quick detailer which comes with the kit...sorry, they all sound the same.

I just finished using goo gone and removing the bit of wax build up on the car at the edge of the vinyl stripes after the stripes have been removed.

I think i removed all of it...If I miss a bit, i believe the clay bar stuff will remove it.

[michealsmith]

Re: waiting time between each detailing process

I would be tempted to go ahead and use the clay bar immediately after washing.

[Murr1525]

Re: waiting time between each detailing process

I would be tempted to go ahead and use the clay bar immediately after washing.

You can clay before drying if the surface isnt too hot, and your water isnt hard.

Or you can dry and clay right away.