UP then UW

[mis3]

I am getting too lazy for the 5-step process. A typical 5-step process will take about 6-7 hours and a lot of hard work.

My car is in good condition, very smooth to the touch so clay is probably not required.

For this weekend, I am thinking to do WASH - UP - UW - UW. Any comments?

[Murr1525]

Re: UP then UW

Have you clayed before?

The only thing faster would be wash, clay if needed, ColorX, UW.

[mis3]

Re: UP then UW

Although last time I clayed was 2 years ago, my car still feels smooth to the touch.

I do not have ColorX but I have the following:
1. Cleaner Wax (professional)
2. Cleaner Wac (consumer)
3. SwirlX

Should I use one of these before UW?

[Marc08EX]

Re: UP then UW

If the last time you clayed your car was 2 years ago then I'd go ahead and clay it again. It wouldn't hurt and if you maintain your car well then it shouldn't be too hard to do.

If you're only using 1 polishing step before waxing then I think using UP before UW is good a good idea especially if you don't have a lot of swirls or surface defects. UP has a lot of polishing oils that should make your paint pop more.

[Murr1525]

Re: UP then UW

Its just a matter of if you have time / feel like doing 2 steps or 3.. nothing right or wrong. Just go with what you feel like.

The 3 step would probably have a little better results, but takes a little longer.

1. a cleaner/wax product (#66 is close to ColorX)
2. Ult. Wax

or.

1. a cleaner/polish product (SwirlX, Ult. Polish)
2. Ult. Wax
3. Ult. Wax

[mis3]

Re: UP then UW

If the last time you clayed your car was 2 years ago then I'd go ahead and clay it again. It wouldn't hurt and if you maintain your car well then it shouldn't be too hard to do.

If you're only using 1 polishing step before waxing then I think using UP before UW is good a good idea especially if you don't have a lot of swirls or surface defects. UP has a lot of polishing oils that should make your paint pop more.

My car definitely has swirls but they don't show because my car is silver.
Also, it's hard to remove swirls since I do not have a DA. I apply all the products by hands.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: UP then UW

I am getting too lazy for the 5-step process. A typical 5-step process will take about 6-7 hours and a lot of hard work.

My car is in good condition, very smooth to the touch so clay is probably not required.

For this weekend, I am thinking to do WASH - UP - UW - UW. Any comments?

We all want different things from the finish on our vehicles. We all have time considerations that may impact our dedication to our own vehicles. We have varying skill levels. Ultimately, what you need to do to your vehicle's paint is what's needed to fill your time requirements and your final expectations regarding the paint finish. Some people are not satisfied with anything less than perfection on their daily drivers - and they're usually fooling themselves into thinking they can actually accomplish this. Others have streamlined a process that, once they've taken their vehicle's finish to a very high level, keeps it at that very high level - or acceptably close to it.

At the end of the day, the finish only needs what you deem it to need so that it fits your expectations, wants and needs. So, when you evaluate the finish in it's current state, if it tells you that all it needs in order to meet or exceed your expectations is to wash and dry it, so be it. If it needs a fresh coat of wax, then do that following the wash/dry process. Does it need more than that? Do you want it to go further than that? The answer to that question, for each of us, is unique to each of us. If you find you can eliminate a step or two, but you do the other steps using quality products and very good technique, then maintaining a finish at a high level isn't all that difficult.

Just remember; this hobby is supposed to be your therapy, not the reason you need therapy.

[mis3]

Re: UP then UW

I ran my hand to the whole car last night. The whole car was smooth so no clay is required.

I will definitely apply 2 coats of UW for even coverage. Based on my existing products (#6, #12 or SwirlX), which one should I use between WASH - UW?
I am leaning toward SwirlX. Maybe it's time to start over again since SwirlX will remove all the old wax.

[mis3]

Re: UP then UW

This is what I will do this weekend.

1. Wash with dish washing liquid (Palmolive)
2. Clay
3. Ultimate Compound
4. DC Polish
5. UW
6. After a few hours to let it cure, UW again.

[Murr1525]

Re: UP then UW

No, just use a good car soap, no need for dish soap.

[mis3]

Re: UP then UW

No, just use a good car soap, no need for dish soap.

Plan to use dish soap to remove wax.

[mis3]

Re: UP then UW

No, just use a good car soap, no need for dish soap.

Plan to use dish soap to remove old wax.

[Murr1525]

Re: UP then UW

Unless you waxed a couple days ago, the clay and UC will take care of everything.

The dish soap wont give any benefit, and wont help lessen the chance of swirls.

[mis3]

Re: UP then UW

I just wash the car with Palmolive instead of the usual GC. This is the usual wash step, not an extra step.

This will be the first time I use UC (by hand). Should I rub the product hard against the paint in circular motion?

Also, which is more aggressive, UC or SwiltX?

[mis3]

Re: UP then UW

Got it. UC is 2 steps more aggressive than SwirlX, with ScratchX in between.

I will use UC in the areas with more swirls, the rest with SwirlX.