Detailing for new(er) car with clear bra

[sarge_in]

Having bought a dark gray car (Acura TL) in Aug last year, I am ready to start washing/detailing cars on my own going forward. Have watched the videos etc, but do have a few newbie questions:

1. Do I need to go through all 5 steps? Is polishing required at this stage? I didn't see any swirls etc.
2. If I skip polishing for now, should I use any other product between clay and wax? I see some posts recommending ColorX - is that good for this purpose?
3. Assuming I use ColorX and then wax (GC Liquid Wax), what areas should I avoid getting these on? The black trims? The metal around windows?
4. I have clear bra installed over half the hood, bumper and half fenders. What products are ok to be used on these areas, and which products should I avoid - both initial detail and regular maintenance?

Thanks!

[kent55]

Re: Detailing for new(er) car with clear bra

#4. I have a clear bra and I've never had good luck Claying it. So I'd say don't clay the bra. Also, don't get the clay along the edges because the clay will get stuck along the edge. I do use paint cleaners on it though to bring it back to clear.

#1. As far as steps go, you don't have to do any of the steps. However, the more steps you do (in order) the better your results will be. Just decide how far you want to go.

#2. Wash, Clay, Wax, SHINE

#3. I personally would polish before ColorX. I would think ColorX is more for brighter colors.
#3-part 2. Don't wax plastic because it may turn white. I do wax metal and chrome though.

[kent55]

Re: Detailing for new(er) car with clear bra

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?53870-Color-X-verses-Ultimate-Polish

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Detailing for new(er) car with clear bra

Having bought a dark gray car (Acura TL) in Aug last year, I am ready to start washing/detailing cars on my own going forward. Have watched the videos etc, but do have a few newbie questions:

1. Do I need to go through all 5 steps? Is polishing required at this stage? I didn't see any swirls etc.

You only need to do what needs to be done. If you don't see any swirls then you don't really need to use a paint cleaner. If the paint doesn't feel at all rough, then you don't need to clay.

2. If I skip polishing for now, should I use any other product between clay and wax? I see some posts recommending ColorX - is that good for this purpose?

It certainly won't hurt. We've had a pretty mild winter here in SoCal (this past weekend not withstanding - what was up with the hail in Sunday morning??????) but that doesn't mean you car couldn't have picked up something in the past 6 months.

3. Assuming I use ColorX and then wax (GC Liquid Wax), what areas should I avoid getting these on? The black trims? The metal around windows?

Definitely stay off black plastic trim with those products, but metal around the windows is safe.

4. I have clear bra installed over half the hood, bumper and half fenders. What products are ok to be used on these areas, and which products should I avoid - both initial detail and regular maintenance?

Thanks!

Virtually all clear bra makers recommend not using any sort of abrasive on them, so stay away from paint cleaners, compounds, etc. You're fine applying a wax, and even a cleaner wax, but that's about it. We have seen some people get good results on these clear films using M205 on a DA buffer, but they're usually doing that when the film is badly degraded after a few years and they need to replace it anyway so they figure they've got nothing to lose. On a new film like yours, don't take that route.

[pjp98z]

Re: Detailing for new(er) car with clear bra

In terms of maintaining the clearbra, different brands of films have different surfaces that will require different levels of maintenance. One thing that is common between all brands is that you want to steer clear of products that contain petroleum distillates like naptha and kerosene. The chemicals can dry out the urethane, enlarge the pores, and cause the film to yellow or haze. It is best to stick with an all natural product or a purpose made product.

Put a little bit of masking tape along the edges anytime you wax it and it will save you the trouble of having to clean any seams afterwards!

[sarge_in]

Re: Detailing for new(er) car with clear bra

Thank you all. It was fun going through the entire routine - my first, and very happy with the results! Did a complete wash, clay, polish and wax routine. No clay or polish on the clearbra...and it turned out very well indeed.

Good idea about the tape...will get it next time.

[KeithIndy]

Re: Detailing for new(er) car with clear bra

Put a little bit of masking tape along the edges anytime you wax it and it will save you the trouble of having to clean any seams afterwards!

DO NOT ignore the tape recommendation, if you don't mask the seams you will never get the wax out and it will look like ****-ask how I know. I had the piece replaced because of a big rock hit and I will never wax, polish, or coumpound without using blue painters tape. I have a clear bra on my black TL for 3 1/2 years and 112,000 miles and it still looks great. Plexus is highly recommended but I have been using NXT.