Noob Question, pls dont kill me...

[pacman]

Hello, I am excited to go out and work on my car. Like an idiot, I didn't sign up a last night and ask my question. I want to go out and get some work in before it gets dark, so hopefully you awesome people can help me out.

I Have washed my car a couple times in the past few days, and I plan on going out and washing it again today real quick, then hitting it with several products.

I have:
ultimate compound
clay kit
Gold Class Wax.

rotary buffer. (Trying not to use if possible. open to try it though if it will look a lot better than hand)

I read that I should be using ultimate polish after the compound so it leaves appropriate surface to continue working with.. Is this always the case?, or just for really bad paint. I'll head out to buy a bottle if need be. The paint condition isn't by any means awful... Its probably less than that 5 years old seeing as the car is from 2004, and the PO had it painted when it was picked up from auction. I figure I hit it with ultimate compound in the areas that have scratches? Should I do the whole car anyway?

also I assume the order is:
Wash
Compound
Polish (if you guys think I should do it)
Clay
Wax

one more question ( I promise ) Will Gold Class Wax work okay after I use the ultimate line?


Let me go outside right now to take pics... BRB

[pacman]

Re: Noob Question, pls dont kill me...

looks like I cant edit my original post, so here you go

[1994Gen1L]

Re: Noob Question, pls dont kill me...

Welcome!

Yes, you can apply Gold Class Wax over Ultimate Polish (UP) or Ultimate Compound (UC). You would get a little more durability by using NXT 2.0 wax instead of the Cold Class Wax. I have a 1994 Oxford White Clearcoat F150, that responds well to my Meg's DA with Swirl X/NXT 2.0 Liquid Wax or UP/Ultimate Liquid Wax (ULW) and I use Ultimate Quick Wax (UQW)/Gold Class High Gloss Detailer.

James

[Murr1525]

Re: Noob Question, pls dont kill me...

You want to:

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Clean - Ult. Compound
4. Wax
5. Wax

Yes, you pretty much want to do the whole car with all products. You can always get the Ult. Polish to use next time, dont really want UC ever time.

[FX4619]

Do not clay after polish. Why would you want to possibly ruin the perfect finish you would achieve from the polish? Clay removes above surface contaminates. That includes any previous polish and wax. You should get a full bottle of UQD and clay after you wash. Then follow with UC, UP, then your favorite wax.

[pacman]

Re: Noob Question, pls dont kill me...

Guess i wasnt thinking clearly. Sorry about that. Maybe ill just do the, clay, compound ,and wax this time with what I got, then maybe next month pick up the ultimate polish and recommended wax and do a follow up. Thanks for the help guys... I appreciate it

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Noob Question, pls dont kill me...

The reason to clay before compounding is to remove all the above surface bonded contaminants first. This gets that crud out of the way and allows the compound to better do it's job of removing below surface defects like fine swirls, etchings from bird droppings, etc.

We do see some light swirls in some of your pictures and Ultimate Compound should take care of those pretty easily. You don't have to follow UC with Ultimate Polish unless A) you're getting some haze from the UC (rare, but not unheard of) or B) you just want to maximize the gloss potential of the paint. We always consider the polish step to be optional but real detailing enthusiasts often think it's essential. Only you can decide if the extra step pays any dividends for you.