Readt to clean not correct before using Ultimate Wax

[SkipG]

My daily driver is 6 months old. I used Ultimate polish and Ultimate wax when I brought it home, I live on the coast and drive on interstate alot, so I used GC carnuba on the front end once a month as it made bug removal much easier. It's my understanding that the paint needs to be cleaned if I want to use the Ultimate wax again. I understand there are cleaner waxes available, but should they be used if I want to seal with the Ultimate Wax? I was going to use Ultimate polish but not sure if there are abrasives, I want to clean and prep for the sealer, not ready to correct or remove any clearcoat. Also working by hand till I get the DA. Thanks in advance, SkipG

[ShinyMopar]

Sounds like you need to clay if you haven't been. That will remove any above surface bonded contaminants and prep for either a polish stage or wax.

[Murr1525]

Re: Readt to clean not correct before using Ultimate Wax

Clay, Ult. Polish and wax, or Clay, cleaner/wax then wax would be fine, and still pretty mild.

[Detailing by M]

Re: Readt to clean not correct before using Ultimate Wax

It's my understanding that the paint needs to be cleaned if I want to use the Ultimate wax again.

No, It's wise to clean it but not necessary.
I clay my cars when they are "ruff" about every 3 months. You can clay everyday if you'd like but I have more important things to do.

So "clean" your paint ever 3 months or so with polishing, claying or a cleaner wax.

[SkipG]

Re: Readt to clean not correct before using Ultimate Wax

I see the common denominator is clay, and that makes sense. I guess I have grasped the concept that one should try the least aggressive product, and that correcting means removing clear coat, so I am paranoid that polishing also means clear coat removal, can I polish without sacrificing my clear coat.

SkipG

[wifpd4]

Re: Readt to clean not correct before using Ultimate Wax

Skip, as you mentioned, it's best to use the least aggressive method, but improve your maintenance techniques to reduce how often you need to polish. So give you car a high quality once over using the least aggressive method to remove what defects you have and then develop a work flow that reduces the amount of defects you impart to your car's finish from that point forward.

Once you have the finish in mint condition, make sure you use quality products to maintain that finish. Use the two-bucket method to wash the car using a quality automotive shampoo and use a high quality mitt. Dry the car using techniques to reduce touching the car, such as a leaf blower and or quality microfiber towels. Use a quality spray wax as you dry the car to act as a booster to the wax you used during your extensive defect removal and protection process. Use a a detailer spray or spray wax to remove light dust, finger prints, water spots or other surface contaminates on a regular basis. Be conscious of making a concerted effort to protect and maintain your finish without creating defects. Sometimes you are your own worst enemy.

Yes, a new car will sometimes be the most contaminated. Sitting outdoors at the factory, riding on a train car to the distribution center, riding on the back of a semi trailer to the dealership and sitting in the parking lot of the dealership gives that clear coat the opportunity to have bonded contaminates that are easily removed by claying the car. The smooth, flat surface obtaining after claying improves the reflections and clarity you will get after compounding and/or polishing. Wax will serve to protect your hard work and it's what's under the wax that give that great appearance.

[SkipG]

Re: Readt to clean not correct before using Ultimate Wax

My cleaning and protecting the paint has been close to your advice, two bucket washing, no filter in the bottom of the bucket, using the microfiber drying towel, but I like the leaf blower idea, used the detail spray and topping with carnauba made bug removal easier. I have one area on my trunk with very light swirls that are only seen in direct sun, otherwise the car looks great, so I can live with that until I need to polish.

I will plan to clay, seal with the Ult. Liquid Wax, then try to upgrade my maintenance with the leaf blower drying and spray with ult. quick wax afterwards. I like the protection of the sealers and want to make sure the sealer/ ult. wax bonds like it is suppose to.

Thanks again, please reply if you have any other tips.
SkipG