paint cleaner withoout claying?

[Callaway23]

I thought there was meguiar's quick clay at Auto Zone last time I went....but I guess not or it's not there now. I want to wax my new car for the first time. Tonight if possible. But, all I have is the paint cleaner. Will the paint cleaner remove all the bonded contaminants? I don't want to lock in anything bad.

I also heard you should use two coats of wax. Do I do two coats in a row? or one tonight one tomorrow? If one tomorrow I should probably rewash the car before waxing? especially cause it's rainy here.

thanks, justin

[Murr1525]

Hmmm..guess its a little late for tonight, but..

1. The paint cleaner wont remove everything, esp. a mild cleaner like DC#1. You can still use it, or even something like Clay Magic Clay in a pinch. Remember, part of claying is so you dont drag any contaminants across your paint while cleaning the paint. If it feels smooth, and jut wanted to clay, then use the DC#1 this time, and clay the next detail. If it feels quite rough, you may want to find clay somewhere.

2. 2 coats spaced 12 hours apart is best. Ovbisouly we cant all do that, and if you can wait at least a half hour, your results will be fine. Depending on how dusty your area is, you may be able to QD the car, or you may need to wash it.

[Callaway23]

thanks

thank you....i'm off to paint clean ...wash ...wax....maybe twice

I hope puddles on road don't affect too much. I am going to a coin op car wash ...to use lights!
Do you think puddles will do damage on way home???

[Mike Phillips]

When deciding whether or not to clay a paint finish, let your surface evaluation be your guide, that is after washing and drying the car feel the horizontal surfaces with your clean, dry hand. If you fell little bumps, the clay your finish, if your car's finish feels as smooth as glass, then you can go right to the next step.

How often do I need to clay my car's finish?