Going to apply polish by hand--strip wax first?

[synenergy52]

Or can I just polish away? Dishwashing soap OK to strip wax?

[VonLego]

Re: Going to apply polish by hand--strip wax first?

To my understanding you'll want to strip the wax. Reason being is if you do not strip the wax, you're applying the polish to the wax, not the paint. Needless to say nothing would be soaked up, and would wash off easily.

Dish soap should strip most waxes. I know some wont come off all the way. I suggest claying aswell.

Also remember that polishes get the most bang for the buck on a single stage paint (not sure what you're working on), especially dark colors.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Going to apply polish by hand--strip wax first?

Meguiar's does not suggest using dish washing soaps on cars. Products like Dawn are very powerful and can remove oils from parts of the vehicle that need those oils. It is also not pH balanced for use on automotive surfaces.

If you are working with a polish that is strong enough to remove paint, it will be strong enough to remove a micro thin layer of wax on top of the paint while you work the area.

[synenergy52]

Re: Going to apply polish by hand--strip wax first?

Thanks. So two different opinions huh? I'll be polishing my 98 m3's original estoril blue finish by hand. Should I use over the counter meguiars 3-step system (The polish part--red bottle) or the #83 which I already have?

[Bounty]

Re: Going to apply polish by hand--strip wax first?

Thanks. So two different opinions huh? I'll be polishing my 98 m3's original estoril blue finish by hand. Should I use over the counter meguiars 3-step system (The polish part--red bottle) or the #83 which I already have?

Not really two different opinions but rather same opinion from different vantage points. Both agree that Dawn or other dishsoaps will remove old wax and oil residue from your vehicle. But Meguiar's does not recommend it because OVER TIME or with MANY USES it can fade trim, rubber, and plastics. If you use it once or twice in the lifetime of the car it will have no ill effects.

Also remember that both claying and polishing with a cutting compound will remove any pre-existing coating of wax anyway although this will contaminate the clay bar faster or add to material build-up on the polishing pad.

I'd go with the dishsoap wash this once, then clay, the correct the paint, and finally follow with your LSP of choice. After that, leave the Dawn in the kitchen!

[MUGEN SI]

Re: Going to apply polish by hand--strip wax first?

I remember the days when I thought you were suppose to use dish soap lmao!

[Eddie6th]

Re: Going to apply polish by hand--strip wax first?

I would clay.It's fun too!That should get your surface prepped for polishing.Maybe even the step 1 paint cleaner.

[vidrazor]

Re: Going to apply polish by hand--strip wax first?

OK, so what DO you use to remove wax from a painted surface? I'm thinking lighter fluid might be a good candidate.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Going to apply polish by hand--strip wax first?

If you want to clean the surface of any previously applied wax or paint sealant and your goal is to make the paint beautiful, then use a product like,

Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner
SwirlX
M09 Swirl Remover 2.0


All of the above are products with light cleaning ability which will leave your car's paint looking polished after wipe off even though the paint will be squeaky clean.

Typed up something about this yesterday, let me find it...

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Going to apply polish by hand--strip wax first?

Did a search using the word backwards, as in working backwards and found this very similar thread,


Does Deep Crystal Cleaner remove wax?


Check out the questions and asnwers...

[vidrazor]

Re: Going to apply polish by hand--strip wax first?

Well, checking out Deep Crystal Cleaner sounds interesting. I wasn't kidding about lighter fluid. It's an interesting cleaner for a lot of things, that doesn't damage surfaces or finishes or leave residue behind. And it would DEFINITELY strip wax off painted surfaces, without damaging the paint..

But it's a good point about "working towards your goal". One less step to take.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Going to apply polish by hand--strip wax first?

Here is another vote for claying. It is a easy and necessary step in my opinion. Not only will that take care of the above surface bonded contaminants but it should take care of the old wax also.

Try the smooth surface clay kit. Use the supplied quik detailer for the clay lube. I bet you will be very happy with the results.