Paint Cleaner options

[FLAccord]

Ok, after using the clay bar, guess I'm supposed to use a paint cleaner. What would be a good option? I have swirlX and like the results, but is that to harsh to be using on a regular basis?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Paint Cleaner options

What you use and when you use it is totally dependent on what your surface evaluation yields.

• If the paint feels rough to the touch but but you don't see any swirls or other below surface defects, then all you really need to do is clay - you can skip the paint cleaner.
• If the paint feels smooth but you can see swirls, etc then you don't really need to clay but the finish will benefit from a paint cleaner
• If you have a rough texture to the finish and you have swirls, then the car needs the whole deal - but clay first

SwirlX is pretty mild, especially when used by hand. Feel free to use it a few times a year if need be. Obviously the less often you need to use any sort of abrasive on the paint, the better, so make sure your wash/dry process is as non-invasive as possible. But again, something like SwirlX applied by hand would have to be used more often than your arms would like before you'd have any issues with it.

[Murr1525]

Re: Paint Cleaner options

Using ColorX after the clay is all also an option if you want a quick process. ColorX + Nxt is a great quick combo.

[Raynbow6]

Re: Paint Cleaner options

Once a year when spring enters, I do a big overhaul: I wash my car, clay it, use the paint cleaner by hand, clean it with final inspection and then I bring on the NXT finish.
In between I only wash and wax (NXT). When the summer is over, I only clay one time, I don't use the paint cleaner, but I clean with final inspection. Then I apply a layer of M16. During the winter I apply one extra layer of M16 once more.

Is this a proper way of working? Does any one has an opinion about this?

[Murr1525]

Re: Paint Cleaner options

Well, there is a pretty good chance that the paint is getting dirty enough to clean more than once a year. Esp if you feel the car needs clayed twice a year, it is safe to say there is also dirt in the paint.

Throwing in a cleaner/wax before the Nxt makes a quick and effective detail to cover the cleaning step.

[Raynbow6]

Re: Paint Cleaner options

OK, so no harm when I do an extra cleaning step.
Thanks !!