So what steps/solutions do you guys use to prep your car before applying a new wax? So far I've heard of using diluted dawn, and somebody showed me this stuff 3M™ Adhesive & Wax Remover (has anybody used it? and for the whole car?), otherwise I'd like to hear about what you to wash or remove old wax before applying the new.

 

It's been suggested to use Dawn as a wax stripper and the idea has been debated so often. Here's one thread debating the use of Dawn. A claybar and a pre wax cleaner/polish will remove the existing layer of protection. Claying is pretty much self explanatory. A pre wax cleaner (AIO, Paintwork Cleanser) has virtually limited or no cutting ability and will chemically remove oxidation and other contaminants from the surface. A polish (Optimum, PB Pro Polish, SSR's) on the other hand contains varying degrees of abraisives and categorized as such. Coupled with the proper cutting pad, they are basically used for removing swirls, minor scratces and other imperfections. Using these products should/will create a sterile surface void of any contaminants and defects.

 

On my 04 TL Redondo Red, I use Mothers Clay Bar to prep before waxing. The Clay Bar lift any contaminates or airbourne particles that find there way on your TL. It also removes swirls or fine hair line scratches from the paint. After claying the entire car, then you use Mothers Seal & Glaze followed by Mothers 100% Pure Carnuba Wax. When you follow the process you get a deep shine on your TL.

 

K-Shawn, I believe you've been misinformed or misled about how a claybar will remove those imperfections. Check out this article by David Bynon of Better Car Care and scroll down to the section called "Clay Facts".

 

Hawhyen, claying does not remove swirls or scratches. Check out that article Haw posted up K-shawn.

I concur with what Haw posted above as well. Very shortly I will be getting my car ready for sealant and wax. To get it ready (besides washing), I will be claying, polishing, and using paint cleaner before any sealant/wax is put on.

 

Claying does remove contaminates from the paint and it preps the paint for seal and glaze to fill in fine hair line scratches and swirls. The pure carnuba gives the deepness of the color in the paint. Go to any detailer and they will inform you that's what claying is for. The whole process takes about 3-4 hrs to complete and it's three separate stages to complete. If you don't have the time, stick to Turtle Wax.

 

Zaino is the only product I know that requires "stripping" before application. Depending on the level of detail, you can generally count on the clay and polish steps to remove any residual topcoat. In other words, there's generally no need to do a separate 'wax-prep' step - in caring for your finish you'll be doing just that.

Great links and info above. Here's another one that does an excellent job of summarizing a number of detailing topics... http://www.paintcare-n-detailing.com/

 

Learn how to read. Look at what I said above,..........CLAYING DOES NOT REMOVE SWIRLS AND SCRATCHES. In the post above ^^,.....you just agreed with what I said. Obviously claying PREPS the paint to remove swirls and scratches, BUT IT DOES NOT REMOVE SWIRLS AND SCRATCHES ITSELF. Also, when did I say that claying does not remove contaminants????????????? For the record, it is better for you to be polishing swirls and scratches so they are GONE,......not filling them in/hiding them.

Here is what you said in your first post,......... "It also removes swirls or fine hair line scratches from the paint," in reference to claying. WRONG, claying does not do this. You even said so yourself in your response to my post.

Try learning how to read before you post smartass comments. Have a nice day.

 

K-Shawn, the point of West6MT's post was your statement saying "It also removes swirls or fine hair line scratches from the paint." Most of the folks here are have used clay and are aware of it's limitations. Most also know, you can either fill or remove swirls and minor defects from the surface as well as what the capability is of a specific products. Most members also devote a great amount of their time to maintain and upkeep their vehicles. And a great majority of the members here also use products that are available only online. Your turtle wax comment was pretty much uncalled for.

 

You couldnt be any more wrong. Using a clay bar does not remove swirls. There is no "carnuba" in clay. Claying removes contaniments and preps the surface for polish. And its the polish that removes the swirls.

 

Maybe clay prevents swirls when polishing?

Why else clay before polishing?

Is the adhesive remover necessary if clay and/or polish?

Some of you guys are also trying to protect pads from gumming on PC machines?

 

1st question - NO! You need to research what is the purpose of a claybar.......
2nd questions - You need to research what is the purpose of a claybar....... Before I forget, I consider claying to be an optional/as required step.
3rd question - I have no clue what you're talking about .......
4th question - Yea, that's when tools (pictured below) comes in handy. A pad cleaning tool and a conditioning brush.

 

Wow, just wow...

 

On our local Honda forum, someone just posted that they use polish as a lube for the claybar as it is better than shampoo suds.... WTF?!?!?!

 

If you have a comment don't say it over the forum, save it for when you're in Jersey. Then you can say it face to face. I haven't checked this thread in over a week, so that is why you got away with that cheap shot. Remember.....Save for face to face conversation.

 

I can only guess that the person heard wrong - I can't imagine using a polish as a clay lubricant. Water....mild soap & water...QD spray...or QD lubricant (those last two are usually very similar)...but not polish.

For anyone curious about the results of using a clay bar, here's a before & after look of a Mercedes I detailed a while back.





That was about 1/3 of the hood. If you've never clayed before, that's what you can expect.

Using a clay bar is the perfect post-wash step to a full detail (for me, a 2x/year proposition). It removes surface contaminants - essentially dirt, acid rain, and other specks that have attached themselves to the paint. Think of it as prepping the paint for polish. It will not remove scratches or imperfections in the clearcoat.

Otherwise - again, unless you're applying Zaino, I don't believe there's a need to do a step dedicated to prepping for wax. By applying a polish and/or paint cleanser, you'll be removing any old wax at the same time.

 

Ok, actually, technically, clay could reduce, not remove scratches and swirls. Its not something I would recommend trying, and I wouldnt imagine its possible with ultra or fine grade bars. But they do contain abrasives. We all know it takes an abrasive to reduce the vertical edge on swirls and scratches. The problem with medium grade clay bars is there obviously more abrasive then what were normally used to using. They also present the danger of inducing marring, which should be expected with such grades of abrasives in any form. Normally, fine grade clay bars ar sufficient for 95% of the detailing I perform. The other 5% warrant paint cleaning prior to even claying.
Heres a article on "claying" for those of you who havent seen it before....
And a few pics.....

Heres what clay removes.....


Heres some clay with suds......


And the right amount to be using......

 

You got the response you did because of your rude comments. If you dont like it, maybe you should try treating other forum members with respect. If you have constructive contributions to make to this forum, by all means post away. Im more than happy to chat about detailing with you and dont hold any ill will towards you personally. If you're going to be rude (why I made those comments) and threaten people though, you'll be ignored and probably get yourself banned. For the sake of the other members that visit wash and wax Im going to ignore your puerile threats and let this issue die. If you comment about this further Im going to ignore you (applies to PM's as well). If you want to talk about detailing I am more than happy to discuss this great obsession with you.

 

Exceldetail, thanks for the pics. I read "pancake size" somewhere, and I make big uns, one cake per pan!