A cleaner after claying - but before polish?

[TomG]

After I clay the car I was planning on cleaning the surface with Meg deep crystal paint cleaner prior to polishing with Menzerna FPII. I the Meg step really necessary - I am getting conflicting views.

[detailz]

Most polishes have a cleaner in it, so if your polish does then I would not use the Meg which would be an extra step. Typically, we go clay,polish,seal and then wax. Hope this helps

[TomG]

Let me know what you think of the below prcess:
1- Clay - use Mothers clay bar.
2- Clean with Meg deep crystal paint cleaner
3- Polish with menzerna FPII - using light cut pad
4- Glaze - menzerna glaze
5- Wax using PS21S

What do you think about the process and products that I am using?

[lonewolf0420]

Skip the DC#1 step. The polish alone will be fine. I only use DC#1 if I don`t clay.

[BLUELINE 1]

I`m a fan of the Meg paint cleaner, so I say if you have the product and the time use it. If your asking what order to do it in, I would wash, clay, wash again then use the paint cleaner before moving on to the polish and LSP.

[joyriide1113]

its good, but the paint cleaner isnt needed. generally you would use that if u were not planning on using an abrasive polish but needed to get rid of old wax to start fresh. its like bathing before a shower. no point!

[JaredPointer]

I think that, depending on the finish, it might be a good idea to use the chemical cleaner polish. It will clean the paint more than just claying alone and will allow you to get a good look at the finish to determine what kind of shape the paint finish is in. Then you can determine how abrasive you need to be with your mar removing polishing steps. Your process looks fine, and I think that if you follow it, the results will come out very nice.

[Scott P]

What he said...

[Mikeyc]

I think that, depending on the finish, it might be a good idea to use the chemical cleaner polish. It will clean the paint more than just claying alone and will allow you to get a good look at the finish to determine what kind of shape the paint finish is in. Then you can determine how abrasive you need to be with your mar removing polishing steps. Your process looks fine, and I think that if you follow it, the results will come out very nice.

Jared raises a valid point. If you have different types of polishes and paint cleaners which have different levels of abrasiveness, the best thing you can do is pick a test spot and try out the different polishes starting with the least aggressive. Once you get to the polish that gives you the finish you want stop testing. Do this after you clay.

[Brenton]

Am I mistaken, but aren`t "paint cleaners" just polishes, either abrasive or chemically abrasive?

[Mikeyc]

Am I mistaken, but aren`t "paint cleaners" just polishes, either abrasive or chemically abrasive?

I think part of the problem with detailing is that there really isn`t a standardized vernacular. I can`t tell you how many products I`ve seen marked polish that were cleaner waxes.

In my mind a paint cleaner is a chemical polish. Also, in my own personal vocabularly a polish is an abrasive polish. However, I try to spell out exactly what I mean when I post because I know not everyone uses these words the same.

[edschwab1]

I agree with Jared. Experience says some cars need chemical paint cleaner after claying yet before abrasive defect removal. For chemical cleaners, I use KAIO or Meg`s medallion paint cleaner and plan on comparing PB PP and 4* UPC to my current products.

TomG,
What is the condition of vehicle you are working on? What is year and make of vehicle? Where is the vehicle driven and parked? How is the vehicle cared for?

Eric

[Brenton]

Well, if it streaks, like sometimes black or red will do, use a chemical cleaner.

[TomG]

edschwab - The vehicle is a 1941 ford pick up. I repainted the car about 5 years ago - light blue (lemans Blue) The paint is in fair to good condition - minor swirls (the color hides this well) and some oxidization. It is a urethane based paint w/clear coat. I wanted to see if I could bring out a little more shine.

[Brenton]

You gotta keep on repainted light blue, it does tend to oxidize. Cool truck though. Use every step you`ve got since it is an important ride.