If I use a Clay-bar, do I still need a Pre-wax cleaner/glaze?

I

iforcev8

New member
I have a new box of mothers clay bar, and I am considering ordering a Pre-wax cleaner, like the 3M IHG, or some other one that will work well with my Meguiers #26 Paste wax( 3M products says it will fill in swirls? Does the Meguiers equilvilant do this? ). My question is, Do I really need a pre wax cleaner if I clay bar the car first?



P.s.

If I do get the Prewax cleaner, would this be the correct order to apply the products?



Car wash w/ Dawn

Mothers Clay bar

PreWax Cleaner

Meguiers #26 Wax

QD?



Feel free to add any steps to my list.
 
Remember the clay just removes surface contaminents. The cleaner will remove any stains, oxidation, and will polish the paint before the #26.



Your sequence looks fine to me. I say try it and evaluate the results. If you want improvements or need additional work, then expand your product inventory. No need to spend money if the products you have are giving you the results you want.



I think Meguiar's #7 Show Car Glaze is very similar to 3M IHG. My guess is that you won't be able to tell the diff, especially on a white truck.



Have fun! :)
 
Even though I'm a rank amateur, I have used both. The 3M product is easier to work with. The #7 seems to cake up more. Perhaps I used too much. Anyway I vote on 3M. BTW I also use the #26 and I don't know if you are using the paste or liquid, but if you use the liquid, I would consider also buying the paste as an additional layer(s). I have so many layers, I've lost count. :D
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by iforcev8 [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>I have a new box of mothers clay bar, and I am considering ordering a Pre-wax cleaner, like the 3M IHG, or some other one that will work well with my Meguiers #26 Paste wax( 3M products says it will fill in swirls? Does the Meguiers equilvilant do this? ). My question is, Do I really need a pre wax cleaner if I clay bar the car first?

P.s.
If I do get the Prewax cleaner, would this be the correct order to apply the products?

Car wash w/ Dawn
Mothers Clay bar
PreWax Cleaner
Meguiers #26 Wax
QD?

Feel free to add any steps to my list. [/b]</blockquote>
The 3M IHG isn't really a pre-wax cleaner as it doesn't have any (or hardly any) cleaning agents in it. Neither does the Meguiar's Show Car Glaze. However, they are both good choices to use after applying a cleaner and before applying a pure wax. For a prewax cleaner, I would use either Meguiar's #9 (a.k.a. Swirl Remover 2.0) or 3M SMR. Both of these have some filling agents, cleaning agents & will slightly (and i do mean slightly) reduce minor swirls. Or you can use a cleansing lotion made by Pinnacle, P21S, or Meg Medallion.

Next step would be either the 3M IHG or Meg's #7 Show Car Glaze to completely fill in the swirls.

Then finally you should seal everything in with the #26 wax.

Coincidentally, I'm planning to do this exact procedure on one of my black cars this weekend.
 
I can't speak for Meguiar's #7 but I can tell you IHG is mainly filler with some abrasive content. Not very abrasive, but if you work it in really well it will help a <em class='bbc'>little[/i] bit. Refer to Intermezzo's post above...
 
I wouldn't use anything abrasive unless your paint really needed it, heavy oxidation, swirls, or stains,etc.......



The above posts are correct, IHG does not really do any cleaning, just fills in swirls and provides a glossy shine that needs to be sealed in with a carnuba wax.



If you feel you must polish the paint, I would use something mild like PPCL.



Your plan sounds good.....post resuts.....
 
I didn't think IHG had abrasives either until I peeked at the MSDS for the product:

1. INGREDIENT PERCENT----------------------------------------------------------------------------- WATER................................... 60.0 - 90.0
WHITE MINERAL OIL (PETROLEUM)........... 3.0 - 7.0
ALUMINUM SILICATE....................... 1.0 - 5.0

I do believe Aluminum Silicate is an abrasive. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

puterbum

edit: Sorry, can't get the link to work... here it is in another format

http://products.mmm.com/us/auto_marine_aero/products/aad.jhtml?powurl=GS9BQV32F7gsGSLPLPKL4XgeGST1T4S9TCgvGS8V45YN4PglGSGCNDZFPYbl_e21028612+7050_LGus1english
 
I think the abrasive must be extremely fine because I have used it as well and did not notice abrasion. I think it is of such a fine grade that it is for use with a machine if you want any polishing.



I believe DavidB uses IHG before AIO just for the very minor polish it gives. I doubt this will do anything for swirls, just micromarring type defects.
 
"Swirl marks and other minor blemishes I polish out using 3M Imperial Hand Glaze (it’s a polish, not a glaze)"



:confused:
 
That silica stuff is an abrasive but its harshness would depend on its size as well.



I bet they put that little bit in there to help break the edges of some swirls for the filler materials (mineral Oils) to sit in it better.



PUTERBUM how about showing us the MSDS for the other 3M lines since you are the post thingy expexrt on this thread. OR maybe if I can figure out to drive this mouse I can get there myself.
 
Okay, here's a quick explanation of how to get MSDS from 3M's web site:

1) Go to 3M's Auto. Aftermarket Product Catalog. Notice this is not where you buy things from but where you get information on them.

2) Select Car Care and Appearance Products or Paint Finishing Products.

Now use the search box to locate the product you are looking for. When you find it, click the product for its detailed information. There is box with "Learn more...." and a link to the MSDS of the product. Click that and you're set.

HTH,
puterbum
 
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