Definitely true, without seeing the car first hand there is no way to tell. So it's up to you to decide what it needs. I strongly recommend Meguiar’s Mirror Glaze #21 Synthetic Sealant 2.0, if you can get it. Leave it on for at least a half hour, even longer if you can. Than wipe off with a microfiber cloth.

 

If it doesn't look too bad after use, u can fold it into itself over and over until looks new again and reuse it later. But if you drop it even once, throw it away, its not worth the risk.

 

make sure you read a very good detail faq and do it right...


<--detailer by trade

 

This answers my question as well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfEfLGL59GI

This is the exact package I have.

 

-wash the car with dawn
-clay the whole car
-wash again (optional)
-polish
-wax

this is the sequence I follow every time I detail my car. Takes a while but well worth it.

To answer your question; Yes, you should clay the car. It will make polish and wax last longer and gives much smoother surface for wax and polish to lay.


+1 Adams polishes. Adams wax + klasse polish never fails.

 

here is what i would do.

-wash with dish soap <> to remove any wax that may have been put on the car at the delearship...u can also use a citrus base soap and not dillute it that much works the same.
- while its still wet clay bar the car along with your detail spray <> you will be suprised what you will find. Clay from top to bottom the bottom 1/4 of the car is always filthy
-wash again to remove all clay residue (u can use a regular car shampoo)
-if you have a LED light u can look for swirls with it or use natural sunlight
(optional step) if swirls are found i am sure they are light and a one step polish will remove them i.e. Meguiars 205 polish with a white polish pad
- if none are found go on to a good sealant<> with using a sealant the key is to let it cure. Apply one thin coat to the entire car then let is sit for 20-30 min. remove the sealant and let it sit again for another 20min (during that time u can go and clean something else on the car) the apply another coat and do the same thing.
- you can apply a hand wax after if u want. If you choose to let the car sit in the garage and apply the wax the next day. ofcourse do a quick wipe off of the car before u wax it so u wont spread dirt that may have sat on the car over night.
- key to waxing is DO NOT apply wax in circular motions that is old school. apply the wax the same way the wind would run off the car. left to right (horizontal) so that if u do cause any minor imperfections it will be hard to see it.

that is all

 

I like the way that is worded .

Just to be clear... this car sat at the dealership for a few hours. It literally came off the boat, to the dealership and to me the same day. The dealership never touched the car except to load it off of the truck. They didn't even take off the white plastic (I did at home).

 

o okay....damn that brand new lol.... still wash with dish soap it act as a degreaser and is really good if you are gonna clay bar right after.

 

Awesome used dish soap first wash... just clay bared it. What a difference. Some very very very minor scratches were found, but nothing I really care about.

That clay bar kit came with some wax... should I use it or go grab the sealant?

Thanks for all the help.

 

i order all my stuff online. i am not too sure if the local autozone or advance offers any good sealants. if anything just apply multiple coats of wax (3). and it will POP! meguiars gold caranuba wax is good to use even the NXT wax too

 

This local parts store carries Meguiars autobody supplies. I should be able to get the sealant from them. If not they can get it for me by tomorrow. On my way to go look.

Do you recommend doing wax by hand on a black car (I usually do)? Or is a buffer wheel ok? 3 coats of wax by hand would take me a fortnight

 

There is this kit for black cars i saw at autozone i wanna try. maybe you can try that

 

i prefer hand waxing, thats my car-to-man bonding time lol...it shouldn't take that long to had wax. for 3 coats maybe about an 1 or so that wit 10min of curing. maybe do 2 coats today and 1 more tomorrow. i do that sometimes.

 

Zaino

 

make me feel really bad. 8200 miles after buying my car brand new in 2008 i havent even waxed it.