First Wax and potential polish in addition. Help!
 

I just completed my break in oil change and have 1411 on odo. My build date was 05/13 and now feel confident that the paint has cured and want to proceed in applying some protection on my finish.

I have poked around and searched extensively and as a result still don't have a real good sense on products and/or procedures.

I was thinking of doing some type of 2 bucket method or at least wiping dry with a finishing product.

What's the consensus out there? Should I clay? Should I polish? Should I seal?

I know that I'm definitely going to use something easy, since doing by hand, like Colinite 845. But, how necessary is it to polish and/or apply sealant beforehand? I want to keep this pretty straight forward and streamlined.

I have only once using Mother's or Meg's Gold shampoo/conditioner. I use 3M 39042 Tire Restorer, but want something different that provides better sheen and longevity once bottle is finished. Was hoping for a gel tire dressing product.

2 bucket wash
Clay
2 bucket wash again
Polish
Sealant
Wax

How crucial is the polishing step if I use this as a sealant?

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004UR30QK"]Detailer's Pro Series Poli-Coat Paint Sealant 16oz:Amazon:Automotive[/ame]

Is there a super easy polish avail? Or can I skip polish




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You could skip the polish, but sealing in imperfections isn't all that great of an idea for long term. Of course you can always revisit the polishing step if you wanted to after the sealant wears off.

Polishing is EVERYTHING, the LSP (last step process....wax/sealant) is just the lipstick. Polishing is the costmetic alterations you need to make the lipstick look good.

Cheers,
GREG

I don't usually polish a new car when I buy it, often not for a year or more, unless there are visible imperfections I'm trying to correct. Definitely clay the car though.

sounds like this guy knows what he's talking about :D


For simplicity sake... there are abrasive and non abrasive polishes. The non abrasive stuff is more a deep cleaning of the paint while the abrasive stuff is removing small amounts of clear coat and leveling the surface ("paint correction"). You can do the cleaning polishes as often as you like being that they're pretty mild and primarily only removing whats on top of the paint


non abrasive cleaning polish of choice = Klasse all in one
User friendly mild abrasive polish = meguiars m205

either way follow up with a dedicated sealant / wax for protection