Is my process alright?
 

I know there is probably a million of these threads, but I'm special, so I get one too. :D

Normally, I just clay and wax, but I really wanted to do something about the little swirls. I really just want to know if any of what I'm doing is redundant/unnecessary.

#1
Wash really good (obviously)
#2
Griot Clay with Mother's M Tech Spray Wax
#3
Meguiar's Ultimate Compound (by hand)
#4
Mother's California Gold Carnuba Wax


I still have to wax it, but the first 3 steps are finished. Also, would there be a benefit from adding a second coat of wax?

Looks good to me. Wash, dry, clay, paint correction, and wax or seal.

Are you clay barring your car every time you wash it? That might be a bit excessive.

I used to clay bar once every two months, but I have only clay barred only once earlier this year. The car was parked all summer.

I usually use a detailer spray instead of spray wax when I clay bar... just because spray wax costs more than detailer spray. But if you're baller... :lol:

I would only clay bar if the car gets contaminated with something or every 6 months.

Same procedure here.

I would do regularly:

#1 Wash
#2 Wax

Every six months or so:

#1 Wash
#2 Clay
#4 Paint correction/polish
#3 Paint sealant
#4 Wax

Are you inspecting the paint using the plastic bag method before claying? Mind posting some pictures of the paint with the sun hitting the vehicle?

Josh

Every 6 months huh. It's a good thing I was slacking off big time. My car used to sleep outside though.

Plastic bag method? I've never heard of that before. I would have gotten pictures, but it has been really gloomy lately. Today is the first time I've seen sunlight in days.

Cheaper to just use the left over soap from the bucket, obviously not the bucket with all the muck in it.

Place your hand in a plastic baggy. Rub your hand across the paint. Does it feel like sand paper?

If it does you need to clay.

Don't over clay. Keep in mind, claying does cause slight marring. Polishing the paint after will remove this.

Kam

You're going to hate life polishing by hand.

If you don't want to go spend the money on a Porter Cable/Griots/Meguires DA Polisher.. Go to harbor freight and pick the one up they have for 60 bucks. It'll work just as good, may not last a lifetime but itll get you a few good uses and you can decide if you want to pick a better one up.

Forgot to respond to this.
@Stay Fresh Car Care
I actually slid the back of my nails over the paint (without applying any pressure).
@Shady195
I will eventually get a machine. I just wanted to know what it was like to do it by hand. Well that's one experience I wish I didn't go through.

Use the plastic bag, while you may feel bigger abrasions, your nails are not sensitive like your fingertips.

Thanks for the tip. I'll use it in the future.

I'd invest in a PC for polishing. While you could do it by hand (especially since this paint is pretty soft) it will take you a LONG time. As long as you don't have any serious/deep scratches a fine polish will remove most of the defects. Stay Fresh's Renew 2/Refresh 3 work great for this.

As for adding 2 or more coats of wax, it is great for goig over any apots you might have missed the first time around. It also helps to create a slightly "deeper" look to the paint as in theory you are creating another micro layer. The main benefit though is just added coverage.