Clay bar & Liquid Paint Clenaer Q's

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FLdude

New member
Hey guys, what's the difference in using the clay bar or liquid paint cleaner for step 1? Is one more aggressive than the other? Should the Paint cleaner be used after the clay bar?
 
The claybar removes above the surface contamination.



Liquid paintwork cleaner removes below the surface contamination.



You really need to use both or atleast use a polish with chemical cleaning action to achieve clean paintwork and optimum clarity of the paintwork.
 
steelwind101 said:
The claybar removes above the surface contamination.



Liquid paintwork cleaner removes below the surface contamination.



You really need to use both or atleast use a polish with chemical cleaning action to achieve clean paintwork and optimum clarity of the paintwork.
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Bingo, hit that nail on the head.
 
Ok, thanks for clearing that up. So I'll be doing:



Wash

Clay bar (mothers)

Liquid Paint cleaner (megs or mothers step 1)

Polish (megs or mothers step 2)

DG #105 TPP

Maintaining with Aquawax when washing 1x/month.



Sound like a plan? I'll probly do the whole process 1x/yr on my wife's car b/c we plan on trading it in a few years, but do it 2x/yr on my car b/c I plan on keeping it long term.
 
FLdude said:
Ok, thanks for clearing that up. So I'll be doing:



Wash

Clay bar (mothers)

Liquid Paint cleaner (megs or mothers step 1)

Polish (megs or mothers step 2)

DG #105 TPP

Maintaining with Aquawax when washing 1x/month.



Sound like a plan? I'll probly do the whole process 1x/yr on my wife's car b/c we plan on trading it in a few years, but do it 2x/yr on my car b/c I plan on keeping it long term.
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Not sure about the Mothers, but I know the Megs Step 2 has lots of oils that will not play nice with the DG #105. You could grab some DG501 and kill steps 3 and 4 in one shot.
 
did not know that. I don't see the 501 on their website... did you mean 601? Which is their polish bonding agent. I see what you mean, I need a polish with some cleaning ability right? Then top with DG 105 TPP. So... Wash, Clay, Cleaner Polish and then DG 105.
 
Interesting. I contacted Mothers, and asked them what I should use inbetween the Clay bar and reflections wax. They said nothing. Clay bar to reflections.
 
FLdude said:
Interesting. I contacted Mothers, and asked them what I should use inbetween the Clay bar and reflections wax. They said nothing. Clay bar to reflections.
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Honestly though, I think you'd be much better served by going with Poliseal and Optimum Car Wax. Poliseal is a good cleaner, decent polish and nice looking sealant all in one. Your main goal seems to be time savings and ease of use, that is where Optimum rules. I was just throwing the 501 out there since you were sticking to the Duragloss line. DG is cheaper, but Optimum is much easier to use.
 
I keep learning... Didn't realize the spray waxes (wet & dry type) have come a long way it seems. So many options, brands and combos my lord. The only thing I'm 100% sure about is using the use of a clay bar twice a year. I think for a "final" protectant coat I'm going to do some kind of spray waxy after each wash. So i guess the thing I don't understand or haven't figured out is



1-do I even need a product inbetween clay bar & spray wax

2- What kind of paint cleaner/polish should I use?
 
You do need a cleaner. But since you want to save time, just go with the DG501 or even DG101 if you are scared of the RV sticker. The AIO (all in one) will provide the base protection and you can just top with Aquawax.



2x year:

1. Wash

2. Clay

4. DG501 (or 101)

5. Top with AW



Every two weeks (I know you said month, I can't agree with that!)

1. Wash

2. While drying top with AW
 
FLdude said:
Interesting. I contacted Mothers, and asked them what I should use inbetween the Clay bar and reflections wax. They said nothing. Clay bar to reflections.
Click to expand...



After claying, you only really need a "cleaner" if your paint condition, color and any other contributiong factors (including how much time you want to spend or how OCD you are) warrant the use of "cleaner."



A cleaner wax -- and Reflections Car Wax is really considered a cleaner wax, albeit a mild one -- often times is all you need.
 
Ok, went out shopping for some car care items, something I haven't really had the need for in the past almost 8+yrs. Started at Wally world, man their car section has shrunk. I only bought a bottle of Megs SwirlX remover. Then I went to Autozone, they had more, but still not like yrs ago. Picked up Mothers Clay bar kit, Megs tan color bottle of "glaze"; pure polish and Megs new Ultimate spray wax. Coupled with 10yr old Megs step #1 paint cleaner I started experimenting on the hood of my wife's red car. Here is what I did:



Paint cleaner, swirl X, Pure Polish, Ultimate spray wax. All I can say is WOW. I've been slacking in the prep dept big time. Intial impressions of above process: GREAT! I like the fact the spay wax does not turn trim white and I can up keep after each wash. It has a very deep, wet look and feel. The paint still has some surface contaminations the clay bar will take care of. Compare to the rest of the car... OMG.



I need to hit up Advance Auto today and see what all they have and try and get a new bottle of step 1 paint cleaner; one from this decade, I'm serious I bought that step one when I turned 16 in '99. I'm not tossing out the Liquid Glass just yet, I'll start doing comparisons until I find something that does knock it out. That Megs Ultimate Spray wax is EASY. OMG. No white junk in the cracks.... I had low hopes for it. But first impressions are great.
 
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