Do I need to polish?

Phideaux

Phideaux

New member
Recently, we bought a Grand Caravan (2002), and it was professionally detailed at the dealership before we took delivery. It's been about 6 weeks, but looking at it from different angles and under different light sources, there don't seem to be swirls and/or scratches (in fact, none that we could see) and the paint still feels pretty smooth.

Would I be better off to just wash, clay, and either seal or wax rather than break out the abrasives? Or is it best to do a full job? Or is there something else I should be doing?
 
Your LSP could make a difference in what you use.
If I were using a wax or sealant with any cleaners in it, you shouldn't need a polish/cleaner.
Poorboy's PwS or PwC are a couple that come to mind.
Meguiar's NXT Tech Wax is another.

Charles
 
If the vehicle doesn't need abrasives, then don't use abrasives. Only use what the job requires. Don't get so tied up in following the same steps on every vehicle you detail that you don't consider the unique needs of those vehicles. If the van is well maintained already and it doesn't need clay or polish, then I'd just strip off whatever grease they used on it when they detailed it and put on my own products. You'll know better what condition the van is in once you get the gunk off.
 
I use Dawn dish soap. It is high alkaline and will strip all oils including any waxes.

You can then determine the state of the paint and decide if you need to polish.

Of course you need to get the snow off first :)
 
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