down to the clear

H

hey_i'm_new

New member
I basically want to have nothing between my clear coat and finger. What wash can I use to get my car down to its’ clear coat? Like, rinse all the chemicals, waxes, sealant, polishes, etc…away. Is a vinegar and alcohol solution ok? Is it abrasive? Will it eat some clear away? Will it hurt my paint? Can i add dish wash soap to it as lubricant?



the car is an 07 purchased in feb. I just want to start my process over...
 
Why?

I don't see the point



does your process involve polishing?

if so that will remove anything that is there

if not, why?



and to answer you question an IPA wipe down will remove almost anything that is there
 
Anytime I want to start over, I wash then clay. Claying not only removes your wax or sealant, but also gets rid of any other contaminants that you don't want to be applying your LSP over the top of.
 
i do not want to polish or clay... i have no need to. my paint is fairly/almost new. I just want to get everything off the paint down to the clear and just wax.
 
Some of the stuff that could be on there is so durable an/or hard that only a good claying can get it all off. You might have to clay man...
 
If you want to get everything off then you really should clay the car. It's a common misperception that you don't need to clay a new vehicle. It probably has rail dust and other contaminants on it.
 
BigJimZ28 said:
Why?

I don't see the point



does your process involve polishing?

if so that will remove anything that is there

if not, why?



and to answer you question an IPA wipe down will remove almost anything that is there
Click to expand...



I hate to admit this, but often times I'll "start over" just to try a different LSP. So I guess that might be his "why"... I know it is mine.



Oh, btw... an IPA wipedown doesn't remove Zaino sealants very well at all.
 
hey_i'm_new said:
i do not want to polish or clay... i have no need to. my paint is fairly/almost new. I just want to get everything off the paint down to the clear and just wax.
Click to expand...



As others have stated, new paint is usually the paint that is in the MOST need of a good claying, especially before applying your very first coat of LSP. You really don't want any bonded surface contaminants to come off while you are applying your LSP. It'll stick to the bottom of your LSP applicator, and swirl the bejesus out of your paint.
 
and to answer you question an IPA wipe down will remove almost anything that is there
Click to expand...

If you don't want to clay then this is still your best answer unless there's something specifically difficult to remove on your paint. What kind of wax or sealant is currently on the car? What kind of wax do you plan on using?
 
SuperBee364 said:
I hate to admit this, but often times I'll "start over" just to try a different LSP. So I guess that might be his "why"... I know it is mine.



Oh, btw... an IPA wipedown doesn't remove Zaino sealants very well at all.
Click to expand...



I see you point

but in my book starting over involves claying & polishing

and that will remove everything that is there
 
Claying a new car is a must, my wife's brand new Saturn Vue was downright nasty! The first time I washed and gave it a quick AW treatment I knew something was up- the wash mitt didn't glide and the MF towels seemed extra grabby, a clay job was done next wash and the grime that collected on the bar was simply unbelievable! I was shocked as I always buy off lease vehicles and expect some sort of contamination, but never have I encountered as much on my used cars as on her new car.
 
I guess the point is that he doesn't want to clay, for whatever reason.



So I would do the following:



1. Wash with Dawn.

2. Wipe down with IPA.

3. Use a cleaner wax.



Although, you should take the recommendations above and clay. You could go 1.2.3. or 1.3.2. to remove even the residue of the cleaner wax (because some do offer protection).
 
Honestly, there is no reason you would not want to clay. Claybar removes everything on the surface.



Even cleaner waxes won't remove specs of crap.



You need to claybar it. There is no getting around that.



Claybar kit from Walmart comes with the bar and lube. Buy it, use it, and be thankful that you did.
 
The only 2 products I know for sure that were used on my car were Zymol Cleaner Wax and Meguiars Deep System Carnauba A2216. I have no idea what was put on my car during pre-delivery but I’m pretty sure it was removed during my vinegar and Palmolive dishwash.



Looks like I’m going to CLAYBAR it… Do I need to use cleaner wax? Do I need to polish also? My car is white by the way.



What’s my process look like? I’m new and I appreciate the help and a product list besides the process would help A LOT. Thanks
 
hey_i'm_new said:
The only 2 products I know for sure that were used on my car were Zymol Cleaner Wax and Meguiars Deep System Carnauba A2216. I have no idea what was put on my car during pre-delivery but I’m pretty sure it was removed during my vinegar and Palmolive dishwash.



Looks like I’m going to CLAYBAR it… Do I need to use cleaner wax? Do I need to polish also? My car is white by the way.



What’s my process look like? I’m new and I appreciate the help and a product list besides the process would help A LOT. Thanks
Click to expand...



Chances are, all that stuff that was previously applied put a few swirls in your paint. That's the bad news. The good news is that since it's a white car, it won't be very noticeable.



Your question, "do I need to polish", isn't easily answered, imo. If it were my car, yeah, I'd grab my PC, a white pad, some PO106FF, and polish it out to mirror quality. But if you don't have a PC, then no, you really don't want to try and polish it by hand. Do you want to buy a PC? Yeah, you probably do if you're serious about keeping your car looking it's absolute best.



If you don't have a PC, i'd do this...



Wash

Dry

Clay (use a good quality Quick Detailer as a lubricant)

Apply an LSP (Last Step Process.. welcome to the land of ADOAH -Autopia Dot Org Abbreviation He!!)



You'll get a HUGE amount of recommendations on what to use for an LSP. My go-to product is Zaino, cause it's easy, looks good, and lasts a long time.
 
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