Washed, clayed, Menzera SIP w/PC ... can I take a break ?

R

rigor

New member
After reading through this forum and couple others for several weeks, I ordered up a bunch of detailing equipment and products. I'll save my complete start to finish with photos for another time. However, right now I'm in need of an answer quickly, and not sure how to search for this particular answer.



I had planned to be working on detailing my 2004 VW R32 most of the weekend, as I figured it would take some time to learn and get better with the PC, and also my car hadn't been properly detailed in quite some time. Anyway, my car got washed, clayed, and I've gone over the entire car twice with the PC and Menzerna SIP with a CCS yellow pad. I'm seeing the results I want, but I wasn't able to take as much time out of my weekend as I had hoped, and of course, I'm slow due to my very first time with all these products.



After my car got washed, it's been in the garage the entire time while working on it, and still is. I should go to work tomorrow instead of staying home to finish my car. Can I drive the car and have all the work I've put in stay relatively safe and resume working on it this next weekend after a good wash ? Or at this point, is it imperative it gets a sealant on top to not lose all the work the SIP did ? My ultimate plan after examining the car after the two passes with SIP and the yellow CCS pads, is to hit it a third time with SIP in a few areas, then move on to the regular Optimum polish, then top it off with Megs #21. I don't mind putting in a little work, since this is my car, and it was my fault I ran short on time.



For what it's worth in regards to getting a solid answer - I bought some good sheepskin wash mitts and a grit guard from AutoGeek along with my order, and I wash delicately, no scrubbing.



Thanks in advance for a timely answer you guys.



~Jesse
 
That's fine. What you did with the clay and polish is remove defects. You might clay again next weekend but unless you're near a race track or rail road or heavy industrial sector I don't think you'll be able to pick up enough contaminants to make a difference.



However, waxing/sealing only takes about fifteen to thirty minutes depending on what you're doing. Why don't you just apply a coat of wax for now and then continue working next weekend? Just wash with a very strong concentration next time and do an IPA wipe down to take off the wax before you polish.
 
rigor said:
Can I drive the car and have the all the work I've put in stay relatively safe and resume working on it this next weekend after a good wash ?
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i'm surprised by the other response, but i would say no. you have zero protection on your paint right now and that would scare me - i guess the idea is your last polish will remove anything you get on it this week.



rigor said:
I wash delicately, no scrubbing.
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you don't have to worry too much about your washing technique for your first wash this w/e, b/c that last polish that will remove any marring you might get during the wash.



what concerns me is when i'm done w/ polishing and b/f sealing, washing at this point can create marring that i just spent 8 hours getting rid of and then sealing that marring in. so i do an ISA rub down and not a wash, less liking for marring and i think it leaves the paint in a better state to accept the wax / sealant then a wash would. not to mention you don't get water in all the cracks and creases, my wax / sealant applicator always picks up this water.
 
Thanks for the replies! I've decided I'm going to be inconvenienced a bit and be at the mercy of my wife's schedule / car so that I don't take any risks. I should be able to come home early the next few days and get my car done. My office is in fact right next to railroad tracks and in a mini industrial park, and it gets quite dusty around there.
 
If your car is going to sit for a week in the garage, you'll get a pretty good layer of dust on it. Make sure you at least do a thorough QD'ing before you resume polishing. A full wash would be best.
 
Thanks for the tip. I'll be able to work on it again for a couple hours each night (starting tonight). Hopefully it will be done in the next 3 days.
 
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