Have polished + waxed - what about next time?

[benlumley]

Hi

6 weeks or so ago I spent a couple of afternoons cleaning the car thoroughly, then couple of coats of SRP, couple of EGP and Collinite 476 on top.

I've shampooed it a few times since, and have some meguiars last touch because I've become obsessed with removing water marks (which are bad on waxed black paint!).

Anyhow, having done all that, what do i do if/when I want to polish, wax etc again?

Do i use one of these deep clean shampoos and take it all off first? Or do I wash/polish/wax on top of what I've done? Or something else?

What about if i want to clay? I've noticed a few places where i've waxed over grime.

I've tried to find answers on detailing world, but information overload left me no better off than before i started!

[Z4 Beemer]

To strip the wax back, I would use something like Megs APC (Meguiars All Purpose Cleaner), as a wash and then you will be good to go again with polish and wax.

You could just do the full works on the entire panel that needs clayed.

Haven't tried Collinite 476 but I am a big fan of 915.

[eleflo]

Your wax should be OK for quite a few washes if you use a shampoo that does not strip wax, but if you feel you want to strip the wax then this is just my view and may be shot down by the detailers on here, you may need to clay first and this will take off most of the protection then use a specific paint cleanser, something like DODO juice lime prime lite (loads of different ones out there), then use IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol), to take off any remaining polish this will give you clean a surface which will make sure your wax has the best chance of curing to the paint.

[Nickm]

Fairy Liquid wil take the car all the way back....I would use clay and tardis.....then wash it again, two bucket - but befoe any of this, snow foam it to remove any sediment and crap to fall away....

[Reggie-g75]

Fairy Liquid wil take the car all the way back....I would use clay and tardis.....then wash it again, two bucket - but befoe any of this, snow foam it to remove any sediment and crap to fall away....

X1 - this is a method advocated when using zaino....

Although what is the harm with just repeating the process after the normal rinse, pre, 2bm wash etc etc....

[powerontap]

Getting the surface ready for the new finish is critical for proper results. The plastic bag procedure (putting your hand in a plastic bag and rubbing a few fingers gently against the surface) will tell you if claying is required. If you feel any abrasion, claying is necessary.

Then, it's a question of removing or filling swirls (depending on how anal you are about your car) with the proper degree of abrasive polish, or sealer if filling is as far as you wish to go. Finish with one or several coats of wax. Next time, you simply wax as often as you can to protect your hard work.

[benlumley]

Cheers all - pleased with how it's looking atm, so will enjoy my hard work for another couple of months i think.

I know I can do it better though, now I've done it all once, so will probably aim to fairy liquid and re-do it all before the winter comes!

[Z4 Beemer]

powerontap, this is so true. Getting the surface prepared for polishing, and then prepared again for waxing, or sealing will give a much better finish in the end.