993C4Smontreal

Next weekend I will do a minor detailing:

wash (with Dawn)
Clay Bar (with lots of lube)
Klasse All in 1....(polish/wax)

2 questions......

1) is that a good process?
2) If I have some small touch ups to do, when during this process should I do them, and how?

TIA,
sam

The Brewmeister

Ditch the dawn and buy yourself a good car wash soap. Dawn will strip any
wax you apply right off on the next wash. Do touch ups prior to waxing/polishing.
Paint will not adhere to wax. Check out the "Concour" threads in the
Perf. & Comp section of our forum. These subjects are discussed in
detail there.

96C4S

I think thats the plan dawn before the waxing

briefescape

That`s the reason you use Dawn to start off on detailing is to strip off any old wax residue and then afterward your next washes you use only mild car soap as not to strip off your newly wax finish

Cheers Guy

AShearer

Yes.
Touch up after wash/clay before Klasse.

A suggestion. If you're going to clay you will get paint as clean as it can be. So, after all that work, why not follow the AIO with 2 coats of Klasse Sealant glaze?

Klasse is so easy to apply, the All in one does a nice job, but the glaze really adds more protection and shine.

LAURIER

That is to process I use on my silver Passat that sits outside all year and the car looks like new. If you have any hairline scratches in the paint use 3M Imperial Hand Glaze after the clay and before the Klasse. After you get done with the Klasse use a good carnauba wax (PS21, Zymol, Sovereign) and the car will look perfect

ecobb993

What's the need in using clay if you're going to polish? Doesn't the polish remove the residue that the clay bar removes (and then some)?

Mark in Baltimore

Not always. I found that claying can remove contaminants, rust specks, in my case, that polishing wouldn't touch. Claying works wonders.

ecobb993

Interesting. I usually:

* strip wash with Dawn
* mechanically apply 3M Imperial Hand Glaze
* Rejex


And it feels as smooth as if it had been clayed. I've got a ($40!) bar laying around. Guess I'll try adding that step next time to see if I notice a difference.

User 41421

I use this Lanka to repair chips and light scratches. Works great but you’ll also need a good color touch-up pen. No affiliation, bla bla bla……

JPS

Here's what I did the first time

mrsullivan

regardless of your product preferences, always do a dawn wash and clay bar before starting anything... and you may need to clay bar twice... the key with the clay barring is to take your time, do small areas and use LOTS of lubricant (soapy water or spray shine stuff, whatever).... when your car is really ready for polishes, waxes, etc it will be completely smooth and free of contaminants... you should be able to put your hand in a ziplock baggy and run it smoothly across the paint.

this is like anything else... half the work is the preparation. once you have done the above, the process gets pretty easy from there... i think using a random orbital with some medium grade polish is the way to go... remember that wax does nothing but protect really... yes, it brings out the luster in your paint, but it is primarily used as a sealant/protectant... it should be the very last thing that you do when you are happy with the condition of your paint.

JPF

That's about what I do, using different products though.

Nice thoughts on the PC, I agree on them all.