Detailing Question:

[arsenal55]

So once a year, I wax my car to get rid of some of the scratches in the paint and what not. This year I will clay bar it. I bought some scratch remover, a clay bar from last year (new, just from the same package), and Carnuba Wax. I also plan on touching up some areas with the VW paint pen from the dealer. My question is, what order should I take? Should I use touch up paint, THEN claybar or vice-versa? Any recommendations will help. Also, what's the BEST way to remove and keep off the swirl marks that I have after this is all done? Thanks!

[FaLLeNAn9eL]

Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by arsenal55

My question is, what order should I take? Should I use touch up paint, THEN claybar or vice-versa?

Wash, clay, then touch up paint.

Originally Posted by arsenal55

Also, what's the BEST way to remove and keep off the swirl marks that I have after this is all done?

One of the easiest things you can do to prevent swirl marks is to wash your car with 2 buckets. 1 bucket for the soap and the other for clean water to rinse your wash mitt after you soap the car and before you dunk it back into the soap.

Check this site out: http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-d...nt-clinic.html

[arsenal55]

Thanks! I always thought putting soap in a big bucket and adding extra water on the bottom of the mixture did a good enough job. I will try this method out.

[mose6161]

you wax once a year? are you crazy?

you do realize that under the sun, a GOOD QUALITY wax will oxidize in around 21 days?

and wax does not remove scratches.

your poor paint job.

[FaLLeNAn9eL]

Originally Posted by mose6161

you wash once a year? are you crazy?

you do realize that under the sun, a GOOD QUALITY wax will oxidize in around 21 days?

and wax does not remove scratches.

your poor paint job.

He waxes his car once a year.

[bcze1]

In addition to FallenAngel's good advice, if you only take the time to protect (ie wax) your car's finish once a year, I would at least invest in a good acrylic sealant and use it instead of wax. Even the best synthetic wax only lasts 6-8 weeks and quality carnuba is more like 3-4 weeks. A good sealant, applied in a few layers can protect your car 6, 9, even 12 months.

[mose6161]

i meant to say, ''you wax your car once a year''

[arsenal55]

OK, I can see some people are confused. I wax twice a year, I know it's not much but it's what I do. ONCE A YEAR I claybar before waxing. About 4 times a year I use scratch remover to polish some minor scratches in the paint out. It just so happens to be that I will be doing all at once.

One more question: when do you guys use scratch remover, before or AFTER claybaring? Thanks.

[FaLLeNAn9eL]

^ After claying but before waxing.

[bcze1]

Originally Posted by arsenal55

OK, I can see some people are confused. I wax twice a year, I know it's not much but it's what I do. ONCE A YEAR I claybar before waxing. About 4 times a year I use scratch remover to polish some minor scratches in the paint out. It just so happens to be that I will be doing all at once.

If you remove scratches 4 times but only wax twice a year, that means your paint is 100% totally unprotected after scratch removal. ALWAYS wax or seal after any paint correction.

Originally Posted by arsenal55

One more question: when do you guys use scratch remover, before or AFTER claybaring? Thanks.

After. Clay bar is prep work in order to give a contaminate free surface to work with. In its simplest form, your routine should go like this...

Wash
Clay
Wash
Polish
Wax