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Old 06-13-2011, 11:41 AM   #1
elementality809
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Member#: 234898
Join Date: Jan 2010
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: Morris County, NJ
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2007 STi Limited UGM
EFI tuned | 291awhp

Default Noob question.. first time detailing my car..

Ok so ive spent a lot of time on this forum checking out what you guys are doing/using to wash and detail your cars. Ive got some good leads on products im going to use. Now, the steps ive observed everyone doing is:

1. Wash
2. Clay bar
3. Polish
4. Wax

And the noob question that came to mind is.. Is the polishing step required?
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Old 06-13-2011, 11:52 AM   #2
06blksti89
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steps look right lol thats what i always do
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Old 06-13-2011, 11:55 AM   #3
stanrc
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A lot of people like to do another wash after the clay bar just for good measure. And polish is only really needed once or twice a year.
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Old 06-13-2011, 12:00 PM   #4
jefmcc
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elementality809 View Post
Ok so ive spent a lot of time on this forum checking out what you guys are doing/using to wash and detail your cars. Ive got some good leads on products im going to use. Now, the steps ive observed everyone doing is:

1. Wash
2. Clay bar
3. Polish
4. Wax

And the noob question that came to mind is.. Is the polishing step required?
Polishing is what corrects the unsightly swirls and whatnot in the paint. If your paint does not look nice and clear and free of swirls, then yes, you should polish.

Wax protects your polishing work.

Might as well get yourself a PC or similar polisher. Makes the work easier, faster, and gives significantly better results.
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Old 06-13-2011, 02:01 PM   #5
dave_88
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Back in a 2019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stanrc View Post
A lot of people like to do another wash after the clay bar just for good measure. And polish is only really needed once or twice a year.
Yup, i do this.

1. Wash with dish washing liquid
2. Clay
3. Wash again with dish washing liquid
4. Wax - I let my car sit over night and then wax it again the next morning.

I do this twice a year, so all the effort is senseable.
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Old 06-13-2011, 02:24 PM   #6
minorc
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CBS

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1. Degrease w/ Iron X
2. Wash w/ Einszett W99
3. Clay
4. Re-wash w/ P21s Body Shampoo
5. Dry
6. Seal w/ Powerlock - w/ Jetseal
7. Wax
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Old 06-13-2011, 06:26 PM   #7
elementality809
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Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: Morris County, NJ
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EFI tuned | 291awhp

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Thank you all for the help! Ill be doing this sometime within the next day or two, I shall keep you guys updated!
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Old 06-13-2011, 07:26 PM   #8
STiSam52
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I feel like waxing and polishing are very similar, but like everyone said do it twice a year.

I didnt wash after clay bar - but couldnt hurt. Also make sure that your car is warm - not hot, not cold. That will help with the clay bar
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Old 06-13-2011, 07:57 PM   #9
AutoAesthetica
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Location: WNY and www.autoaesthetica.com
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Quote:
Originally Posted by minorc View Post
1. Degrease w/ Iron X
2. Wash w/ Einszett W99
3. Clay
4. Re-wash w/ P21s Body Shampoo
5. Dry
6. Seal w/ Powerlock - w/ Jetseal
7. Wax

IronX is not a degreasing product and should not be used before the wash as everyone seems to think that based on what they read. For maximum results(and complete de-sintering) it should be used after a light clay so maximum contact is allowed. If you think about it there is probably some bonded contamination covering any embedded iron.

Wash - W99 if you feel like you need to degrease everything
Clay --> IronX with agitation and rinse. Wash again if you feel you need to.



Don't follow exactly what you read, a lots of marketing is involved with a lot of posts that unfortunately only limit results for the customer(yes, regardless of who is the poster). But some stuff sure looks cool...

I speak on this because we used this product and were the sole distributor before anyone else in the US had it. We are also in Buffalo NY where serious ferrous contamination happens every single winter.
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