Polishing to Remove Existing Wax or Sealant?

[JeepGeek]

Is using an OTC polish like Meguiar's Ultimate Polish sufficient to remove any existing wax or sealant? Or, can I just keep layering on the sealant I've been using (Mother's FX Synwax on my Jeep and Meg's NXT 2.0 on my Honda) without any ill effects regarding bonding since it does have some cleaning properties?
I had "trouble" with clay when I used it years ago so I'd like to avoid that route if at all possible. I'd like to "kill two birds with one stone" by stripping, smoothing and shining in one step, since I rarely have a lot of time to spend on detailing. I've used the Mother's 3-Step process before and wasn't too impressed with the the pre-wax cleaner and the sealant/glaze - decent results, but way too much rubbing by hand (I know, I need to get a random orbital).
There are so many options out there as far as paint cleaning goes.
Does anyone have any experience with Dodo Juice's Lime Prime Lite or Need for Speed, Pinnacle or Wolfgang paint cleansing lotions, Meg's Ultimate Polish or Griot's One-Step Sealant or Fine Hand Polish? I don't need much, if any, correction on either vehicle (the Jeep is white and is just over 1 year old, and the Honda is only 6 months old).
On my shelf are the Mother's 3-step program, Griot's Best of Show & Carnauba, Mother's FX SynWax, Collinite 476S, Meg's NXT 2.0, some junk from Eagle One, Mother's Hot Wheels Wax and about a half a dozen other waxes I've tried. My finishes are in good shape and have been maintained pretty well - just ask my wife, kids and neighbors - they all say I'm going to rub the paint off of the cars!

 

[sciphi]

I've never had a bad experience with claying a car. Well, besides the thought that several hours of my life were wasted making a car look pretty.

I don't believe there's any way to duplicate clay's results without a random orbital with a good pad and compound, or claying.

Collinite 476s has been good to me on our cars. After claying/sealing, of course. Otherwise I've heard it's one tough cookie to get off.

 

[hal2626]

Dawn dish washing soap is claimed by many to be strong enough to remove all old wax...

 

[mrsilv04]

I guess we need some more information on your bad experience with a clay bar...


If I was wanting to start over, I'd use a clay bar on it. It makes the most sense to me.

After getting my truck out of the body shop (and then waiting three months for warmer weather), I claybarred the whole thing.

By far, the most improvement that I've ever accomplished, with less than three hours of effort.

 

[2oldtommy]

It is always amazing to me what an inexpensive product will do for the job of removing road grime after washing. For years I have used charcoal lighter fluid applied with a suitable piece of cloth. Simply saturate the cloth with enough fluid to put down a moist surface, let it set for several minutes, wipe again with a saturated cloth and the road tar and other stuff is gone. Now apply your combination Meguiar's cleaner/wax and see how perfect a dazzling shine you have. Try it, you'll like it. FWIW--Oldtommy

 

[Capa]

Claying will remove old sealant and wax; polishing and/or compounding will remove them; washing your car once or twice with Dawn will remove them; and there are products that are specifically made for this purpose that will remove them.

Personally, every six months I clay, compound and polish, apply sealant and then 24 hours later a wax. Four months later my vehicles are beading strongly, even after surviving the hottest month on record in the US.

If you use an all-in-one, like some of Duragloss or Griot's products, you can get two birds with one stone. An AIO will have some polish, to remove old polish and minor scratches, oxidation, and swirls and either a wax or sealant to add a couple of months of protection.

 

[HyundaiGuy]

I would Dawn, then clay. Dawn will remove the old wax. Clay will remove dirt embedded in the paint. Then glaze, and seal.

Another tip: I am not sure if this is true, but I hear bug and tar remover is the same as WD40. Of course, WD40 costs less.

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: hal2626
Dawn dish washing soap is claimed by many to be strong enough to remove all old wax...



That is 100% correct. Wash with Dawn before you detail and you will have a bare base to start with i.e no wax or sealant.

 

[bigmike]

Just clay it. Your paint will thank you.

Let us know what your issues were with the claybar and maybe we could help.