Should I clay bar/decontaminate the paint before I wax or no?

[mosaud1998]

Just washed, clay bar and put one coat of mother's ceramic spray(CMX)

Wow, the silver really pops. No photoshop used

I Will put another layer of ceramic spray Sunday and a layer of liquid wax Monday for extra shine and protection.
Attached Images

 

[Malo83]

I like the Mothers Speed Clay 2.0, use it when washing the car, doesn't mar the paint.

 

[atikovi]

If you clayed it properly in November then it probably doesn’t need it.

If you waxed it properly in November then it probably doesn’t need it.

 

[atikovi]

I Will put another layer of ceramic spray Sunday and a layer of liquid wax Monday for extra shine and protection.

Why? The ceramic spray you put down will prevent the wax from adhering to the paint.

 

[mosaud1998]

I like the Mothers Speed Clay 2.0, use it when washing the car, doesn't mar the paint.

I use meguiars clay kit.

From what I've read, it doesn't mar the paint either.

I clayed bared the car while it was wet also. But, for extra measure, I used a detail spray too.

 

[mosaud1998]

Why? The ceramic spray you put down will prevent the wax from adhering to the paint.

Isn't the ceramic spray kinda like a sealant?

 

[atikovi]

Isn't the ceramic spray kinda like a sealant?

Sure, prevents contaminants from adhering to the paint. Would also prevent wax from adhering too, I assume.

 

[mosaud1998]

Sure, prevents contaminants from adhering to the paint. Would also prevent wax from adhering too, I assume.

Hmm, I usually wax first then apply the ceramic spray.

A few ppl in the BMW forums said to apply the ceramic spray first then use a liquid wax or carnauba wax ontop for better protection and shine.

I guess we'll see what happens

 

[atikovi]

I clayed bared the car while it was wet also. But, for extra measure, I used a detail spray too.

I've clayed with iron decon, sorta kill 2 birds with one stone, except the iron decon tends to dissolve clay bars.

 

[atikovi]

Hmm, I usually wax first then apply the ceramic spray.

That is the normal order, so why not now?

 

[mosaud1998]

I've clayed with iron decon, sorta kill 2 birds with one stone, except the iron decon tends to dissolve clay bars.

Yeah, I heard about that.

I did use iron-x before I clayed.

I guess I'll redo this process in 6 months?

 

[mosaud1998]

That is the normal order, so why not now?

I was told I am wasting the ceramic spray by doing this

 

[RooflessVW]

Just stick with the CMX. Layering is largely pointless.

 

[mosaud1998]

Just stick with the CMX. Layering is largely pointless.

So another coat of CMX and call it a day?

 

[RooflessVW]

So another coat of CMX and call it a day?

Honestly yeah.

The only time I "layer" is something like a spray wax or sealant over a more durable base layer as a top up after a wash. Beadmaker over Powerlock or Collinite, that kind of thing.

The CMX is so easy to apply you can just top it up with itself. I went through a bottle on my Atlas before applying a coating.

 

[mosaud1998]

Honestly yeah.

The only time I "layer" is something like a spray wax or sealant over a more durable base layer as a top up after a wash. Beadmaker over Powerlock or Collinite, that kind of thing.

The CMX is so easy to apply you can just top it up with itself. I went through a bottle on my Atlas before applying a coating.

I have two bottles. I applied it once on the E-Class, twice or so on my 3 Series and I think once on the Accord. Still have some in the one bottle and a whole other bottle.

So, no point in adding a coating of wax?

 

[RooflessVW]

I have two bottles. I applied it once on the E-Class, twice or so on my 3 Series and I think once on the Accord. Still have some in the one bottle and a whole other bottle.

So, no point in adding a coating of wax?

You could but I don't think you have much to gain.

I've used the CMX as a drying aid and it worked well. A quick coat with a MF applicator after drying is also a simple thing to do.

My rule of thumb is that a "topper" should be easier to apply than the base. If your base is something easy to apply like CMX, then just keep using it. It's not super expensive either.