System wax vs. Clay bar / wax

[daves87rs]

Ok, which one do you guys do?

I've always done a system wax (mother's/meg's) with great results. Paint on the cars look nice and shiney for their age.


I was not able to give my Cobalt (which I picked up early last year) a full system wax, to bring the paint to my standards. The previous owner barely washed it.


So I've thought about Claying the Balt this year. Should I?
Or would the system wax give me the same result?

 

[TomYoung]

What does the term "system wax" mean. Are you saying that you use one brand of clay, cleaner, sealer, glaze, wax, quick detail? I don't think that your question is an "either/or."

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: TomYoung
What does the term "system wax" mean. Are you saying that you use one brand of clay, cleaner, sealer, glaze, wax, quick detail? I don't think that your question is an "either/or."



Ok,

System wax: Cleaner, sealer, Wax (Like Mother's 3 step)

Or Other being A good clay bar followed by a good wax (maybe even a sealer)

 

[kkreit01]

What's wrong with the paint? Clay will remove contaminants, but do nothing for swirls, scratches, etc.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: daves87rs
Originally Posted By: TomYoung
What does the term "system wax" mean. Are you saying that you use one brand of clay, cleaner, sealer, glaze, wax, quick detail? I don't think that your question is an "either/or."



Ok,

System wax: Cleaner, sealer, Wax (Like Mother's 3 step)

Or Other being A good clay bar followed by a good wax (maybe even a sealer)



Here is what I did this year, it was a learning experience. I did clay, and 3 step system wax on a well maintained full size van finished off with 476s. It looks very good, it was done in November. After that I got lazy and did clay, Megs Color-X, and 476s, on my beater Aerostar. For now on that is how I plan on doing it. The Color-X IMO did as good a job as the 3 part system, topped off with 476s was the icing on the cake. Clay is a must for a good first step in prepping paint.

I learned about Color-X here on Bitog, and for the money it worked very well.

 

[bretfraz]

Claying is certainly needed. It is just one step in the process, so definitely do it.

As for the rest, the 3 step systems are OK if you are doing this work by hand and want an easy-to-use process. If you are happy with the results, might as well keep using them.

Will the system eliminate the need for claying? No. The claying remove surface crud you can see and feel. The Step #1 polish removes below surface stuff like oxidation, stains, and swirl marks. Two different steps in the paint detailing process. Add the clay step and you'll be good to go.

 

[38sho]

after claying my car and seeing how much of a difference it makes

thats ALWAYS going to be my first step if I want to do a serious wax job and make it look good. Usually every month or two I so follow up wax in one coat.........

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: bretfraz
Claying is certainly needed. It is just one step in the process, so definitely do it.

As for the rest, the 3 step systems are OK if you are doing this work by hand and want an easy-to-use process. If you are happy with the results, might as well keep using them.

Will the system eliminate the need for claying? No. The claying remove surface crud you can see and feel. The Step #1 polish removes below surface stuff like oxidation, stains, and swirl marks. Two different steps in the paint detailing process. Add the clay step and you'll be good to go.



That is good advice....thanks!

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: kkreit01
What's wrong with the paint? Clay will remove contaminants, but do nothing for swirls, scratches, etc.


Nothing really...the other owner waxed hardly at all, I just want it to have more TLC...