When to use cleaner wax?

[StuntmanMike]

I picked up some Meguire's cleaner wax today, but I'm not sure when I should use it.

I also want to claybar the car, I imagine that's the first step.

If I go with the clay, should I skip the cleaner wax altogether and go right to polish, then finally wax?

And is the correct order wash, clay, polish, then wax?

Thanks!

[cruzc5frc]

Meguiars/Mothers clay bar.. then Meguiars 3 step.. my 03 black tahoe was like looking into a MIRROR!

step 1. cleaner wax

step 2. polish

step 3 finishing wax.

[Y2KPewterSS]

I picked up some Meguire's cleaner wax today, but I'm not sure when I should use it.

I also want to claybar the car, I imagine that's the first step.

If I go with the clay, should I skip the cleaner wax altogether and go right to polish, then finally wax?

And is the correct order wash, clay, polish, then wax?

Thanks!

Wash, clay, polish then wax is the correct order. Wouldn't waste my time with the cleaner wax, just claybar it. The claybar will remove any debris/contaminents in the paint, much more so than a cleaner wax will.

[StuntmanMike]

Ok, thanks for the info. I'll return the cleaner and pick up a claybar instead.

Can I polish by hand, or is it a must to use a buffer?

And what's a good off the shelf polish??

Thanks!

[Z06-Goose]

The cleaner wax is to be used once or twice a year, just like claying your paint is

'I' would claybar, cleaner wax, polish, and wax...

[craig02ta]

meguiars cleaner wax is a good product that has been around since the 70's.but that is why its called cleaner wax.it contains,paint cleaner,polish and wax.so there is really no point in using the cleaner wax then polish and more wax,just cleaner wax or a polish then a wax.colorX is also a very good cleaner wax,it is like the cleaner wax you have but on steroids.

[craig02ta]

if you want to stick with meguiars get there smoth surface clay kit,contains 80gs,quick detailer (lube),small bottle of cleaner wax,and a microfiber cloth.and get #7 show car glaze polish,and NXT 2.0,or #26 wax,and you will be very happy in the end.

[Jim D.]

The cleaner wax is to be used once or twice a year, just like claying your paint is

'I' would claybar, cleaner wax, polish, and wax...

Using a cleaner wax and then a polish and wax is redundant -- use one process or the other, but not both.

[Z06-Goose]

Using a cleaner wax and then a polish and wax is redundant -- use one process or the other, but not both.

Not, in my opinion. The cleaner wax is to remove impurities and old wax from your paint, so that when you "polish" you're polishing on a cleaner surface

[4get gto]

Not, in my opinion. The cleaner wax is to remove impurities and old wax from your paint, so that when you "polish" you're polishing on a cleaner surface

Goose...Don't you think polishing twice would do the same thing........ ( - ) the cleaner wax that is ?

Nothing in a cleaner wax that a good polish would'nt take care of ....

[Z06-Goose]

Goose...Don't you think polishing twice would do the same thing........ ( - ) the cleaner wax that is ?

Nothing in a cleaner wax that a good polish would'nt take care of ....

Certainly a polish will do the job, alright...
What I'm saying is that a cleaner wax is like it says, a cleaner, not a polish
If you're going to skip the cleaning in leiu of a polish is ok too. The problem is that all the contaminants on the paint will still be present when you're polishing
Sometimes when you polish -by machine- without a properly cleaned surface, you're going to see your pad become dirty as you go, in the same way a claybar will look like when you clay after washing. I don't think I want that stuff on my pad when I'm polishing to remove defects; but to each his own...