Cleaner wax ??? Rookie Question

[Lawalker]

I have a truck I have only had for a little over 3 months (2012 Ford F-150 4x4). I am new to detailing which led me to this site a few weeks ago. There is a great deal of good info on this site and I greatly appreciate the knowledge many contributors to this site have.

Anyway, before i found this site I went to Walmart and bought Meguiars ultimate compound, ultimate polish and ultimate wax. I also bought a Meguiars clay kit. I also have just ordered a PC 2474xp from AG. I now realize that the UC is probably not needed on the finish of my truck in that it is in good condition. My question is will I be ok after I clay the truck to apply the Ultimate polish and then the Ultimate wax I already have, or do I need to apply a cleaner wax before I apply the ultimate wax? I am unsure about the role cleaner wax plays. I hope I can use what I have and eventually move on to other products I keep reading about on this site. Any tips are greatly appreciated!

[Tom@ADTR_MD]

You will be fine to apply the Ultimate wax after the Ultimate polish. If you are using the PC you can use a white pad with ultimate polish and finish up with ultimate wax on either a black or blue pad. A cleaner wax is not necessary before the Ultimate wax.

[Lawalker]

Thanks for the reply! So you think I should be fine with
1. Wash the truck
2. Clay the truck
3. Ultimate polish with white pad
4. Ultimate wax with the gray pad

[Ted S.]

Semi-random question, is the Ultimate Wax the paste or liquid?

[Lawalker]

The Ultimate Wax I have is the liquid.

[Tom@ADTR_MD]

Originally Posted by Lawalker

Thanks for the reply! So you think I should be fine with
1. Wash the truck
2. Clay the truck
3. Ultimate polish with white pad
4. Ultimate wax with the gray pad

Sounds like a good plan!

[Ted S.]

Originally Posted by Lawalker

The Ultimate Wax I have is the liquid.

Interesting. Do share your thoughts when you use it. I've used the liquid once and ended streaking on me like Will Farrel in most of his movies. I believe I used it when the humidity was something like 90+% though...

[Buckskincolt]

Here is a thread that might help you understand cleaner wax.
The Difference Between a Cleaner/Wax and a Finishing Wax

[Lawalker]

Originally Posted by Ted S.

Interesting. Do share your thoughts when you use it. I've used the liquid once and ended streaking on me like Will Farrel in most of his movies. I believe I used it when the humidity was something like 90+% though...

Yes, I will be glad too. Keep in mind that I am a beginner an this will be my maiden voyage into the world of polishing, waxing, using a dual action polisher and claying. I have purchased Mike Phillips book The Art of Detailing. I am sure I will have more questions along the way. At least I know where to go for advice.

[Bill1234]

A cleaner wax is like a light paint cleaner and wax mixed. It should be used when washing is not need but wax is (every 6 months). I would use

wash
dry
clay
dry
seal
wax

A sealent is like HD wax. It does not have much shine, but more durability.