dumb polishing/compounding ?

[kline39]

I just got into detailing a couple of months ago and, thanks to the experianced and helpful minds on AG forums, am kinda learning as I go. Anyways I have a 2010 metallic black ford fusion thats got plenty of swirl marks and fine scratches along with a few chips. I clayed it for the first time about 2 months ago and immediately topped it with KAIO, KSGx3, and later colli 845. now I want to do some correction work by hand with meg's ultimate compound and polish and was wondering if I would have to clay again to remove my LSP's, or can I start using the coumpound/polish on top of the sealant/wax since it will remove it anyways? I was told by a worker at an auto shop that claying removes about .1mm of clear coat, so I was hopeing to get around having to clay. Thanks in advance!

[kline39]

also, should I use a microfiber or foam applicator with the compounding and polishing?

[Setec Astronomy]

IMO, you don't have to strip your LSP's before you use the UC (this will be heresy to some). Also, although some clay can be abrasive, I'm pretty certain that regular (medium or mild) clay won't remove a measurable amount of clearcoat.

I'd use a microfiber applicator with the UC, maybe a foam with the UP.

[kline39]

alright, thanks for the help! I'd been scratching my head and searching the forums about this for a week

[Old Tiger]

Originally Posted by kline39

I just got into detailing a couple of months ago and, thanks to the experianced and helpful minds on AG forums, am kinda learning as I go. Anyways I have a 2010 metallic black ford fusion thats got plenty of swirl marks and fine scratches along with a few chips. I clayed it for the first time about 2 months ago and immediately topped it with KAIO, KSGx3, and later colli 845. now I want to do some correction work by hand with meg's ultimate compound and polish and was wondering if I would have to clay again to remove my LSP's, or can I start using the coumpound/polish on top of the sealant/wax since it will remove it anyways? I was told by a worker at an auto shop that claying removes about .1mm of clear coat, so I was hopeing to get around having to clay. Thanks in advance!

I would throw the BS flag on what you were told! Your Ford has hard clear and you only have about .20 mm of it. Use a mild clay if you need. Try the baggie test to see if you need to clay.