Would like to go past washing & waxing.

[Blushingmule]

Hi Mike,

First of all, this is the best detailing site!

I have a few questions (I've gotten dizzy roving over this site ;-). The car that I want to detail is a yellow '17 Challenger purchased 10/09/17.
It's usually washed here at home but have used the pull-throughs (not any more though...). My soap has been TW Ice, need to use it up before upgrading I'd guess.

I have a roughly 6 year old Meguiars Smooth Surface Clay Kit from an abandoned project. Would it be o.k. to start with this older clay kit and use the Quik Wax
in the package as a quick detail after claying? Later I'd like to do a more full detail including proper paint polishing, etc.

Recently, I received an order of McKee's 37 Matte Finish Cleaner & Protectant and their Fast Interior Detailer from Autogeek. The detailer; no problem. The matte cleaner; well I know what it's for but -
Should it be used as the clay lubricant over the matte finish stripe and spoiler? I ask because no gloss/wax should be used on matte areas.
What is the order when detailing gloss and matte? There is masking paper and 3M blue tape in my arsenal.

Lastly, I still haven't grasped how polishing doesn't mess up the clear coat yet the paint looks better than new. How does the very slightly wavy appearing paint that I've seen on new cars become level and not ruin the topcoat?

Many thanks in advance,

Bob Farrar
p.s. the Yellow Shark the day it came home!

[Blushingmule]

Well,

I've decided to go ahead and do this without any replies. Paralysis by Analysis is the saying. The old Meguiars Quick Detail and Quick Wax
has been replaced. Meguiars Gold Class Wash soap is the new soap. The clay is still malleable, we'll see.

After a bit of thought, it seems that using the matte finish stuff gets used last - mask those areas before any wax/gloss.
My guess is that the matte cleaner won't hurt the gloss.

Will post before and after pictures, possibly this weekend.

Bob
p.s. my background is licensed aircraft mechanic; dope and fabric = lots of elbow grease with wet or dry sandpaper.

[Setec Astronomy]

Well, I've decided to go ahead and do this without any reply.

Mike is very busy and sometimes doesn't see or get to answer these questions in his personal sub-forum. It's sometimes better if you are looking for a fast response to post in the main forum.

I still haven't grasped how polishing doesn't mess up the clear coat yet the paint looks better than new. How does the very slightly wavy appearing paint that I've seen on new cars become level and not ruin the topcoat?

I think what you're talking about is "orange peel" and there isn't really any way to correct that except with specialized techniques that do remove a lot of clear. Polishing mostly removes embedded dirt and maximizes reflectivity by removing wash-induced or "spider web" swirling.

p.s. my background is licensed aircraft mechanic; dope and fabric = lots of elbow grease with wet or dry sandpaper.

Ha ha, dope and fabric. Where are you located?

[Blushingmule]

Thanks Setec,

Appreciate the heads up.

I know what orange peel is, was being nice

Mississippi, used to work on aircraft and fabric covering is still used today!

Bob

[Setec Astronomy]

I'd guess dope and fabric is still on the A&P curriculum.