Clay, Pinnacle Paintwork Cleansing Lotion, then Polish?

[RandyD]

Currently have Blackfire Wet Diamond Sealant on my car. The car feels gritty and needs to be clayed. Am I correct to do the clay first then Pinnacle Paintwork Cleansing lotion, polish and then a new coat of BFWD sealant? Is it really necessary to use both Pinnacle Cleansing Lotion and Polish?

Thanks

[Andr3wilson]

Paint Cleansing lotion is better after your polish.

Polish can leave a bit of residue, it can be quite easy to miss a spot in wiping off or not wipe it off 100%. Not removing residue makes it hard for your LSP to correctly bond. Not giving you the proper protection.

This part is important because in sunlight, the car can look slightly hazy in some areas just from the residue. Especially noticeable on black/dark cars.

Also this stage is good at stripping off all old LSP's that did not get removed during the polishing stage (like some areas on the bumpers and door mirrors).

Once you are done with Paint Cleansing Lotion, get some Carpro eraser. It does the same thing, but in a spray application.

[Eandras]

I use an IPA solution of 1 part 70% IPA to 10 parts water. Spray between steps and helps remove the residue.

Ed

[swanicyouth]

No. You don't need a paint cleaner and polish. Polish will mechanically clean the paint. Some paint cleaners are chemical based, others contain abrasives (mild), and some are a combo of the two. Claying and polishing should be all you need.

You may want to de-ironize the paint with a product like IRon X prior to claying, as this will remove any embedded metal in the paint that clay can "shear off". Other than that, your order is correct.

The only time you would use a paint cleaner with (and it would be after) a polish is:

1.if you were using a "pre-wax cleaner" paint cleaner that also has a glaze component to it that is meant to work with your wax

2. You were using an LSP (like Duragloss) where the manufacturer recommends application of it as a bonding agent.

Spend the extra time you would use with the paint cleaner on polishing the best you can. One could make the argument that a paint cleaner will remove polishing residue or "oils"; but then again, there is no evidence the paint cleaner won't leave an oil or glaze behind.

I think its better to do less steps, but do the steps you do very well. Just do a wipe down with ONR or similar after polishing and apply your LSP.

Other than that, IMHO you would be wasting your time.

[DaveT435]

It depends on the condition of the paint. The Pinnacle cleansing lotion does have some fillers in it so you would used it right before your LSP.

[RandyD]

Thanks everyone. I will skip Pinnacle cleansing. Car is 2009 Acura TL - dark gray. I will

1- Clay - DP clay
2- Polish - Optimum Polish II (using Griot's Random Orbital - Griot's orange pad)
3- Seal - BFWD

Any other comments, please feel free to let me know

[fightnews]

No. You don't need a paint cleaner and polish. Polish will mechanically clean the paint. Some paint cleaners are chemical based, others contain abrasives (mild), and some are a combo of the two. Claying and polishing should be all you need.

You may want to de-ironize the paint with a product like IRon X prior to claying, as this will remove any embedded metal in the paint that clay can "shear off". Other than that, your order is correct.

The only time you would use a paint cleaner with (and it would be after) a polish is:

1.if you were using a "pre-wax cleaner" paint cleaner that also has a glaze component to it that is meant to work with your wax

2. You were using an LSP (like Duragloss) where the manufacturer recommends application of it as a bonding agent.

Spend the extra time you would use with the paint cleaner on polishing the best you can. One could make the argument that a paint cleaner will remove polishing residue or "oils"; but then again, there is no evidence the paint cleaner won't leave an oil or glaze behind.

I think its better to do less steps, but do the steps you do very well. Just do a wipe down with ONR or similar after polishing and apply your LSP.

Other than that, IMHO you would be wasting your time.

Pinnacle Paintwork Cleansing Lotion does have that and gloss enhancing oils