As a chemist, if I were to feel the need to do a final clean before waxing/sealing, I would use ethanol on a cloth just to remove particulates. Ethanol would also remove trace amounts of water but...
I read a number of online forums such as this one and post occasionally so I don't mind using my name. No Facebook or other social platforms. Who cares what my opinion on trim sealant is? (I like...
If you are going to use acid on aluminum, stick to citric or phosphoric acid and be sure to rinse, rinse, rinse! Then you'll need to seal the surface to keep it looking nice.
I clayed my GTI when I got it in July; I was surprised at how much smoother it made the paint. I then used the Klasse cleaner and the Klasse sealant. I use wax over the sealant.
When I got my Mk7 GTI, I clayed it, used Klasse AIO cleaner, then the Klasse glaze/sealant. I then used Pinnacle Souveran paste wax to finish it. For a faster, but still awesome wax job, I use...
My wife just wanted me to wash/wax the car. I did that, but now when I wash the car I keep feeling "grit" in the paint and I wish I'd clayed it to begin with.
After washing my wife's car, I used Mother's Ultimate PGW system. I should've clayed the car as I could feel the grit as I put the various coats on and off but I didn't know how long it would take...
