Recommendation Requested - paint care

[Kbrown]

i have a 17 year old Honda Pilot. NEVER has the exterior been treated. Lost of scratches.

Looking for feedback on the order in which I apply these products.
I own the following products, and believe they are listed in the order of application:
Clay
ScratchX
Ultimate compound
Swirl remover - both

• 9 swirl remover 2.0 (3 cut). Gray bottle; or
• SwirlX swirl remover - black bottle

Ultimate Polish
M0316 Glaze (1 cut). Gray bottle
Wax
Anything I can put on after wax to give that extra show car shine/pop! Ultimate Detailer?

Recommendations on proper order of application. I know I

[Murr1525]

Re: Recommendation Requested - paint care

Looks like you got cut off. But generally you'll want to do something like:

1. Wash - Gold Class soap or similar. You may also want some sort of tar / iron remover first.

2. Clay

3. Clean - Sounds like you are expecting to need Ult. Compound, so start with that. it can be applied gently in good areas, worked in a bit more in worse spots. But removing swirls/scratches by hand *****, so dont expect too much.

4. Polish - Following up with Ult. Polish would be good to help the shine.

5. Wax - Dont know which wax you have... Ult. Wax probably looks best. The Hybrid Ceramic probably a bit more durable.

6. Wax - 2 coats is usually best.

7. Maintain - Then can use the Ult. Quick Wax, or Hybrid Ceramic Spray after future washes.

[Kbrown]

Re: Recommendation Requested - paint care

Looks like you got cut off. But generally you'll want to do something like:

1. Wash - Gold Class soap or similar. You may also want some sort of tar / iron remover first.

2. Clay

3. Clean - Sounds like you are expecting to need Ult. Compound, so start with that. it can be applied gently in good areas, worked in a bit more in worse spots. But removing swirls/scratches by hand *****, so dont expect too much.

4. Polish - Following up with Ult. Polish would be good to help the shine.

5. Wax - Dont know which wax you have... Ult. Wax probably looks best. The Hybrid Ceramic probably a bit more durable.

6. Wax - 2 coats is usually best.

7. Maintain - Then can use the Ult. Quick Wax, or Hybrid Ceramic Spray after future washes.

Should I use one of the swirl removers after the compound?

should I use the glaze mentioned between polish and wax?

thanks!!

[Murr1525]

Re: Recommendation Requested - paint care

Should I use one of the swirl removers after the compound?

Swirls and scratches are the same thing, just different sizes. So Ult. Compound is the newer/best way of doing it by hand, then the Ult. Polish for a mild follow up... but like I said, dont expect a lot. Really a machine job.

should I use the glaze mentioned between polish and wax?

You could, if you want to add more steps. The Ult. Polish has oils in it...

Also the newer hybrid ceramic waxes dont seem to want as much polishing oils on the surface (or none for ceramic), so if you are using that, maybe not.

[Nick Winn]

Re: Recommendation Requested - paint care

I would echo what Murr has advised. Let us know how it goes & feel free to post further questions.