Detailing advice after nearly 1 year

[LanNinja]

I'll have my truck for 1 year coming up in February. This is the first vehicle that I've really taken the time to detail and maintain. Over this past year, I've used Klasse AIO, SG, P21S carnuba wax, good microfiber towels, Mother's clay bar kit, and various quick detail sprays and shampoos. Unfortunatetly even after all this, I still have some minor swirl marks. Should I get PC and polish the truck or should I claybar first and then use some of this stuff:

4Star Ultimate Paint Cleanser to remove the swirl marks (how good is this?)
Ultimate Paint Protection
AIO followed by SG and then P21S

Anyone recomend the Ultimate Paint Protection spray? Is this the same as a quick detail spray?

Thanks!

[screeber]

Originally Posted by LanNinja

I'll have my truck for 1 year coming up in February. This is the first vehicle that I've really taken the time to detail and maintain. Over this past year, I've used Klasse AIO, SG, P21S carnuba wax, good microfiber towels, Mother's clay bar kit, and various quick detail sprays and shampoos. Unfortunatetly even after all this, I still have some minor swirl marks. Should I get PC and polish the truck or should I claybar first and then use some of this stuff:

4Star Ultimate Paint Cleanser to remove the swirl marks (how good is this?)
Ultimate Paint Protection
AIO followed by SG and then P21S

Anyone recomend the Ultimate Paint Protection spray? Is this the same as a quick detail spray?

Thanks!

Sounds like you've done a good job up to now, but none of the products you currently use will help you get rid of swirl marks.

I've been using the 4Star products for the last year or so, and they are fantastic. But the Paint Cleanser will not remove swirl marks - it has little to no abrasives in it. 4Star makes an "ultimate swirl mark remover", and if you want to stick with the 4Star line, you'll need that product.

http://www.premiumautocare.com/ultim...k-remover.html

I've just started using this stuff (Prima Swirl) for swirl and minor scratch removal:

http://www.detailersparadise.com/Vie...2-691513519620

My wife had a little run in with a mail box, and this stuff cleaned it right up.

The 4Star UPP is awesome, great shine, slickness, and durability. I highly recommend it. But if you go with the 4Star swirl, cleanser, then UPP, you don't need to do any of the Klasse steps - that's overkill. If you like the Klasse and P21S, you can just insert your swirl remover of choice as the first step (after washing, drying, and optionally clay barring). Then continue with the AIO, SG and wax. Or you can replace those things with the 4Star products. You can top the UPP with a carnaube if you like, but that's your choice if aren't 100% happy with the look of the UPP. But I think you'll be surprised at the depth of the UPP even though its a sealant.

For QD spray, I've been using Prima Slick. I've never used the 4Star QD.

Edit: Yes - you should definitely get a PC to use with polishes/swirl removers. If you are serious about your detailing (and it seems like you are), the PC is a must-have.

[LanNinja]

I bought a bunch of detailing goodies including the PC orbital after the PC group buy. It's been over a year since the last clay job and the truck has never been polished. Do I need to strip off my old waxes before claying and polishing or will claying do that? Please let me know if this is a good plan:

1) Wash w/ P21S shampoo (previously was using Poor Boys Slick N Suds)
2) Clay
3) Polish w/ PC, SFX2 pad, SFX2 swirl remover
4) Polish w/ Sonus SwirlBuster pad and polish
5A) Apply 4Star UPP and detail spray
6A) Finish with P21S carnuba wax

After Step #4, I could go with

5B) Klasse AIO and wait 24 hours
6B) Klasse SG
7) Finish with P21S wax

[Xander Crews]

To strip the wax I would use either Dawn or Mr. Clean Auto Dry (contains alcohol which will help to stip the wax).

Detailed Wash
Clay
Wash again
Swirl Remover
Polish for Gloss
Sealant
Carnuba (may have to wait 12-24 hours depending on what type of sealant you put on)

I've been using mostly Wolfgang products but have Malm's Carnuba on order. The porter cable will be the difference maker in what you do. Please post pix when you are done!

[Pb]

Claying and polishing takes the wax off, so I usually don't worry about stripping it if I'm giving the paint a full detail. Polish on a buffer will cut through any wax pretty quick.

Even with a good washing and drying technique you will still get some swirls. They can add up over a year.

You can try a cleaner wax by hand, but if I were you I would look into getting a PC buffer. Ya might as well just get one now, and not waste your time trying to polish by hand. JMO