mm

...immediately with a glaze/polish, and then a wax? To the extent it matters, assume P21S Bodywork Conditioning Shampoo, One Grand Tar, Gum, and Wax Remover, 3M Imperial Hand Glaze, One Grand Blitz Wax. Basically I'm wondering, given the following process:

1. Wash car with P21S Bodywork Conditioning Shampoo, Rinse, Dry.
2. Remove any remaining tar and gum with One Grand Tar, Gum, and Wax Remover.
3. Wash car P21S Bodywork Conditioning Shampoo and/or Rinse and Dry to remove residual bug and tar remover solvents.
4. Polish/Glaze with 3M Imperial Hand Glaze and Buff Out.
5. Wax with One Grand Blitz Wax and Buff Out.

How important/necessary is Step No. 3 above, and what should it include, a complete wash rinse with soap or just a quick rinse with water only? Thoughts?

DAP@EPL

Probably not necessary. The glaze will take off anything that is left on the car.

RKA

If you see residue left behind after applying big and tar remover, I would wash for obvious reasons. Otherwise, the bug and tar remover will evaporate off the paint, so if it looks clean, proceed with your detailing regimen.

For heavy duty cleaning, like the lower panels during your spring cleaning, I would probably do the bug and tar remover, rewash/dry, reinspect (for possibly another round of bug and tar remover, and go from there.

For spot cleaning, I wouldn't bother...once I've got the area clean, I would move on to the next step.

BoostLad

unless the car is DISGUSTING filthy (i highly doubt anyone here has that prob), i'd do the bug/tar FIRST, then wash/dry, etc. But i agree i'd want to wash off the bug/tar remover before IHG and wax. So do that first.

Muhammad

I don't think it's very necessary.

RKA

Anytime you rub something across "not-clean" paint, you want a lubricant...car wash soap, instant detailer, something. Without that, you risk added swirls and fine scratches in your paint.

RickM

Since you're following up w/ glaze, I would skip the 2nd wash.

Seymour

You need to invest a bit of time making sure the glaze does its job in step 4. It's really the key step that brings out the 'real' shine. My method does not have step 3.

The wax in step 5 just covers the lovely shine with a clear barrier, so you need to be sure that step 4 produces the end-result you want first.

Have fun!

--Seymour<ul><li><a href="http://home.earthlink.net/~chab41/audry02index.htm">Audry2 Web Site</a></li></ul>

Seattle Scott

1. Wash car with P21S Bodywork Conditioning Shampoo, Rinse, Dry.
Wash with Dawn dish soap. P21S is too wimpy for this part.

2. Remove any remaining tar and gum with One Grand Tar, Gum, and Wax Remover.
I think the Dawn and a little rubbing will get the tar.

3. Wash car P21S Bodywork Conditioning Shampoo and/or Rinse and Dry to remove residual bug and tar remover solvents.
Skip this step. Everything you use has a petroleum "base". Right?

4. Polish/Glaze with 3M Imperial Hand Glaze and Buff Out.
5. Wax with One Grand Blitz Wax and Buff Out.

Ted K

really concerned, give it a shot of One Grand Show Off quick detailing between the tar remover and the glaze, but that's as far as I would go. Also, you may want to try P21S Total Auto Wash citrus degreeser also. I use this as bug and tar remover, and it has other uses (one less specialty product to buy).

Hope this helps.