the 5 step....
 

the most detailing i have done on my car was when i waxed it a year ago with the good ol green bottle of turtle wax.. and i thought that was fine..
but now i see that my paint is looking bad, so i have been looking around for a good process to use to bring it back.
ive heard of the 3 step (wash, polish, wax, right?) but i just didnt seem like enough.. this seems a little more like what i need
what do you guys think?

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/sho...ars+three+step

it basically goes:
1.wash
2.clay (surface defects)
3.paint cleaner (under the surface defects)
4.polish (nourish the newly cleaned paint)
5.wax (protect all that hard work)

opinions?:shrug:

thats the way i do it except i use mother since i ahve a lot of it. That will definitly bring the paint back

I wash with simonitz or whatever, then clay bar, then polish and finish er off with a coat of wax.

A few notes. Claying does not remove ANY defects, it only removes surface contaminates like old wax and pollution so that you are working with a totally clean and smooth surface. The paint cleaner is what you will use to remove the actual defects. I also suggest that you wash again after claying, you will be happier with the end result. Also remember that 2 thin coats of wax are better than one thick coat. Otherwise it looks good.

good, im glad i finally found a solid foundation to work with

one other question too though. i have a huge bottle of Blue Coral caranuba car wash to still use up... can i just continue to use this or should i give it to somebody and switch that over to some other brand

Carnuba car wash? Thats a new one. Its probably just the Blue Coral High Foaming wash. Just use that up. I always suggest using a soap from the company that made the wax you use. For example, I use Meguiars NXT soap and wax. They are typically formulated to work best together, therefore keeping the protection longer.

When you are about to use the clay bar the car should be dry right? And if you wanted to use a product like scratch-x to remove scratches, would you do this before or after the clay bar?

^^exactly. It doesnt NEED to be dry, but it helps. Make sure you use a lubricant though or it won't work. Then after that wash it again and then use your scratch-x now that your working with a bare surface.

ok thx