First Time using a Griots DA Polisher

[PeterPistol]

This is my first time using a polisher. I had purchased the Griots club kit. I own a 14 maroon silverado & 13 silver lexus rx 350 which are only a few months old. I wash both these vehicles every other week. I have clayed both trucks and waxed them about two weeks ago. I am just a little confused about the discussions about polishes and glazes. Are they recommended for newer cars? I don't have any scratches or swirls in the paint! I use the 2 bucket system and the trucks get dried with the metro vac and blow.my other question is when claying a car does that remove the wax. I am receiving my da polisher monday and next week I want to put a paint sealant on both trucks and a coat of wax. Just a little confused about the correct steps! Thanks

 

[nezff]

This is my first time using a polisher. I had purchased the Griots club kit. I own a 14 maroon silverado & 13 silver lexus rx 350 which are only a few months old. I wash both these vehicles every other week. I have clayed both trucks and waxed them about two weeks ago. I am just a little confused about the discussions about polishes and glazes. Are they recommended for newer cars? I don't have any scratches or swirls in the paint! I use the 2 bucket system and the trucks get dried with the metro vac and blow.my other question is when claying a car does that remove the wax. I am receiving my da polisher monday and next week I want to put a paint sealant on both trucks and a coat of wax. Just a little confused about the correct steps! Thanks

Welcome

Yes clay will remove your wax or sealant.

Compounds, Polishes, and Glazes are different in what jobs they do. They are all made for any car, not just new.

You might want to get you some good halogen or LED worklights and get the vehicles into a dark garage and then you will be able to see the fine swirls and scratches easier if your have them.

To put on a paint sealant, I always want to get the paint in the best shape. Meaning all defects out and GONE. Swirls and scratches would need to be polished out using your DA. After your polishing step, you will want to wipe the vehicle down of all oils from the polish or compounding stage. I use Carpro Eraser. A lot of guys use a mix of Isopropyl alcohol and water.

You can then put on your paint sealant with your DA. It makes the coat thinner and easier to apply. Get yourself a blue, red, or gold Lake Country pad and dab some product onto the pad. Set your machine on roughly 3-4 setting and slowly apply the sealant. You should see it go on.

Some sealants like to dry for a hour, some can be wiped off after hazing. Don't get the vehicle wet from rain or moisture for at least 12 hours. I always apply mine in the evening and it has time to sit in the garage overnight.

You CAN top the sealant with a wax, basically for looks, but I don't do that myself anymore.

 

[shagnat]

I wasn't aware claying (particularly mild) would remove wax....... hhhmmmm

Also to the OP, you definitely want to take the wax off before putting on a sealant. (sealant first, wax second)

 

[PeterPistol]

Thanks a lot

 

[nezff]

using a clay of medium or aggressive will definitely remove your wax or sealant. Using a finer grade might or might not. It claying removes embedded contaminants, it should in theory remove your coating.

Who cares, just seal or wax again.

 

[conquistador]

using a clay of medium or aggressive will definitely remove your wax or sealant. Using a finer grade might or might not. It claying removes embedded contaminants, it should in theory remove your coating.

Who cares, just seal or wax again.

That is not true. Clay (any grade) will not remove a sealant. It might help degrade it somewhat but totally remove not so.

 

[shagnat]

using a clay of medium or aggressive will definitely remove your wax or sealant. Using a finer grade might or might not. It claying removes embedded contaminants, it should in theory remove your coating.

Who cares, just seal or wax again.

It is removing contaminants on TOP of the surface, not below a sealant or wax. At least that's my understanding........... and as far as "who cares" ?? When you're as old as I, have back problems, arthritis, bursitis, bone spurs, and needless to say, not the energy of a 30 something........ then you'll really care!

 

[Bunky]

Clay can remove sealant and wax. It is best to re-apply.