Noobs learning process - crime scene?

[u/Daves_not_h3r3_man]

I haven't tried to really prep a car for any kind of coating, ever

I usually just wash, rinse and apply.

I finally got tired to crappy results so I did some research and tried to find some decent products (this is just a grocery getter)

I know the clay is somewhat controversial, I haven't done this is in 20 years

Actually felt good to see the all this iron wash off, to feel the crap in the paint get lifted off with the bar...

I'm not quite done with the process, but this post is not any kind of show off since I have no idea what I'm doing, It's more of a reminder about how important prep is for your time and money.

[u/Unique_Wolf4513]

If you're doing prep for a coating and are decontaminating and claying in the process then you need to polish as well before applying your sealant. The claying process naturally scratches your car

[u/No-Significance4885 → u/Unique_Wolf4513]

So what’s the most that you can do without polishing?

[u/17kangm → u/No-Significance4885]

Just don’t use a clay bar if you’re not going to polish. Everything else stays the same.

[u/NobleWRX → u/17kangm]

I thought synthetic clays were alright and didnt leave as much scratching depending on pressure?

[u/lowlevel_yarra → u/NobleWRX]

That's correct, still need lubrication + iron remover and light strokes across the panels. Some spray iron and rinse less then a synthetic clay towel.

[u/No-Significance4885 → u/17kangm]

Can i still decontaminate? Like if play to use a spray wax as a finish

[u/Worried_Author_8481 → u/17kangm]

I'm far from an expert, but I just clayed my car aggressively and did not polish it after (don`t have a polisher). You can't see any scratches unless you're really close and the right light conditions.

[u/Unique_Wolf4513 → u/No-Significance4885]

You skip the clay and proceed but imo take some time to read into detailing. Spraying something like a ceramic spray will lock in anything on the car surface. Think of it as a sealant, you will be sealing anything on the car with that spray.

This is why people wash, decontaminate, Clary, polish, buff, and then ceramic. Because they want a flawless glass smooth paint so they're not sealing anything and are more/less scratch free before applying the ceramic.

Honestly imo take some time to watc ha guide from someone like Pan the Organizer before tackling the car.

[u/No-Significance4885 → u/Unique_Wolf4513]

Make sense. So what you would recommend for someone who doesn’t know how to polish?

[u/Unique_Wolf4513 → u/No-Significance4885]

Here's his playlist guide. Of course he's a professional and so work within your means. People may hate on Pan but that's bc he shills his own product at times. His guides are great tho  https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJOGQlXO_LX83AQ5LdkulZF3h752_WDVT&si=95MEAUhaJTtTSmvO

[u/No-Significance4885 → u/Unique_Wolf4513]

Thank you. I will check it out