So i got all these meguiar car cleaning goodies and just wanted to confirm the order

is this order right?

car wash/clay bar/swirl & scratch remover/wax

do i gotta throw in another car wash somewhere in there?

i'm also planning on jacking up the car so i can change the oil and oil up the air filter. i've always thrown my car up on jacks at my friends garage, but i don't have that option anymore... so when i jack up the car with a 2.5 ton jack, at what point of the car do i jack up? is it here?



thanks everybody

 

order is right, some like to wash again after claybar to get all the residue off. If you have jackstands then jack it up on each side, there are arrows on the sideskirts were you should jack it up.

 

about jacking the car up... i don't see the arrows, but i see the groove slots (circled in red) where you normally use the scissor jack, besides that there's a (prob a 1.5" wide) bar (circled in blue) that runs parallel to the grooved slots. i'm thinkin that's where the jack stands will support, right?

Driver's side right behind the front tire


if i use a 2.5-3 ton jack then am i using this flat spot (circled in red) as the contact point between my car and the jack?

Underneath the car, towards the front, pic taken from drivers side


i just wanna be sure

 

nevermind about the jacks.

i just found a section in the xb manual. i'm sure i'm right now. thanks.
i think it was page 200 in the 06 manual that pointed out the correct jack positions for a 2-4 ton jack.

for the back there's this downward potrusion like a foot behind the bumper to raise up the car, but it seems kind of like a funny point to raise from. oh well, don't think i'm raising the back anytime soon.

 

more help here

 

car wash/clay bar/swirl & scratch remover/wax

ok so where do i throw in touch up paint? before the wax and after swirl and scratch?

 

1.) Wash
2.) Dry
3.) Clay
4.) Touch up paint if needed (let dry after)
5.) Paint Cleaner
6.) Polish
7.) Wax

Those are the steps you would take. You can combine 5 and 6 into one step if you want with something like Meguiars #80 or #83 or something. Polish is optional and will NOT remove swirls and stuff. Only paint cleaner will. Polish adds oils and depth to the paint.

Also,

NO NEED to wash after you clay. The purpose of claying is to remove anything left on the paint so its a perfectly clean slate. Washing it after really is pointless. I never have that is for sure and most don't. Just adds extra time for no reason, so skip it.

 

so i finished washing, drying, and clay barring.

i don't know about paint cleaner or polish? i just have touch up paint, swirl & scratch remover, and wax left.

i woulda thought you did the touch up paint after the swirl & scratch, only cause i wanted to see if the swirl & scratch removed anything. but you're telling me the other way around i think.

 

you may wanna wait like 24hrs or so for the polish to cure before you wax. maybe little less. i also would layer the wax for added protection & more depth & pop to the paint.

 

oh & me personally, this is what i do.

once a year:
wash & dry
clay bar
wash & dry again
1 layer glaze, immediately after...
2 layers sealant (4-6hrs apart), 24 hrs later
2 layers wax (4-6hrs apart)

6 months later:
1 layer glaze, immediately after...
2 layers sealant (4-6hrs apart), 24 hrs later
2 layers wax (4-6hrs apart)

then all over with the clay again in another 6 months. also, i use spray wax every other time i wash my xB to maintain that 'freshly waxed' look.

ive done it like this for every car ive owned

 

huh? Polish doesn't "cure".

It is effective as soon as you wipe it off. It needs no cure time.

As far as wax/sealant, it is never "useful" to layer your wax. It does NOTHING. Now, you can do two separate thin coats (apply, remove... apply, remove... not layer it) and it will offer a little bit more protection and ensure you covered everything, but even, THIN layers of wax are ideal and easier to remove. One coat is fine, two separate coats are fine as well, whichever you prefer.

 

doing multiple coats of a carnauba wax will provide more depth.

and polish does remove swirls paint cleaner does not. paint cleaner contains chemicals that break down oils so wax can adhere better.

for the OP:
wash/dry
clay
wash/dry
touch-up (if needed)
swirl remover
wax

what i do:
wash
clay
wash
compound-orange
compound-white
polish
seal
wax 1
wax 2




incase you need proof...

also The vendor here turbo wax can vouch for me.

 

also you SHOULD wash after clay to remove all the lubricant you just sprayed onto the surface.

 

get a good buffer for the finish. dont use it for too long or it'll start to burn the clear coat.

 

No need to.

You wipe that off with a microfiber after you clay. Afterwards, the paint is ready for polish/wax. Doing another wash is just a big waste of time. The clay removed any and all dirt that was possibly left on the paint after the initial wash and then some. The paint is as clean as it will get prior to polish/wax.

Plus, you DO realize the car wash soap you use is full of lubricant basically? So your statement is contradictory.


But if it lets you sleep better at night then go ahead!