Thanks for that I'll give it a go on the mx5 .

A couple of questions.

Is the clay bar stuff instead of using a T-cut or cutting-compound? I have only ever heard of the latter before.

You say you polish and then wax. What is the difference?

Cheers,
Whytey 1st time FL2 owner. 2007 SE i6 in Tambora Flame.

using a clay bar will removed tiny particles caught in the surface of the paint, these can be organic or just tiny grit or metal particles.



So you use the clay bar prior to polishing, as you don't want to pull and contaminates into the polish and marr the paintwork

the difference between polish and wax

the polish is a liquid that will have tiny abrasives in it that will polish the clear coat on the car, either removing swirls by removing microns of clear coat to even the surface out, or by doing this and leaving fillers also, these are part of the product that basically fill the swirls and mask the effect the sun shining on the body will have, problem with these products although they are great (Autoglym Super Resin Polish (SRP) been one of the best) the fillers will wash out, and the amount of swirls will return to some degree.

So you polish the car, correcting the clearcoat or by using some thing like SRP you want to protect the paint work, this is where you would use a Last Stage Product (LSP) such as a wax or a sealent, this will protect the paintwork, give it more gloss, and if using SRP type product it will seal in those fillers giving a swirl free look a little longer

In sort, polish is correcting & wax is protecting and giving a glossier finish

For a longer lasting shine preparation, preparation , preparation  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Be warned that Fairy Liquid and other washing up liquids use large amounts of salt to increase the viscosity of the liquid and thus are not particularly good for vehicle bodywork

not on a regular basis, but as a once off its not too bad  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Thanks pinks, will have to see if that same stuff is sold here and give it a whirl  1st time FL2 owner. 2007 SE i6 in Tambora Flame.