The first step of detailing a car includes washing.As you haven't properly detailed your car for quite a long time now, so you will be doing a complete detailing session.Otherwise, a quick detailing session includes Washing and Waxing.
1.Washing:-
In order to remove loose dirt from your car,you will need to wash it.You need to wash your car with a car shampoo,avoid using detergents and other shampoos.Washing techniques matters alot.You can put swirls right away on your car by washing it incorrectly.While washing, don't apply too much force on the car's paint(whilst you are applying the shampoo).Do all the things gently and wipe off the remaining water with a microfiber, or at least a clean cloth.
2.Claybar:-
What is Claybar?
Claybar is a bar of claybar which is chemically treated to remove above surface bonded contaminants, like oxidation,industrial fumes etc.
How much Claybar needed?
1.That depends on the condition of your car's paint.How have you been washing the car?Have you been waxing it?Is it exposed to dust too often?.For instance, if a 3 years old car hasn't been waxed since day one and washed by the service stations, then it may need one whole claybar or two claybars.Usually, it happens when you claybar on a really dusty car, the claybar completely gets filled with dust and you have to replace it with a new one.Using the same dusty claybar can cause scratches because the dust granules which has been taken off by the claybar will scratch the clear coat.
How to use it?
2.Claybar is not wet at all.It is a bar of clay treated with chemicals to pull of the toughest dirt or grime.To make the claybar wet,a detailer spray is given.You need to spray the detailer spray on the claybar as well as the panel you are working on.Once both the things are wet,you start doing claybar on the panel.
WARNING: If you happen to drop your clay bar, dispose it and not use it again.The dirt from the ground will stick to the claybar and will result in severe scratches if applied to the panel you are working on.
Claybar actually cleans the paint.You asked about Cleaner Waxes,they also do the same job as a claybar.The only difference is cleaner waxes are abrasive.
After you claybar the whole car,you can wash it to remove any residue and proceed to the next stage.
3.Polishing:-
Polishing means removing a small layer of your clear coat to reveal the new, shiny layer(This is the simplest defintion of Polishing).There is a hell lot of diffference between Polishing and Waxing.So,for a frequent usage,you need a wax, and if you are able to maintain your car's paint with frequent waxing, after the detailing session which includes polishing, you need not to polish your car.Factory paint is already very thin and it is not advisable to polish it every now and then.
Polishing removes paint imperfections like swirls,spiderwebs,orange peel etc and reveal a shiny mirror like surface.This step shouldn't be repeated again and again.Once in two or three years.
4.Waxing:-
After you are done polishing the whole car,you may now to proceed to the next step i-e sealing your paint with a good wax.Two types of waxes are Carnuba Wax and Synthetic Wax.
Carnuba Wax:- Carnuba Wax is found in the leaves of palm trees,which protects its leaves from the dazzling heat of sunlight i-e UV Rays.Same is the case when it is applied to car's paint, it protects it from UV Rays.Carnuba Wax doesn't last long and you need to apply it probably afer a week.Infact, in our environment we need to apply wax, whether it is synthetic or Carnuba.
Synthetic Wax/Paint Sealant:-Synthetic wax contains man made substances and last longer.That is why another professional name for a synthetic wax is paint sealant.People confuses the paint sealant with something different.But infact, both are same things.If an ordinary person goes to an ordinary shop and ask him about Paint Sealant,the shopkeeper will become blank about what the consumer is asking.So, for an entusiast as the primary intender is a consumer, it is synthetic wax, while for a professional it is Paint Sealant.
The best example is Meguiar's TechNXT 2.0 and Meguiars Synthetic Sealant2.0(Both are same things)
Waxing can be done as often as you want to maintain the shine of your car.
