Prep Questions

[iperez]

Hello, I believe I posted these questions in the wrong area so I am posting here. I was hoping that someone could answer any of the questions below on my game plan for this weekend.

Game/Tackle Plan - Please note that the car is White, brand new and has Wax which was put on by the Dealership.

I also have a Clear Bra by XPEL Ultimate on front bumper, headlights and side mirrors.

1. Rinse Car Thoroughly
2. Eraser to Remove old wax (Not sure if I even need to do this step or will the proceeding steps strip the wax that is on the car?)
3.Wash Tires (Tire Bucket/Brush)
4.Wash car (Top to Bottom/2 Bucket Method)
5.Rinse Car
Do I have to Dry the car before proceeding to step 6?
6.Iron & Tar X Let Stand 3 Mins but no longer than 5 mins ea.
7.Rinse Car
8.Clay Car with Meguiar's Fine Clay
9.Wash Car Again Microfiber Washmit
10.Dry Car
11.Look for Swirl/Micro Marring using LED
12.DA Polish using CarPro 6.5" Gloss Pad and CarPro Essence (Dont think I need to use a Compound Prior to Polishing)
13.Let CarPro Essence Cure for 12 Hours (Is 12 hours to short or to long?)
14.Apply 1 Coat CarPro UK 3.0 on all Painted Surfaces, Trim, Rims and Headlights in 2 to 4 ft sections wiping off immediately (Florida Temp is between 89 and 92 Degrees Fahrenheit)
15. Second Coat of CarPro UK 3.0 beginning where I started the First Coat making sure that at least 1 hour has passed before aplly 2nd coat.
16. 1 Coat of top coat. (How long should I wait to Apply the Top Coat after the CarPro UK3.0 2nd Coat?
17.Dlux Trim and Rims
18.Use Flyby Forte Kit per instructions on all exterior Glass and Side Mirrors

Also when applying CarPro UK 3.0 over the XPEL Product that has fully cured for 2 weeks do I tie-in the XPEL with the other non-XPEL covered areas?


Thank you

Isaac

 

[The Guz]

Hello, I believe I posted these questions in the wrong area so I am posting here. I was hoping that someone could answer any of the questions below on my game plan for this weekend.

Game/Tackle Plan - Please note that the car is White, brand new and has Wax which was put on by the Dealership.

I also have a Clear Bra by XPEL Ultimate on front bumper, headlights and side mirrors.

1. Rinse Car Thoroughly
2. Eraser to Remove old wax (Not sure if I even need to do this step or will the proceeding steps strip the wax that is on the car?)
3.Wash Tires (Tire Bucket/Brush)
4.Wash car (Top to Bottom/2 Bucket Method)
5.Rinse Car
Do I have to Dry the car before proceeding to step 6?
6.Iron & Tar X Let Stand 3 Mins but no longer than 5 mins ea.
7.Rinse Car
8.Clay Car with Meguiar's Fine Clay
9.Wash Car Again Microfiber Washmit
10.Dry Car
11.Look for Swirl/Micro Marring using LED
12.DA Polish using CarPro 6.5" Gloss Pad and CarPro Essence (Dont think I need to use a Compound Prior to Polishing)
13.Let CarPro Essence Cure for 12 Hours (Is 12 hours to short or to long?)
14.Apply 1 Coat CarPro UK 3.0 on all Painted Surfaces, Trim, Rims and Headlights in 2 to 4 ft sections wiping off immediately (Florida Temp is between 89 and 92 Degrees Fahrenheit)
15. Second Coat of CarPro UK 3.0 beginning where I started the First Coat making sure that at least 1 hour has passed before aplly 2nd coat.
16. 1 Coat of top coat. (How long should I wait to Apply the Top Coat after the CarPro UK3.0 2nd Coat?
17.Dlux Trim and Rims
18.Use Flyby Forte Kit per instructions on all exterior Glass and Side Mirrors

Also when applying CarPro UK 3.0 over the XPEL Product that has fully cured for 2 weeks do I tie-in the XPEL with the other non-XPEL covered areas?


Thank you

Isaac

Eraser was designed to remove polishing oils and not so much a wax or sealant. During the decon process the existing wax or sealant will degrade it but may not remove it all. Polishing will ensure that it is gone.

I'm in the camp that if one is going to clay expect to polish the paint as there will be some marring induced from the claying process.

With tarx you may not need it unless you have tar on the painted surfaces.

Have you considered going with a 5" pad instead of a 6.5".

12 hours is fine with Essence. I would still recommend an Eraser wipedown to ensure that all polishing oils are gone.

Are you going to apply Gliss? If so a minimum of 4 hours is recommended. CQUK 3.0 doesn't really need a topper as I have it on my car and I am experimenting on a few panels. Gliss will add some slickness to the surface.

I am not sure what you are referring to with the xpel.

 

[iperez]

Eraser was designed to remove polishing oils and not so much a wax or sealant. During the decon process the existing wax or sealant will degrade it but may not remove it all. Polishing will ensure that it is gone.

I'm in the camp that if one is going to clay expect to polish the paint as there will be some marring induced from the claying process.

With tarx you may not need it unless you have tar on the painted surfaces.

Have you considered going with a 5" pad instead of a 6.5".

12 hours is fine with Essence. I would still recommend an Eraser wipedown to ensure that all polishing oils are gone.

Are you going to apply Gliss? If so a minimum of 4 hours is recommended. CQUK 3.0 doesn't really need a topper as I have it on my car and I am experimenting on a few panels. Gliss will add some slickness to the surface.

I am not sure what you are referring to with the xpel.

Thank you Gus for the reply, The XPEL PPF Ultimate is a clear bra that heals itself which can have a cermaic coating on top of it. Yes I will be covering/top coating with Gliss. Should I skip the clay since the paint is in great condition? Essence will clear up any minor imperfections.

 

[iperez]

also I already purchased the CarPro 6.5 Gloss Pad and 3.5 Gloss Pad for the harder to reach areas. I checked the paint and I dont need to do any cutting as there arent any scratches, marrying etc other than very light swirls from normal wash. Car is only 3 weeks old with 2 of thos sitting in the garage while I was on vacation. Do you think straight polish with Essence ane gloss pad will work? I could try that and once complete look at the paint closely with LED method. What are your thoughts?

 

[The Guz]

Thank you Gus for the reply, The XPEL PPF Ultimate is a clear bra that heals itself which can have a cermaic coating on top of it. Yes I will be covering/top coating with Gliss. Should I skip the clay since the paint is in great condition? Essence will clear up any minor imperfections.

You will have to determine if you need to clay. Mike Phillips always speaks about the baggie test and you may want to do that to let you know if you need to or not.

also I already purchased the CarPro 6.5 Gloss Pad and 3.5 Gloss Pad for the harder to reach areas. I checked the paint and I dont need to do any cutting as there arent any scratches, marrying etc other than very light swirls from normal wash. Car is only 3 weeks old with 2 of thos sitting in the garage while I was on vacation. Do you think straight polish with Essence ane gloss pad will work? I could try that and once complete look at the paint closely with LED method. What are your thoughts?

You will here this often. And that is TEST SPOT. Let the paint tell you what it likes.

 

[Merlin]

Thank you Glad to be here.

Game/Tackle Plan - Please note that the car is White, brand new and has Wax which was put on by the Dealership.

I also have a Clear Bra by XPEL Ultimate on front bumper, headlights and side mirrors.

1. Rinse Car Thoroughly
2. Eraser to Remove old wax (Not sure if I even need to do this step or will the proceeding steps strip the wax that is on the car?)
3.Wash Tires (Tire Bucket/Brush)
4.Wash car (Top to Bottom/2 Bucket Method)
5.Rinse Car
Do I have to Dry the car before proceeding to step 6?
6.Iron & Tar X Let Stand 3 Mins but no longer than 5 mins ea.
7.Rinse Car
8.Clay Car with Meguiar's Fine Clay
9.Wash Car Again Microfiber Washmit
10.Dry Car
11.Look for Swirl/Micro Marring using LED
12.DA Polish using CarPro 6.5" Gloss Pad and CarPro Essence (Dont think I need to use a Compound Prior to Polishing)
13.Let CarPro Essence Cure for 12 Hours (Is 12 hours to short or to long?)
14.Apply 1 Coat CarPro UK 3.0 on all Painted Surfaces, Trim, Rims and Headlights in 2 to 4 ft sections wiping off immediately (Florida Temp is between 89 and 92 Degrees Fahrenheit)
15. Second Coat of CarPro UK 3.0 beginning where I started the First Coat making sure that at least 1 hour has passed before aplly 2nd coat.
16. 1 Coat of top coat. (How long should I wait to Apply the Top Coat after the CarPro UK3.0 2nd Coat?
17.Dlux Trim and Rims
18.Use Flyby Forte Kit per instructions on all exterior Glass and Side Mirrors

Also when applying CarPro UK 3.0 over the XPEL Product that has fully cured for 2 weeks do I tie-in the XPEL with the other non-XPEL covered areas?


Thank you

Isaac

My Thoughts...

2. Depending on what is "on" the paint you may be able to skip this step.
3. This is a good time to clean tires (rubber) and wheels
4. What do you have for a "car wash" soap and mitt?
5. I don't find it always necessary but it can be done.
6. Don't let InonX dry. I use a Foam Applicator (3 Pack) to rub it in.
7. Thogoughly rinse!
8. I like Sonus Ultra Fine Detailing Clay (less abrasive than Megs)
9. I prefer the CarPro Merino Wool Wash Mitt
10. I like the Microfiber Madness Dry Me Crazy (25" x 17")
11. Inspect with LED and direct sunlight (My best friend and worst enemy)
12. I personally prefer the 5" pad with a 5" backing plate on the DA
13. I only use a small amount of Essence. Too much can become gummy.
I suggest you only use Essence in the shade.
In the event you get a what I call "Gummy Bears" IPA will remove Essence.
14. Removal time can vary depending on the temprature and humidity.
Do a test panel. Start your stopwatch. Note the behavior at removal time.
Adjust removal time accordingly.
15. Usually by the time I have gone all the way around an hour has passed.
Note the time whan you begin to apply the first coat.
17. Apply DLux smoothly. I even DLux tires with just the orange applicator pad.

"Also when applying CarPro UK 3.0 over the XPEL Product that has fully cured for 2 weeks do I tie-in the XPEL with the other non-XPEL covered areas?"

What do you mean "tie-in"?

 

[Merlin]

You will have to determine if you need to clay. Mike Phillips always speaks about the baggie test and you may want to do that to let you know if you need to or not.



You will here this often. And that is TEST SPOT. Let the paint tell you what it likes.

^ I agree!