1. Start by washing and drying. I suppose I should go the Dawn dishwashing liquid route if I am going whole hog. Correct?
Dawn will strip off all the old wax. It's a good start.
2. Apply and buff off cleaner wax. Either Meguiar's or Mother's. I do not think there is much difference here.
There are several different waxes by each of these manufacturers. And lots of differences between them. Please specify what you intend to use.
3. Claybar, probably used with Mother's detailing spray. If I am correctly reading the brief instructions on the back of the Mother's cleaner wax bottle, then claybar comes AFTER cleaner wax. Is this correct?
No. I would clay the paint using a quality auto shampoo or QD as lube as step #2 after your Dawn wash.
4. Wash and dry again. No need for Dawn this time.
Yes, this is step #3 But is not necessary if you clayed with a quality shampoo as a lube.
4. A. If I am to use a product like ScratchX on the hood paint swirls from the car wash (which are now mostly under control), this is the time, is it not?
Yes, this is step #4. Be sure you know how to apply it properly.
5. Then it will be time for (
waxing) polishing, and this is where I think I may be getting into the overkill range. I have both the Meguiar's Professional Show Car Glaze (#7) as well as Meguiar's NXT. If I am to choose only one, I choose the NXT. Is there any point to using both? If so, in which order should I use them?
Show Car Glaze is a temporary topcoat product that disquises swirls and will quickly wash and wear off. NXT is a pseudo-polymer product that should be applied on bare paint for best effect. If you want to mix products for "effect" then use NXT as the base and apply SCG or #26 on top of it. Both the latter products are less durable.
6. I also have the Meguiar's Mirror Glaze #26 "Hi Tech Yellow Wax" with a very high carnauba content. Should I apply this over the NXT? NXT appears to me to be more polish than protectant. Is this right?
See #5. Also, NXT has some abrasives in it but it is a sealant/wax (protectant) not a polish (abrasive compound).
7. If I apply Carnauba over NXT, does that mean the NXT detailer (or "Wax Booster" as I think they call it) is now no longer of any use? I also have Mother's and Eagle One details sprays if that is the case.
You can try the QD booster along with the carnauba. Some work fine when mixing. Some create a haze or are hard to buff off. You will quickly see if the "chemistry" gels properly. Ideally you want to use a polymer QD or booster over a polymer wax and a Carnauba based booster over a carnauba wax. Start mixing and you take some chances. These will cause no permanent harm.
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