A while ago as I was browsing through AutoGeek and ChemicalGuys to make my Christmas "wishlist", I ran into something I did not know. Now what is the difference between a regular carnauba wax compared to a carnauba cleaner wax? Sorry for this noob question but can someone explain this into simpler terms? Thank you.

 

Supposedly removes contaminents from your paint and provides protection too. Better at the latter than the former.

Don't try to save time if you want great results. Use a clay bar to remove the contaminents. Then polish. Then wax.

 

that leads to another question... When trying to revive a neglected paint job (Dark Blue in color)- some swirling, light scratches, light oxidation etc...
Is claying in place of a cleaner wax? Or does it make sense to do both? My current plan:

Wash with Dawn
Clay
Cleaner wax
Polish
Wax

 

I can't think of any advantage of the Cleaner Was step in your process.

You hand polishing or using a machine?

 

all by hand for now. I am scared of the machines. However, I understand there are lots o videos out there showing the process and in time I will edumacate myself on them. This dark blue (Subaru) is the car I will practice on. The Mini is new so no cleaner wax for it.

If I understand you right the clay can replace the cleaner wax step on the older finish?

 

Yes... I never use cleaner wax. Clay to remove contaminants. Polish to remove imperfections. Wax to protect.

Most modern buffers are pretty fool proof. Just stick to a Random Orbital or a Dual Action buffer. Hard to damage your paint with them even if you try.

 

+1

 

Try washing
Clay with a detail spray that has nowax in it
Polish
Glaze
Wax
you should see much darker and wetter looking paint

 

Cleaner was has light chemicals for a little added cleaning ability. Someone who is just doing a wash + wax should use a cleaner wax. It won't hurt anything to use it for a 10 part detail either, the cleaning agents in are very mild.

Wax is very subjective, try different ones (paste, liquid, spray) and see what you like!

 

So I started into the dark blue 2000 Suby and quickly realized why machines have become the way to do it. Coments here have made me let go of the notion of harming the paint. I was really only familiar with high speed buffers that only rotate. I watched the detail dept at a dealer destroy some dark finishes with them years ago . I will practiceon the older car and then work on the Mini which should only need clay, polish, wax.

Back in the day I would do a three step all by hand. I have no idea how I did that. Never did get all the swirls out anyway. I dont have the energy nor the time to do that. I can also see that hand polishing is NOT going to cut it. It improved the color but not the blemishes. I'm researching polishing machines. Thanks again fro the tips.

The good news is I think the paint and surface were not as far gone as I thought.