I'm getting ready to clay bar some of the crap out of the paint finish. Thereafter the plan is to do the full three step of wax and then polish. However, the car has a 3M shield on the front. Obviously you can't clay bar that, but what do you do about wax or polish? Or, just leave it alone?

 

It will clay just fine and then just wax as normal. Polishing is a different issue.

 

You can do mild polish to get the fine scratch out. Just be careful not to gunk up the edge. Hard to get the stuff trapped at the clear bra edge. I would tape it.

 

Oh, by the way ask guys in the detail section. They are really helpful.

 

If you do not have the full hood or full fenders covered with the clear bra, then do tape the edge up with painter's tape. This will keep the edges clean of residue.

 

I don't have experience with clear bras...but you always polish before you wax. Polish has abrasives to smooth the paint and remove material. Wax typically does not have any abrasives and is inteded to provide a protective high shine coat. The layer of wax prevents oxidation, chemical contact with paint surface, bug sticking, etc.

Anyhow, don't wax then polish...leaves the paint unprotected.

 

Sorry...just to note, OK to wax a clean smooth surface without polishing. You don't have to do that each time...just to smooth out the finish...

With a car in good shape, I try to polish about 2 times a year and probably wax ever 2-4 weeks. In between waxing I try to avoid use of detergents as it strips the wax...

Talk to the guys in the detailing section...they know best.

 

Wow; and I thought I was ****.

 

I just didn't realize the complexity of this issue. My car is always garaged, but I can see the establishing a good baseline for the surface makes maintenance of the finish easier. Thanks for all the info.