Polish / Wax / Decal / Clearcost / Panel lines, which first?

I did search and read the FAQ but don't seems to get a clear answer on this.

Question 1: Do I need clear coat if I polish and wax the car?

If so, how should I prioritized the above 5 things?

<- who is planning for his first polishing job on a model.

Thanks! :)

I did search and read the FAQ but don't seems to get a clear answer on this.

Question 1: Do I need clear coat if I polish and wax the car?

If so, how should I prioritized the above 5 things?

<- who is planning for his first polishing job on a model.

Thanks! :)


heh heh!!

Bored at work today (my assistant is back :) ) so I thought I'd have a bash at answering this one first although I'll bet there will be 54.000 differing replies :)

1. clearcoat (if used)
2. Polish
3. decals
4. wax
5. panel lines last of all

i think be careful with waxing after decals so as not to damage them. I've also read that some builders apply decals after waxing but I'm not too sure about adhesion issues with that though.

HTH and look forward to seeing what others think

I've been doing this -

1. Clear coat if required
2. Polish
3. Panel Lines
4. Decals
5. Wax

Panels lines before decals, as if I make mistake with the line, I wash it off and try again. If the decal is on, this might not be possible.

I also read that decals do not hold well to wax.

Wow! Thanks for the replies! :D btw when applying wax, am I suppose to use cicular rubs or go-along-the-body kind of rubs to achieve the best shine?

Wow! Thanks for the replies! :D btw when applying wax, am I suppose to use cicular rubs or go-along-the-body kind of rubs to achieve the best shine?

Man this is your unlucky day - you got me again!! :naughty:

take a look at this (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=89313) a tutorial from an expert

from my experience, small circular motion is best but above all use the right kind of cloth otherwise your wax will smooth the finish but your cloth will sand it back !! :)

I've started using microfibre cloth form local auto store but I'm going to visit my local optician and try to get soem freebie eyeglass cleaning cloths to try out

mickbench, you're up :)

Only done one major decal'ed kit and I clearcoated over decals for the painted on look!

I think that the best answer I can give you is that (fortunately), the order really doesn't matter that much.

Clearcoat- if you're not covering a metallic color, don't use it. You simply do not need it.

Obviously, polish before decals. Wax may help protect decals, good thing. But decals will stick just fine on a waxed surface (nice, even smooth gloss- they love that). Or you can wax before and after decals. Doesn't matter. Do not wax before clearcoat.

Panel lines- consider not bothering. I've seen too many models ruined by people who think they have to do panel lines. They're far to often done too dark and heavy. Too much here is always worse than none at all. But, when you do them doesn't matter. As mickbench mentioned, it's nice not to ruin your decals if you mess up, but if they're not on yet, or covered with wax/clearcoat, they should be fine.

Thanks again for the awesome replies!!! :)