Hey all, I posted this over at Autopia and didn't receive much response. I was hoping anyone here with experience could help me. Thanks.

Anyways, I've never done much detailing outside of throwing some NXT wax on my car. Recently I received some detailing products for my birthday, and I want to put together a nice regiment for my car. Since I'm new I want to keep this all over the counter and want to stick with Mothers.

Anyways, on to it. It's a 2006 Subaru Impreza Steel Grey. I try to wash it often, and is parked outside. It only has very minor swirl marks and no major scratches. I might have access to a rotary but will probably have to do all this by hand

Step1: Hand Wash
Step2: Claybar
Step3: Mothers Phase 1 Pre Wax Cleaner
Step4: Mothers Phase 2 Sealant + Glaze (do I need to let this cure?)

For step 5 I received a tin of Mothers Carnauba Cleaner Wax, would this be defeating the purpose of the previous steps to use this?

Step6: Mothers Pure Carnauba Wax (or if step 5 is ok to do, would this not be needed?)

I'd like to maintain this schedule once a year

As for every couple months, would a good wash followed by the cleaner wax be sufficient to maintain it?

Thank you for bearing with this, and thanks for any help.
=============
I would for sure use the clay bar, but I don't know anything about the Mothers Phase i or 2 thing you mentioned. Personally, I would skip the cleaner wax and use just the Pure Carnuba, but that is me and a lot of people have their own way and personal favorite waxes and cleaners that they use. Just try the different products, figure out what works and what you like, and make your car shine like new.
=============
You might want to consider polishing using a dual action buffer after claybaring.

Polishing would be the most efficient way of getting rid of minor blemishes/swirl marks on your paint..

Good luck.
=============
welcome to the world of detailing!

you are on the right track sofar, however some of your steps are somewhat redundant.

clay, polish, sealant/nuba wax is all you will need. I dont know how that pre wax cleaner you mentioned preforms.

i would reccomend doing the clay, finding a otc polish, (i have used the new turtle wax stuff in the upside down black container and it works pretty well for beginners), seal/glaze, and use the pure carnuba.

the pre wax cleaner is redundant after claying. clay gets more contaminants out of the paint than that stuff ever will. also, the cleaner wax is unnecessary after glazing.

look for a random orbit buffer. i would not recommend a rotary unless you have had some experience with them. they can eat the hell out of your paint.

good luck with the otc stuff. maybe next year you can upgrade to some more professional products. you are off to a good start though. post pics when you are done!
=============
^+1 to everything up there

I went straight to a rotary though, so it's not like it can't be done. And also if you have someone who can show you how to do it and you learn how, it's probably a lot better to just go straight to it than to dance around by experimenting with hand polishing and RO buffers
=============
+1
but if you don't want to go all out
wash, clay, prewax clean or glaze, wax or/and sealant this can easily be done by hand and will improve paint depth, clarity ...
=============
pre wax cleaner will remove all previous oil, wax etc... and nourrish the paint with enhancing oils. Clay might remove wax but it is not its main purpose.
but out of all the steps it is the less important
=============
Keep in mind that a claybar may induce additional swirling. You may want to consider a polish.
=============
You also really don't need to clay every time you wash, it's a waste of effort.

I hose my car off when it needs it, just to get the dust off. I use Invisible Glass on the windows when they need it as well.

Once a week I'll give it a complete wash, including the interior (vacuuming at the very least).

Once a month I do a full detail, which includes two wash cycles (one to get rid of the old wax and another just for good luck), wax, wheels and full interior (vacuuming, dusting, windows, trim, etc.)

Finally once every six months, usually just before winter and just before summer, I do the full detail with the addition of clay bar and polish/sealant.
=============