Originally posted by rkneeshaw:
I'm a fan of Mequiar's products



I am sorry to hear.

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Should I NOT use a circular motion when using hte claybar, such as with polishes?



You never use circular motions for any detailing products. It has nothing to do with effectiveness, and everything to reducing the risk of scratches. The only thing that causes scratches is something rubbing on your paint. Usually that is dirt. If some dirt gets picked up by whatever you are using (wash rag, towell, applicator, etc.) you lessen the appearance by only scratching in one direction. Therefore, less reflected light off the scratch from the most common viewing angles.

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If I use a clay bar, is a polish still necessary?




Clay bar removes embedded particles stuck in the paint. Polish levels the paint, actually removing a small layer of the top coat to the depth of the scratches, in theory. Nothing is necessary in detailing, but the two steps are independant and handle different problems.

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For the wax, which is a longer lasting wax, Deep Crystal System Carnauba Wax, or Gold Class Clear Coat Wax?
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Stay far away from both of those. I have used both in pinches, and really unimnpressed with both. Gold Class looked excellent for about a week until I drove the car in the rain. I washed it a couple days later and none of the luster remained. I wasted $10 for the bottle. The Deep Crystal line is inferior to Gold Class. Save yourself some hassle and pick up the Body Shop proffessional line, $26 High Tech yellow wax. Same price, significantly easier to use with better and longer lasting results.