Stepping up to professional products

[itself]

I would like to step up my products to the professional line. Here is my current regimen:

1. Clay with the quick detailer
2. Meguiars Paint cleaner
3. Glaze #7
4. Nxt Tech wax (2 coats 24 hours apart)

What could I use instead of the paint cleaner and Nxt tech wax? This regimen has been working extremely well, and it holds up well here to the extreme sun and dirt roads I live on.

Thanks for your suggestions.

[ethereal45]

Sorry what is Meguiar's Paint Cleaner? Not a product I'm familiar with if that's the specific name.

You don't need to use the Mirror Glaze line to get professional results. You can do phenomenal work with Ultimate Compound and Ultimate Polish. If your paint is already clean and swirl free, you don't need a compound. You could do something like:

Wash, Clay, Polish with M205 (or UP), Glaze with #7 (a bit unnecessary after 205 sometimes) then wax with Ultimate Wax or #26.

[Murr1525]

Probably the DC Paint Cleaner.

And Ult. Wax is the most durable wax, so would probably want to look at that.

[ethereal45]

Yeah if you are happy with NXT you'll like Ultimate Wax. Most people seem to agree the paste is easier to work with. I personally LOVE UPW. So easy to apply, and it goes on incredibly thin so you can get tons and tons of cars out of one tin.

[itself]

I believe the Paint Cleaner was replaced by the Swirl product. Ok, a paste is great but I use a machine to apply my wax and other products. I like the direction you are going with the Mirror glaze products as this as was I was also thinking.

Lisa

[itself]

What about the Polymer Sealant #20 or the Synthetic Sealer 2.0? I have to light colored cars, and it is always great to get that nice wet look finish.

At this point, no swirls on either car, just beat up paint on the 2003 Honda Accord. It "seems" like the synthetic sealant "might" be geared toward darker colored cars. I am careful with this point, as I spoke to a customer service person at Meguiars the other day who told me to use the Gold Class Quik Detailer. This product is clearlly described as use for dark colored cars. The rep never even asked me what color my cars are.

Thanks for your help guys, I super appreciate it!

Lisa

[Murr1525]

I believe the Paint Cleaner was replaced by the Swirl product. Ok, a paste is great but I use a machine to apply my wax and other products. I like the direction you are going with the Mirror glaze products as this as was I was also thinking.

The steps of DC Cleaner and DC Polish would rouighly equate to something like Ult. Polish or #205.

[Murr1525]

What about the Polymer Sealant #20 or the Synthetic Sealer 2.0? I have to light colored cars, and it is always great to get that nice wet look finish.

#21 2.0 would be similar to Nxt 2.0. So not much difference there.

#20 is actualy a mild cleaner/wax, and is not an entirely synthetic product like the #21/Nxt/Ult. Wax.

At this point, no swirls on either car, just beat up paint on the 2003 Honda Accord. It "seems" like the synthetic sealant "might" be geared toward darker colored cars. I am careful with this point, as I spoke to a customer service person at Meguiars the other day who told me to use the Gold Class Quik Detailer. This product is clearlly described as use for dark colored cars. The rep never even asked me what color my cars are.

Any of the products can be used on any color car. It is only a matter of which product give the look you want. (If you can tell a difference between the looks of different products, some people can, some cant.)

And that is one of the harder thngs for us to help you with, as what looks good to one person, might not be quite right for another.

[itself]

Some great advice, thanks guys! Rick from ADS said for him a winning combination has been the M105, the M205, and then the M21. He also spoke very highly of the Meguiars Last Touch product as a great maintenance product.

I have been using Meguiars products for over ten years now, and they never let me down! I really enjoy detailing my cars. And I have learned a ton along the way. Adding the claying step a year ago made a huge difference. Thanks for all of your advice. I so appreciate it!

lisa

[Murr1525]

I would usually use something like the UQW after washing for maintenance.

Last touch is nice to have for removing bird droppings, and that kind of maintaining, plus is good for claying.