Can I get the results I want on my car?

[Nicolas]

I think I'll do a test spot on my trunk lid this weekend. I'm thinking about taping off half the trunk after washing and then doing this:

1. Clay
2. Small correction with ScratchX and if needed UC (don't think I'll need it) to get swirls out
3. Deep Crystal Polish
4. NXT Tech Wax

I'm going to apply everything by hand, before I start buying foam pads etc. Doing half the trunk should allow me to judge if there is any improvement or I'm just to demanding. You guys think this is an OK process?

[ffboy]

If I remember correctly, the microfiber system includes a finishing wax and a microfiber finishing pad, but I am biased towards the more traditional consumer waxes/sealants and aaply it using a foam applicator or a finishing pad on the DA Buffer. So after removing swirls, and applying a pure polish or galze, I would try using a different LSP.

[ffboy]

Doing half the trunk or panel is a good way to gauge the process and products needed before doing the entire car, you can also shrink the area into a test spot. But doing a "practice run" is recommended. You can substitute Deep Crystal Polish with Ultimate Polish especially if you might need to use Ultimate Compound to further refine the finish the results left by Ult. Compound. NXT 2.0 is a good product, though no longer the most durable megs sealant and still loved by many here even when users are finally getting the hang of the uniqueness of Ultimate wax, especially the liquid version

[Murr1525]

Yeah, you plan is good. The Polish and Wax should give an idea of if you will see anything from products more 'dedicated' to each step.

If it goes well, Ult. Polish is certainly something to look at, combining a mild cleaning ability with lots of the oils.

[Nicolas]

I'm taking Ultimate Polish and Wax into consideration, if I see improvements using DCP and NXT wax. But before I buy any other pads and products, I'm going to see if I can get better results with what I have.

[Nicolas]

OK, no rain this morning, so I did my small test. I first washed the entire car, followed by taping off my boot lid. I then clayed half the lid, used ScratchX 2.0 on some scratches, had to use UC on one deeper scratch but i just catches my nail so to deep to get out (at least without measuring first). Wiped off the lid between every product and used new applicator pads and MF towels for each product. After the UC I applied Deep Crystal Polish and finished with NXT Tech Wax. I let the wax cure until the swipe test was OK, and then did a final wipe of the panel.

Unfortunately, after removing the tape, I can not detect any improvements in gloss, wet look or whatever... To the touch it is obvious which half was done, it's much smoother, but visibly: nothing. I will hold on for a few days, hoping for some more sunlight. It's cloudy today so maybe that's why I can't see the difference. But at first sight, I'm not getting much improvement. (Maybe I'm just to demanding and want things that are impossible...)

[Nicolas]

A few days have now passed, and just to close off this topic, I'd like to add my final conclusions:

Even in the sun, I am unable to detect a difference in look between the part I detailed by hand last weekend, and the rest of the car which was done using the DA MF system 6 months ago. I now believe the orange peel is the major contributor to the overall look of the car. Since it is OEM paint, I will not be wet sanding (or letting anyone else) because I fear this might cause even worse problems. (Just finding a detailer with experience in wet sanding would be hard in Belgium)

Incidentally, I was at the Audi dealership today and took some time to look at the showroom cars. I was very surprised to see that all cars had very noticeable orange peel. Some colors masked it better than others, but every single car in that showroom had clear orange peel (even noticeable straight across the room). It would appear that Audi either thinks orange peel is beneficial (hide scratches), or they're having difficulties controlling their spray-process.

Short conclusion for me: the only way to get the results I would want, is to wet sand and since that would require a full re-spray I'm not going to spend that amount of cash.

[Murr1525]

Sorry to hear of the results... but yeah, maybe you have just maxed out what you can get.

[GoZoner]

Pictures required.