Lost in "New Products"

[FLANick]

HI, I'm Nick, a transplant from Connecticut, now living in Cenral Fl. About two months or so ago, I bought a new ATS Caddy in Crystal White Tri Coat. I've owned other cars that were clear coated, but this is my first white one. After reading the postings in the forums, I guess the old days of just using any wax that was on sale are now gone, specially if you want protection and a shine from the paint. Are there any specific forums to ask for help about choosing appropriate products for my car, or just go to "detailing 101"? I'm really going to need guidance about "natural" vs "symthetic" products.Thanks.

[The Guz]

Re: Lost in "New Products"

Welcome to MOL.

Ask away in detailing 101. The search feature is pretty good here and that is always a good reference.

It's usually personal preference on choosing a wax or sealant. In short a sealant will offer longer protection and be more durable than a traditional wax. White paint looks great with a sealant.

[FLANick]

Re: Lost in "New Products"

Thanks Guz, I was leaning towards the NXT already, now I'll just have to figure out how to do the prep for it. Thanks again.

[Joe Dragon]

Re: Lost in "New Products"

One word of advice I'd give is to buy less rather than more products when you're just starting out. Otherwise you'll have lots of money collecting dust on the shelves. Spoken from experience.
To begin your prep, get a clay kit, Meg's makes a good one. Several videos here show how to use the clay and what to do after that.

[FLANick]

Re: Lost in "New Products"

Joe, I'll keep that in mind. Do I really need a "clay" kit on a "new", or at least two month old car that's always garaged between trips to local store? The paint is shiny and clean with no marks (Yet ..). I just want to keep it that way. Your answers are really appreciated.

[drumdan]

Re: Lost in "New Products"

Joe, I'll keep that in mind. Do I really need a "clay" kit on a "new", or at least two month old car that's always garaged between trips to local store? The paint is shiny and clean with no marks (Yet ..). I just want to keep it that way. Your answers are really appreciated.

You'd have to feel the surface after washing the car. If it feels rough or makes noise, you'll want to clay it.

The NXT 2.0 is good stuff.

[The Guz]

Re: Lost in "New Products"

Hopefully the dealer didn't wash it prior to delivering it to you. The reason being is referred to as DISO (Dealer Installed Swirl Option). Google that and it will take you to an article by Mike Phillips discussing this.

Thanks Guz, I was leaning towards the NXT already, now I'll just have to figure out how to do the prep for it. Thanks again.

NXT is a great product. I would also consider ultimate wax. It contains newer polymers than what is in NXT as well it will last longer than NXT. Couple that with ultimate quik wax (with either product) and your maintenance regiment will be easy.

Joe, I'll keep that in mind. Do I really need a "clay" kit on a "new", or at least two month old car that's always garaged between trips to local store? The paint is shiny and clean with no marks (Yet ..). I just want to keep it that way. Your answers are really appreciated.

It's hard to say. But I would say to clay it. Vehicles are transported by train and get contaminated with rail dust. Also whatever it has been exposed to as it was sitting on the dealer lot. I would actually invest in an iron remover like ironx to chemically decontaminate the paint prior to claying.

If the surface is swirl free you can seal it and be done. If it needs a little work then a test spot with a polish such as ultimate polish is a good place to start.

As you educate yourself you will be asking yourself a few questions.

What are you goals with the car?
How involved do you want to get?
Do you want to get into machine polishing?

[FLANick]

Re: Lost in "New Products"

First, Thank You all for your help with my questions. The car was "built" in April 2016, then hit the dealer in mid May. I bought it in Aug/Sept. Hopefully with a little more help, I'll have enough direction to get going. Being 74, this old dog isn't learning new tricks like using a machine to shine the car, so it's all going to be "hand" work. Will the following steps be a good way for me to shine and protect the white paint? 1) Clay the car after a wash 2) Apply either Ultimate Polish or Mirror Bright polishing wax, (Could use your input, please). 3) Should I use a "glaze" here or is that "overkill"? 4)Ultimate Wax Liquid or NXT Waax 2.0?, and finally 5)Ultimate Quick Detailer or Ultimate Quick Wax for maintenance? Again, any nudge in the "right" direction would really help, Thanks!

[drumdan]

Re: Lost in "New Products"

If all of your work is going to be by hand, I'd reach for a cleaner wax type product (Mirror Brite Polishing Wax, White Wax, ColoX, etc), and use a spray wax to to keep ot fresh.

Outside of that, Ultimate Polish followed by NXT 2.0, or Ultimate Wax would be the selelection.

That's all dependent on how much work you want to do on the car.

[The Guz]

Re: Lost in "New Products"

If all of your work is going to be by hand, I'd reach for a cleaner wax type product (Mirror Brite Polishing Wax, White Wax, ColoX, etc), and use a spray wax to to keep ot fresh.

Outside of that, Ultimate Polish followed by NXT 2.0, or Ultimate Wax would be the selelection.

That's all dependent on how much work you want to do on the car.

I agree with this.

First, Thank You all for your help with my questions. The car was "built" in April 2016, then hit the dealer in mid May. I bought it in Aug/Sept. Hopefully with a little more help, I'll have enough direction to get going. Being 74, this old dog isn't learning new tricks like using a machine to shine the car, so it's all going to be "hand" work. Will the following steps be a good way for me to shine and protect the white paint? 1) Clay the car after a wash 2) Apply either Ultimate Polish or Mirror Bright polishing wax, (Could use your input, please). 3) Should I use a "glaze" here or is that "overkill"? 4)Ultimate Wax Liquid or NXT Waax 2.0?, and finally 5)Ultimate Quick Detailer or Ultimate Quick Wax for maintenance? Again, any nudge in the "right" direction would really help, Thanks!

The reason I recommended an iron remover is that you may notice orangeish/yellowish spots on the paint. Especially on white paint. Clay can sometimes remove them and sometimes they are embedded in a bit deeper than what clay can remove. An iron remover will target those. I see them on my Camaro that is white. It's optional.

To get back to which route you should go. Well as drumdan mentioned, how much time do you want to invest.

White paint is good in the fact that it can hide swirls better than on a black car. They are still there but just less noticeable because of the color.

Based on the list of products you listed these are the options you have

The quick detail would be

Wash
Clay
Cleaner Wax (Mirror Bright Polishing Wax)
Maintain (Ultimate Quik Wax and Ultimate Quik Detailer). I would stick with ultimate quik wax every other wash or as a drying aid after each wash. Use ultimate quik detailer to remove light dust and finger prints.

The longer detail would be.

Wash
Clay
Polish (Ultimate Polish)
Protect (NXT or Ultimate Wax) Completely up to you which sealant you want to use. Both are great products. Ultimate Wax will last a little longer and is more hydrophobic.
Maintain (same as above)

[Nick Winn]

Re: Lost in "New Products"

Welcome to MOL. Feel free to contact me with any questions.

[Joe Dragon]

Re: Lost in "New Products"

3) Should I use a "glaze" here or is that "overkill"? [/SIZE]

You don't need a glaze unless you want your shoulders & arms to be more sore than they already are going to be. hehe. It will add nothing substantial for what you want to do. I like the ATS, nice car and the white makes you look twice when it's clean. Quick detailer to remove the dust is a good thing.

[sunday joe]

Re: Lost in "New Products"

Yes you do. It does not take that long to do and leaves the surface smoother than you could imagine.
Your whit caddie will love it. and you too.

[Joe Dragon]

Re: Lost in "New Products"

Opinions are like some other things, every body has one. Some are presented nicely, others... Luckily there's an ignore list.

[FLANick]

Re: Lost in "New Products"

First, let me thank you'll for your comments and guidance. I've just about purchased most of what I'll need for this adventure, just need more microfiber cloths. BTW, how does one wash these cloths after using? I also have to figure out how to post some pictures (if my labors works out). Again, Thank You all for putting up with this newbie and his qustions!