Getting Started / Suggestions

[skyace888]

Hey guys! I was surfing around the Internet a few days ago and came across the Meguiars brand and this forum. Previously, I had only heard of the Meguiars name but didn't know of its credibility. Now, it seems to me like Meguiars is a well-respected brand by pros and enthusiasts. Anyways, I have a 2004 dark red Honda Accord EX V6 that i try to keep in good shape. It stays parked outside all the time and the South Florida weather gives it a beating. Up until a short while ago I was happy with my car care methods. I would use the Mr. Clean system, clean the interior while waiting for the exterior to dry, and then proceed to wax the entire exterior by hand with Turtle Wax. I would do this about every 4-6 weeks. Lately, I've been noticing what appears to be hard water deposits. It seems like #2 kind according to the guide that was posted on the forums. The spots are on several places including the windows. I also have some scratches just above my front window that even the dealer couldn't get out with a buffer. My questions are as follows:

1. How can I get out the scratches? Should I try ScratchX?

2. How can I remove the hard water deposits?

3. What is a better way to care for my car with Meguiars products? Should I still use the Mr. Clean system? If not, can I use the Mr. Clean to at least filter the water? (My house uses lake water and I think that the Mr. Clean filters the water on the regular stream setting.)

Any help is greatly appreciated. I will try to post pictures once the rain lets up. Additionally, where is a good place to purchase Meguiars products?

Thanks,
Al

[Jeff Smith]

Re: Getting Started / Suggestions

Originally posted by skyace888

1. How can I get out the scratches? Should I try ScratchX?

First off, to MOL

If you had somebody work on these with a Rotary and they did not come out. I would advise you to take some pics of these scratches as well as describe how they got there and how deep they appear to be. If the Rotary did not do it then Scratch-X may not either. This will likely be dependent on the skill of the man that used the Rotary.

Here are a couple of threads that might help you make your decision.:
What it Means to Remove a Scratch
How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

2. How can I remove the hard water deposits?

Per the Following thread, If you are doing this by hand the recommended product will be Scratch-X.
Type 1 & Type 2 Water Spots

3. What is a better way to care for my car with Meguiars products? Should I still use the Mr. Clean system? If not, can I use the Mr. Clean to at least filter the water? (My house uses lake water and I think that the Mr. Clean filters the water on the regular stream setting.)

I have a Mr. Clean system as well. But I now use the 2 bucket system to wash and a leaf blower to dry. Unfortunately I can't give you any links to using the 2 bucket system as Mike has not finished it as yet. Do some searching in the forums for use of the 2 bucket system and you should come up with something.

[Murr1525]

In my experience, the Mr. Clean system seems to leave a film behind, and/or remove wax also. It may be ok in a pinch in bad weather, (though I assume not too many blizzards in Florida), but doesnt get the results I like.

Working by hand, here are a few simple products you ca nuse, and of course we can also add more the more car crazy you become....

1. Wash: Gold Class Wash, using grit guard and 2-bucket system.

2. Quick Clay - This is fantastic, definately get some.

3. Clean - You can use ScratchX by hand to try and remove some spots, though could be hard.

Since it sounds like you are trying to keep your steps to a minimum, maybe a daily driver, yo umay really enjoy ColorX. I love it, and it covers the clean/polish/1st coat of wax steps very well.

4. Wax - A top coat of Nxt wax is a good way to finish up.

Pep Boys around here is good for Meguiars products, and Autozone, Advanced Auto, Target, etc are also good. Then when you cant find anything else, order online.

[Jeff Smith]

Originally posted by Murr1525
In my experience, the Mr. Clean system seems to leave a film behind, and/or remove wax also. It may be ok in a pinch in bad weather, (though I assume not too many blizzards in Florida), but doesnt get the results I like.

I did not use the Mr. clean soap long enough to notice a film. I went through the sample bottle include with it and never got another. I do keep it around to use the filtering ability from time to time.

I don't use it alot but I find the filter setting provides somewhat of the same effect as taking the nozzle off the garden hose to rinse. I keep mine around as there have been a couple of instances where I had to wash a vehicle at a friend's house where there was no place to get out of the sun. My thinking is that if the sun did beat us to drying the water up, the waterspotting would hopefully be minimized. So far it has helped in these situations.

[Murr1525]

Well, if you went around behind it with a towel, you may have wiped off the film. Thats what I had to do, so it seemed to defeat the purpose.

I think it has a reasonable place, esp in bad weather, but hopefully Meguiars may get a bettter one designed.

[skyace888]

Thanks for all the tips, guys. I agree that if Meguiars came out with a washing system similar to Mr. Clean, it would sell great. Problem is that Mr. Clean probably holds patents on that product. Anyhow, I'll post pictures of my vehicle later on today or tomorrow.

[skyace888]

Here are the pictures. Let me know what you would suggest and what Meguiars products would be good for me to start with. I may stop by my local Wal-Mart and/or an automotive shop tomorrow.


The water spots are pretty faint and can only be detected a few feet away.



The roof scratches have been there for a while. As previously mentioned, the dealer's detailing crew couldn't help me out. They used a machine buffer and some kind of wax. I'm not even sure how I got these scratches. Maybe from an auto car wash. I definitely don't use those anymore!

[Murr1525]

Well, those kind of water spots can be a pain, esp by hand, but here is what you will have to try by hand.

Be sure to read those links Jeff mentioned, as how you use ScratchX/technique is very important.

1. Wash - Gold Class or Nxt wash. Definately Nxt if hard water.

2. Clay - Meguiars Quick Clay is best, though Clay Magic is ok in a pinch. Dont like Mothers. You can usualy jus tclay 3-4 times a year, maybe less depending on environment.

3. Clean - Work ScratchX by hand onto trouble spots. You can use this on entire car (arm killer) or just trouble spots.

You can also ScratchX one part now, another part later, and so on. You will only use ScratchX for problems, not every single detailing.

4. ColorX - I love this product, and highly recomend it for the time crunhed among us. It is a cleaner/polish/wax, and is a good one-step product to prep the paint.

5. Wax - I like Nxt wax, but you may choose Gold Class, #26, etc.

And then use a spray wax, or spray detailer after in-between washings to keep up looks.

If you want to do the full steps with separate products, you can use:

Wash:
Clay:
Clean: Deep Crystal #1
Polish : DC#2
Wax: Nxt Wax, DC#3, Gold CLass, etc.


I hope that helps?

[skyace888]

Thanks for the tips. Does Nxt wash remove the wax? If ColorX is a wax, I need to use a separate wax on top? Sorry for all the questions but there are so many products and different techniques and I want to make sure I know what to get and what to do.

[Murr1525]

Well.. as far as waxing...

The Wax in ColorX seems like a pretty good one, lasts better than most all-in-ones. But, like anything, a separate product is going to work better than an all-in-one usualy. ColorX fits in kind of wierd, in that it can be a better cleaner than DC#1.

So that is why I choose a separate wax step at the end, since a separate product should work better than a all-in-one.

Now, Nxt does have some mild cleaners in it, but even so, Meguiars recomends 2 thin coats of any wax, Nxt, Gold Class, whatever. This is more for even protection, than protection 2 layers thick. Remember, 10 layers of any wax isnt going ot stop a stone anyway.

So if you are a little worried about the cleaners, I can also recomend Gold Class, or #26, or even #21. #21 is similar to Nxt, but has less, or no, cleaners in it I beleive. Or ColorX on its own. All up to you.

One of the good things about Meguiars is all the options, but one of the bad things is all the options. So ask away anything you need to. I can tell you what I do, or what others do, etc.

[Murr1525]

Whoops.. misread your post


Nxt wash and Gold CLass wash do not remove wax, at least not any appreaceable amount.

I will say Nxt wax loses its slickness (not protection) a bit easily, so I follow most washes with a QD or Spray Wax.

[skyace888]

Thanks again for the help. For the spray wax, is the NXT Generation Spray Wax good to use over the NXT Tech Wax as needed? If so, here is my list for now:

Quick Clay w/Quick Detailer
3 Supreme Shine Microfiber Towels
ScratchX
ColorX
NXT Tech Wax
Gold Class Leather Wipes
NXT Generation Tech Protect
NXT Insane Shine Tire Coating
Ultra-Safe Wheel Spoke Brush
Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner
NXT Generation Glass Cleaner
Duo-Fiber Glass Super Towel
Even Coat Applicators
NXT Generation Spray Wax

Whew...This is alot of stuff! Here is how I think I will do things:

1. Do a full wash and detail about 4-6 weeks. I think I will continue to use the Mr. Clean system for now as I have had good results with it and I don't need to dry the vehicle. I don't notice any residue or film like some people have. Maybe when the soap runs out I'll use a Meguiars soap if it works in there. The wheel spoke brush looks good and I'll use that with the Hot Rims.

2. While waiting for the vehicle to dry, I will work on the inside with the leather wipes and the tech protect along with a microfiber towel. My interior usually stays pretty clean.

3. After the exterior is dry, I will examine the surface and use ScratchX, ColorX and/or Quick Clay as needed. Afterwards, I will apply the NXT Tech Wax to the entire vehicle by hand with an even coat applicator and then buff off with the microfiber.

4. Finally, I will dress the tires with the Insane Shine and do the windows last, as always, with NXT Glass Cleaner and a duo-fiber glass super towel.

Between this 4-6 week process I will use the Quick Detailer and NXT Spray Wax along with a microfiber as needed to keep things looking good. On a side note, I have come across some other car sites that say a sealant is like a wax but endures longer. One such brand is Wolfgang. Is this true and does Meguiars make any sealants?

[skyace888]

I went over to Wal-Mart and picked up a few things.

ScratchX
NXT Tech Wax
Gold Class Leather Wipes
Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner
NXT Generation Spray Wax

I'll go by my local auto store tomorrow and pick up the other items. Anything else that I can't find I'll probably end up ordering online. Two more questions for ya.

1. Should I use the NXT Generation Spray Wax as needed between washings or should I rotate between using it every other month after washings along with the NXT Tech Wax?

2. My car is often the target or bird droppings. Previously, I would just take some old car wash formula and rinse it off with water and a sponge. It seems like Quick Detailer and a Supreme Shine Microfiber can do the trick as well. Am I correct?

[skyace888]

I picked up a few more things yesterday. Now I'm only missing the towels, applicators, and the quik clay. Regarding the ScratchX, the Meguiars e-store says it should be applied with an even coat applicator and the posting that Jeff shared shows a picture of the ScratchX with foam applicators and ultimate wipes. What is the way to go with this?

[sneek]

dosent really matter both work fine but i think you will notice faster results using the even coat applicator and a SS m/f but the one from the estore is for marine usage