Detailing 3 different things

[Lydia]

I posted some of these questions earlier in my introduction post and Mike was so kind as to answer them. I will post them again if it's ok to see what more people's opinions are (not doubting you, Mike, I'm just curious). Could y'all suggest techniques and products I should use to:

1. Clean/wax/detail etc. a 1999 s10 pickup truck. The paint has a bunch of scratches through the clear coat on the drivers side of the bed, also some flecks of latex paint. Mike suggested Quik clay and Scratch-X and I was wondering what was involved in using them, and can clay be used twice? Just a general idea of how I would use them if you don't mind... Also, something I didn't mention earlier, the interior has some paint on part of the plastic. Any idea what to use for that?

2. Clean/wax/detail etc. a 1993 Gold Wing motorcycle. This has some swirling on it (I guess that's what it's called). It also needs some heavy duty chrome polish. I have already cleaned it, waxed it, and polished all the chrome. Also already got the seats with some leather polish. I want to make it look nicer if I can.

3. Ditto for a 2000 ST1100 motorcycle. It doesn't really have anything wrong with it I just wondered what would be the best products and techniques to do this with?

Thank you very much in advance for any help!

[gb387]

Re: Detailing 3 different things

Originally posted by Lydia

1. Clean/wax/detail etc. a 1999 s10 pickup truck. The paint has a bunch of scratches through the clear coat on the drivers side of the bed, also some flecks of latex paint. Mike suggested Quik clay and Scratch-X and I was wondering what was involved in using them, and can clay be used twice? Just a general idea of how I would use them if you don't mind... Also, something I didn't mention earlier, the interior has some paint on part of the plastic. Any idea what to use for that?

With Clay just remember to use lots of quik detailer to lubricate the bar. If you drop the bar on the ground don't use it, toss it out! Its best if you cut the bar in half at set one aside just in case you drop the other.... Spray the detailer on and move the bar back and forth(keep adding quik detailer you can never have too much in this case), while you are using the bar keep an eye on it and knead the clay once it looks like its getting dirty. Quik Clay is a smaller bar might get one use on each half. I don't like to reuse clay I toss the half I used or save it for dirty jobs.

For the ScratchX, I have not used it... many on MOL say it takes some eldow grease and two or three applications may be needed to get your finish looking the best.

2. Clean/wax/detail etc. a 1993 Gold Wing motorcycle. This has some swirling on it (I guess that's what it's called). It also needs some heavy duty chrome polish. I have already cleaned it, waxed it, and polished all the chrome. Also already got the seats with some leather polish. I want to make it look nicer if I can.

You could reach for the ScratchX here, then re-apply your wax. What kind of wax are you using now? If you don't have it now, might try some NXT Generation Tech Wax.

For a metal polish, I am impressed with NXT Generation All Metal Polysh this leaves a nice coating behind and water beads up very nice. It is going to take some elbow grease with any metal polish.

3. Ditto for a 2000 ST1100 motorcycle. It doesn't really have anything wrong with it I just wondered what would be the best products and techniques to do this with?

You could just go straight to a wax or if you want a little more pop out of it, something like:
Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner
Deep Crystal Polish
Then add your wax or NXT Generation Tech Wax

The deep crystal products are easy to find, easy to use by hand and work very well!

I all the above cases use quality towels/applicators to apply/remove the products you are using.

[Lydia]

Ok thanks for the help! Hopefully today I can see if I can find some of those products around here. I'll tell y'all how the vehicles turn out!

[gb387]

I was thinking about the paint on plastic. You could try some: #39 Heavy Duty Vinyl Cleaner and a soft bristle brush. It may just take some time picking the stuff off by hand.

[gb387]

Originally posted by Lydia
Ok thanks for the help! Hopefully today I can see if I can find some of those products around here. I'll tell y'all how the vehicles turn out!

You shouldn't have any trouble finding what you need, Wal-Mart carries some Meguiars your best bet may be a local NAPA/Autozone or anyother auto parts store in your area.

About the only one I have a little trouble finding locally is the Quik Clay System.

[Accumulator]

Lydia- If you don't mind ordering online or getting it from an autobody/paint supply place, you might try some #80 on the swirling. While it's really made for machine application, it works fine by hand if you spend a little time and might be just the thing to use on the Gold Wing's/ST1100's painted areas before applying your wax.

[Lydia]

Alright I went to Walmart and Advance Discount Auto Parts. What they had was: Color-X, Scratch-X, Deep Crystal Polish, Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner, NXT Generation Tech Wax (paste and liquid form), but no metal polish by Meg's, and the only clay they had was by Mother's. They also had some car wash (like the soap kind of stuff) which I forgot the name of. What would y'all recommend as the most important things to get right away? I don't have money to get them all right now but I want to get some of them. I told my sister I would detail her car tomorrow. It has some swirling and some fine scratches (I figured scratch-X would work for those). Her car is dark red. So if y'all could suggest which ones I should get right away I would really appreciate it. I have Turtle Wax right now. Would that be OK to use until I have enough money to buy the NXT wax or should I buy the NXT wax right away? Also, what form of it should I get? Paste or liquid? Or is it just a matter of opinion. Thank y'all so much for answering my questions so far!

Hopefully eventually I can order some #80, some Metal Polysh, some Quik Clay, and some #39 Heavy Duty Vinyl Cleaner.

[gb387]

Sounds like you have many projects! Buy a little here and there.

ScratchX should work for you one the car.... If you don't want to spend the money now on NXT Tech Wax, you could use the turtle wax. Don't pass up the NXT forever, it will give you great results. Paste or liquid? well its what you prefer, both are very easy to use both work the same just a different form.

As for exactly what to get, well sit down and see what projects you want to start with.... sounds like you may start with your sisters car so ScratchX (you will be using this on the S10 as well) pick up some applicator pads and towels(microfiber or 100% cotton terry) to apply/remove the ScratchX and wax. When you are ready for the S10 pick up some clay, like I said add a little here and there. Do you want to add a polish to the mix on your sisters car or just stick with the ScratchX?

You are going to have to wash the vehicles prior to applying the products.... so pick up some car wash soap, Deep Crystal Wash, NXT Generation™ Car Wash or Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner all are easy to find. Don't for get a wash mitt!

Not to add more products to the mix but another option for a wax may be: Deep Crystal System Carnauba Wax Anything in the Deep Crystal line is a great way to start, quality products and very inexpensive.

Just my thoughts.... Good luck and let us know how everything turns out!

[Lydia]

Alright I am planning on ordering some things online and I was wondering which one of these four would be best to get: https://www.meguiars.com/?car-washin...lush-Wash-Mitt https://www.meguiars.com/?car-washin...ille-Wash-Mitt https://www.meguiars.com/?car-washin...nille-Wash-Pad https://www.meguiars.com/?car-washin...de-Wash-Sponge . Or would I be able to use what I have? I have a sponge like the Professional Grade Wash Sponge, although I don't think it is Meguiar's brand, a sponge with some mesh like thing over it that is supposed to get off bugs, and a really soft terry-like cloth. Also, what is the actual name of #80? I did a search for it but couldn't find it. One more question too...Is shipping free when ordering through Meguiar's online?

Thanks for the help, gb387! For now I think I will get the Deep Crystal wash, polish, and wax. Then maybe later I will get the NXT Generation wax.

Thanks!

[gb387]

Here are my thoughts on a wash mitt/sponge... I don't like to use a sponge(the yellow kind) on a vehicles paint for fear of trapping dirt/sand under it and rubbing it all over the surface. I go for Deep Pile Chenille Wash Mitt, Ultra Plush Chenille Wash Pad or a "Lambs Wool" type, something with a deeper pile to pull the dirt/sand in the pile and not scratch the surface, then when you dip the deeper pile mitts in the wash solution give them a little rub under water to release any dirt. Its also a matter of preference, what one person likes another might not.


Here is the #80: #80 Speed Glaze

Here is a list of Meguiars Online Acronyms - With Product Links, this will help with all the numbers.

Hope this helps!

[Lydia]

Thanks again, gb387!!

I went and bought some stuff to start on my sister's car today. I'm gonna wait to do my truck until I order the Quick Clay online, because they don't sell it around here. What I got for my sister's car is Color-X, Scratch-X, Deep Crystal Polish, and Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner. I don't have money for anything else right now. I just re-read the whole post and realized that Color-X wasn't even mentioned by anyone. Should I have got it or should I return it? Also, what order should I use these products in? I'm assuming I should wash the car first, right? I have 2 different kinds of car wash (neither of them are Meguiars ); one with carnuaba wax beads and one without. Which one should I use? Also, I found a chenille wash mit, so I can use that for now. I also have some microfiber towels and a few terry cloth towels that I can use. Which applicator should I use for which job? And one more question: I don't have any Meg's wax. Would it be ok to put on Turtle Wax once I get it cleaned and Scratch-Xed and all?

Sorry for all the question but I want to make sure I am doing this right. Thank you soo much!

[gb387]

Reading back... sounds like your sisters car needs some swirl/fine scratch removal.

Something like this:
Wash
ScratchX
Deep Crystal Polish
- remember to remove the polish wet, no need to let dry like a wax, it can be hard to remove once dry. Stick to a 2x2 area when applying and removing.
Wax you can use any quality wax, your turtle wax will work shouldn't be any problem

As for a wash to use, shouldn't really matter what you use. Might consider using the non-wax wash, any wax will get removed by ScratchX anyway.

As for ColorX.... I have never used it. Its a cleaner/wax all in one, good for removing oxidation/fine scratches. If you think you might use it keep it, if you are not sure take it back, you can always pick another up.

Here is a good thread to read on ScratchX, should give you some tips: How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

[Murr1525]

I love ColorX, and think it is fantastic. Espeacialy if you want to clean and wax, and are short on time in the future.

ColorX plus a coat of regualr wax is a great 2-step detail for any daily driver.

Even ColorX alone is great.

[gb387]

Lydia... If you have not seen it "The Doctor detailer" just posted this, he used ScratchX, shows how well scratchX works.
My first post detailing a red cavalier

Murr1525, sounds like a good product, sure see some great before and afters with ColorX

[Lydia]

Thanks y'all!

I detailed my sister's car! I washed it with ArmorAll's Car Wash Concentrate, then used Scratch-X (I love this stuff!! It works awesome!) all over the whole car, then Color-X, then Deep Crystal Polish, then Turtle wax, then PlastX on the headlights (they were looking dull and yellowed). On one of her mirrors I taped it off like the Doctor did, and it was as drastic of a difference as his, if not MORE so. The car looks awesome if I do say so myself! Shined really nice and it could be used as a mirror lol. No more swirls, too, thanks to Scratch-X . My sister says it looks the best she's ever seen it...even better than when she bought it (she bought it used)! The only complaint I had was with the Turtle Wax. It seems to have dulled it slightly...I'm not happy with it; I don't plan to use it much anymore.
I am hooked on Meg's....it works really awesome. I bought some more Scratch-X (I used the other tube up on her car), some Deep Crystal car wash, some Quik Clay, a chenille wash sponge, some foam applicators, and some Deep Crystal carnauba wax, all for my truck. I'm excited to start on it because I can't wait to see how much better it will look! I also ordered some Metal Polysh for the Gold Wing.

Actually I didn't detail the whole car. She helped me with the Scratch-X, and did the headlights. Just figured I would give credit where credit is due, lol.

Sorry, but I don't have any pictures.