Newbie question

[vfisher]

I'm new to the forum and to detailing. I have a black '02 vette that I bought used. The paint is in very good shape but I want to fully detail it. Here is what I'd like to do:
1. Clean it thoroughly. I hear the best way to do this is with a clay bar. Do I use a liquid cleaner with water first to clean the car and then use the clay bar? Which clay bar should I use?
2. Once it is clean, what do I use to remove the old wax?
3. I have a Porter Cable 7424 orbital buffer. Should I use this to remove the wax and if so, what should I use with it?
4. Once the wax is removed, what is the recommended best wax to use? I've heard good things about NXT. Should I use the liquid or paste with the PC 7424?
5. Is there any thing else I should do to the finish?
Thanks for your help.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Newbie question

Hi vfisher,

Welcome to Meguiar's Online!

Originally posted by vfisher
I'm new to the forum and to detailing. I have a black '02 vette that I bought used. The paint is in very good shape but I want to fully detail it. Here is what I'd like to do:
1. Clean it thoroughly. I hear the best way to do this is with a clay bar. Do I use a liquid cleaner with water first to clean the car and then use the clay bar? Which clay bar should I use?
2. Once it is clean, what do I use to remove the old wax?
3. I have a Porter Cable 7424 orbital buffer. Should I use this to remove the wax and if so, what should I use with it?
4. Once the wax is removed, what is the recommended best wax to use? I've heard good things about NXT. Should I use the liquid or paste with the PC 7424?
5. Is there any thing else I should do to the finish?
Thanks for your help.

Start out reading these threads to bring you up to speed on the 5-Step Paint Care Cycle, which will discuss all the products you listed and the order in which to apply them.

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

Then read this thread and you can pick up after the M83, that is skip the M83 step and start at the M80 step. I just showed all of the information on these to threads to about 30 people in Dallas, Texas...

Using the G-100 to remove swirls with the Professional Line


If you really want to be in-the-know, read everything in the Information Station


The below list isn't everything in the Information Station, but it's a great primer...



List 'O Links

Many of the things we cover in our Saturday Classes are discussed and talked about in the threads found in the sub-forums of the Information Station


For example,

Circles or Straight Lines?
Which LSP is Best for Light Colors
How To Remove Swirls By Hand
Using the G-100 to remove swirls with the Professional Line
How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX
How to locate Meguiar’s Professional & Detailer products in your hometown
How to tell when a Meguiar's wax is ready to remove - The Swipe Test
The Dual Action Counterweight "Controversy"
What are the Differences Between Meguiar's Waxes
What's the Deal with "Layering"?
Measuring Clear Coat Thickness
Rotary vs. PC vs. Regular Orbital Buffer
Glass Polishing...Deep Cleaning
NXT Tech Wax Cure Time
Suggested Products for Taking Care of a New Car
Colored Waxes - Do they really work?
PC + #83 not "Cutting" it! - The Limits of the Dual Action Polisher
What it Means to Remove a Scratch
Why Meguiar’s Recommends Polishing Paint
Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle
A Lesson From White Paint
Each one, teach one... Ferrari Fiorano 355 F1 Spider

[kellyinkc]

Mike nailed it. I'm a noob too. Claying will remove wax. I just got my DA. Used once, weather not cooperating. I did lots of reading.
Good group of people here. They are knowledgable and we have fun!! I have black too full of swirls can't wait for Spring

Kelly