Detailing my new car

[BlueSpot]

Hey!

It's been years since I bought a new vehicle because I get something I like and take very good care of it. I've always been meticulous about detailing my cars but I'm a little overwhelmed by all of the high tech products out there these days. I've been scouring this sight for several days and find all of your experience, knowledge and product devotion very reassuring.

Here are a couple of questions that I haven't found answers to yet:

1. I have been looking at NXT Tech Wax (or maybe #21) to use on my new rig. What is the difference between these products and paint sealants like Turtle Wax Ice, Zainos or the service offered (and declined!!!) at the dealership?

2. My new rig has side trim, wraparound bumper covers, door handles and side mirrors that are all painted plastic to match the body color (although the actual mirror mountings are black plastic) as well as plastic chrome trim on the grill and tailgate. (I sure miss the days when cars were made of metal.) Can NXT (or #21) be used on these surfaces? If not, what would you recommend?

Thanks for you help!

[Murr1525]

1. Well, for your first question, it is kind of a general question, it really coms down to what brand do you like and trust. No body is giving away their secret formulas or anything. Everyone seems to make synthetic waxes (sealants), etc these days, but Meguiars old-fashioned stuff still works too. #21 and Nxt are both synthetic.

There are probably waxes that last even longer out there, but they also cost a lot more, and I am re-washing and re-waxing long before then.

I have used Nxt last year, and just got some #21 applied a week or two ago. I think I am sticking with the #21. Peoples results here, and how it looks for me are just very impressive so far.

2. Yes, you can use a paint cleaner, polish and wax on painted plastic. For the fake metal trim, I would probably just wax it. Those seem a little delicate to mess with too much sometimes. #21 or Nxt would be good for it.

Dont get too discouraged, for a new detailer, the best and worst thing about Nxt is the range of products. It can be a bit overwhelming at first, but then when you need something, Meguiars usualy makes it. Other companies, you have their 4 or 5 products, and if that doesnt solve the problem, too bad.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Detailing my new car

Originally posted by BlueSpot
Hey!

It's been years since I bought a new vehicle because I get something I like and take very good care of it. I've always been meticulous about detailing my cars but I'm a little overwhelmed by all of the high tech products out there these days. I've been scouring this sight for several days and find all of your experience, knowledge and product devotion very reassuring.

Hi BlueSpot,

Welcome to Meguiar's Online!

Here are a couple of questions that I haven't found answers to yet:

1. I have been looking at NXT Tech Wax (or maybe #21) to use on my new rig. What is the difference between these products and paint sealants like Turtle Wax Ice, Zainos or the service offered (and declined!!!) at the dealership?

Every polish and wax manufacture has their own formulas and to know if you like one better than the other you pretty much have to purchase them and try them side by side.

In the big picture, there are 5 categories of products,

• * Washes
  * Paint Cleaners or products that remove defects in the paint, in the old days people used rubbing and polishing compounds, today's modern clear coat finishes are too scratch-sensitive to use old technology like this.
  * Polishes - Meguiar's makes two types, one that has the ability to remove defects like a paint cleaner and one that only creates gloss and beauty. Most companies with a product with the word "Polish" on the label, there product is for removing defects and is abrasive at some level. Some companies like Zaino call their "Paint Protectant" a polish.
  * Paint protectants - A wax by any other name, the idea being something you apply to the paint with the end-results to leave something behind that protects it.

I always say,

”Find something you like and use it often”

If you find a product you like, then apparently the results look good in your eyes, if you use it often, then your finish will always look great. It's only when you begin to neglect or abuse the finish that it goes down hill.

You'll want to watch yourself around any Zaino Zealots as they tend to become very emotional if you don't come around to seeing things their way to the point of calling you names or belittling you. This is one of the ugly aspects of other forums that turns people off.

2. My new rig has side trim, wraparound bumper covers, door handles and side mirrors that are all painted plastic to match the body color (although the actual mirror mountings are black plastic) as well as plastic chrome trim on the grill and tailgate. (I sure miss the days when cars were made of metal.) Can NXT (or #21) be used on these surfaces? If not, what would you recommend?

Thanks for you help!

If you're working on paint, you're working on paint. It doesn't matter if the underlying material is aluminum, carbon fiber, steel, Fiberglas, or Urethane plastic. Treat paint like paint and you'll be okay.

[Mike Phillips]

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

[BlueSpot]

Thanks for all the great info and quick responses. With so many products out there, I think I was starting to overanalyze everything. "Find something you like and use it often" couldn't make make more sense!

Thanks again!

[SVT Lightning]

Hey Neighbor! You can't go wrong by starting out with clay and the DC1 and DC2.......assuming you don't have these already that is! Then it becomes a matter of choice for your LSP. NXT and the Megs#26 are both fantastic products that are easy to use by hand. Now we just need some dry weather don't we?