New here, couple of questions

[Top Down]

Hi, first post here. Been reading a lot on this forum though and there's great information!

My first car 6 years ago had black paint and the first time I tried to wax it, I somehow stripped the clearcoat and some paint. Needless to say, after not being able to repair it without resorting to repainting it, I never waxed that car again.

Now on with my next car. As everyone says, posts are pointless without pics.









It's cold here in Boston, so I did a quickie detail. Gold Class Wash and then Cleaner Wax. Tires have Gold Class Endurance gel. I added a layer of Nxt Wax.
My question is that I plan to fully detail this coming Monday. I have spots on my paint which I'm unsure if it's part of the paint or if it's overspray.

That's a pic of my hood. It's smooth to touch, so would claying still get it out? My other question is if claying helps wax adhere to paint, will it help the NXT wax hide swirls/scratches? My paint didn't seem any better when it comes to swirls after adding NXT wax, but wasn't sure if it was because I didn't clay and there was a layer of Cleaner Wax underneath.

I attempted to ScratchX the hood which took many applications and about 3 hours to no avail. I finally read that I was wrong in using a foam applicator since it had too little bite. I don't mind if I just hide the swirls with NXT wax since my arm about fell off after just the hood with ScratchX, so is there a secret to make the wax work to hide the swirls? Also, this might be a stupid question but is there anything to help prevent paint chips? I drive 45 miles on the Interstate to work each day so I'm bombarded with rocks and my hood has tons of chips.
I do plan to invest in a PC, but I want to be sure there's a PBE store around me first. I went to a couple of the stores under the Professional Dealer Locator link, but those stores no longer exist. Also for some reason, Walmart, Target, AutoZone, and Advance Auto Parts do not sell NXT metal polish, NXT glass cleaner, Quick Clay, Trim Detailer or any of the towels. If anyone else is around Boston and can find these things, let me know. I'm not a fan of ordering online, but I might have to bite the bullet.

Sorry for such a long message and thanks everyone for the help! Any other reccomendations are most welcome!

[Tim Lingor]

Hey Top Down


Firstly, welcome to Meguiar's Online!

The first thing I want to suggest is that you take a moment and read Meguiar's 5 Step Paint Care Cycle:

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle


For this car:

1. The first thing to do is clay the car. Claying will remove bonded contaminants on the surface.

2. You are going to want to remove those swirls. By hand, yes, that will be a long and difficult task. You will need to use ScratchX. Here is a link that will help you with how to apply ScratchX properly:

How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

How To Remove Swirls By Hand

3. Follow the ScratchX with something like Meguiar's ColorX which help top further refine the finish.

4. Top with 2 coats of NXT Tech Wax

As for filling swirls, NXT will only fill the lightest marring. The swirls in your picture can not filled by a Meguiar's product or anyone elses that I am aware of. They need to be removed or least reduced to a point that you feel satisfied. Using a PC will make a HUGE difference in removing the swirls and saving your arm! However, just to point out, some swirls are very deep and can not be removed by hand or by the PC. It may require the use of a rotary buffer and someone with a lot of experience in using it.

As to rock chips, unless you put a clear bar on the front, rock chips are a fact of life. I have heard and even tried a product that said it would help the paint to prevent rock chips. It did not work.

I hope this helps to answer at least some of your questions!

Tim

[Jeff Smith]

Just to add to Tim's advice. If you are unsure as to whether or not that spotting is overspray or part of the paint. You would be best off claying. Make sure you understand the claying process and do that up. Once done. If those spots are still there. Take another pic or 2 of them and re-post. Chances are that a Scratch-X application is in your future but maybe someone can look at the results after tyour claying and be better able to tell you if it's in the paint and can offer up better advice.