Few questions about Deep Crystal Step 1 2 3 and other Meguiar's products

[jeepmanzj]

Hi all, I bought Meguiar's Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 and Cleaner Wax to use to get my car's paint nicer. Cleaner wax didn't seem to do much. Step 1 killed a ton of swirls but didn't get them all out, I am using microfiber towels to wipe off, and ok quality terry towels to apply, sometimes some terry applicator pads. I have some questions, here we go.

Is Step 2 as safe as Step 1? On the packaging it doesn't say it's safe but hasn't hurt the few areas I've tried.

I had some year old Step 1 I used, and I ran out and had to buy more Step 1, the new stuff smells better and doesn't seem to be as gritty, what gives?

If I buy the clay bar, what will I have to do if anything to remove the step 1/step 2/wax/old dirt from areas I haven't touched yet, and is there any way I could possibly harm my paint in any way if I do buy the clay bar? Will the clay bar take out all of my paint imperfections? The car is blue and a REAL pain to clean.

Should I be using anything besides decent quality microfiber towels for wiping and ok quality terry cloth for applying?

I'm wiping the products in a circular motion, sometimes the towel has more product and drags some, sometimes it has more and doesn't, also sometimes I use alot of pressure when wiping and sometimes I don't. What is optimal?

Can I use Scratch X in conjunction with the Step 1 2 and 3, will it provide any benefit over Step 1 2 and 3, and is there any way I could harm my paint when using Scratch X on my paint, I already bought it. Thanks for help.

[Murr1525]

Well, a few points...

Cleaner wax is not a strong enough cleaner to remove swirls, so it wont. If you want a cleaner/wax that is a stronger cleaner, you will want ColorX.

ColorX



DC#1 is also very mild, and will not remove most swirls. It is possible it removed some, but there is also the potential for some filling in, not removing. You'll have to see what happens in the future.

What it Means to Remove a Scratch

DC#2 is a pure polish, so completly safe for your car.

Why Meguiar’s Recommends Polishing Paint

It is possible you need your old stuff shaken up better, neither should feel gritty at all. The product was re-bottled, and possibly reformulated, but neither should be gritty.

Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner



The clay bar is a great thing, and well worth it. It will remove wax, and you will want to repeat the clean/polish/wax steps after using it. But it is worth it, even if you wait a few weeks. However, the clay only removes above surface contaminats, not swirls/scratches, etc. Dont mistake the clay bar for a paint cleaner. The only harm is if yo uare really careless. Just use lots of the spray lubricant it comes with.

Here are the applicators Meguiars recomends for the cleaner/polish/wax products:

High-Tech Applicator Pad



Even Coat Applicator



And here is the MF Towel Meguiars fans seem to like most:

Supreme Shine Microfiber



BTW, here is a great towel to use when drying:

Water Magnet Drying Towel



And add one or two of these to your wash buckets:

Grit Guard Insert



You dont want to be rubbing too hard, as the towel you are using will then instill more swirls. You will of course have to work in cleaners, so rubbing is required. But for removing, it shouldnt be too hard. You may need to turn your towel more often to kep it clean. Claying will help with some of the drag problem.

ScratchX is what you will need for swirls. It may not get them all, but it is the best you will do by hand. However it ***** to do a whole car, so break it down into sections.

How To Remove Swirls By Hand

How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

ScratchX is a cleaner like DC#1, so you will not need to use DC#1 right after it.

And be sure to read this...

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

Step 1 Wash

Step 2 Clean

Step 3 Polish

Step 4 Protect

Step 5 Maintain