Specific question about 2 VERY different vehicles.

[64irvine]

I have two vehicles and I would like to know which products to use according to their specific situations.

vehicle 1.) 1964 Volkswagen Beetle
The color is a medium blue and the paint is hazy. The paint is a bit dull with swirls. Clear coat is this at some points because when i handwash it sometimes or clay it , i see the blue paint come off onto the medium i am using to clean it.
the car is garaged everyday and rarely driven. environmental conditions are nice (aka no harsh weather or even rain). Basically the paint in is bad condition but it will rarely see usage.

-i am figure i should use the nxt line of products because i dont wash it often and also this line has stronger cleaning properties than the gold class right?


vehicle 2.) 2002 Toyota Tacoma.
The paint is very good condition still and sees almost everyday driving. The truck is washed once every two weeks and there is minimal swirls and all scratches/dings has been treated. I have actually never waxed or polished this vehicle before (not sure if this changes things).

-is the gold class line of products better than the nxt for this situation since first of all i clean it more often so durability of product is not as important and second of all since the paint is good already i dont need a strong cleaning agent like the nxt?


thanks.

p.s. how do i get a "Meguiar's" window sticker? I would love to rock one on both my rides.

[Murr1525]

Well, first, are you working by hand, or thinking of investing in a machine?

Second, we need to make sure you read and understand these threads. Even though the conditions seem very different, the same process and procedure will hold true for both, even if a couple different products are needed.

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

Step 1 Wash

Step 2 Clean

Step 3 Polish

Step 4 Protect

Step 5 Maintain

Suggested Products for Taking Care of a New Car

What it Means to Remove a Scratch

How To Remove Swirls By Hand

How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

Rotary vs. PC vs. Regular Orbital Buffer

1986 Ford Bronco II - Extreme Makeover


So after reading those, I think you will be able to see that simply using Nxt or Gold Class wax isnt really going to achieve what you are looking for.

Start thinking through the 5-step process with products like these if working by hand.

1. Wash - Gold Class Wash or Nxt Wash is fine for both.

2. Clay - You will want to clay both cars. The Smooth Surface CLay kit is good, though you may need some extra Quick Detail Spray for two vehicles.

3. Clean - For swirls and scratches, you will want a product like ScratchX. For the rest of the paint, a mild cleaner like Deep Crystal #1 is good.

4. Polish - You can use a good polish like Deep Crystal #2 or #7 Show Car Glaze.

5. Wax - You can use Nxt Wax, Gold Class Wax, or any other wax, like #21 Synthetic Sealant.

Start thinking along those lines, as you do a little more research.

[Murr1525]

I see you mentioned a little about not minding spending money, so maybe a polisher like the G-100 would be of interest, Here are a few links on it...

Each one, teach one... Ferrari Fiorano 355 F1 Spider

Recommended Products - G100a Dual Action Polisher

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

PC + #83 not "Cutting" it! - The Limits of the Dual Action Polisher

How to locate Meguiar’s Professional & Detailer products in your hometown

[64irvine]

ok thanks for the quick responce. both have been clayed and both have been treated with scratch x for spot use. i definitely understand the importance of the 5 step process, which i actually just learned and am surprised have i must have mistreated my cars before by not doing it. so polishing and waxing are next up.

the bridge that i am at before i make certain purchases is trying to distinguish between whether the nxt line or gold class line of products is more ideal for the specific cars and conditions. so is my understanding of their usages correct as originally posted?

(i am considering a g-100 necessary, but i would first like to try using hand applied products because they are least abrasive)

[Top Down]

Are you sure the Beetle has a clearcoat? Maybe someone will chime in letting us know when clear coats were first used. When you ScratchX-ed the Beetle, did your applicator turn blue? Usually this means the paint is single stage. Both NXT and Gold Class are great waxes, you can't go wrong with either. NXT is said to be the longest lasting protectant by Meguiar's, but I like the look of Gold Class better on dark cars (just my preference).

1965 (Corrected) red mustang

Does your paint sorta look like that? Hazy and dull looking?

[Murr1525]

This is also an interesting link:

A Lesson From White Paint

It is ok if you want to use the differnt lines on each car, but I dont think it is nessecary.

Do not confuse the fact that Nxt has some cleaners in it, and Gold Class has some polish in it, with being able to somehow replace separate cleaning/polishing steps. The cleaner is very very very mild. Dont even worry about it.

With Gold Class Wax, the most important thing is that it is a carnuba blend wax, and gives a nice rich look to dark colors.

Nxt wax is a synthetic wax, which has good durability.

You sort of want ot focus on those major properties. Yo uwill want to use the Deep Crystal System Cleaner and Deep Crystal Polish for both now, and then wax with your choice of wax. Personaly, I would use Nxt, or even #21, on both. You dont need different ones for each.

[Accumulator]

Originally posted by Top Down
Are you sure the Beetle has a clearcoat?

If the VW is original paint (and IMO that'd be a *huge* "if") then it's single stage.

But I'd suspect it was repainted.

Still, if it's in basecoat clear you shouldn't be getting paint transfer unless the clear is completely shot, and in that case it'll look *awful*, as in, needs repainted.

So I'd guess (and that's all we can do without being there) that it's repainted in single stage.

[the other pc]

Hey 64irvine,

I don't know why, but I have a hunch that you might live within a reasonable driving distance of Meguiar's HQ in Irvine, Ca.

If so, bring your rides on over for a Wednesday wax night or take a Saturday detailing class. You won't be disappointed.


PC.

[64irvine]

ok thanks i will look into the classes.

as for the paint. yes, the car has been repainted. but since it was done by the previous owner then i cannot saying how it was done.

[Mike Phillips]

Hi 64irvine,

I got your e-mail asking much the same questions, sorry I haven't gotten back to you but e-mail is kind of overwhelming now days, thus the reason I posted this on the frontpage of the forum.


Please post questions to the forum. - Thank You!


Since you're in the area, bring your car or cars by on our Wednesday night Open Garage GTG's and we'll help you science out a process that will give you the exact results you're looking for.

Plus, you can try product before you buy them, for example the G100 Dual Action Polisher, Gold Class Wax and NXT Tech wax.

There is a class this Wednesday, (tomorrow night), that starts at 5:00pm. Simply reply to this thread,

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12525

[miked2]

It is ok if you want to use the differnt lines on each car, but I dont think it is nessecary.

Do not confuse the fact that Nxt has some cleaners in it, and Gold Class has some polish in it, with being able to somehow replace separate cleaning/polishing steps. The cleaner is very very very mild. Dont even worry about it.

With Gold Class Wax, the most important thing is that it is a carnuba blend wax, and gives a nice rich look to dark colors.

Nxt wax is a synthetic wax, which has good durability.

You sort of want ot focus on those major properties. Yo uwill want to use the Deep Crystal System Cleaner and Deep Crystal Polish for both now, and then wax with your choice of wax. Personaly, I would use Nxt, or even #21, on both. You dont need different ones for each.

I think the above is great advice . . . follow it and you will do well!

[64irvine]

Ok I just spend a very relaxing evening with just me and the Beetle last night . And it was a very religious experience. I did the 5 step process for the old/extremely oxidized paint my car had and I am very very pleased with the results. I discovered, after removing the haze in the clear coat, that my vehicle is much darker than I origionally thought.

anyways here is what i finally decided to buy/use...
1.) wash with deep crystal wash
2.) deep crystal paint cleaner / spot used scratchx
3.) deep crystal polish
4.) 2 layers of colorx wax
5.) (quick detailer) step not done because car is always garaged so looks perfect in the morning.

And just as test, I only washed with water my engine cover as to see a direct result of what Meguiars products can do. Going to the open garage night tonight to see if there is more that can be done.

[Murr1525]

That is good, you'll have to ge a new icon with the new color.

Remember that Color is a cleaner/wax, not jutst wax. But the DC#1, and 2 coats of ColorX, you will have really gotten rid of any dead pain, etc.

What will surprise you even more , is if you gvet some clay for your next detail, even more dirt will come off.

Congratulations...

[64irvine]

i clayed the car about a month ago but i drive the car so sparingly that i will hold off until the next washing.

about me using ColorX for 2 layers of wax, I understood it to be cleaner/wax (as your have mentioned), but my question now is that could I have done more layers and still reap the benifits of the product? or topping of the 2 layers of ColorX with a layer or two of Nxt Tech Wax or Gold Class Clear Coat Wax would be fine and helpful too right?

[Murr1525]

As you started off, 2 applications of ColorX was fine, because your paint could really benefit from the extra cleaning. And remember, these products are relatively mild, so they may not get everything in the first pass on an older paint job.

Now, single-step products are usualy better than multi-step products. So the DC#2 polish is going to be more affective than the polish in ColorX. And a topping coat of a separate wax will probably look/last better than the wax in ColorX. But ColorX makes for faster detailing, and as you have seen, it is very very good .

In the future, I would look at these 2 processes. The first being a full detail, and the second being a quicker/in-between kind of detail.

1. Wash
2. Clay if needed
3. Clean - DC#1
4. Polish - DC#2
5. Wax - Gold Class or Nxt Wax
6. Wax - Remember, 2 thin coats is best.

OR

1. Wash
2. Clay if needed
3. ColorX
4. Wax - Gold Class or Nxt

I use both routines, and as I have a daily driver, parked outside, the second option makes for much quicker, and more frequent details, so that I can do it on a regular basis.

And both those routines will look great on your other car as well.

You will get a lot more info at the Open Garage tonight, very very good people there. You may even get to try out a G-100, or get a look at the #21 Synthetic Sealant, one of my favorite waxes.