Deep Crystal Clean

[gran-damn44]

My ride is an '04 Grand Am, and I'm looking for a mirror-like showroom-shine that'll last. I just bought it, and the paint has very few minor scratches and swirls, but it's a black car, so they stick out like a sore thumb.

So I stopped by my local Autozone and picked up the Step One and Step Two products in the Deep Crystal Cleaner series. Step Three, according to the bottles, is Carnauba wax.

I have three questions:

1.) Do I need to use a clay bar if I use this process?

2.) I have the Gold Class liquid wax...will that suffice, or should I pick up some paste wax?

3.) Do I NEED an electric buffer?

Any help would be appreciated. E-mail me at tom@foxradio.net

Thanks!

[RobAGD]

Re: Deep Crystal Clean

Ok, a few things : If you use the #1 and #2 you can use what ever wax you prefer, the Gold is fine, I use the NXT myself with those same products.

If you do it my hand you will have to spend a good ammount of time at it and work the product into the finish to get the results you want. Hard work but well worth it in the long run.

If dropping $300 in the proper tools and product for an outstdning finish is within your personal budget, I would suggest the Porter Cable DA Polisher/Sander with the 64-DA backing plate, 2 8006 pads, 2 9006 Pads, 1 7006 pad and 1 pack of Micro Fiber Bonnets.

Depending on your swirl issues and how bad it is, you maye want to try the #1 with the 8006 pad speed 5 10-15# of pressure and slow arm speed. Work a section about the size of a hand towel. Once you wipe it down see how it did on your defects. If that didnt do it try some #80 same way, if that works do the car with #80, then use the #2 polish with a NEW 8006 pad lighter pressure about 10# and work in.

After you finish the polishing next is wax. Use a 9006 pad speed 3, light pressure to spread product evenly. Let it dry, then remove with the 7006 pad and MF bonnet on speed 3 even light pressure as you work it over the wax.

I would suggest Claying the car first to get surface crud out of the paint.

Just so you know when I do heavy cleaning on my car I do the following :

Wash w/ DC Car Wash
Megiars Quick Clay Kit
Inspect for defects -

IF Light swirls or minor defects #80 on a 8006 pad

IF deeper defects #83 on an 8006 pad Followed by #80

If everything looks good ( or following the 2 previous ) DC#2 Polish or #7 Show Car Glaze

NXT Liquid Wax w/ 9006 Pad
removed with 7006 pad and MF bonnet

Get a drink and look at the car and enjoy the ohhh's and Ahhhh's

I hope this helped you out

-Robert

Originally posted by gran-damn44
My ride is an '04 Grand Am, and I'm looking for a mirror-like showroom-shine that'll last. I just bought it, and the paint has very few minor scratches and swirls, but it's a black car, so they stick out like a sore thumb.

So I stopped by my local Autozone and picked up the Step One and Step Two products in the Deep Crystal Cleaner series. Step Three, according to the bottles, is Carnauba wax.

I have three questions:

1.) Do I need to use a clay bar if I use this process?

2.) I have the Gold Class liquid wax...will that suffice, or should I pick up some paste wax?

3.) Do I NEED an electric buffer?

Any help would be appreciated. E-mail me at tom@foxradio.net

Thanks!

[the other pc]

to MOL.

1) The process will work better if you do clay.
2) The liquid/paste thing is a personal choice. Either works as well as the other.
3) Need? No. But you’ll get better results, faster with a buffer. If you try to remove the scratches and swirls you’ll be happier with a buffer.

You should pick up ScratchX if you want to go after swirls by hand.


PC.