New car - paint condition... advice

[hoops]

I have a two-week old 2006 Honda Accord, dark blue paint.

I just gave it a first wash -- used Meguiars Gold Class wash and Ultra Plush wash mitt using the two bucket system. Carefully dried ("blotted" dry) with the Absorber and then used Quik Detailer with microfiber to finish up.

Moved the car to full sunlight and examined closely. Found a few "big" defects, mainly 2 approx. 3 inch circles in the finish (probably caused by dealer buffing before delivery), a couple of minor scratches, and numerous very light scratches/swirl marks (the famous "dealer installed swirl marks"...?)

I was very careful and by-the book on the wash, so I assume (hope) I did not create or add to any of the problems.

So what next? (I'm a novice and I'll be doing this by hand.) The surface feels very smooth to the touch, so I don't think I need to clay. I've read the "five-step" article, just wondering if I can cut out or modify any steps.

- Cleaner polish (Deep Crystal) or ScratchX? Or both?
- Car was manufactured in June -- do I need to wait longer before using a polish?
- Followed by which final wax/polish? NXT or a carnuba wax like Gold Class for a dark blue car? (Or cleaner wax?)

I'm more concerned with durablility and protection over a "super glossy" shine -- though all would be great.

All advice/comments welcome.

Thanks!
-BB

[Murr1525]

Well, if you want to cut out steps, and keep it a bit shorter... here's what I would do....

1. Wash - Gold class is great, and good accesories. Be sure to use the two bucket system as well, and a Grit Guard or two if you can get them.

2. Clay - Personaly, I would clay, but that is all up to you.

3. Clean - ScratchX on the swirls/scratches.

4. ColorX - I would then go over and ColorX everything.

5. Wax - #21 is my favorite wax, and a coat of this on top of ColorX would be great.

6. Maintain - A spray wax or spray detailer after future washes is a nice touch.

Then, for future details, you can just do:

1. Wash - as above

2. Clay - as needed

3. ColorX

4. Wax - #21

5. Maintain - as above

What it Means to Remove a Scratch

How To Remove Swirls By Hand

How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

How to Get Great Results Using Meguiar's Spray Waxes

[hoops]

Thanks very much for the suggestions.

As ColorX is apparently a cleaner, polisher, and wax -- do you need to "work" it as you would ScratchX or a polish, or does it go on more like a wax?

Washing the car every week or two, approx. how often would a new detail/wax be needed?

Thanks again.

-BB

[MikeGT]

I try to do a polish and wax once a month. and a full detail 2-3 times a year.(wisconsin weather permitting).

[Murr1525]

For ColorX, the more you work it in, the more cleaning ability and light swirl removal ability you will get. So you can apply it either way, lighter like a wax or more passionatly like a cleaner.

Now, for how often, it is hard to say. If your car is gagraged at home and at work, then you could get several months, assuming wash and spray waxing is done.

If your car is outside all the time, parked under trees, by train tracks, industrial areas, etc, you would want to do it more often.

[hoops]

Thanks for your comments Murr525 and Mike GT.

From reading more here about ScratchX and swirl/scratch removal, I gather this will take some time if I use it on the entire car (or at least most of the car). I might initially try the Scratch X only on the major defects/scratchs and the hood, and then see how ColorX handles the minor spidery swirl scratches.

I don't have a garage, and my work area (driveway) gets only around 3 hours of shade twice a day (early morning and early evening) -- so I'll likely have to do this in stages, doing the complete process to different sections of the car at different times.

-BB

[Murr1525]

Nothing wrong with breaking it up into sections...