Using consumer products

[BlueTooth]

I have been using consumer products for a while now, but I was wondering what you guys would suggest to use to help clean the paint, Ive read all about the 3 step program, but is that the way to go? cause Ive been noticing that my trucks paint is getting swirled worse and worse after each wax job, yes i wash the truck before waxing. If it needs claying I will clay it, Ive used colorX and scratchX in the worse places but still get the swirls, I do everything right in prepping the paint. Is it my tools? ie Megs applicator pads, Megs Micro fiber towel.... right now Im clueless as to what i am doing wrong. I would like to see less if not all these swirls gone, but I know thats not possible by using the consumer line. The main thing here is what am I doing wrong, How can I fix it, all while using Megs Consumer line of products (NOTE: I am aware of Megs Pro Line but Im only 18 with no credit/debit card).

[Jorge Sanchez]

Re: Using consumer products

If your only option is to work by hand I'd stick to the consumer line. Our Mirror Glaze Line (professional) products can be used by hand, but provide faster and better results by machine (Dual Action and Rotary). If you're seeing swirls even after applying a paint cleaner like Scratch X chances are they might be a little too deep and you still need to work in the product several times or the applicator pad or towel to apply and towel to remove the product might be the incorrect tool being used. I'd recommend using our foam hi-tech applicator pads to apply products by hand. The product will go on smoother, more even, and won't scratch the surface. Once you're done working in the paint cleaners and applying waxes remove them using high quality microfiber towel. If after you've used the right pad and towels to apply and remove the cleaners, polishes, and waxes the defects might be a little deeper than we think and may require a D/A or Rotary Polsiher and the right product to remove them.

Here's a great right up on how to use Scratch X by hand, give another try. If you're not successful then the scratches and swirls are a little too deep.

How to remove a defect by hand with Scratch X

I have been using consumer products for a while now, but I was wondering what you guys would suggest to use to help clean the paint, Ive read all about the 3 step program, but is that the way to go? cause Ive been noticing that my trucks paint is getting swirled worse and worse after each wax job, yes i wash the truck before waxing. If it needs claying I will clay it, Ive used colorX and scratchX in the worse places but still get the swirls, I do everything right in prepping the paint. Is it my tools? ie Megs applicator pads, Megs Micro fiber towel.... right now Im clueless as to what i am doing wrong. I would like to see less if not all these swirls gone, but I know thats not possible by using the consumer line. The main thing here is what am I doing wrong, How can I fix it, all while using Megs Consumer line of products (NOTE: I am aware of Megs Pro Line but Im only 18 with no credit/debit card).

[BlueTooth]

Re: Using consumer products

But say if I want to use a product from the machine glaze line would that be alright to use by hand. I think my dad might invest in a DA or PC soon so we might be using these products anyways. but for now Im doing so by hand, which ones would u suggest?

[jmakado]

Re: Using consumer products

If you are working by hand and swirls are your main concern I would go with the following.
1.Wash with Gold Class or NXT.
2.Dry with high quality towel like the Meguiar's Water Magnet.
3.Clay the car with the Meguiar's Quick Clay system
4.Work the entire car with Scratch X using some passion! A foam pad will be the safest but a HIGH QUALITY terry towel will give you some more bite.
5.Polish with the Deep Crystal System polish (step 2)
6.Wax 2 coats with NXT or Gold Class or the Deep Crystal System Wax (step 3).

If you notice more swirls after you wax then you have a problem with either your technique or you applicators. I like to use new applicators every time just to be sure they are not contaminated. Also, be carefull that you are not picking up contaminents from an area that didn't get washed, like the under side of your fenders for example. It's also possible that since you are not claying the car you are picking up contaminents from the paint itself and grinding them into the surface. That's one reason it is so important to clay before you start to work. Good luck and make sure you post some pics when you get her all shined up!

[BlueTooth]

Re: Using consumer products

what u just said is what I do, I have been using those yellow applicators( dont know the name of them) but there was one thing I noticed when I would wax after all of that some swirls would be gone but later reapear...... anything on that? I was using NXT but I figured that just covered them up and after a while NXT gets pretty expensive seeing as I have to reapply it everytime the swirls come back, and before I reapplied the wax I would wash, and then check if the paint needed claying, if so I would so, after claying one spot I would heck again to see if I got everything, the paint usually feels like brand new if not even better. and yes I make sure the clay doesnt hit the ground and I make a new waffer everytime the old one gets dirty.... I am feeling liek I am missing something somewhere...... but I cant figure out where

[matt colvin]

Re: Using consumer products

Could you describe your wash method please?

[BlueTooth]

Re: Using consumer products

well I know this is the prob here... lol... I go to a local car wash place and basically do everything by the wand, rinse, wash, spot free dry, then go down the road and come back and dry everything off, I dont have awater magnet so I use a Meg microfiber towel, one of those big yellow ones that comes with the clay kit. Then after its dried I go home wipe it down with QD with a different Meg Micro fiber towel, then from there I clay, polish, and wax, just from typing this I have spotted a flaw in my "plan of attack" ...lol . The only reason why I go to the local car wash is becuase my water is so hard at home I can build sandcastles with it, (not really, we have 2 water systems one from city and a well). and keep in mind here Im only 18 at college, I cant buy all that nice equipment.