First Timer, check my homework

[ScottS]

I'm making a switch from Zaino which I started applying without proper prep 2 years ago. Check that the products meet my needs, are compatible and that I've picked the right products to apply.

BACKGROUND ON CAR
The car is a 2002 Red Firebird. Garaged. Driven mostly to races and shows, so it does get exposed to all sorts of weather depending on race day and gets junk picked up while autocrossing, including marks from hitting pylons. Stored 6 months out of the year. Paint has only seen Zaino products up until now.

Eqpt to buy: PC7424, Meguiar DA Velcro Buffing System (5" Backing Plate 2 polish pads, 1 finish pad), Additional finish pad, 2 Bonnets, and Final Inspection. (I have leftover Zaino wash and clay)

1) Use Zaino claybar that I already have.

2) #83 Dual Action Cleaner Polish (apply with PC on speed 5 & W-8006 Soft-Buff foam polishing pad, remove with bonnet)

3) NXT wax (apply with PC and W-9006 Pad, remove with bonnet)

4) #16 or #26 wax to enhance shine or deepen look and improve longevity (apply with PC and finishing pad, remove with bonnet)

5) Final Inspection for maintenance.


Thanks for any input, additions, critiques!

[Mike Phillips]

Hi ScottS,

Welcome to Meguiar's Online!

Your shopping list looks great, the only thing you might want to consider is a pure polish like Deep Crystal Polish or #81 Hand Polish for after the #83 step. You can apply either of these with the PC. The idea being to apply a polish with more polishing oils than the #83 to add more richness to the paint before going to wax.

Why the change?

Perhaps you could take a couple of before shots in different lighting and then a couple of after shots?

Welcome

Mike

[Aurora40]

My suggestion would be to augment the DACP with another lighter polish. Something like #82 Swirl Free Polish, #9 Swirl Remover, or #80 Speed Glaze. This way if you do get hazing from DACP on your paint, you'll be able to take care of it. Also, if you later need to do another round of prep, you'll have a lighter polish to use since you might not need the action of DACP as often once you get your paint well-prepped.

I'd also recommend Last Touch or Final Detail instead of Final Inspection, but you can only get that by the gallon. It's glossier and slicker, though.

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by Aurora40
My suggestion would be to augment the DACP with another lighter polish. Something like #82 Swirl Free Polish, #9 Swirl Remover, or #80 Speed Glaze. This way if you do get hazing from DACP on your paint, you'll be able to take care of it. Also, if you later need to do another round of prep, you'll have a lighter polish to use since you might not need the action of DACP as often once you get your paint well-prepped.

I'd also recommend Last Touch or Final Detail instead of Final Inspection, but you can only get that by the gallon. It's glossier and slicker, though.

Aurora40 makes a good point. A lot of people go right to Tech Wax after the #83, but depending on your paint, you may want to follow the #83 with a lighter, less aggressive cleaner/polish like #82, #9 or #80. Any of these would be good choice.

If you already have Final Detail go a head and use it up, then perhaps read some reviews about Last Touch as I'm sure there will be more and more of them being posted as this new formula makes its way into the hands of serious enthusiasts like Aurora40. Like Aurora40 says, it's a quick detailer that adds more gloss and slickness.

As far as topping the NXT, here's a little article on the subject that I just wrote,


Topping NXT Tech Wax

Mike

[ScottS]

Originally posted by Mike Phillips

Why the change?

Perhaps you could take a couple of before shots in different lighting and then a couple of after shots?

The biggest reason is I wanted to be able to use a cleaner wax and not have to worry about layers and compatibility. Despite garaging and storing the car and rarely driving it, it probably sees as bad of conditions as you can pose. Whether the car is hitting track debris/grit/bugs at 130mph on a road course, or hitting the occasional pylon while autocrossing at 40mph, I'm really beating the exterior, especially since the weather doesn't stop the race.

I just jumped on Zaino because so many Camaro/Firebird/Vette guys were raving about it. However, I never properly prepped the paint, so my results were never what I wanted anyway.

Further, my tap water at home gets to around 27GH on the hardness scale. For anyone who doesn't know, that's some hard, hard water. I get water spots before I can finish rinsing the other side of the car. Then of course they show up in all the nooks. I've never had luck getting them up with Zaino products by hand. My wife and I are falling over each other as I use the blade and she follows with the absorber to try and stay ahead.

Hope that kind of shines a light on things for me.

[Mike Phillips]

That sounds like some pretty hard water. I have the same type of thing where I live. When you wash your car, you better move quick or it will leave mineral deposits everywhere.

Good luck with the Meguiar's system.

Mike

[jfelbab]

I plumed a tap outside just for car washing. It is direct from the water softener and iron filter. Excellent for washing cars. My hardness was 28. I seldom have any water spotting anymore. I also get a better sheeting rinse.

[ScottS]

I just ordered:

#83
#81
NXT
#16
Last Touch (and a spray bottle)

Also got the 5"plate for my new PC, two polishing pads (83, 81), two finishing pads (NXT, 16). Also got a bonnet for removal of 83/81 and a cutting pad to hold it.

I called Meguiar's with a question about the plate and pad set on their website while I was in the midst of ordering online, and the guy on the phone offered to take my order and cover shipping. How nice!

Anyhow, thanks to everyone for all their replies here. Without this site and autopia, I'd have never been able to try all this out and do it properly. The search function here and there was very helpful. Thanks again!