I'm so confused what products to use

[cv_soccer]

I am so confused about what products to use on my car, all these number and then we have RB, PC, CB & FUBAR!
I have a red 2006 VW GTI that has never seen a day with some sort of wax on it and it shines alright but I want it to POP! I have tried Classic Gold Paste, ICE by that other company, and now I’m using NXT. All worked well but I want MORE!

I have been reading a lot of the posts on this site and come to the following conclusions but 3 & 4 are giving me the most trouble. Do I buy from the consumer or professional product line? What number to I select 82, 83, 20 & 21, and any help that you can provide will be appreciated.
1) ffice:smarttags" />Wash
2) Clay
3) Polish
4) Protect
5) Sit down, have a beer, and admire.

Now I live on Nor Cal so showing up for a Saturday class in So Cal would be a bit difficult but does Meguiars do anything with GoodGuys, like maybe the 25th All American Get Together in Pleasanton?

I expect an RB will be in my stocking but that was the easy decision I need help in selecting product and pads.

HELP !

[Murr1525]

Re: I'm so confused what products to use

Well, lets see... shouldn't be too hard to help straighten things out....

First, be sure to read and understand these two links if you didn't see them yet....

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

And then here is how to work by hand..

How To Remove Swirls By Hand

How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

Another great choice by hand is to use ColorX, then top that with your Nxt, etc. Here is ColorX in action:

1986 Ford Bronco II - Extreme Makeover

So a process would be something like:

1. Wash
2. Clay as needed
3. ColorX
4. Wax - A coat or two of your favorite

Now, a PC is a dual action made by Porter Cable... the Meguiar's brand one is the G-100. Definitely the product to get.

Here are some links discussing the G-100 and other types of buffers.

Rotary vs. PC vs. Regular Orbital Buffer

And here are the links with the basic products that you would want to get started with it...

Recommended Products - G100a Dual Action Polisher

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

So, the simplest order of products would be:

1. Wash
2. Clay as needed
3. Cleaner/Polish - #80 - 8006 Polishing Pad
4. Wax - 2 coats of your favorite. - 9006 Finishing Pad

For deeper swirls, etc...

1. Wash
2. Clay as needed
3. Cleaner/Polish - #83 - 8006 Polishing Pad
4. Cleaner/Polish - #80 - 8006 Polishing Pad
5. Wax - 2 coats of you favorite - 9006 Finishing Pad

Best looks would probably be:

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Cleaner/Polish - #80 - 8006 Polishing Pad
4. Pure Polish - #7 - 9006 Finishing Pad
5. Wax - 2 coats of your favorite - 9006 Finishing Pad

Hope that is a start.. or keep asking some more...

[Vincent]

Re: I'm so confused what products to use

I was having the same problem when I started with Meguairs consumer line product. If you want more.. I suggest you switch to professional line product just like what I did. I was started by hand polish and wax but b'cos I always want more so.. I now upgraded to use ROB and rotary on my paint, really makes lots of diff. About the step 2 , it's all depend on what problem and how serious is your problem you are tackling. If you just want to remove minor swirl marks and scratches, #80 will solve the problem easily. always start with the lease aggrasive product then move to #82 or #83 for more serious defects. For step #3, is all depends on personal taste, I m happy with #20 after #80, some says #21 produce max gloss and some says #26. I suggest you try out few product then see for yourself which one could satisfy your requirement. If you are apply by hand, you will not get the results as good as by ROB or rotary.

[Murr1525]

Re: I'm so confused what products to use

If you just want to remove minor swirl marks and scratches, #80 will solve the problem easily. always start with the lease aggrasive product then move to #82 or #83 for more serious defects.

Actualy, the order of agressiveness would go like this, assuming the same pads of course...

Very Mild - #82 and #9

Mild - #80

Medium - #83

[yakky]

Re: I'm so confused what products to use

If you want more, the last step adds the least to the look. Great pop is the result of LOTS of prep work and perfect polishing and maybe even wet sanding like Corky does. Using a machine like the G100 or PC will get you closer to that perfect look.

Not to discredit this forum but the population here that does machine work isn't very high proportionally, so you may want to venture out to other forums if you want to see more of that type of work and what will take you to the next level. Meguiars makes great products for machine polishing and there is plenty of good stuff to read here about those products.

[cv_soccer]

Re: I'm so confused what products to use

I know that before a product can be recommended the car must be inspected but I don’t see that happening until the rain stops and I can wash my fast.


Pictures of my fast will be up by this weekend so until then thank you for all of your information as it has been of great help.

[Murr1525]

Re: I'm so confused what products to use

Well, mild products can be recomended.... it is the more agressive products/approaches that you dont want to jump into.

Have you just been using the wax with no other prep?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: I'm so confused what products to use

Not to discredit this forum but the population here that does machine work isn't very high proportionally,

We don't see this and we have over 15,000 posts on this forum. We see a progression, people come here not knowing about machine polishing and move that direction and then become skilled at it with help from this forum.

Everyone starts out working by hand. Everyone. Even if you do all your work by machine, you still must be an expert with your hand techniques because you'll have to wipe-off at least some of your machine applied products by hand.

so you may want to venture out to other forums if you want to see more of that type of work and what will take you to the next level.

By all means venture out, and if you're not getting information that is sound or you feel hesitant to follow it, then come share this information here, even a link back to where you obtained it, and we'll evaluate it and let you know if it really will work for you when you attempt to work on your car.