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**Mike Phillips** · Mar 7, 2007, 06:55 AM

Re: New Silver Car, advice wanted

Here you go...

A quality car wash
A clay kit - if the car has been sitting outside it likely needs to be clayed
A paint cleaner like ScratchX or Deep Crystal Paint cleaner
A wax like NXT Tech Wax
Some applicator pads
Some microfiber polishing cloths
Some M40

This is a great start.

**mini44** · Mar 7, 2007, 08:48 AM

Re: New Silver Car, advice wanted

You can get the full consumer line and some of the pro line at Canadian Tire. Invest in a good mit and waffle weave drying towel. Silver is pretty easy to keep looking great by hand. The scratches hardly show.

**Redbird74** · Mar 7, 2007, 10:52 AM

Re: New Silver Car, advice wanted

Thanks guys. I wasn't originally planning on doing the paint cleaner/scratch X step, but maybe I'll think about that. With a new car that shouldn't have much in the the way of swirls/scratches, and if there are they shouldn't be too visible, am I better off with the Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner?

Thanks again for the help, Mike you're incredible at keeping this Forum so valuable.

**Thejoyofdriving** · Mar 7, 2007, 03:04 PM

Re: New Silver Car, advice wanted

correct me if im wrong but I wouldnt advise using the paint cleaner yet, I think it is an abrasive, so it will remove a small layer of clear coat, deep crystle paint cleaner helps with small scratches along with cleaning the paint. here is a link that might help you, just follow the directions on the screen http://meguiars.com/rx/rx_main.asp

**Murr1525** · Mar 7, 2007, 04:33 PM

Re: New Silver Car, advice wanted

Well, sort of right, sort of wrong. You have to remember, the wind blowing over the surface removes some molecules of paint, so everything is relative. Washing, polishing, waxing, all are going to remove a few molecules.

Deep Crystal Cleaner is about as mild as you can get while still having cleaning ability. It could safely be used every month for 20 years or more without any problems. It is also too mild to remove much in the way of swirls, etc.

The other option of course is to let the dirt really bond to the paint, so you have to use a stronger cleaner later on......

**Thejoyofdriving** · Mar 7, 2007, 05:40 PM

Re: New Silver Car, advice wanted

The deep crystel cleaner is mild, they actually clam it is non-abrasive, although there are other ways to clean the paint like a clay kit for example. However you are wrong about it not having the ability to remove light scratches it does say that the paint cleaner and i quote "It safely removes road grime, surface contamination, light oxidation, SWIRLS and LIGHT SCRATCHES to restore damaged and dull finishes."-(meguiars.com) Yes it is true that almost any thing you do takes away clear coat molecules, including washing, but using the deep cryl. paint cleaner or any other cleaner will remove more clear coat than washing. All I am saying is that you want to keep as much clear coat as you can for protection. I have researched it more and contrary to what i said it would indeed be a good idea to get the paint cleaner, murr you made a very good point, thank you for hleping me help others

As far as using scratch x, you most likely dont need it on a new car.

**Redbird74** · Mar 9, 2007, 09:13 AM

Re: New Silver Car, advice wanted

So, would you all recommend claying and using the DC Cleaner on only the horizontal surfaces, or should I just go ahead and do the entire thing to be on the safe side? Thanks again for all the information, you guys are great.

**TrufflePig** · Mar 9, 2007, 10:02 AM

Re: New Silver Car, advice wanted

first, Murr is correct. Deep Crystal Cleaner is about as mild as you can get while still having cleaning ability. It could safely be used every month for 20 years or more without any problems. It is also too mild to remove much in the way of swirls, etc.

But what he didnt write is light swirls. i've used it with experience and have seen it work.

second, on a budget.

Wash - Meguiar's

**TrufflePig** · Mar 9, 2007, 10:03 AM

Re: New Silver Car, advice wanted

first, Murr is correct. Deep Crystal Cleaner is about as mild as you can get while still having cleaning ability. It could safely be used every month for 20 years or more without any problems. It is also too mild to remove much in the way of swirls, etc. heavy swirls NOPE.

But what he didnt write is light swirls. i've used it with experience and have seen it work.

second, on a budget. all at CT.

Wash - Meguiar's SOap at CT - 8.49
Clay - CT has it but not listed on site. i think its about $12
Paint Cleaner - Meguiar's Deep Crystal Step 1 - 13.99
Paint Polish - Meguiars Deep Crystal Step 2- 13.99
Wax - Nxt x 2 - 29.99

Tires - Meguiar's Insane Tire Shine $13.99

try and get some quality MF's too. so you can wipe off product.

if you don't want to do all this. you could go.

Wash
Clay
Colour X - all in one cleaner/wax. save you some time and can produce great results.
NXT x 2

second one will save you some coin and then you can do a full detail with some other products such as M80 once spring hits.

remember, it all starts with a good wash. the two bucket method.

post some pics...

**Thejoyofdriving** · Mar 9, 2007, 02:28 PM

Re: New Silver Car, advice wanted

I would clay the whole car, there are contaminats every where, i did mine every where and i was surprised at what came off my side pannels.

**Redbird74** · Mar 9, 2007, 08:34 PM

Re: New Silver Car, advice wanted

So I still have a question about my steps after claying. Mike's original response to my post was

"Here you go...

A quality car wash
A clay kit - if the car has been sitting outside it likely needs to be clayed
A paint cleaner like ScratchX or Deep Crystal Paint cleaner
A wax like NXT Tech Wax
Some applicator pads
Some microfiber polishing cloths
Some M40

This is a great start."

So, there was no mention of DC Polish. Is this necessary, or should I be able to just use the Cleaner, or just the Polish if there aren't too many DISO? Just wondering because I do have to watch the budget a little bit and being in Canada, every product really does add up. I can't wait to visit the family in the States and stock up on some product!

Thanks again for everyone being so patient with beginner questions!

**Thejoyofdriving** · Mar 9, 2007, 08:40 PM

Re: New Silver Car, advice wanted

scratch x? its a new car right?

**Redbird74** · Mar 9, 2007, 08:50 PM

Re: New Silver Car, advice wanted

Originally posted by Thejoyofdriving View Post

scratch x? its a new car right?

It's a new car, but it is a 2006 that I bought a two months ago and had sat on the dealer lot for almost a year before that. They redesigned the Sentras for 2007 and I got a great deal on this one with no miles on it. New car for used car price. That being said, it's been through a couple of months of harsh Canadian winter and is outside 24/7. I think that may have been the reason for that suggestion. I guess I'll probably wash and wax to start with, dress the engine out and all the trim and then take a good long look at it in the sun that's coming our way to check for scratches and swirls. Then if there are swirls I need to take care of I can plan that out for the future.

**TrufflePig** · Mar 9, 2007, 10:43 PM

Re: New Silver Car, advice wanted

first def. clay the car.

i clay everytime i wash. i love it. it makes the car shine so much more and it cleans it up really well. and we all know a good shine starts with AN AWESOME WASH!!!

in terms of scratch-x. do a test spot and then see the results you're getting.

its a lot of work to use Scratch-X. this product requires what we call a lot of passion (elbow grease) to be worked in and broken down.

it is an abrasive but when it breaks down its a diminishing abrasive that will help you out and work with you. sound confusing?

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