2007 civic need HElP

[Bulli]

well we just bought my mom a new civic atomic blue metallic.
im 17 and i am into cars and i want to keep this car mint for alot of years to come. the car will not be driven in winter from what i know so thats always 2 thumbs up.
now i recently went to a automotive store and bought a Bucket, a 12 pack of microfiber towels. Meguiars step 2 and step 3, and turtle wax ice car wash.

now i dont really know much about keeping a car clean. I have always used dish washing soap for the cars we had. yah i know big mistake.

now i read that polishes remove your clear coat a little to make it cleaner and remove the swirls and scratches. well wont continues polishing remove my clear coat completely or weaken it?

Step 1 i read is non abrasive so im guessing thats good and gentle on a new car. will i still have to clay a car if i use this step? Im really hoping i wont have to because clay bars are pretty expensive. Step 2 Polish. i read it is a pure polish and therefor it just makes the paint wetter looking. Does this Polish take of some clear coat or not? Lastly Step 3 canebua wax. Dont have any questions about this product.

ANy good info would be greatly appreciated.!! you would be my new best friend. ALso since the car is new can i dp all these steps on it right away?

[Murr1525]

Re: 2007 civic need HElP

Well, this is the place to be...

Here is some of the most important reading for you first:


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

Now, as far as cleaners/polishes removing clear coat, it is all relative. You have to remember that wind blowing across the surface will remove a some molecules of paint. So, what you want to use is mild products, not strong ones.

The 3-step products are all quite mild, and could be used weekly for years and years and years with no problems at all.

You dont have to clay, it all just depends on what your goals, and finanical situation are.

You can do all 3 of the steps right away to start it off looking good. Give those 3 steps a go, and then you cna always come back with more questions, look into other products in the future, etc.

[TrufflePig]

Re: 2007 civic need HElP

Bulli, first WELCOME TO MOL!!!

second, just because its a new car, please don't expect it to be in Mint Condition. because it might not be.

in the proces of delievery it'll get brake dust, earth contaminats and other junk o on it. maybe even swirls if the dealer touches it. who knows.

but you'll have to evaluate your car's finish first before you can determine what you REALLY need.

third, read the following links. they should help you a tremendous amount and then lead you to ask some more questions which people on MOL will be happy to answer for you.

next, IMO, grab yourself a bottle of NXT.

Murr said you don't have to clay, but just evaluate your finish first. DC system as mentioned may be all you need to remove light swirls if any.

best of luck...

[BlueZero]

Re: 2007 civic need HElP

Welcome to MOL!

Sounds like your on the right track. 3 step system are great products.

[Bulli]

Re: 2007 civic need HElP

thanks after doing some more reading im deciding to use the 3 step process. Do you think i should change my car wash or it really doesn't matter? ill probably end up getting the clay also just to try it out but that will be probably later on.

[Murr1525]

Re: 2007 civic need HElP

Well, obviously we here wouldnt pick Turtle Wax wash, so if you want our opinion, we'd try and exchange it. Gold Class and NXt are favorites, though I think Deep Crystal Wash is the cheapest available. The bigger size jugs of Gold Class work out to be a good price per ounce, and it will keep in your basement for a long time if you can afford a few extra bucks up front.

On the other hand, TW is better than dish soap at least. Up to you. The biggest thing is to use the recomended amount, probably an ounce per gallon of water or so.

[Bulli]

Re: 2007 civic need HElP

car is new just made in march. paint is very good. but it has 3 little problems. a small half inch small scrath on rear bumper, some swirl marks on rear passanger door handle and there is a little black dot on the hood.

[Murr1525]

Re: 2007 civic need HElP

Just need the DC#1 added to your collection there for starters.

Now, for mild swirls, D#1 is actualy too mild. You would need something more agressive like ScrachX to actualy remove/improve things.

What it Means to Remove a Scratch

How To Remove Swirls By Hand

How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

Not sure about what the dot would be, maybe DC#1 or ScratchX could do it, or you might need clay for that.

[Bulli]

Re: 2007 civic need HElP

what do you mean by dc 1 im lost there. i know its the product but how can i find it?

also lets say i get the 3 step process all the towls applicators and Clay bar, and ill probably switch car washes also.

how often will i have to do this whole process? i read you should try and do it at least 2 times a year.

i was thinking more like 1 time in a month or so. but i heard its bad to apply wax is your old one is still there.

thanks again guys.

[Murr1525]

Re: 2007 civic need HElP

We tend to use DC to stand for Deep Crystal. So:

DC#1 = Deep Crystal System Step 1 - Cleaner
DC#2 = Deep Crystal System Step 2 - Polish
DC#3 = Deep Crystal System Step 3 - Wax

You already have bottles of 2 and 3. Here is #1:

Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner



It doesnt sound like the car will be a daily driver, so if you washed every other week or so, I think you could get about 2 months. But the best way to tell is to do the process, and get a feeling for what freshly detailed paint looks and feels like. Then, after future washes, you will be able to see and feel the surface, and notice the gradual decline. Once it gets below what you like, just do it over. You might not even have to clay each time yo detail, but again, you will have to feel the paint, and judge for yourself.

When you use the cleaner, you will remove any old wax.

[Bulli]

Re: 2007 civic need HElP

car is a back up car my moms old sentra is breaking. when it gets warmer and nicer out. maybe in a month she will be driving the honda to work. as a DD. what really ***** she works in the city and parking is a ***** and so are people. her old car had a real nasty bumper. when its going to rain or snow or hail the car will most likely be in the garage, ill be driving the sentra to work later on ( summer) so i guess she will have to the out the honda. : (

well thanks guys. i decided that when i go back tommorow to the store i will get the 1 step, clay, and exchange car wash, and get 1 drying towel and some application towels as well.

[Murr1525]

Re: 2007 civic need HElP

Well, maybe a shinier car will encourage folks to stay away from it.

But have fun with it, that color should shine up real nice.

[Bulli]

Re: 2007 civic need HElP

well i got all the supplies i needed and bought waffle drying towels.
Also i was at Hot import nights and got a bunch of car washes and waxes samples, unfortunately i wont use that on the car. just meguiars.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: 2007 civic need HElP

to mol. Everything looks good as far as your plan of attack goes. Just remember never use dish soap on your cars finish. good luck.

[Bulli]

Re: 2007 civic need HElP

i might be getting an electric pressure washer 1600 psi. what you think? is it good for washing cars.?do you use pressure washers?