Thanks MOL

[defectiveAggie]

Well, this is my first post so i suppose that i should make it a little more lengthy than usual. I just recently (2 weeks ago) purchased a 1999 Honda Prelude in a gorgeous Crystal Blue Metallic color. Since this is a huge upgrade from my first vehicle (1989 Volvo 240DL Station Wagon) that was given to me, I sort have been treating it like a baby since I have gotten it. Kind of shocking how much better you will treat a car if you actually like it. Anyways....

It came time to wash the car and I asked my dad what he used on his car. He pointed out some Meguiars products that he had been impressed with over the years and I know he has always stuck by them. So i went to Autozone and got the wheel cleaner, clay bar kit, and GC liquid wax. I already had the Mr. Clean autodry kit for use on the old car and just used it. Still works well so I will probably continue using it. Anyways...after all the work, gave my car a great finish. So I came online to see what other products were available and saw the forums and figured i could get a better idea of what worked for what on here.

I have enjoyed reading all of the posts on here. It has been very helpful and I am dieing to test some of them out. I suppose now is the time where i ask for some advice. The car has a few scratches here and there, some probably too deep to fix with product, but what should i try on the minor ones? I dont have a PC but am interested in buying one. Being a college student, dont know how soon that will actually be. I noticed today also after a second look from a different angle that i have some swirls left. The color of the paint masks this really well but like most of yall probably, I know it is there and that is a problem. So what is the best attack on this yall have found?

The other thing that I am fixing to work on is the headlights. I have no idea what hell they have been through but they are really scratched up and cloudy. My dad found a product online called Lensrenew that I already ordered and it is said to have gauranteed results. If im not satisfied, I'm returning it. I will take pics of before and after so yall can see how well it works cuz im sure I'm not the only one with this problem.

I'm would like to try and be able to get the products locally depending on what yall suggest but if i need to order online, I will. Just hate having to wait in shipping.


Anyways, thanks again for all the help.

-Ryan

[the newbie]

scratches,swirls.....

if you don't have a pc,scratch x is the product you need.
it's a unique product,that gets most of the swirls and light scratches out.
there is a how to article on this product on this site,but i always forget where it is.
it's not hard to find.when you're in the forum oversight,just scroll down,there is a small bar,on the left,where you can search,it's almost the last item in that bar.
also,try the nxt tech wax,this really enhances the depth of your color,and will hide some scratches too.i still can't choose between nxt and gold class,i like them both very well.
if you can lay your hands on a pc,then dual action cleaner polish #83,is a must have.

hope you enjoy the detailing hobby as much as we do,

ciao,

Rick

[jfelbab]

Ryan

That sounds like a nice ride. Funny thing about driving a car you like, you wind up taking good care of it and it lasts for years. You also don't get the urge to trade it in so often too. It feels nice to drive a very shiny clean car.

To really get started I'd suggest a clean, polish, protect and maintenance routine. The products I'd suggest to begin your journey to ADD (Auto Detailing Disorder) are these.

1. Wash - Gold Class Wash or NXT Tech Wash.
2. Clay - Quik Clay, Clay Magic or Mothers Clay. When you clay be sure to move on and clay your glass after you finish the car and finish claying by doing your wheels.
3. Clean - I'd begin this process with Deep Crystal #1 paint cleaner.
4. Polish - I'd suggest Deep Crystal #2 polish. To remove some light to moderate scratches you will also want some ScratchX
5. Wax - I'd strongly suggest NXT Tech Wax.
6. Maintain - I'd apply NXT Tech Booster spray wax after every two to three washes.

See how easy it is to get a little ADD?

The interesting thing about a process like this is that a nicely detailed car is a lot easier to keep clean. Once you get on top of the finish it becomes pretty slick and dirt doesn't adhere as well.

Now move on to tires, wheels, interior and engine. There are lots of tips here on this forum and if you have questions you will find a whole bunch of friends here to help.

Oh, I guess I should add this warning. There is no known cure for ADD.

[Mike Phillips]

Hi Ryan,

Welcome to Meguiar's Online!

Sounds like you're off to a good start. Meguiar's makes awesome products that will help you make your Prelude the show car of the neighborhood!

For the plastic headlights, if the product you ordered doesn't work, you can't go wrong with this product, [color-blue]PlastX[/color]. Works awesome by hand for restoring a new look to old, scratched, faded and oxidized plastics.

For removing minor scratches in your car's clear coat, give ScratchX a try.

Heres a link to a how-to article for using ScratchX by hand.

How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

After you use up the Gold Class, you might give Meguiar's NXT Generation Tech Wax a try.

Mike

[defectiveAggie]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I'm actually about to head over to Target because while waiting to get into a restraunt yesterday, we headed over there and I hadnt seen some of yalls products before that they had. Well, rephrase, i knew all about them and thats why i was so excited. I was going to purchase them but our lil buzzer went off.

The reason I think we got the Lens Renew was because it seemed like a nicely assembled kit with pads and all. So i'll let ya know how it goes. Also didn't know about scratch-x. =P

Well, gotta go try to install the subwoofers i have been dieing to put in. Maybe i will get a little camera crazy and post some pics. =)


-Ryan