Cleaner on Paint in Good Condition

[Setec Astronomy]

Was helping my friend with her a-little-over-one-year-old car that is parked outside all the time. We have taken pretty good care of it in the last year, but it has only been washed/waxed with some local #7/#9/clay as appropriate. It is kinda tough during the winter to keep it regularly cleaned, however.

Anyway, we were giving it a quick NXT Spray Wax the other day after washing, and we were suprised at the dirty looking results on our MF cloths when buffing, for a "clean" car. I presume this was some "pore-embedding stains" or "road grime", in Meguiar's parlance.

We're getting ready to do a little more involved detailing on it next week; I planned on some general claying and #7/#81 before waxing. Will this be agressive enough to remove this surface "dirt"? Or do I need to use a cleaner, and if so, what?

Planning to use NXT Wax, the car is a darkish metallic blue.

[rusty bumper]

If NXT spray is pulling dirt off of the finish, then I would use some sort of cleaner to completely remove the contamination with...Such as ColorX or DC #1.

[gb387]

I agree with RB... I try to always use a cleaner prior to polish and wax no matter what, its a quick and easy step to help ensure your finish looks its best.

It seems that I get the best results by doing so.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

I agree with the others, the paint needs to be cleaned. Meguiar's #7 or #81 are pure polishes and do not contain any ingredients for cleaning. Therefore, I would suggest using the #9 Swirl Remover or ColorX, then the #7/81 and topped with NXT Tech Wax.

Good luck and keep us posted!
Tim

[Vandelete]

I love the #7 and a coat of NXT over it...

[Setec Astronomy]

Originally posted by 2hotford
Hey,

...I would suggest using the #9 Swirl Remover or ColorX, then the #7/81 and topped with NXT Tech Wax.

Good luck and keep us posted!
Tim

This paint is almost new, ColorX would seem to be way too agressive, plus it's a one-step, which would seem redundant to top with another wax. I'm thinking more along the lines of DC1, as a "least agressive" step. I was hoping that the action of the clay and the #81 would pull this minor dirt (it really wasn't bad). Or is that just wishful thinking?

[jfelbab]

My favorite paint cleaner, and it has not been mentioned yet, is MPPC.

[Bill D]

Here's an official OE bulletin that may be helpful:

http://www.autoint.com/tsb/hyundai_paint_exam.html

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

ColorX is not that aggressive compared to a cleaner/compound type of product. But since it's action is partially of that of a chemical cleaner, plus it's combo of TS Oils and a Polymer, it is an excellent product for all paint finishes. One of the most popular combos is ColorX topped with NXT Tech Wax.

Meg's #81 does not have any cleaning ability. Moreover, while clay will removed bonded contaminents, a cleaner/polish/polymer like Meguiar's ColorX will add gloss and vibrancy to the surface.

Another popular choice and one of my personal favorites is #80 Speed Glaze. I have used this on brand new vehicles with excellent results!!!

Cheers!
Tim

[rusty bumper]

Tim makes a good point about ColorX...It's not aggressive enough to hurt paint, and it makes a good foundation for NXT.

A person might could get by with Cleaner Wax in the red bottle in this situation (For removing contamination after claying), and then topping it with NXT or whatever.