Really Confused about Prep.

[Black Diamond]

O.K. here goes. My head is swimming in confusion from reading so many forums about wax, paint sealers and especially prep. I just waxed my Truck (yes, even us truck people like nice looking vehicles), using a light cut leveler, #7 show car glaze and then #26 High Tech Yellow wax. I have to admit that my truck looks spectacular. And yes, It is Black. Then, I got caught up in the NXT thing and went out and bought the entire line. I also purchased Scratch X and Color X.
Now for the question . What can I use over what?
Should I start from scratch or can NXT be used over what I already have done?
Any help here will be much appreciated. I want to do this right and am willing to invest the time to do it properly, but don't want to mess up what I have already.
TIA
Gary

[Mike Phillips]

Hi Black Diamond,

Welcome to Meguiar's Online!

You would have loved the clinic we had at Meguiar's today, we covered all of your questions and then put what we learned into practice out in Meguiar's Garage.

First a question, what was the condition of your truck's finish before you applied the #7 and the #26?

(By the way, #7 is a pure polish and in Meguiar's terminology, it that means it is non-abrasive.)

Mike

[scrub]

In the past I've used #7 then NXT then topped with #26 with good results. After studying the forum some say #7 inhibits the ability of NXT to fully bond to the paint's surface. I now tend to agree.

I'm not to sure of the light cut.

Scratch X----> I use for small problem areas. It can be used on the entire vehicle. I try to focus on specific problems with this product.

ColorX----> I use for heavily oxidized paint. I've had great results with single stage paint.

As for #7, I switched to #81 polish. #81 is a bit easier to remove than #7. I still love the results of #7 but that product is a short lasting product designed for application on top of your wax/sealant before a show to give a quick pop. It has no abrasives or cleaners to remove your wax/sealant layer..

How is your truck stored (garaged). Reason I ask is this could make your decision simple. I've also found/learned that #26 is a great product but it isn't as durable as the NXT. If your truck is not garaged kept then the #26 will wear off soon enough to allow starting over.

This should give you a start... Please fire back any further questions you have that I didn't cover.

Take a look at this link about surface prep. 5 Step link You can interchange other brands of products into this plan. This should clear up confusion and give you a good plan of attack.

Good luck. Hope this helps.

[Black Diamond]

First let me say, Thank You for your responses.

Mike:
The paint was in O.K. shape with minor swirls and a small amount of cob webbing. I did strip the wax with Dawn, used a clay bar and washed again with a good car wash. Then I used the fine cut leveler to ty to repair the defects.

Scrub:
My truck is outside 24/7/364.5. The Missouri weather is really hard on the paint. I am assuming the #81 is the same as the M-8132 Hand Polish. It sounds as though it might be a good idea to start from scratch again to get a good base for the NXT. I know the prep is really important.

Any more thoughts?

Gary

[Don]

First, are you using a machine or are you doing this by hand?

Either way, the steps I would take are:

#82 (or #9) for the 1st step since you have already used a light cut.

Follow this with the #81 for that extra "oomph" in gloss/warmth/richness and finally the NXT Tech wax to finish things off.

Working the #82 will take the longest, but with a machine it won't actually take that long, the #81 should only take a few minutes per panel, and the NXT will be a fairly quick 'on & off'...apply a thin coat to the entire car, then go back around and buff off the haze

[Black Diamond]

Thanks Don!

Everything was being done by hand but I will have a new PC DA by the end of the week. I'm sure this will make everything a lot easier from what I have read.
My understanding of the process is beginning ro clear up now.
I appreciate your input.

[Black Diamond]

Anything anybody can add???

TIA

[tguil]

Black Diamond,

Don't do anything more until you get your PC. Make sure that your get a Porter Cable Dual Action Polisher. Then take the following steps-----

1. Meguiar’s #83 DACP, polishing pad, pc at 5.5, medium pressure, work the product until it is almost dry. (Don't worry about using DACP. It's abrassive but not anything like rubbing compound. Once or twice a year use for sure is OK.)
2. Repeat if necessary.
3. Meguiar’s #82 Swirl Free Polish, polishing pad, pc at 5, medium pressure, work until almost dry, but not as dry as DACP.
4. NXT, polishing pad or finishing pad, pc at 3, light pressure, work only to insure full covering.
5. Repeat with NXT after 24 hours.

Remove all products with a microfiber polishing cloth. It makes the job a whole lot easier.

I have a black truck and I do not use #80 or #81 after the #82. Lots of folks do, but I have never felt that it was necessary.

Tom