Working on white

[davisinla]

This weekend I will be giving the wife's 2000 Acura the full treatment. The white paint (not the "pearl") is in good shape (as it has been washed regularly, waxed annually) and garaged.

But the paint is a bit dull.

After seeing a demonstration of ColorX at a detailing clinic, I tried a sample spot last night and liked the results. So I was thinking ColorX and two coats of NXT. I will be using a PC buffer.

Do you think a treatment of Show Car Glaze (I think that's the name) between the ColorX and NXT make a difference?

[fiberrich]

I think your approach is good. ColorX and NXT make a great 2-step combo!

If the paint has been taken care of with regular washing and waxing and yet dull, I think you'll be pleased with how well ColorX will remove the oxidation and bring out the true paint color and gloss. Adding NXT will be the icing on the cake and will give it that extra pop!

You could apply the Show Car Glaze (#7) if you'd like. Divide your hood in half and do half with ColorX and NXT and the other half with all three and see which one you like.

Personally, I don't think it would add much more to what you'll get with ColorX and NXT since you're working with light color paint

[davisinla]

Thanks Fiberrich

[Don]

Read THIS ARTICLE it was written by our friendly neighborhod professional detailing fanatic Mike P.

[davisinla]

EXCELLENT! Thanks.

[fpalattao]

I think your approach is good. ColorX and NXT make a great 2-step combo!

If the paint has been taken care of with regular washing and waxing and yet dull, I think you'll be pleased with how well ColorX will remove the oxidation and bring out the true paint color and gloss. Adding NXT will be the icing on the cake and will give it that extra pop!

I'm confused I thought you dont want to have any wax on the car before you apply the nxt tech wax. Colorx is a cleaner/wax right?

[Don]

Originally posted by fpalattao
I'm confused I thought you dont want to have any wax on the car before you apply the nxt tech wax. Colorx is a cleaner/wax right?

Meguiars products are designed to work together so putting NXT over Color-X is not a conflict. Look at it this way, the Color-X is the prep, the NXT is the sealant.

Not bashing ZAINO here, but the Z products are the primary ones that stress NOT to have anything between the paint and the ZAINO sealants.

[fpalattao]

quote:
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Originally posted by fpalattao
I'm confused I thought you dont want to have any wax on the car before you apply the nxt tech wax. Colorx is a cleaner/wax right?
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Meguiars products are designed to work together so putting NXT over Color-X is not a conflict. Look at it this way, the Color-X is the prep, the NXT is the sealant.test

But my understanding is sealants need to bond to the paint and any wax or oil in the paint will affect how the sealant will bond.

In a different post I asked if I could put the yellow wax first and the tech wax on top of it. Everyone said no coz it wont bond and both are meguiars. Thats why I'm CONFUSED

[Don]

Originally posted by fpalattao

In a different post I asked if I could put the yellow wax first and the tech wax on top of it. Everyone said no coz it wont bond and both are meguiars. Thats why I'm CONFUSED

Carnuaba (wax) will bond to a sealant, but a sealant will not bond to a wax. That's because a sealant in effect hardens, where a wax does not, that applies to ANY wax/sealant combo and is the nature of the beast.

As far as the oils are concerned, the oils in the different Megs products are the same, or as close as you can get, that's why they don't interfere with the bonding of the next product...you're putting similar products together, there is no conflict.

[fpalattao]

I agree with this but I'm confused how colour x and tech wax can be a combo.

Colour x is a cleaner wax therefore when you top it with tech wax it wont bond as you said. Because the wax is soft and the tech wax wont bond to it.

But why are people suggesting to use colour x and tech wax. That is my confusion.... who is right?

[davisinla]

Well, I gotta say the proof is in the pudding. Spent all day on the Acura and it looks GREAT.

Washed
Clay bar
ScratchX in a few places
ColorX (w/PC)
NXT (w/PC)

I tried #7 Show Car Glaze on a small part before the NXT but couldn't see any difference.

Also did the interior (with several Meg products for leather and vinyl) and the tires with Endurance.

The paint looks SO much better - it had sort of yellowed and got dull. I was a little surprised because the car is garaged and hasn't been used that much this past year.

Lots of work, but it will be worth it - the wife gets home from a trip in an hour!

[Don]

Originally posted by fpalattao
I agree with this but I'm confused how colour x and tech wax can be a combo.

Colour x is a cleaner wax therefore when you top it with tech wax it wont bond as you said. Because the wax is soft and the tech wax wont bond to it.

But why are people suggesting to use colour x and tech wax. That is my confusion.... who is right?

The only thing I can figure is that since Color-X is primarily a cleaner, with some wax in it, it's not nearly as *anti-sealant*?? as a pure carnuaba is. Perhaps the cleaner waxes in the Megs line are designed to be sealant-friendly?? This is definately a question for Mike.

[fiberrich]

fpalattao,

Sorry for not replying. I was gone over the weekend.

ColorX is a polymer-based product. (It even says so on the front label "Provides long-lasting polymer protection") NXT is a polymer based product. Is there other waxes, silicones, etc. mixed in? Probably, but I defer that answer to someone at Meguiar's.

They are both polymers so there's no problems using the two products on top of each other. The reason the ColorX is recommended to be applied first is because it has a good amount of cleaners in the product, whereas the NXT has a sleight amount of cleaners. You don't want to put on NXT first and then ColorX as ColorX would remove most of the NXT.

As Don said, according to Meguiar's most of the products are compatible with each other. Heck, I even think Meg's. Polymer Sealant (#20) has some waxes, etc. mixed in with the product.

The term "wax" unfortunately is becoming a general-purpose term with some manufacturers, just like the term "polish". I remember Mike P. stating that he brought up his concern about using the word "wax" on the NXT Tech Wax since it was primarily a polymer based product, but marketing decided otherwise. Probably because Joe consumer is looking for a "wax" to put on his car and doesn't know what's a "polymer sealant". NXT is marketed by Meg's. as a "consumer product".

Still, for a company that has tried hard not to blur the terms between polish and wax, I'm not sure why they decided to blur the terms wax and polymer sealants.

Nevertheless, as a rule of thumb, a polymer sealant product should be applied first, and then if you wish, topped with a wax. Applying a wax first and then a polymer could reduce the durability of the polymer as the polymer may not adhere properly to the wax.

Since the weekend has passed, I assume you already detailed the car. If you did decide to go the ColorX and NXT, I think you'd be pretty happy with the results you'd be seeing today on the car.

If this gives you any assurance, Mike P., Meg's. technical specialist, has used and demonstrated this combo.

Looking forwarding to reading your update of what product/process you used and the results you achieved!

[fpalattao]

thanks for the reply fiberrich!

I just washed my car this weekend and still awaiting for the reply but I'm very eager to use the tech wax . Since my car is only a month old and its colored white I'm planning to use the colour x/ nxt tech wax combo by the time I start seeing my white paint get a bit dirty and dull. Do you think its okay to do it now even though my cars paint is still looking pretty good?

I appreciate your reply.

[fiberrich]

You certainly could just apply the NXT Tech Wax and not use the ColorX at this time. However, I do suggest the minimum process that follows:

1. Wash the car

2. Evaluate the surface! Suggestion: Rub the back of your hand over the clean paint or place your hand in a plastic sandwich bag or use some plastic wrap and see if you feel any roughness as you glide your hand on the surface of the paint. You’ll also want to look to see if you have any scratches, swirls, etc.

3. Clay - If you feel some roughness, then you should clay the car. You won't get as much durability with the NXT (or any wax/sealant product) if you have embedded contaminates in the paint. You’ll find your finish will be as smooth as glass after you finish this step.

4. Apply NXT Tech Wax. ( X2 if you have the time)

So, if you want to do the absolute minimum, I would at least clay the car if needed after the wash and before applying the NXT Tech Wax. It's worth the extra step.

That being said, I would still recommend a cleaner (or ColorX) in between the claying and NXT just to get any remaining dealer applied waxes, etc. off the paint and to achieve the best results.

“Best Results” process:

1. Wash
2. Clay (Meg's Quick Clay)
3. Clean (DC#1 or ColorX)
4. Polish (optional)
5. Wax (NXT Tech Wax)