Let's get RED again!

[skunkone]

new member starting a new project!

Well here's the rundown, I'm a parts runner for a local auto a/c company and my car is on the road m-f 9-5. So it sees a bit o sun, not to mention it's parked outside everyday, never garaged, and rests under massive trees where sap, bugs, and birds play. I also live in a city filled with chemical plants that pump into the air, not to mention the car is parked daily just down the street from one, about 3 miles away. I'm tired of just settling for the boring non shiny old flat red color my car has. I want wow, shine, and to have a reflection! After I do this i'm buying a car cover and using it daily!

Everything but the hood, bumper, and trunk lid is red, those particular parts are a darker shade of red that looks unimpressive. Not to mention scratches galore.

I don't have the Meguiar's G110, so all my work will be done by hand this weekend coming up. unless i buy that $30 polisher at the local autozone called a buffer/polisher if you guys think that will cut it for this application.

I made a personal list from using the search button here on the boards, as well as using the Meguiar's RX page. I think I got everything but if i missed something, let me know before i purchase.

Step 1-
G7164 GOLD CLASS CAR WASH SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER 64OZ
X3002 MICROFIBER WASH MITT
G9524 HOT RIMS ALL WHEEL CLEANER
X2000 WATER MAGNET MICROFIBER DRYING TOWEL 22"x30"
2 bucket system w/Grit Guard

Step 2-
G1016 SMOOTH SURFACE CLAY KIT
A3316 QUIK DETAILER 16OZ-extra lubricant
A3016 DEEP CRYSTAL PAINT CLEANER
X3080 EVEN COAT APPLICATOR PADS

Step 3-
G10307 SCRATCH-X
A2116 DEEP CRYSTAL POLISH
X3080 EVEN COAT APPLICATOR PADS

Step 4-
G12718 NXT GENERATION TECH WAX 2.0
G13124 NXT GENERATION INSANE SHINE "TRIGGER"
G13324 NXT GENERATION GLASS CLEANER
G13616 QUIK DETAILER INTERIOR
G2310 CAR ODOR ELIMINATOR

Step 5-
G14422 MEGUIAR'S ULTIMATE DETAILER
X2010 SUPREME SHINE MICROFIBER TOWEL - 1 PACK

and I think that's it.
below are some pics

[techjazz]

Re: Let's get RED again!

Your list looks great and very thorough!

I have only two suggestions:

1. I'm not a fan of the Even Coat Applicator Pads. They are nice for applying wax, but for cleaning products like ScratchX they can get a little cumbersome (in my opinion). I would look into getting some foam High Tech Applicator Pads as well.

2. ScratchX and the Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner are both paint cleaners. ScratchX is the best product to use by hand for removing defects/oxidation/scratches, etc. ScratchX is also more aggressive than DC Paint Cleaner, so you will get great results using ScratchX instead of DC Paint Cleaner, so I would pass on the DC Paint Cleaner.

In a more radical change, have you considered ColorX? ColorX is a all-in-one (clean/polish/wax) product that yields great results by hand. After an application of ColorX (with some passion behind the pad of course), you can top it off with NXT 2.0 for added protection and shine. Check out some of these threads:

How to use ScratchX by hand to remove swirls, scratches and water spot etchings

1986 Ford Bronco II - Extreme Makeover

It wouldn't hurt as well to get the cheap orbital buffer. I bought one and it did a great job! It's better for harder working applications than your hand and you get great results with products like the DC system and ScratchX. Hope this helps!

[skunkone]

Re: Let's get RED again!

ok, i'll swap out the pads on step 2, got a link to those high tech pads?

when i called the 1800 number for meguiars, a rep suggested i use the scratch x on the heavy swirl areas for fine results, then just use the deep crystal polish as regular, the more touches the better results. he mentioned about how one is more abrasive then the other and to remember to use the right pressure with the two.

would i use the color x step 2 after the paint cleaner? just another step in the treatment

another thing, when you say orbital, that means it mimics the hand motion of back and forth in a circle, not the spinning motion, so that would mean it's best used to apply polish/wax/cleaner basically anything that i would do by hand, but this could be used to save time and fatigue? and though it has no real power, it's just for convenience and the by hand method is where i would really apply pressure to get the results i'm looking for correct?

if i found a G100a or pc for say about $100 NIB would that be a fair price? and could i use it with these products here and get same/better results than by hand?

[techjazz]

Re: Let's get RED again!

Here you go:

High Tech Applicator Pad

The Meg's rep has a good point. You may use ScratchX on heavier areas and the DC Paint Cleaner on everything else. In that method I would suggest going over the whole car with DC Paint Cleaner and then any spots that aren't satisfactory you can hit with ScratchX. We have a saying here,

"Always use the least aggressive method to finish the job."

If you choose to go the ColorX route, it would replace the DC Paint Cleaner/ScratchX and DC Polish. You would go from claying to ColorX and then to Tech Wax 2.0.

ColorX is just an option though. For more concentrated defect removal, I would go with ScratchX/DC Paint Cleaner and DC Polish.

[Murr1525]

Re: Let's get RED again!

Always can go with more towels of course...

Generally speaking, a detail using a cleaner/wax like ColorX would look like this compared to a full detail:

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Clean - ScratchX for swirls, Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner for general cleaning
4. Polish - Deep Crystal Polish
5. Wax
6. Wax

or:

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. ColorX
4. Wax

You might have been getting the paint cleaner and polish mixed up slightly, hopefully the above explains it, or we can try some more...

Here are a couple other links for ScratchX as well. It ***** to ScratchX a whole car and get good results in a day. Really have to go a panel or two a day to get best results.

Suggested Products for Taking Care of a New Car

What it Means to Remove a Scratch

How To Remove Swirls By Hand

How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

Here are some links for machines: If you were to go the G100 way, that could change up which products to use a bit. You could use the same ones, but using a few of the Pro-Line products would likely be better.

Rotary vs. PC vs. Regular Orbital Buffer

Recommended Products - G100a Dual Action Polisher

Using the G-100 to remove swirls with the Professional Line

Each one, teach one... Ferrari Fiorano 355 F1 Spider

[skunkone]

Re: Let's get RED again!

Here you go:

High Tech Applicator Pad

The Meg's rep has a good point. You may use ScratchX on heavier areas and the DC Paint Cleaner on everything else. In that method I would suggest going over the whole car with DC Paint Cleaner and then any spots that aren't satisfactory you can hit with ScratchX. We have a saying here,

"Always use the least aggressive method to finish the job."

If you choose to go the ColorX route, it would replace the DC Paint Cleaner/ScratchX and DC Polish. You would go from claying to ColorX and then to Tech Wax 2.0.

ColorX is just an option though. For more concentrated defect removal, I would go with ScratchX/DC Paint Cleaner and DC Polish.

I had a strong feeling about those foam ones being the high tech ones, since they were the only pads i hadn't linked yet! hehe. just didn't see high tech on them so i figured i'd wait for you to clarify for sure. ok, great thanks for that link.

Yeah i'll DC paint cleaner first, then touch up heavy swirls with scratch x.

I think for this first go at it, i'll just omit the color x and see what results i can get. color x can always be applied on the next round anyway right if i can't get that deep rich red color after this treatment?

[skunkone]

Re: Let's get RED again!

murr1525-

Step 2-
G1016 SMOOTH SURFACE CLAY KIT
A3316 QUIK DETAILER 16OZ-extra lubricant
A3016 DEEP CRYSTAL PAINT CLEANER
X3080 EVEN COAT APPLICATOR PADS

Step 3-
G10307 SCRATCH-X
A2116 DEEP CRYSTAL POLISH
X3080 EVEN COAT APPLICATOR PADS

the whole car was getting a3016 to clean in step 2, then before step 3's polish, i was going to hit the still heavy scratch areas with scratch x, is that not okay?

is that what you were talking about?

[techjazz]

Re: Let's get RED again!

Yeah i'll DC paint cleaner first, then touch up heavy swirls with scratch x.

I think for this first go at it, i'll just omit the color x and see what results i can get. color x can always be applied on the next round anyway right if i can't get that deep rich red color after this treatment?

Great.

You can always do ColorX on another detailing session. And to clarify what Murr was saying,

• Wash
• Clay
• DC Paint Cleaner/ScratchX
• DC Polish
• NXT Tech Wax 2.0

Basically, make sure all cleaning steps are done before applying the polish. You're looking to remove defects and then polish it to a high gloss, then protect it!

Please be sure to post your results as well! I'm curious to see what you can do by hand!

[3Fitty]

Re: Let's get RED again!

When are you going to get started?

Don't forget the "after" pics!

[Murr1525]

Re: Let's get RED again!

In theory, you should get better results from using the products dedicated to each step, (DC system and ScratchX) as opposed to an all-in-one product like ColorX. But ColorX is a time-saver, thats the trade off.

There is two ways to look at the cleaning, and both would work. If you know where the bad spots are (or if the whole car is a bad spot), then do ScratchX first, and do the rest with DC1. If some areas are quite ok, and you just want to see what DC1 wont do, then save ScratchX for second.

But you might want to do some test spots first, so you dont do the entire car with DC1, then find you need to do the entire car with ScratchX.

[skunkone]

Re: Let's get RED again!

cool, thanks for all the info guys.
well i haven't had any luck finding somebody that sells everything i need here locally, so i might have to search online, i wanted to do it this weekend, but im not sure if i'll have everything in by then.

what would be a good site to get everything and at a fair price?

[Murr1525]

Re: Let's get RED again!

autodetailingsolutions.com

[techjazz]

Re: Let's get RED again!

autodetailingsolutions.com

[YouKnow]

Re: Let's get RED again!

Hopefully you can turn that SER around. I got an orange 06 SER Spec V myself and am cleaning it up today for a car show.


Have you tried looking at auto stores like autozone, pep boys, kragens, checkers etc... I get some of my products like DC1 DC2 and colorX there. But Walmart has NXT 2.0 for 4 bucks cheaper so I get that there. Just be on the lookout because Checkers had a sale on the DC1 (cleaner), DC2 (polish), and DC3 (the wax) for 4.97 a bottle, regular 7.97

[skunkone]

Re: Let's get RED again!

well plans have changed, I'm now going to purchase the G110 so I updated my list, and just had a few last questions. The detailing was delayed because the car was broken into and needed some attention. However I'm ready for ordering this monday and hoping to go at it this weekend coming up with some after pics.

Step 1-
G7164 GOLD CLASS CAR WASH SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER 64OZ
X3002 MICROFIBER WASH MITT
G9524 HOT RIMS ALL WHEEL CLEANER
X2000 WATER MAGNET MICROFIBER DRYING TOWEL 22"x30"
2 bucket system w/Grit Guard

Step 2-
G1016 SMOOTH SURFACE CLAY KIT
A3316 QUIK DETAILER 16OZ-extra lubricant
A3016 DEEP CRYSTAL PAINT CLEANER ---- should this be replaced/removed because of the M80?
M8032 BSP SPEED GLAZE 32OZ ------2-3 w8006 pads on speed 3/5?


Step 3-
M0716 SHOW CAR GLAZE 16OZ ------2-3 w9006 pads on speed 2/4--- or best applied by hand?


Step 4-
G12718 NXT GENERATION TECH WAX 2.0 ------2-3 w9006 pad on speed 2/4--- would m21 be better even though I have a red car and the posts about it streaking? Going for as Dark, rich, wet red as possible. Also is it best applied by hand?
G13124 NXT GENERATION INSANE SHINE "TRIGGER"
G13324 NXT GENERATION GLASS CLEANER
G13616 QUIK DETAILER INTERIOR
G2310 CAR ODOR ELIMINATOR

Step 5-
G14422 MEGUIAR'S ULTIMATE DETAILER
X2010 SUPREME SHINE MICROFIBER TOWEL - 1 PACK