Applying NXT?

[alistair]

Hi guys.

I just bought a selection of Meguiars products for the first time. I got the NXT wash, Quick Clay, NXT wax and the NXT instant detailer.

I used all the products on my old Chrylser and all worked really well. I have never used a clay product before and was really impressed with how it lifted some ingrained dirt that cutting compound can't move without going hard into the paint.

I noticed that the NXT was a little harder to work than the last brands I'd used but thought little of it.

Then I moved onto my wife's '95 Mini. I washed but did not clay the car as I was running short of time. I waxed with the NXT and the applicator in the pack and buffed off with a terry cotton towel. It took ages and I got smears and the wax was hard to buff off. Maybe I was getting tired but it seemed harder than on the Chrysler.

My thoughts are maybe I'm applying it too thick?
Maybe I notice smear more as the Mini is dark pearl blue and the Chrysler is white?
Maybe its harder to work if the surface is not clayed first?

Or all three?

I heard some guys saying NXT was really easy to use, so I figure I'm doing something wrong.

Car was in the shade and cool. In fact it was actually dark by the time I was done!

Anyways here's the little Mini after just one wax.



I'm going to clay and rewax it over the weekend.

[Don]

NXT is one of those sealants that needs to be applied thin to work best, too thick of an application can make thngs more difficult.

Mike recommends against using water to moisten applicator pads, but I have found giving the pads a light spritz of the Booster Spray Wax makes thing a bit smoother and easier. I don't see it cauing any problems since they are basically the same product.

It looks like you have one of the 'original' Mini's and unless I'm really off, I bet it has single stage paint, and is relatively old. What I think is that the paint has a lot of embedded dirt & possibly oxidation that needs to be removed before the NXT can work properly. As stated in other posts, NXT has SOME cleaning ability, but no where near enough to correct any problems. I don't know if you have a PC or other buffer, but if not, I would suggest some Color-X (or Colour-X as you guys miss-spell it on that side of the pond) and give the car a good cleaning with that followed by clay before applying the NXT again.

[alistair]

Thanks.

I think they went to 2 pack type paints in the 1990s due to polution regulations. This car is a late 1995. Its a clearcoat-over-base finish. The rear half of the car is new paint in April due to it getting hit in the rear and even with a slight dent you have to paint about half the car with it being pearlescent paint. (hey, at least the insurance was paying for it!) The front panels (fenders and hood) as well as the roof are the original factory paint. Thats why I thought I'd be OK without claying it. The hood was the worst part of the job.

I'll try the spray wax trick on the applicator as well. Seems like a good idea.

I have a large buffer which I can try with the NXT, but I like to go by hand so I can see better how things are going along on the finish.

The photo I have doesn't show it to its best as I think theres a glare making it look matt down the sides

Anyway, had to put up a photo, don't want you guys mistaking my wife for a so-called new Mini Owner!

[Don]

Ok, so it's not as old as I thought, but (most of the paint) is still almost 10 years old. If you prefer to work by hand, I still recommend using the Colour-X (and maybe using Scratch-X over the entire thing too) in order to prep the car for the NXT.

[alistair]

Is it worth using a dewaxing agent to clean the car right back first as its had a fairly thick application of NXT now? I have another brand of mild cutting compound which is good for clears although the car is remarkably free from swirl or scratches (it has only 36,000 miles on and we are always very careful washing it) so I was thinking maybe all it needs is clay treatment? I'm just a little wary of using too much abrasive polish on it.

I must say I was very impressed with how the clay works. I thought my Chrysler was pretty clean until I clayed it!

[Don]

There's no point in de-waxing, the Scratch-X will remove all traces of 'old' wax.