Meguiar's got the best of me this week!!

[Johnson]

I am glad to finally say, I have completed the long process of detailing my car in preparation for winter! It was a long 12 hours of work, but I know it will pay off and it looks great! I will post pictures when I get the camera back being that my gf took it for a few days. I wanted to list all the products I used so that others can comment and hope to better my self by other replying.
Heres the list:

Washed with Dish Soap
Claybar'd
Deep Crystal System Cleaner
#7 Show Car Glaze Pure Polish
2 Coats NXT 2.0 Wax
#26 Hi-Tech Yellow Wax
2 ibuprofen for the hand work it took to do all of this.. JK

With all that being said,
I know there isnt a certain amout of time when it will need it again but When ever it starts to wear down and need to be waxed again. Im guessing spring time would be the next time I would to a big proccess like this again? Would I do the same thing over again or would I change some of the products and maybe use the cleaner wax? I know the #105 was mentioned and would most likely do that for the swirls. Comments or Suggestions
Lastly, I just want to thank all of you on MOL for the great info, help, and suggestions! I couldent have done this with out you guys! Keep it up!!

[Carfire]

Re: Meguiar's got the best of me this week!!

Next time do not use dish soap. Besides that it strips all wax protection it can dry out the paint. You should buy Meguiars Gold Class Shampoo and Conditioner. Otherwise to me everything else looks okay. I can't wait for the pictures.

[HealthyCivic]

Re: Meguiar's got the best of me this week!!

Yeah Meguiars Gold Class Shampoo and Conditioner is great. Definitely don't use dish soap again (it's too harsh) or you're going to void all of that hard work.

[OhioCarBuff]

Re: Meguiar's got the best of me this week!!

I'd just say get yourself a quart of #105 next time, you'll be amazed at the results you will get by hand and a foam applicator. I don't think it would be worth the time to put three coats of two different waxes too, stick to just the #26 or NXT, and put two thin coats of the type you prefer, I would think the NXT will last you longer

[Murr1525]

Re: Meguiar's got the best of me this week!!

Well, I'll toss out a few thoughts:

1. Yeah, no dish soap.

2. After future washes, when you can get one in during the winter, following up with UQD will help prolong everything.

3. If you get a break with a nice day along the way, you could do a quick detail with a wash, cleaner/wax, then a coat of Nxt 2.0.

[Johnson]

Re: Meguiar's got the best of me this week!!

I would normaly not use dish soap, but because I was doing the whole works of the deep cleaning and everything, it wouldent hurt it? Am I wrong?

I know winters are in SD are not nearly as severe as they are here in Wisconsin but this is what works really well for me. In November, I wash, clay polish and then apply two coats of NXT 2.0. I top this with two coats of #16 and this easily lasts through the snow, slush, salt and road grime of a Wisconsin winter. Since #16 is not easily available any longer I'd suggest #26 as a replacement.

This system easily lasts from November through April, winters worst 6 months.

Thats where I got the idea of doing the last coat of wax??


If I was going to use the 105, would that take the place of the cleaner, and then follow up with polish and wax?

I love working on cars like this but, so much hard work and time.. But, its worth it when you see your baby all cleaned up!

[OhioCarBuff]

Re: Meguiar's got the best of me this week!!

yes 105 would take place of the cleaner, you still need to follow up with a polish, by the way I'd recommend #81 polish, it takes much less effort to use it then #7

[Carfire]

Re: Meguiar's got the best of me this week!!

Yeah Meguiars Gold Class Shampoo and Conditioner is great. Definitely don't use dish soap again (it's too harsh) or you're going to void all of that hard work.

Just like it was said here dish soap is bad and can ruin the paint.

[Murr1525]

Re: Meguiar's got the best of me this week!!

Using dishosap one time wont kill the car, but it doesn't really gain anything for you either. The clay and paint cleaner will remove dirt, old wax, etc. Some people also claim otherwise, but I cant see dish soap having more lubrication than Gold Class. The biggest thing is the lubrication the soap provides so you don't add swirls.

#16 was a carnuba blend wax, which makes #26 the closest to it these days. But Nxt 2.0 is what Meguiars says is their most durable wax now.

Yes, #105 would replace the DC#1. Then you could polish and wax after. Removing swirls kind of s*cks by hand, even with a good product. I'd plan to focus on a panel or two a day.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Meguiar's got the best of me this week!!

Here's another vote, No dish soap. Otherwise, your process looks good.

[Johnson]

Re: Meguiar's got the best of me this week!!

FINALLY, I have pictures to show. Its not a big makeover but. I think it turned out very well.. Enjoy.. Comments and suggestions

BEFORE




AFTER















Being I am uploading pictures.. Can this rim be fixed with the scratches that it is showing?

[Johnson]

Re: Meguiar's got the best of me this week!!

Thanks for all the comments!! I know it wasnt a big makeover, but It sure has made cleaning and maintaing alot easier!!

We have had a mild winter so far. It has just happend that, after a few snowy days, It has warmed up enough to wash the car with out to much of a problem. So, the salt and junk hasnt had to stay on the car very long.

since I have done the detail, I have been done the washing process a little different. I have been doing it by hand using my own soap at a local car wash garage. I can really tell a difference between soaps. After almost 2 months, it still looks like the day I got done detailing it. I have also been running some UQD over it after I wash it. I think the wax has really held up well.

Anway.. enough of the story telling, My guestion is, In the next month, I am guessing I am going to want to give it a refresher course of wax again? I shouldent need a full detail, so I am guessing i would use the cleaner wax? Is there any other products or ways of doing it?

I know it hasnt been very long ago that I did the full detail, the car still looks fairly well, Im not being over protective of my pride and throwing another coat of wax on it to soon am I?

[gb387]

Re: Meguiar's got the best of me this week!!

Your car looks great! I bet its a fun one to drive around, trying to get the G/F to get and HHR SS.

A little off subject, I see you are close to Sioux Falls... Started off in Aberdeen when I was too young to remember then moved to Sioux Falls and grew up there, lived there for 12 years. anyway.

Oh, yeah and no dish soap.

[Mikejl]

Re: Meguiar's got the best of me this week!!

Your car looks great! All that work you put into shows.

I've always like the looks of the Monte Carlo's. Are you using UQD or another quick detailer to keep that shine between washes?

Mike

[ramphonic]

Re: Meguiar's got the best of me this week!!

Being I am uploading pictures.. Can this rim be fixed with the scratches that it is showing?

It looks like the clearcoat is getting foggy / failing

What usually happens is the aluminum underneath is high polished and then the rim is clearcoated. Moisture and salt from the road gets under the clear from chips in the finish or use of strong cleaners. Causing the metal to oxidize and the clearcoat doesnt have anything to hold on too anymore.

Not much that can be done at this point. Except getting it refinished

Treat a Clearcoated Rim just like paint. No harsh cleaners or Dish Soap