Best products for a noob

[bank5]

I have a 95 Miata (black with a black soft top) that I'm looking to detail. I'm not looking to make it perfect but just looking to clean it up and give it a nice shine. What products would you recommend for the

- soft top
- plastic window (I've read good things about PlastX)
- paint
- wheels and tires
- interior

[Andy M.]

Re: Best products for a noob

Hi and welcome to MOL!

Feel free to look around and post your questions to the Detailing101 part of our forum.

In the meantime you should probably start here:

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

Again welcome to MOL!

Andy M.

[akimel]

Re: Best products for a noob

Hi, bank5. Welcome.

I'm assuming that you'd like to stick to the consumer line, i.e., products you can pick up at your local auto store. Here are my suggestions for paint care:

Gold Class car wash
Microfiber wash mitt
Microfiber waffle weave drying towel
2 foam or microfiber applicators
2 dozen microfiber towels (better quality the better)
Meguiar's Clay Bar kit (which comes with a bottle of quick detailer)
ColorX
NXT wax

1) Wash the car using the two bucket method:

How to Wash Your Car Show Car Style

Dry with your waffle-weave towel. Some of us also like to first blot the water with an artificial chamois called the Absorber.

2) Clay the car, following the directions:

Mike Phillip's on How to Claybar Your Car

3) Apply a coat of ColorX. Massage into the paint. You are massaging it into the paint because you are hoping to remove light swirls and oxidization. Allow to haze and wipe off.

Wait 15-30 minutes.

4) Gently apply a thin coat of NXT. Allow to haze and wipe off. If you wish, you may apply a second thin coat, waiting 30 minutes to 12 hours between the coats (the longer the better).

The above represents the counsel I gave to my 26 year old son when he asked me what he needed to do for his Mazda RX8. He was thrilled with the result.

Good luck.

Cheers,
Al

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Best products for a noob

I have a 95 Miata (black with a black soft top) that I'm looking to detail. I'm not looking to make it perfect but just looking to clean it up and give it a nice shine. What products would you recommend for the

- soft top
- plastic window (I've read good things about PlastX)
- paint
- wheels and tires
- interior

The paint may be single stage black, if this is the case then definitely look into doing a 3 step process using a paint cleaner, followed by a pure polish and a wax. (See the 5-Step Paint Care Cycle linked above).

Or even use ColorX followed by NXT Tech Wax, two easy and affordable products you can find anywhere and you will get amazing results. Probably ought to clay the paint if it's a daily driver too.

For back window definitely get some PlastX

Wheels and tires, you need to know what your wheels are made out of or coated with to pick the correct wheel cleaner.

As for Interior, if it's leather then get Gold Class Leather Cleaner/Conditioner in the spray bottle, if it's vinyl then look for some Natural Shine.

[Murr1525]

Re: Best products for a noob

1. Wash - Gold Class Soap, 2 buckets
2. Clay
3. ColorX
4. Nxt

Is definately an easy way for a beginer to go.

[bank5]

Re: Best products for a noob

Cool, thanks guys. Great videos Mike - very helpful and it made me excited to give it a go.

I have aluminum alloy wheels. I'm thinking about getting a bottle of the Gold Class All Wheel Cleaner unless someone has a better alternative.

Right now my shopping cart is:

Gold Class Wash
Meguiars Smooth Surface Clay kit
ColorX
NXT generation tech wax


I also need an extra bucket, wash mit, microfiber towels, grit guards and a soft top cleaner. Everything seems reasonably priced so I don't think it will cost much more than $100.


I picked up some PlastX today and was amazed at the difference. For the first time in 2 years I can see out of my back window

[bank5]

Re: Best products for a noob

duplicate post

[Murr1525]

Re: Best products for a noob

There is a cleaner and a protectant in the Marine Line that could be a possibility. Do you know for sure what it is made of?

Same with the wheels... are they painted alloys? I like to use the Aluminum Wheel Wash on mine, it is the mildest cleaner.

[bank5]

Re: Best products for a noob

There is a cleaner and a protectant in the Marine Line that could be a possibility. Do you know for sure what it is made of?

Same with the wheels... are they painted alloys? I like to use the Aluminum Wheel Wash on mine, it is the mildest cleaner.

It's a vinyl top. I've heard good things from other Miata owners about 303 so I might try that.

I picked up some all purpose wheel cleaner. It said it's safe on all wheels so I can use it on my wife's car too.

I'm hoping my Meguiar products arrive tomorrow so I can get started.

[Justin Murphy]

Re: Best products for a noob

ColorX and a bottle of NXT 2.0 is all you need for the paint and plastic. ColorX is one hidden gem.......consumer or pro line.

[bank5]

Re: Best products for a noob

I detailed my car and my wife's car this weekend using the 5 step approach. I was real pleased with the outcome and Meguiar's products. I got a nice compliment today when someone asked if I recently had my car repainted.

[akimel]

Re: Best products for a noob

I detailed my car and my wife's car this weekend using the 5 step approach. I was real pleased with the outcome and Meguiar's products. I got a nice compliment today when someone asked if I recently had my car repainted.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Best products for a noob

I got a nice compliment today when someone asked if I recently had my car repainted.

Nice to hear, that's actually a pretty common comment people that use Meguiar's system of products get over the last 70 to 80 years...


Thanks for the follow-up about your results.

[gb387]

Re: Best products for a noob

I got a nice compliment today when someone asked if I recently had my car repainted.

The best part is, it may look like new paint but it didn't have the price tag of a new paint job and best of all you can do it yourself!! Sounds like it was a success!