Start over from scratch?

[Big Mac]

I just picked up a 96 Viper and the paint is in great shape. I have no idea what products were used on it previously, so do I need to start over from scratch? Which products should I use? I always just used a good wash liquid then applied #26 by hand in the past, I have never tried anything else. The car lives in the garage and will never be stored outdoors.

[Tuck91]

Re: Start over from scratch?

It can always benefit from:

Wash
Clay
Clean
Polish
Protect
Maintain

[Big Mac]

Re: Start over from scratch?

Which products would you recommend for all that?

[Carfire]

Re: Start over from scratch?

It depends how bad the defects are, and if you want consumer or Mirror Glaze/Detailer Line.

[OldDog]

Re: Start over from scratch?

Why Meguiar's, of course.

Here's what I use.

Gold Class Car Wash
Clay Kit
Paint Cleaner - I've only used this when I know the car has not been waxed in like forever.
NXT 2.0

[akimel]

Re: Start over from scratch?

Mac, you may this article helpful: Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle.

What do you want to accomplish and how much time, energy, and money are you willing to invest in the work? Are you going to work exclusively by hand, or are you considering investing in a machine polisher?

Let's assume that you are working exclusively by hand and let's assume that you are willing to invest a modest amount of time, energy, and money in the task of improving the exterior beauty of your car. You might consider adopting, at least initially, the following steps:

1) Wash your car properly. The importance of this step cannot be exaggerated, as improper washing instills swirls and scatches. See especially Mike Phillip's video on car washing:



Gold Class Car Wash is a very popular product among MOL members and is available at most auto stores and Walmart.

2) Clay your car when needed. Claying will remove bonded contaminants and old layers or wax and prepare the paint surface for a fresh coat of wax. Meguiar's claybar kit is available at most auto stores. See Mike Phillip's video on claying:



3) Clean the paint surface when needed to remove contaminants and swirls and improve gloss and clarity. Here you have two choices:

Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner
SwirlX

4) Application of a pure polish. This is an optional step and is typically recommended only for dark-colored cars. The two pure polishes that are readily available are Deep Crystal Polish and Show Car Glaze (#7).

5) Application of wax/sealant. You have several options:

NXT
HiTech Yellow Wax (#26)
Gold Class Wax

Meguiar's also offers two cleaner waxes in their consumer line that in fact bring together steps 3, 4 & 5 into one product: Cleaner Wax and ColorX.

So as you see, you have a number of options available to you, and these options increase if you are willing to move into Meguiar's professional products.

Cheers,
Al

[Big Mac]

Re: Start over from scratch?

I am only familiar with the #26 wax. I have been using it for about 20 years and it's great stuff. I have no problems using the other stuff from the professional line.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Start over from scratch?

Wash the car and then feel the horizontal surfaces of the paint. If you feel little bumps on the paint then you need to clay the paint to remove these little bumps which are an indicator that the paint has bonded contaminants on the paint.

Bonded contaminants reduce gloss and inhibit the ability for a wax like M26 to properly bond to the paint.

If you feel little bumps then this is also a real good indicator you need to use a paint cleaner to thoroughly clean the surface of the paint. Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner works great for light cleaning and if you have swirls and scratches then you'll want something more aggressive.

Check these out,

Swirl and Scratch Removers
Ultimate Compound
ScratchX 2.0
SwirlX


Most aggressive to least aggressive -->

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Start over from scratch?

One of our forum members recently posted their write-up of their detail session, (you could call it a "Start over"), for their car. Click the link below and check out some of the pictures of the before and after work they did on their exterior paint.

They used M26 on this detail project and clayed the paint too....


First Write up Detailed Mazda 3 Hatch

I've been a regular visitor to this site for at least 2 years learning more than i could ever hope to.

The roof was the only area that really showed any bonded contaminants which was surprising.




After Shot

Check it out....