Best Sealant wax

[andrewchopstick]

I have a clear coat problem on part of my door dealing with what looks like bird droppings. I used 3m compound along with a dual action polisher and buff it out. The stains disappear and i applied a layer of wax over it. Using gold class meguiars wax. But after a few days and some rain the problems shows up again.

So what would be the best sealant wax after i use the compound and buff everything out? Im sort of leaning towards trying nxt 2.0 any other suggestions?

[Carfire]

Re: Best Sealant wax

Welcome to Meguiars Online!!
NXT 2.0 is a fine choice, I think even Gold Class Would be Fine.
Have you tried claying the paint in general, and in the spot with the bird droppings?

[Tuck91]

Re: Best Sealant wax

NXT 2.0 would be a good choice for a wax

as Carfire stated, try claying the paint

if you stilll cant remove the etching of bird dropping then you could try one of the new 2009 scratch/swirl removers such as:

Ultimate Compound
Swirl X
Scratch X 2.0

but NXT is a good choice for a wax

[andrewchopstick]

Re: Best Sealant wax

I'm not 100% sure that its bird droppings but it does look alot like it. I've tried claying it and using meguiars Step 1 and step 2 paint cleaner and polish. Didnt make a difference.

Only thing was 3m compound i used with a machine and it went away. (doesnt go away using hand) But it starts to come back a few days after or after a car wash.

I might have to try using scratchx 2.0. But i have a feeling it might fade/wash away too. Hopefully nxt 2.0 will be able to seal the 3m compound in good.

[Carfire]

Re: Best Sealant wax

If you rub your hand over it can you feel it?
Do it feel bumpy and bubbly?
How old it the car it could be like clear coat failure or rusting beginning.

[3Fitty]

Re: Best Sealant wax

Andrew,

I think you *might* have the wrong idea here about fixing the problem based upon your statement of NXT 2.0 "sealing the 3M compound".

Ideally, what you want to try to do (if possible) is remove the defect. Depending upon they type of defect and the depth of it, will determine your success. Pros on this site can handle much of what you throw at them and even newbs (like you and I) can fix minor problems as well, but to do so, you have to understand the art of correction.

If you're working on a clear coat and you have a DA polisher, I would start with either M80 or M205 on the area. If you're using M80, be patient and allow the diminishing abrasives to work on the area. If after a couple of good passes with M80, you have no results, step up to M83 and repeat the step.

If that doesn't work, keep working your way up until you get to M105 (okay fine... after M83 I just skip to M105). If you are unsure if you are successful, you can go over the area with IPA wipedown to ensure all of the product you were using is off the defect and you can visually examine your results.

Ultimately, if you have defect which is in the clear coat, you should be able to remove the defect by polishing down the surrounding clear to make sure everything is on an even level. If however, the defect is beneath the clear, you're probably not going to be able to fix it with the tools you've got.

Once you remove the defect, then it is time to put on your LSP.

[andrewchopstick]

Re: Best Sealant wax

You can feel it at all. Its super smooth. This is a picture of what it looks like. Car is a 2004 honda accord

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Best Sealant wax

Like others suggested, it appears that you need to polish the area out further beyond the compounding phase.

Depending on which compound you used, it likely left a considerable amount of haze and scratches of its own, which requires a finer polish to finish out properly.

If you have any experience with wood working, think of it similarly to starting with a heavy 80 grit, then moving to 120 grit, then 220, and so on until you have a smooth and soft surface.

Same concept applies to paint- start with a compound, then follow with a medium or fine polish- or both. THEN you can seal it with wax.

I would suggest some ScratchX 2.0 as a starter and go from there.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Best Sealant wax

That stain is etched into the paint. In order to completely remove it you need to remove enough paint to get down to where the stain/etching ends in the clear layer of paint.

This means working the affected area with your 3M compound.

Be careful however as it's possible to remove too much paint and expose the color coat under it. In some cases if a defect is too deep you may have to improve it, not completely remove it and learn to live with what's left.

Afterwards, polish and seal with a quality wax or paint sealant. NXT is a good choice but again, the defect needs to be completely removed or it will keep showing up.

Substitute the word etching or stain for the word scratch and the same principals apply to the below thread,

What it means to remove a scratch out of anything...

[andrewchopstick]

Re: Best Sealant wax

^ thanks for all of the comments! Everyone has been very helpful. I plan on trying out some of the m205 soon.

btw. What would you guys prefer in my situtation. m21 or nxt 2.0?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Best Sealant wax

btw. What would you guys prefer in my situtation. m21 or nxt 2.0?

Either one. They are very similar products.