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**CieraSL** · Apr 9, 2009, 08:57 AM

Re: Newbie with a few Questions

Originally posted by hrmaddie View Post

I recently purchased a new car and obviously would like to keep a nice overall appearance (that is why I am here). Can someone comment on this list? My plan is to do everything by hand (scared of a rotary) and then have a professional once a year to correct any blemishes I am unable to by hand.

NXT Car Wash
Clay Kit
Speed Detailer (for in between uses)
Meguiars Tire Cleaner
APC Plus for engine detail
NXT 2.0 Wax
Interior Detailer
Meguiars Window Cleaner
Leather conditioner (not sure which one to get)
Lots of microfibers clothes for interior, drying, washing, etc

1)I'm not sure what polish I should use before waxing, any suggestions?

2)By doing everything by hand will I be introducing swirls to the paint?

3)Will the Meguiars interior cleaner leave a matte finish? From what I have read the answer is yes.

4)What do everyone use to clean the navigation screen, it is not a touch screen and the odometer screen?

5)Since the car is new is there anything I should apply to the headlights, or just wash and dry?

I would appreciate any comments.

Thanks

If you want to have a professional detailer do your car once a year, I would go with Nick Chapman. He's a professional detailer (and I do mean professional, not some hack detailer) who is a member here on Meguiar's Online and he is located in Dallas, TX. You can send him a private message if you have questions. Some items you might want to add to your arsenal:

(a) microfiber chenille mitt
(b) Ultimate Quick Wax
(c) Hot Shine tire gel or Endurance Tire gel
(d) Gold Class Leather Conditioner http://www.meguiars.com/estore/product_list.cfm?sectionname=Consumer%20(Meguiar%27s%20Brand)%3ECar%20Interior%20Care%3EAutomotive%20Leather%20Care&sectionID=12201
(e) Swirl X, Ultimate Compound, Scratch X 2.0
(f) Quik Out Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner

Here's the link to Meguiar's: http://www.meguiars.com/

Now answering your questions.
(1) M07 Show Car Glaze or Deep Crystal #2 Polish both work very well
(2) Not if your technique is right and you always use clean applicator pads and microfiber towels
(3) yes; Quick Interior Detailer doesn't leave a whole lot of protection, so if you want a clean looking finish with a slight shine you can follow up with Natural Shine
(4) Quick Interior Detailer
(5) No, you can just wax them when you wax your car

Hope this helps and answers some of your questions!

**MrCLRider** · Apr 9, 2009, 09:29 AM

Re: Newbie with a few Questions

I do not mean to try and correct you CieraSL, but I thought that 7 was a glaze which would provide no polish at all to him, in acutality he would want to use 7 after the wax, but from what I read it is somewhat difficult to get off.

All of CieraSL's recommendations besides the stated are very good.

**CieraSL** · Apr 9, 2009, 10:47 AM

Re: Newbie with a few Questions

Originally posted by MrCLRider View Post

I do not mean to try and correct you CieraSL, but I thought that 7 was a glaze which would provide no polish at all to him, in acutality he would want to use 7 after the wax, but from what I read it is somewhat difficult to get off.

All of CieraSL's recommendations besides the stated are very good.

Here's some information taken directly from meguiars.com:

M07 Show Car Glaze
"Show Car Glaze outshines all other hand applied polishes, glazes, waxes and sealants. Restores a dazzling, deep, wet shine. Show Car Glaze does not dry white and is safe and effective on all paint finishes."

Deep Crystal Polish
"Deep Crystal® System Polish is a pure polish specially formulated for dark-colored cars. Clear coat safe, the formula creates a brilliant, high gloss finish by conditioning and nourishing paint through the replenishment of valuable oils. This makes dark colors darker and reflections deeper. It’s that extra step necessary to create an amazing wet-look show car shine."

From Autogeek:
"Meguiar’s #7 Show Car Glaze is a true high-yield polish with no protective qualities. Be certain to follow application with a coat of top-quality wax such as Meguiar’s Premium Paint Protection or Meguiar’s Hi-Tech Paste Wax #26. The rich emollients and nourishing oils in #7 Show Car Glaze produce a very deep, heavy mirror-gloss shine. #7 is safe to use on all paints and clear coats." (http://www.autogeek.net/meg7showcarg.html)

From Auto Detailing Solutions:
"For those of you who love a hand-rubbed finish, this superb glaze is guaranteed to give you that deep, wet shine prized among car collectors. This polish will outshine all other hand-applied polishes, glazes, waxes or sealants. It won't dry white, and it's safe and effective on all paint finishes. Used as part of your 5-Step Surface Care Cycle, Show Car Glaze is just one of many Secrets of the Pros that add up to a superlative appearance for your treasured automobile." (http://www.autodetailingsolutions.net/m0716.html)

M07 is listed with the Mirror Glaze products under the Pure Polishes section. I've used both, and I feel they're fairly similar, but you are correct that M07 is a bit harder to remove. I think he could go with either one and be perfectly fine. And since M07 is a polish, it would need to be applied before wax. Wax is your LSP (Last Step Product), and the only thing you would apply after that would be maintenance with a quick wax or quick detailer.

**MrCLRider** · Apr 9, 2009, 10:57 AM

Re: Newbie with a few Questions

you have put me in my place, sorry sir.

**Murr1525** · Apr 9, 2009, 11:52 AM

Re: Newbie with a few Questions

And now for something completly different...

Instead of just a polish, (and esp if you want to keep things simple), I would go with one of the cleaner/waxes before waxing. the consumer line Cleaner/Wax or ColorX would be good choices.

And I would try to leave screens and gauges alone as much as possible, then QID when needed.

**Mike Phillips** · Apr 9, 2009, 12:56 PM

Re: Newbie with a few Questions

Originally posted by Murr1525 View Post

And now for something completely different...

Monty Python?

Back to the polish question,

If your paint is defect free and you just want to try to maximize gloss then you could use a pure or non-abrasive polish like the #7 Show Car Glaze.

If you think your paint needs some cleaning, as in removing stains, etchings, swirls, scratches, etc., then you want to using something with some cleaning ability and #7 Show Car Glaze would be the wrong product.

Instead a light paint cleaner like Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner or SwirlX would be better or a light cleaner/polish from our Professional Line like M09 Swirl Remover 2.0

For all of these you would apply using a foam or microfiber applicator pad, apply to a small section at at time, about a foot squared or so, work the product over this section for about a minute and then wipe if off and move on to a new section but be sure to overlap a little into the previous section so all the paint surface is equally worked.

You continue this until you've gone all the way around the car. This is called the cleaning step, (not polishing although if you do a good job the paint should look polished).

Now that the paint is clean and smooth, now you would either go straight to wax, or if like as an option you could apply a pure polish like the #7 and then follow this with a wax or paint sealant.

Make sense?

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle
Wash
Clay
Clean
Polish - Optional Step
Protect

Have you read this?

Which products need to dry before removing?

Or this,

The words Clean and Cleaning as defined by Meguiar's terminology

**CieraSL** · Apr 9, 2009, 01:03 PM

Re: Newbie with a few Questions

I agree with Mike. DC2 or M07 work best if you have a scratch and swirl-free finish. I assumed your finish was in relatively good shape since it was a new car, but you'll have to assess the paint and see before you apply a polish. If your car has any defects but they are very light, I would use DC1 or Cleaner Wax; if the defects are a little more severe, I'd step up to Swirl X or Ultimate Compound. Then you can go to M07 or DC2 and follow up with NXT 2.0. Best of luck to you!

**Murr1525** · Apr 9, 2009, 01:27 PM

Re: Newbie with a few Questions

Originally posted by Mike Phillips View Post

Monty Python?

**hrmaddie** · Apr 10, 2009, 04:59 AM

Re: Newbie with a few Questions

Thanks for the replies. So far the paint is defect free. I have the ability to park it in the garage and drive my 9 year old truck when it is raining or bad weather looms. I'm looking forward to washing it next weekend and making my Meguiar purchases this week.

**hrmaddie** · Apr 10, 2009, 07:28 AM

Re: Newbie with a few Questions

Thanks for the replies. I've spent countless hours reading, reading and even more reading. My wife says I'm obsessed and refers to my new car as my girlfriend, but that is okay with me. I'm compiling my list of products so I can place my order this afternoon.

**MrCLRider** · Apr 10, 2009, 07:39 AM

Re: Newbie with a few Questions

oh no, just be prepared to have to delete some items from your list, my first cart was like 400, but had to trim it down to 275...

**That Sam Guy** · Apr 10, 2009, 12:39 PM

Re: Newbie with a few Questions

Originally posted by hrmaddie View Post

Thanks for the replies. I've spent countless hours reading, reading and even more reading. My wife says I'm obsessed and refers to my new car as my girlfriend, but that is okay with me. I'm compiling my list of products so I can place my order this afternoon.

lol I got the same reaction to learning how to get rid of the swirls. Obsessed HA!

Originally posted by MrCLRider View Post

oh no, just be prepared to have to delete some items from your list, my first cart was like 400, but had to trim it down to 275...

isn't one of the golden rules to....

Originally posted by Mike Phillips View Post

KISS = Keep it Simple Simon

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