Question about waxes

[Hemo2]

Sorry to ask a question that is probably old news to most folks here, but I'm hoping to get a bit more info.

My wife and I just purchased a beautiful new 2009 Cadillac CTS. The color is Thunder Gray Chromaflair.

Obviously car care is an important question and I'm looking at Meguiar's products for the first time. We've only had the vehicle less than 2 weeks and haven't washed or waxed it yet. (Kind of need winter to break it's cold grip on our part of the country first!) The problem I'm having is there are so many different products that it is making it hard for me to identify the best route.

I'm looking at the waxes and I'm not sure which one would be best, or if it really matters. Does anyone have an opinion on the below 3 and which might be a good choice for our new vehicle?

- Cleaner Wax
- NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0
- Gold Class

These are all paste waxes, but I see there are some liquid ones too. Would a paste be better than liquid, or does it really matter?

I've read a lot about claying the car before waxing, but I'm terrified to do that. It just seems like that would cause swirls and micro scratches everywhere, so since the car is brand new, I was hoping that step wouldn't be necessary and I could move to a simpler approach of washing and then waxing. I see Meguiar's recommends an optional step of polishing, but when I looked at the Deep Crystal polish on their website, it mentions it is designed to help eliminate fine hairline scratches, which makes me think it's a bit abbrassive, so of course that has me a bit shy to do that.

Also, would the paint job of our car cause us any concerns? I can't imagine it would, but since the Thunder Gray Chromaflair has added cost to the vechile, I figured I would ask if it being a metallic style paint adds any concerns to the mix or if one product is better than another.

Thank you for any advice given.

Keith

[Murr1525]

Re: Question about waxes

If it were me, I would do this:

1. Wash - Gold Class soap, 2 buckets, quality mitts, towels, etc.
2. Clay - Smooth Surface clay Kit, and pick up an extra bottle of Quick Detailer.
3. Cleaner/Wax or ColorX
4. Wax - Nxt 2.0

- Claying wont instill swirls if you use plenty of lube, and is definitely a good idea.
- Deep Crystal Polish has no abrasives, the label basically means that it fills in swirls.

[AeroCleanse]

Re: Question about waxes

If it were me, I would do this:

1. Wash - Gold Class soap, 2 buckets, quality mitts, towels, etc.
2. Clay - Smooth Surface clay Kit, and pick up an extra bottle of Quick Detailer.
3. Cleaner/Wax or ColorX
4. Wax - Nxt 2.0

- Claying wont instill swirls if you use plenty of lube, and is definitely a good idea.
- Deep Crystal Polish has no abrasives, the label basically means that it fills in swirls.

I agree with you there, not sure if #3 would be needed or not, depends on the state of the car. I would use NTX 2.0 liquid myself.

[Tuck91]

Re: Question about waxes

I would purchase these products and use this process

Wash- Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner

Washing/Drying tools:

-Microfiber Wash Mitt
-Water Magnet Microfiber Drying Towel

Clay: Smooth Surface Clay Kit, comes with QD, and a free Supreme Shine Microfiber and a sample of Cleaner Wax.

clean/polish/protect: COLORx, apply with foam applicator pads and remove with a high quality towel, such as the Supreme Shine that comes in the Smooth Surface Clay Kit.

Then top it all off with a nice coat of NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0 , i prefer the liquid version.

Then after each time you wash your car use a quik detailer to maintain that awesome just waxed look.

have fun!

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Question about waxes

With the products and steps recommended above you will have a great looking CTS for years to come.

Even due to the fact your car is new, you will probably be surprised at the above surface contaminants that the clay will remove. IMHO a very important step in maintaining your paint.

Enjoy your new car!

[Hemo2]

Re: Question about waxes

Thanks for the info folks. Looks like I'll have to order a few things as our local stores don't carry most of this stuff.

Keith

[Murr1525]

Re: Question about waxes

autodetailingsolutions.com is a good place to shop, and you can get a Grit Guard or two if you order from them.

[termigator69]

Re: Question about waxes

You guys don't have Advance Auto there? They would have everything that was mentioned.

[akimel]

Re: Question about waxes

Hemo, you might find this article helpful: Your Daily Driver: A Simple Wash & Wax Regimen. Given that your car is new, I would use Cleaner Wax instead of ColorX. It will clean your paint and provide you with a coat of protection. Top it with NXT. You will be very pleased.

[Tuck91]

Re: Question about waxes

ColorX will actually not be as aggressive as one might think when worked in gently with a foam applicator pad, and not worked in aggressively. but like akimel mentioned, Cleaner Wax is an awesome product as well and if you buy the Smooth Surface Clay kit then you get a free sample of it to test out.

Some of this stuff is peronal preference and what you like and feel comfortable using.

Have fun!

[Hemo2]

Re: Question about waxes

Termigator, no I'm afraid we don't have that store. There is a local Car Quest but it's closed. I've ordered some items earlier tonight and will wait for them to arrive.

Thanks guys for the additional links and info!

I do have another question, or rather would like to verify the process.

- Wash & dry.
- Clay using plenty of Quick Detailer as a lubricant. (Do I rub in a straight line or circular motion? I'm still a bit nervous about doing this!)
- Wax the car using the Cleaner Wax.
- Wax the car using the NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0. (Basically I'd wax the car twice?)
- Use a detailer to shine the car after I wash the car the next time. (Would the Ultimate Quik Detailer be an appropriate choice?)

Sorry to be a bit anal on this, but the car is so darn gorgeous (and expensive) that I don't want to screw up the clear coat finish or paint.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Question about waxes

I do have another question, or rather would like to verify the process.

- Wash & dry.
- Clay using plenty of Quick Detailer as a lubricant. (Do I rub in a straight line or circular motion? I'm still a bit nervous about doing this!)

Claying is easy, watch this video,

How to use detailing clay video

- Wax the car using the Cleaner Wax.
- Wax the car using the NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0. (Basically I'd wax the car twice?)

If the car is brand new, after claying you should be able to go straight to the NXT Tech Wax and skip the paint cleaning step. New paint should be in great condition to start with.

- Use a detailer to shine the car after I wash the car the next time. (Would the Ultimate Quik Detailer be an appropriate choice?)

Ultimate Quik Detailer would be a great choice, you'll love this product on your car's color of paint.

[Murr1525]

Re: Question about waxes

Just remember the UQD is not for claying.

[akimel]

Re: Question about waxes

I do have another question, or rather would like to verify the process.

- Wash & dry.
- Clay using plenty of Quick Detailer as a lubricant. (Do I rub in a straight line or circular motion? I'm still a bit nervous about doing this!)
- Wax the car using the Cleaner Wax.
- Wax the car using the NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0. (Basically I'd wax the car twice?)
- Use a detailer to shine the car after I wash the car the next time. (Would the Ultimate Quik Detailer be an appropriate choice?)

Sorry to be a bit anal on this, but the car is so darn gorgeous (and expensive) that I don't want to screw up the clear coat finish or paint.

Hemo, be assured that you aren't going to mess up your paint by using the products that have been suggested. What is going to mess up your paint is the environment and driving conditions--industrial pollution, rain, tree sap, bird doo, dirt and grime, etc. Even washing your car may swirl your paint. Sadly, this is inevitable. Your challenge is to clean, protect, and maintain the paint. If you haven't done so yet, please read this article:

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

Also:

In Praise of Cleaner Wax

As Mike P. has mentioned, given that your car is new, you will not need to apply a paint cleaner or cleaner wax after you have clayed. Two coats of NXT will be perfect. But later on down the road, after you have driven your car a bit, you will will want to incorporate a cleaning agent (e.g., Cleaner Wax) into your maintenance routine.

At this point the single most important thing you can do is to learn how to hand wash your car properly. Avoid the mechanical car washes. Watch this Mike Phillip's video on the two bucket car wash:



Good luck and have fun!

Cheers,
Al

[Hemo2]

Re: Question about waxes

Thanks Mike and Murr and Al for the info and helping comfort my concerns! Yes, the car is brand new and in perfect condition. So I think I will bypass using the Cleaner Wax and use the NXT Tech Wax. I'll make sure to only use the Quick Detailer during the claying process and use the Ultimate Quik Detailer for maintenance of the shine after I wash next time.