Help! Where do I start?

[Armadadad]

Hello this is first post but have been lurking for about 3 weeks now. I just got my first black truck, its a 2008 and Im starting to see that there are swirl marks also from some of the research I've done, I notice that the paint has orange peel texture. Im totally sold on Megs products. I started washing my truck with Megs Gold Class with great results. Now I just need to know where do I go from there.
One question I have is
Whats the difference between polishing and waxing?

I appreciate any advice on how to start....
thanks

[Murr1525]

Re: Help! Where do I start?

Dont worry, keep it simple. Here are some links as far as how to wash properly, and removing siwlrs.

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle
Step 1 Wash
Step 2 Clean
Step 3 Polish
Step 4 Protect
Step 5 Maintain

Suggested Products for Taking Care of a New Car

How to Wash Your Car Show Car Style

What it Means to Remove a Scratch

How To Remove Swirls By Hand

How To Remove a Bird Dropping Etching by Hand using M105 Ultra Cut Compound

How to correctly apply ScratchX to remove swirls and scratches

Rotary vs. PC vs. Regular Orbital Buffer

Recommended Products - G100a Dual Action Polisher

Using the G-100 to remove swirls with the Professional Line

1986 Ford Bronco II - Extreme Makeover

Each one, teach one... Ferrari Fiorano 355 F1 Spider

If you want to keep it simple for now, do this:

1. Wash - 2 buckets ,etc as shown in video.
2. Clay - Smooth Surface clay kit
3. ColorX
4. Wax - Nxt 2.0

Waxing is putting on a layer of wax/selant to protectthe paint.
Polishing is putting a pure polish o nthe paint, so the oils fill in imperfections and moisturize the paint.

Hope that helps, ask away.

[akimel]

Re: Help! Where do I start?

As Mat (Murr 1525) states, keep it simple. You have purchased yourself a black car, which is the most wonderful color car to have; but maintaining it is a lifetime vocation. The most important thing to do is to adopt a regular detailing regimen. Such a regimen will not prevent the swirling of your paint--which is probably impossible on a black daily driver--but at least it will keep your car looking very good. Here is a daily driver regimen that I formulated, based on the advice and instruction of MOL members. You may find it of interest:

Needed stuff:

Gold Class Car Wash
Microfiber wash mitt
Microfiber waffle-weave drying towel
Microfiber towels (more the merrier)
Tire/wheel brush
2-4 foam or microfiber applicators
Meguiar's Clay Bar kit
Cleaner Wax or ColorX
NXT Generation Tech Wax or HiTech Yellow Wax (M26)

Every one or two weeks:

1) Wash your car:

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 a synthetic chamois called the Absorber.

Every two months:

2) Inspect paint surface. Gently run your hand over the surface. Is it smooth as glass? Do you feel bumps and rough spots? If you do, you need to clay your car:

How to Claybar Your Car


Typically, you will only need to claybar your car twice a year.

3) Apply a coat of Cleaner Wax or ColorX. (Given that you have a new car, you may want to use Cleaner Wax, as it is a gentler product. ColorX, though, will be more effective in removing swirls.) Massage and work it into the paint. You are working it into and against the paint because you are hoping to clean the paint and remove light swirls, oxidization, and previous layers of wax. Allow it to haze and buff off.

Wait 15-30 minutes.

4) Apply a thin coat of NXT or M26. Allow to haze and then buff off.

Stand back and admire your car.

Keep it simple and keep it fun! Good luck!

[Maserati Mario]

Re: Help! Where do I start?

If you can make it there a Thursday Night Garage to night!
You can learn first hand!
Click here to sign-up!

If not, they are held every 2 weeks
2009 Thursday Night "Open Garage" Schedule

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Help! Where do I start?

Since it is your first post.

Hello and welcome to mol.

[Tuck91]

Re: Help! Where do I start?

Welcome to MOL

What kind of truck do you have?

[JamieR]

Re: Help! Where do I start?

Coming here was the best start you could have made, tons of awesome advice.
I also own a black truck, and have come to realize how much I like the colour silver. I'm just kidding, sort of...mine seems to swirl just by looking at it...

[Armadadad]

Re: Help! Where do I start?

Thanks everyone for the very kind welcome!

We're blessed to be rollin in a 2008 Nissan Armada.

With all the research I've done, Im finding that Megs is the best, hands down, no question.

All input will be heavily considered and I hope that I can make out to Megs Garage Nite! Hope to see you there!

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Help! Where do I start?

Hoping to get some pictures up from last nights class but having a little technical difficulty.

Here's the schedule,

Thursday Night "Open Classes" for 2009
2009 Thursday Night "Open Garage" Schedule


They're a lot of fun and educational too plus good pizza and cold soda pop!