the right products

[theracer]

my paint is metallic silver .
nice and clean .
first i was going to do swirlx ( just to clean it up)
second i was going to apply deep crystal polish #2 ( is this step needed ?)
and lastly nxt 2.0 , maybe 2 coats!!!!
what does anyone think, do i need the DC ?
or any suggestions would be appreciared.

thanks,roger

[3Fitty]

Re: the right products

How is the condition of the paint and what is the end result you are looking to achieve?

If the car is heavily swirled, you may want to invest in a G110. If not, here is what I would do:

Wash - NXT

Clay - Consumer Clay Kit

Clean - ColorX

Polish - M07 "Show Car Glaze" (Completely optional - cut this step out if you want to save time).

LSP - NXT 2.0 x 2 coats (12 hours a part if possible).

Maintain - UQD or UQW

Admire - Daily.

[3Fitty]

Re: the right products

If it is heavily swirled then I would definitely get a G110 (heck get one anyway, it's been the best detailing investment I've made).

If you get a G110.

Wash
Clay
Polish - M205 or move stronger as needed.
LSP - NXT 2.0 x 2

Admire even more than above.

[theracer]

Re: the right products

3fitty,
the paint is clean ,setting in garage and ready for detail, just a few dead spots (not shinny) if you look at it with inside lighting , outside(in the sun) it appears perfect.
would like to get a deep wet look if possible with the silver.

thanks ,roger

[wyseilmykkar]

Re: the right products

x2 on the clay kit.

My new truck is barely 4 months old and I couldn't believe the stuff my fingers felt on the paint when I was admiring the shine Last Touch left behind!

If you're looking for a nice deep gloss I wouldn't cut out the 2nd step if you're using the DC system.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: the right products

x3 for the clay. You are always amazed (at least I am) at what the clay pulls off the paint. The results are always due to proper preparation. This is a important step. You should clay at least once a year.

[3Fitty]

Re: the right products

3fitty,
the paint is clean ,setting in garage and ready for detail, just a few dead spots (not shinny) if you look at it with inside lighting , outside(in the sun) it appears perfect.
would like to get a deep wet look if possible with the silver.

thanks ,roger

You'll still want to clay, UNLESS the paint feels silky smooth. Given what you wrote, I'd still say:

Wash
Clay
ColorX
NXT 2.0 x 2
UQW or UQD

[theracer]

Re: the right products

Well i went home after work and did the hand rub test to see if I needed to clay , this is after i QD the top. And to my surprise its not as smooth as i thought it would be !!!!!!
Thanks guys , its now ---clay , ColorX , NXT2.0 x 2 -----
Will this give that silver a deep wet look ??? I HOPE SO !

Thanks, Roger

[3Fitty]

Re: the right products

If your method is good, the products will make that silver look great.

My opinion is that nothing will ever look as good as a pro with a rotary, but us hacks can do a pretty darned good job!!! Good luck, post pics when you're done.

[Bounty]

Re: the right products

...NXT2.0 x 2
Will this give that silver a deep wet look ??? I HOPE SO !...

No, but then you have to remember two things: 1. it's a synthetic sealant and not a carnauba wax and 2. your car is metallic silver.

Silver is one of the notoriously hard colors to acheive a deep and liquid appearence on. Synthetic sealants typically provide a highly reflective and "sharp" quality to paint. You can see every detailed reflection and there's lots of light reflectivity so your eyes see sparkle and the metallic flake. With a carnauba based wax, the liquidity is increased and light will produce a "shimmer" or "glowing" look but will also tend to dull down the flake somewhat.

In my case (after much experimentation) I have chosen to layer a carnauba wax over a cured coat of NXT 2.0 to get the best possible finish to my eyes. When I lay down the coat of NXT 2.0 you can immediately see the increase in shine, reflectivity, and optical clarity. The metallic flake is highly evident and in direct sunlight every curve and angle sparkles with reflected light.

After adding a layer of carnauba wax (Pinnacle Signature Series II is my preferred choice) the liquidity is increased and the car has the "wet look" you're referring to. The carnauba does mute the reflectivity but adds gloss and enhanced depth. One of the interesting optical effects on my particular paint is after layering the carnauba over the NXT, my car goes from a bright metallic silver to an almost bluish hue in certain lighting conditions due to the muting of the reflective metallic flake. If you're sticking with Meguiar's products then the Gold Class paste wax over one or two cured layers of NXT 2.0 looks quite good as well...

Here's a sample of the finished product with this technique:

[theracer]

Re: the right products

Thanks Bounty,
Think I will just stop with the 2 coats of NXT 2.0 from what you just
suggested. I guess I'm looking for more shine and metallic flake .
The flake is really fine ,so this step should bring it out , great !
You guys have been very helpful .
Now I got to get goin !
Thanks again , ROGER

THE SILVER BULLET