Meguiars 3 step Deep crystal - how to apply and halograms under certain light

[starchland]

hey guys, I searched around a bit, however didnt really find what I was looking for. I recently applied meguairs 3 step system (cleaner,polish, and wax) and it went well, i was most surprised by the cleaner and how smooth and clean it made the paint...and the swirls seemed to just disappear. However I had a few questions/problems...

1) Is there a better guide at how to apply this set of products by hand? The back of the bottle is fairly vague for me (i.e. apply proudct, wipe off with clean tower kinda deal)

2) The car looks great, however under certain lighting, say near dusk, when the sun is low in the sky pointing at the car (its a black honda) I can see rub marks(very small swirling), or what appears to be halograms...the marks kinda follow where i would have buffed it off...maybe there is still product on the car? I dont think its dirt i was very cafeful...maybe the polish or something has scratched the paint? however the cob webbing is smaller in comparison than to common swirling. other than this fine swirling...the car looks excellent, the paint is smooth and shiny and slippery to the touch.

3) The 2nd part (Polish) was very hard to remove! Is this just a simple apply/let dry/buff off kinda deal? Did I apply too much? Am i supposed to be buffing it out? I had to rub it off with quite a bit of pressure...almost was afriad of denting my hood...or is this normal since we are at the polishing stage???

Hopefully you guys can help a noob...thanks! also I will try to capture what im talking about with some pictures. thanks in advance.

[fe91]

Re: Meguiars 3 step Deep crystal - how to apply and halograms under certain light

1. paint cleaners: do about a 16x16 in section, and work the product in for 30-60 seconds. Wipe off after done
polish: Work it into your paint, much like you apply lotion onto your skin. Then wipe off, dont let dry
wax: Just spread evenly on your paint, let it haze, about 15 min, then wipe off

2. Its very possible it could just be left over product, ive done it before. Dont notice i missed a spot till a couple hours later


3. you dont let polish dry
only products you let dry are waxes
otherwise, all others, after your done working them in, you wipe off

Feel free to correct me if im wrong

[CieraSL]

Re: Meguiars 3 step Deep crystal - how to apply and halograms under certain light

DC1 (the paint cleaner) is not very aggressive at all, so while it will remove some swirls, it will not remove all of them. Next time you want to do the 3-step system, you might switch out DC1 for SwirlX or Ultimate Compound, since they are more aggressive and will accomplish more. With regards to the polish, did you let it dry? Polish is not supposed to dry - it's a wipe on, wipe off sort of deal. Apply it very thin to small sections, and then wipe it off. DC2 is a pure polish with no cleaning capabilities, so you don't have to work it into the paint. If you'd like to bump up the shine even more, you can use NXT Tech Wax 2.0 instead of DC3. Most MOL members who have used it swear by it. I know I do.

By the way, to MOL!

[starchland]

Re: Meguiars 3 step Deep crystal - how to apply and halograms under certain light

ok thanks guys will take it into consideration. Hopefully its just left over product. But I also learned to leave a whole day open for this type of work, and I will remember next time to work in small sections...possibly one body panel each time I wash until I get the hang of it. I understand how the paint cleaner isnt very aggressive...thats what I like about it so I dont make any noob mistakes. I was hesitant about using SwirlX on the whole car since I was under the impression it was only for spot correction, and from my experience found the DC1 to be a tad more effective at cleaning and getting rid of swirls (but my experience is limited).

Yes, I applied too much polish I believe after reading what you guys said...I put it on quite thick. And I did let it DRY...noob mistake. :p It was a PAIN to get off. So how does the polish work? is it a chemical process? or what?!

I will consider NXT 2.0 later on...or is gold class better? (I guess thats a thread in itself hehe...however id pick whatever smells better :p)

I hope I can get decent results by hand...I sure hope my issues arent related to working by hand...but probably trying to work too much of an area too fast.

thanks for the tips and warm welcome!

[akimel]

Re: Meguiars 3 step Deep crystal - how to apply and halograms under certain light

But I also learned to leave a whole day open for this type of work.

Only a whole day? I find myself needing two whole days ... but I'm old and slow.

[akimel]

Re: Meguiars 3 step Deep crystal - how to apply and halograms under certain light

Starchland, you might consider saving your pennies for a dual-action polisher, as you will find it more effective, less time-consuming, and less tiresome (perhaps) than hand application.

I well understand your decision to go first with DC1, so as to minimize the consequences of any noob mistakes. But DC1 is being discontinued. SwirlX is now the go-to consumer-line product. I think you will find it just as easy to work with as DC1 (now that you know you are not supposed to allow it to dry) and more effective at removing swirls and defects. I do not think you need be anxious about using it. Just read up about it here on MOL and you will be fine. As mentioned above by fe91, work it one small area at a time, and then wipe it off with a clean microfiber towel (check out Mike P's instructions).

NXT 2.0 and Gold Class each have their fans, but NXT is the overwhelming favorite here on MOL.

Congratulations on surviving your first major detailing attempt. It will all go much better the second time.

Cheers,
Al

[Eddie6th]

Re: Meguiars 3 step Deep crystal - how to apply and halograms under certain light

Well said everyone.polish should be wiped off immediatley.

[starchland]

Re: Meguiars 3 step Deep crystal - how to apply and halograms under certain light

Starchland, you might consider saving your pennies for a dual-action polisher, as you will find it more effective, less time-consuming, and less tiresome (perhaps) than hand application.

I well understand your decision to go first with DC1, so as to minimize the consequences of any noob mistakes. But DC1 is being discontinued. SwirlX is now the go-to consumer-line product. I think you will find it just as easy to work with as DC1 (now that you know you are not supposed to allow it to dry) and more effective at removing swirls and defects. I do not think you need be anxious about using it. Just read up about it here on MOL and you will be fine. As mentioned above by fe91, work it one small area at a time, and then wipe it off with a clean microfiber towel (check out Mike P's instructions).

NXT 2.0 and Gold Class each have their fans, but NXT is the overwhelming favorite here on MOL.

Congratulations on surviving your first major detailing attempt. It will all go much better the second time.

Cheers,
Al

appreciate the info and support. I will definately look into the polisher as that also seems the way most people graduate to. are you on s2ki?

[starchland]

Re: Meguiars 3 step Deep crystal - how to apply and halograms under certain light

sorry guys, in my earlier post I was reffering to SwirlX - however I was confusing it with scratchX - which im assuming is a spot treatment and more aggressive than SwirlX.

[Murr1525]

Re: Meguiars 3 step Deep crystal - how to apply and halograms under certain light

If SwirlX isnt strong enough for your paint/problem, there would be nothing wrong with ScratchXing everything. And then if the ScratcHX wasnt strong enough, you can Ultimate Compound everything.

Test spots first of course.

[starchland]

Re: Meguiars 3 step Deep crystal - how to apply and halograms under certain light

ok thanks guys...I think the DC1 is perfect for my paint and what I want to do. I just need to work on the application part

thanks everyone its been a great help...and hopefully will continue to input

[starchland]

Re: Meguiars 3 step Deep crystal - how to apply and halograms under certain light

Small Update:

Well, I hadnt washed my car since I posted this thread and had applied the 3 step system.

I have come to learn a few things after doing some more test spots to see if I could fix the swirling/marring that looked to be left after the 3 step system. My paint, under certain lighting, looked great but other lighting it looked like the larger swirling(from washing,etc) was gone, replaced with tiny swirling left from the? My guess was the Cleaner or polish.

Well, after attempting some smaller areas I found that, and anyone else having problems (see black car haha) I ask them to keep this steps in mind and I can almost guarantee you will have great results:

Slow and steady. Take your time. Clear your schedule. If you do ONE panel every time you wash your car, then so be it. The end result WILL be better than rushing the whole car.

Clean. Keep everything as clean as possible. Try to do this inside or on a day where the wind is calm. Replace your microfibres often.

Break it down. Work in the product well, but dont let cleaners or polishes to dry. Only wax dries. Remove with a clean cloth. Avoid heat and direct sunlight. This will evaporate and dry the product leaving you rushing.

The biggest problem I had, was rushing it and hence wasnt allowing the product to break down (see diminishing abrasives) and hence wasnt getting a smooth,clean, and swirl free finish. After taking my time, I have noticed a world of difference.

Cheers and Goodluck!

[Eddie6th]

Re: Meguiars 3 step Deep crystal - how to apply and halograms under certain light

I find the step 1 cleaner works really well on an untreated car and brings it's color back to life,and step 2 enhances this even further. While step 1 removes a lot of contamination,I couldn't get the same results as with claying.At least not in the same time span.