Teach me!

[Angry_Inch]

Ok, I want my car to look it's best. I have a 2001 Lincoln LS, which I adore, and has since caused me to become an enthusiast. When weather permitting, I wash my car often, and wax it as needed. It is currently exposed to the elements, but that will change when I buy my new house and it's nice garage!

The last time I cleaned/waxed my car, I used some dishwashing soap to remove wax. then clayed my car (first time, I was impressed by the results), used some ScratchX, but was disappointed by the results (primarily because I used the product incorretly) followed by a couple coats of NXT.

Keeping mind I am old-school and prefer to do this by hand, what products and/or rituals to you guys reccomend? I want to get my car's paint to the best it will. By hand.

Did I mention I prefer not to use buffers and would rather to do it by hand?

Give me a nice shopping list!

Mucho Danke!

[travisdecpn]

I'd say try the meg's 3-step DC system. Instead of the carnuba wax in the 3rd step, use your nxtx2. I would also say to clay first and stay away from dish soap. Use NXT car wash, it is amazing. Good luck.

[Marc08EX]

First of all, you need to keep in mind that your results would be limited when you're applying things by hand. That being said, I would highly advice reading this article. How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX This would help eliminate the minor and light swirl marks in your car's finish. (Assuming you do it correctly this time.) After, you can use a pure polish to enhance your paint's richness and gloss. This procedure would "moisturize" the paint's condition to give it more oils and give it a more healthy look. You could either get #7 Show Car Glaze or #81 Hand Polish and apply it normally... You should keep in mind that pure polishes don't need to dry. As you apply the product in one panel, you could remove it right after using a microfiber towel. A lot of members here had a hard time removing the pure polish once it had dried up. After this step, you can now apply NXT Tech Wax like you did. Please post pics when you're done!

Hope this helps.

[Angry_Inch]

No doubt, I have some decent before pics of a decent look, but it's not enough. Once I get it a little more to what I want, I iwll post for sure.

I was reading some other posts, and people are suggesting another product as opposed to ScratchX.. any idea?

[Don]

Originally posted by Angry_Inch
No doubt, I have some decent before pics of a decent look, but it's not enough. Once I get it a little more to what I want, I iwll post for sure.

I was reading some other posts, and people are suggesting another product as opposed to ScratchX.. any idea?

Tell us specifically what you're trying to accomplish, or what the defect/problem you're trying to deal with, and we can be of more help.

[ftboomer]

Hey Mike, Welcome to the boards.

[Angry_Inch]

Well, my paint has a few minor chips/scratches, but are in spots I am not so worried about. It does have a bunch of swirl marks and other very light scratches that I think can be worked out... but I need to learn.

I can bring it to a decent shine, and it can be better, no doubt.

So I guess I am trying to accomplish 2 things.. a way to cover up those nasty swirlies. Secondly, I need to get a better idea of how to maximize my shine. Well, in 2 ways.. The first way would be a 'general' wax/shine for weekends, and a 'top-notch' way for when I take my car to shows.

Teach me, I am your sponge.

[Don]

Originally posted by Bri
How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX
Hope this helps.

Well, I would have to agree with Bri on this, read, and real well grasshopper

[Angry_Inch]

Boomer! I knew I would see someone I knew!

LLSOC UNITE!