Cleaner Wax vs ColorX

[Nagaz]

Re: Cleaner Wax vs ColorX

First and foremost, thanks to all of you for the assistance. It really has made hings a lot clearer.

After reading all these post, the term abrasive no longer instills the fear-of-god in me. It now makes sense that clean is clean... Cleaning something more then once wont actually make it any cleaner.

That being said, i would assume that either of the following would be suitable for my situation...

- Wash
- Clay
- DCPC
- NXT Wax 2.0 x 2 coats

OR

- Wash
- Clay
- ColorX
- NXT Wax 2.0

Fundamentally, would these two procedures be the same or would one have an advantage over the other? I am leaning to the ColorX option as from a lot of reading suggests that ColorX and NXT2.0 are basically a match made in heaven...

Thanks again!!

Nagaz

[Murr1525]

Re: Cleaner Wax vs ColorX

Hi Murr,

With that being said, does ColorX actually remove any of the CC? I understand that it can assist in removing very light swirls, but with repeated use (4 - 5 times a year) will it have an adverse effect on the CC?

Other then that, what would you recommend for a new un-garaged daily driver?

Cheers,
Nagaz

If you wanted to remove swirls, I wouldnt even bother with ColorX. I find it too mild to easily do that by hand.

Will ColorX remove some CC? Yes. So will washing the car, waxing, rain, wind....

The key is that it is not enough to bother with.

I think you will find that if you ColorX and Nxt 2.0, then wash regularly and follow up with UQW, you wont even be using them to often at all.

[Murr1525]

Re: Cleaner Wax vs ColorX

First and foremost, thanks to all of you for the assistance. It really has made hings a lot clearer.

After reading all these post, the term abrasive no longer instills the fear-of-god in me. It now makes sense that clean is clean... Cleaning something more then once wont actually make it any cleaner.

That being said, i would assume that either of the following would be suitable for my situation...

- Wash
- Clay
- DCPC
- NXT Wax 2.0 x 2 coats

OR

- Wash
- Clay
- ColorX
- NXT Wax 2.0

Fundamentally, would these two procedures be the same or would one have an advantage over the other? I am leaning to the ColorX option as from a lot of reading suggests that ColorX and NXT2.0 are basically a match made in heaven...

Thanks again!!

Nagaz

The fact that ColorX is probably a hair stronger than DC Cleaner, and that ColorX has polish in it, I would go with it. Then use something stronger if/when you need to remove defects.

[kaptain_zero]

Re: Cleaner Wax vs ColorX

Nagaz,

Either of those two procedures is fine.... pick the one that appeals to you.


Regards

Christian

[HealthyCivic]

Re: Cleaner Wax vs ColorX

I'm sure ColorX + NXT 2.0 is a fine combo. In fact, who knows (maybe Mike can step in here), maybe ColorX could help the NXT 2.0 bond better. However, cleaner-waxes like ColorX were developed to "polish, wax, and shine all in one simple-to-use step. Let’s face it, most of us just don’t have the time to spend even a few hours detailing our cars, though we might like to" (AutoGeek). In other words, it's designed to combine 2 steps into one. However, with your list as using ColorX and THEN Tech Wax 2.0, it seems redundant and like it cancels out the whole purpose of ColorX in the first place. If I was going to be using NXT 2.0, I would use a regular paint cleaner like SwirlX beforehand rather than a cleaner wax because I'm already going to be putting a wax on after anyway. Plus, SwirlX is newer and has more advanced technology than ColorX so you can bet it may even clean the paint better/more efficiently.

As I said, it's totally up to you and it sounds like many people support ColorX + NXT 2.0 but hopefully I explained myself well.

[Murr1525]

Re: Cleaner Wax vs ColorX

Well, a proper/complete detail would be:

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. DC Cleaner
4. DC Polish
5. Wax
6. Wax

OR:

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. SwirlX
4. Wax
5. Wax

OR:

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. ColorX
4. Wax

So ColorX does not cancel out anything, and still cuts out a step. And if you wanted to only do one coat of wax, then it is even quicker.

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. ColorX

Of course, being an all-in-one, you lose some benefits of individual products, but it is all trade-offs for time.

[Nagaz]

Re: Cleaner Wax vs ColorX

Hi all,

Well, from what everyone has said, there is really no definitive right or wrong answer to my query.. That being said, I am still not quite sure exactly what I will go and purchase. Luckily I still have time on my side as my car isnt getting delivered until October.

I think, at this stage, I will go with the following:
- Wash
- Clay
- ColorX
- Wax
but I am also thinking that I might follow Murr's suggestion of

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. DC Cleaner
4. DC Polish
5. Wax
6. Wax

Is either process better then the other or is it really just in the eye-of-the-beholder?

Finally, I have a DA that has been recommended my Meg's Australia when the Meg's DA was not yet available here. Again, as a total n00b here, what pads should I use to apply the products (save me from starting another thread at a later date if I change my process)???
- DCPC
- DC Polish
- ColorX
- NXT Wax 2.0

Thanks again for your assistance...

Nagaz

[akimel]

Re: Cleaner Wax vs ColorX

Nagaz, you may find this of interest: Your Daily Driver: A Simple Wash & Wax Regimen.

[Nagaz]

Re: Cleaner Wax vs ColorX

Nagaz, you may find this of interest: Your Daily Driver: A Simple Wash & Wax Regimen.

Thanks akimel.. I have read through the post and numerous posts like it but am still a bit unsure of the pads to use. I believe all these can be applied by DA but i am unsure of the pads... I was thinking Polishing pad for DCPC, DC Polish and ColorX, and a finishing pad for the wax... Am I on the right line here???

Thanks again...

Any other advice received is GREATLY appreciated!!!

[kaptain_zero]

Re: Cleaner Wax vs ColorX

Nagaz,

Al's link to the "Simple wash & Wax regimen" spells it out perfectly. Follow it and you car will look fantastic.

Keeping your car clean with frequent, gentle washes will ensure your car is always looking great.

No wax/sealant on this earth will protect your paint from a bad washing technique.

Any wax/sealant applied to your paint is a sacrificial layer and must be renewed regularly. The easier and more simple the application of this sacrificial layer, the more often you are likely to do it on a daily driver. The more often you apply such a product, the less important it's longevity becomes.

Pure polishes add nothing in the way of protection, they are non-drying oils meant to give the car that show car wet paint look. It won't harm anything, and can make your car look great, but it's added work that might cause you to put off doing it until you have more time......... the longer you go between waxing means more opportunity for stuff to get firmly stuck to your paint, making your cleaning step more difficult.

Keep it simple, do it well and do it often. If you do, you'll have a great looking car for a loooong time.


Pads: There are 3 basic types of pads:

Cutting Pads: Used for paint correction with abrasive products.

Polishing Pads: Used for polishes, either straight oils or ones with very fine abrasives to remove marring left from the paint correction step, swirls and other minor damage from washing etc. Also works great with AIO type products.

Finishing pads: Used for applying Last Step Products such as waxes and sealants.



So, you can use a Polishing Pad with:

DCPC
DC Polish
ColorX


You can use a Finishing pad with :

All final step products like NXT, M26 etc. etc.


Some pad manufacturers (Lake Country for example) have many grades of pads but they all fit within the 3 basic categories and which exact pad you need will be up to you as there are so many variables. Meguiars makes it simple by not having so many choices.... I don't have access to reasonable priced Megs pads here so I've had to choose LC pads but they are all good pads.

Good luck with your new ride.

Regards

Christian

[Black300]

Re: Cleaner Wax vs ColorX

I still have cleaner wax, would it be ok going with that instead of color x? I also have ultimate compound but only use that for water spot removal? Then after using cleaner wax (if it's ok instead of color x) follow up with nxt 2.0 wax?

[Larry A]

Re: Cleaner Wax vs ColorX

I still have cleaner wax, would it be ok going with that instead of color x? I also have ultimate compound but only use that for water spot removal? Then after using cleaner wax (if it's ok instead of color x) follow up with nxt 2.0 wax?

Cleaner wax should work fine to prep the paint for NXT2.

[kaptain_zero]

Re: Cleaner Wax vs ColorX

[Calais]

Re: Cleaner Wax vs ColorX

+1 for ColorX.

I used it on neglected paint on a customers 1998 Expedition and topped it off with a thorough coat of UQW. It made quick work of fine swirls and moderate oxidation. I made that black black again. For more longevity from your wax protection go ColorX > NXT 2.0.

[Nagaz]

Re: Cleaner Wax vs ColorX

Hi all,

Thanks for your advice... I'll read over it a few more times to make sure that I havent missed anything...

Thanks again!
Nagaz