Disappointed and Need Advice

[itself]

It's been a month since I applied two coats of the NXT Gen 2.0 Tech wax with my G100 D/A machine. I live on a dirt road, and go camping/hiking/kayaking, so my Honda CRV gets some nasty exposure, in addition to the Arizona sun.

Impressions:

1. First car wash was amazing. It beaded up like crazy. Very pleased with deep shine.

2. Second car wash this evening was less impressive. A lot less beading, but once wiped down with a chamois, the shine was still impressive.

Conclusion: Not impressed as it has only been one month since application, product seems to be breaking down quickly.

Need advice on more aggressive wax that will hold up.

I tried the APC, on my carpets, exterior vinyl and tires.

Conclusion: I have diluted it 4:1, and am not impressed with this product.

Requirements: I have dirt deeply embedded of sidewalls of tires and on the exterior vinyl. I need some advice as to another product to use.

Product: M40

I am really liking this for interior cleaning of my vinyl. I think it does a nice job on the exterior vinyl, but wish it would hold up longer. I do think that the Supreme Shine is equal if not better.

Advice on another product to try.

Product: The D120 window cleaner

One of my favorite products, next to the #7 Glaze and Deep Crystal Cleaner.

Your suggestions would be really appreciated where the products are just not up to snuff for my needs. I am VERY fussy, but I have to admit, I might be a more challenging customer due to the fact that I live on a dirt road and am on dirt roads frequently, as well as use my car in outside sales during the week, exposing it to a lot of sun.

Thanks!

Lisa

[Eddie6th]

Re: Disappointed and Need Advice

I find techwax 2 holds out well on my car.But it hasn't really been long enough to say how long it will stay for. I found that DC3 lasted a long time,and beaded well even after 3/4 months and my car isn't garaged.

APC and it's dilutions i can't help you with as I use different products and don't get it here.

[akimel]

Re: Disappointed and Need Advice

Sounds like your car is subjected to fairly harsh conditions. How did you prepare the paint surface before applying NXT? Did you clean the paint with a paint cleaner or cleaner/polish? How many coats of NXT did you lay down? Is this the first time you have used it? Have you used any other waxes that have given you longer durability? And what car wash shampoo are you using?

If you want to try other waxes/sealants that might give you better durability, you might try the following:

Collinite 845, 476s, 915
Duragloss 105
Finish Kare 1000p

If you can provide some photos of your car, this will help the brethren to give you the best advice they can.

I'm surprised that APC isn't working well from you. It is highly regarded not only on this forum but on many forums. I rarely read any complaints about its performance. Are you using a good tire brush? Please describe how you have used the product. Perhaps your technique or tools can be improved.

Being water-based, M40 will not last long on exterior vinyl, plastic, rubber. Try the All Season Dressing. I think you'll find that it is more durable. It's a very popular product on tires in particular.

Good luck.

Cheers,
Al

[Ganesa]

Re: Disappointed and Need Advice

My car also get exposed to the hot tropic sun here in Indonesia, and seems to reduce the beading of NXT 2.0 and I wax my car once a month, but ever since I used UQW after a regular wash (once a week) it seems to enhance the shine and the protection by beading more, so you could try using a UQW after a wash, to ensure and maintain the protection on your car..

I heard the M16 wax stays for quite long time.. and since your in the US, there's a great cheap deal on ebay for M16.. something us people outside the US cant experience :P

heres the link:
Great Deal for M16 on Ebay.

[itself]

Re: Disappointed and Need Advice

I prepared my paint with Deep Crystal Polish, then #7 glaze, then the NXT Gen Tech Wax, two coats, 12 hours apart, with my G100 D/A machine.

I used one of the standard soft tire brushes (soft bristles that I purchased at Checker Auto), with the APC on my tires and extrenal vinyl. Yes, I too was surprised I did not get good results as I see all of the positive feedback.

Yes the the ASD is the next step, I figured I might have to go there anyway considering the harsh conditions. Thank goodness my car is at least garaged!

Lisa

[AeroCleanse]

Re: Disappointed and Need Advice

I prepared my paint with Deep Crystal Polish, then #7 glaze, then the NXT Gen Tech Wax, two coats, 12 hours apart, with my G100 D/A machine.

I used one of the standard soft tire brushes (soft bristles that I purchased at Checker Auto), with the APC on my tires and extrenal vinyl. Yes, I too was surprised I did not get good results as I see all of the positive feedback.

Yes the the ASD is the next step, I figured I might have to go there anyway considering the harsh conditions. Thank goodness my car is at least garaged!

Lisa

I think I told you already that like you, I have been unimpressed with NXT 2.0.

Try Optimum Opti-Seal or Ultima Paint Guard Plus, both are very easy to use. Start out with 3 layers at least 12hrs apart, then add another layer every 4 months or so (you can do it more often if you want). Follow the directions, because a little goes along way.

For exterior dirt, try Super Degreaser. Then once you have it clean, All Season Dressing.

I am not sure if you could use M40 first then apply All Season Dressing on top of it directly or not.

[akimel]

Re: Disappointed and Need Advice

Lisa, I think you need to give NXT another chance. Bonding and durability of all LSPs can be affected by the condition of the paint surface. Apparently you neither clayed nor cleaned the paint surface. NXT, like most LSPs, need a well-prepped surface for optimal results. Next time implement a process like the following to prepare the paint for your next application of wax:

1) Wash
2) Clay
3) Clean (Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner, SwirlX, or ColorX)
4) Wax

I would omit both Deep Crystal Polish and #7. They add temporary gloss, but neither will clean and prepare the paint for waxing. It's possible that their oils may have affected NXT's durability in your case. I may be wrong about this, but let's omit them and see what happens. You can always add a pure polish back into the process later.

Also take a look at this article and consider whether the outlined process might be appropriate for your vehicle: Your Daily Driver: A Simple Wash & Wax Regimen. As you will see, the article recommends the regular use of a cleaner wax to clean the paint of contaminants and dirt that ordinary washing does not remove. Given the harshness of the environmental forces to which your vehicle is subjected on a daily basis, I think the use of either a cleaner wax (ColorX, M20 Polymer Sealant, Cleaner Wax) would be a wise choice. Top the cleaner wax with your preferred LSP.

Finally, consider using Ultimate Quik Wax as a maintenance wax--perhaps after every wash or every other wash. It's easy to apply and remove, and it will keep the car looking great and may well extend the life of the base wax.

I have to believe that if you do the above, you will get much better results from NXT. If not, then get one of the waxes/sealants I mentioned in my previous comment.

[itself]

Re: Disappointed and Need Advice

AeroCleanse and Akimel,

Both great recommendations, and having not clayed before, I do believe it is a step I need to add. Omitting the DCP and #7 is an interesting thought...hmm have to mull that one over.

I have to admit AeroCleanse, the Ultimate Paint Guard almost sounds too good to be true! Since I have another bottle of the NXT Gen 2.0, I will give it another whirl.

I think that using something in between the waxes is also a good idea, as long as I wash my car first. The detailer that folks are using without washing kinda scares me as I don't want to rub grit into the paint.

Akimel, that is an interesting point about bonding of the wax to the paint. I have to believe there is truth in this as it all is chemistry and it was the cars first exposure to the wax. I tend not to give up to easily on a product, so next weekend I'll be waxing again. Just have to get the clay and learn how to do this.

Thanks so much for the advice!

Lisa

[akimel]

Re: Disappointed and Need Advice

You are welcome, Lisa. I think you are right not to give up on NXT prematurely. I am hopeful, perhaps even confident, that if you attend to the preparatory stages, you will obtain better results from NXT (or from any LSP you may use).

You have probably already read it, but if you haven't, do read this article: Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle. The article desperately needs to be updated, but it has some great information in it.

Also, what car shampoo are you using? Be sure to use it at the proper dilution ratio. I got myself a little measuring cup to ensure that I was using the proper amount of shampoo. I also discovered that the measuring lines on my bucket were way off (with the result that I was using a higher ratio of shampoo/water than prescribed, which no doubt affected negatively the durability of my LSPs), so I measured out the gallons and marked the bucket accordingly.

[Nappers]

Re: Disappointed and Need Advice

Impressions:

1. First car wash was amazing. It beaded up like crazy. Very pleased with deep shine.

2. Second car wash this evening was less impressive. A lot less beading, but once wiped down with a chamois, the shine was still impressive.

Conclusion: Not impressed as it has only been one month since application, product seems to be breaking down quickly.

Need advice on more aggressive wax that will hold up.

What did you use/procedure to wash your car? Obviously the more you wash a car, the less wax is on the car......If you used dish soap/too much soap, it will strip your wax.

I find that NXT 2.0 works great and lasts a long time. I think the wax that holds up great is M26 or if you can get it, M16.

A good claying and paint cleaning and two thin coats followed with a UQW and or UQD after washing helps boost the wax.

I tried the APC, on my carpets, exterior vinyl and tires.

Conclusion: I have diluted it 4:1, and am not impressed with this product.

Requirements: I have dirt deeply embedded of sidewalls of tires and on the exterior vinyl. I need some advice as to another product to use.

There is no miracle in a bottle. I find that APC works great and I mix it 7:1. Another product for tires that I use solely for tires is Eagle One All Wheel/TIRE cleaner, works great. M39 is a great cleaner for plastics/vinyl. For exterior cleaning of plastic/vinyl, I use APC or if it's nasty in our rural area, Super Degreaser mixed 10:1 and test spot as this stuff is strong and should be respected.

Product: M40

I am really liking this for interior cleaning of my vinyl. I think it does a nice job on the exterior vinyl, but wish it would hold up longer. I do think that the Supreme Shine is equal if not better.

Advice on another product to try.

M40 is water based and should not be expected to last long on exterior trim/plastics. M40 is not really a cleaner either but the simple fact of spraying a liquid on a dirty/dusty plastic and wiping is enough to call it a cleaner and I don't use a separate cleaner unless I need to. I use Gold Class Trim Detailer on my Exterior trim or All Season Dressing. I use M40 at times but a couple of washings and it's done. I use M40 on my rubber trim and it keeps it in great shape.

Product: The D120 window cleaner

One of my favorite products, next to the #7 Glaze and Deep Crystal Cleaner.

Haven't had the pleasure of trying the glass cleaner yet, waiting for my stash of NXT glass cleaner to go bye bye. #7 is a great polish and can't beat the DC series for looks and value!

Your suggestions would be really appreciated where the products are just not up to snuff for my needs. I am VERY fussy, but I have to admit, I might be a more challenging customer due to the fact that I live on a dirt road and am on dirt roads frequently, as well as use my car in outside sales during the week, exposing it to a lot of sun.

Thanks!

Lisa

I too live in a rural area, No. California with nasty gravel/dirt roads, mills, mud, nasty roads during winter with ice and ice melt agents and Oregon using whatever chemicals they use on their roads that seems to melt protection off of their cars, it stinks!

Give NXT 2.0 another try, a good claying, cleaning and use either UQW/UQD after washing, also they help as they are slippery and helps with dust!

All Season Dressing is a tough exterior dressing, comes ready to use. Hyper Dressing is a water based dressing that can be diluted to your shiny happiness and although it's not very durable on the outside stuff, it looks good. I tend to use M40/ASD/GCTD on the Exterior and M40 and Natural Shine on the interior (depending on mood).

and.....Picky is good, that's why we are here, to shine our rides.

TTFN!

[CieraSL]

Re: Disappointed and Need Advice

Here is a great video for you to watch:

[tguil]

Re: Disappointed and Need Advice

Lisa,

I too live on a gravel road and do lots of outdoor stuff so I am on dusty roads even more often than I "need" to be. It sounds like that you enjoy the outdoors a bunch. My suggestion -- "chill a bit". The only time your CRV is going to be clean is right after you wash it.

My suggestion. Use either Meguiar's cleaner wax in the burgundy bottle or Meguiar's ColorX and call it good enough. Both products are quick and easy to apply and remove. An application every four to six weeks is more than sufficient. I just waxed my full-sized Ram pickup by hand using NXT paste wax. It took me only and hour. I have had very good luck using ColorX a couple times a year and NXT the rest of the time. NXT does have very mild cleaners.

Forget perfection on the tires. They will always be a bit grungy. Most of the time I only use the shampoo that I have used on the rest of the car. One trip down your gravel road and it makes no difference. Besides that many the tire products are actually "dust magnets".

I use #40 on my interior frequently. Sometimes I just clean the interior "plastic" with a damp towel.

I've been "detailing" for over fifty years and have lived on my gravel road for over fifteen years. I only got smart about five years ago.

Tom

[itself]

Re: Disappointed and Need Advice

All great points guys, thanks so much for the advice. I have been using the Gold class shampoo, but don't like it, I just got the Hyperwash and look forward to using that.

I'm putting an order in on autodetailer: Clay for sure! Quick detailer to lube the clay bar, ASD, and some Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner.

Yes, living on a dirt road stinks, and my outside hobbies don't help. But gosh, even after camping all weekend, I keep peeking into the garage to look at my shiney baby after I spent three hours cleaning her up last night (cords of wood that we gathered and put in the back sure made a mess!)

Thanks again for all of your kind advice. At least every two weeks my ride is going to shine like the full moon!

Lisa

[SVT Lightning]

Re: Disappointed and Need Advice

The Arizona sun can be brutal( Just ask my skin cancers!) but I was wondering what color your rig is? I've noticed up here in Oreegone that wax on my black truck doesn't last as long as on my wifes silver Subaru. Just a thought anyway. I think clay and a good paint clean will add to the durability.