Polish - Step 3 Confusion

[k3ith]

Following the 5 step process, I have a hard time determining what product(s) I should use in step 3 and when. Typically, I wash, use clay, cleaner, get stuck reading on what product(s) to use next, and then finish with NXT sealer/wax. Basically I get confused on two things...

1. If the cleaner I just used (like SwirlX or Ultimate Compound) will suffice as the polish.

2. If number 1 is no, what product do I need next? My reading indicates maybe # 7 Show Car Glaze or Deep Crystal System Polish. However, I do not know the difference in these as well as many others I have read about.

In a nutshell, I am looking for a solid process and product lineup I can use for most cars in relatively good condition (some swirls but not bad, minimal scratches, etc). Also, awesome results are the objective and time is not a factor as I usually have weeks to work on a single car. I do have a DA Polisher.

Feel free to simply address my polish / step 3 confusion or completely obliterate me and recommend a new lineup. My current project is a white 1999 corvette (garaged car) and I have just finished the clay. Thanks in advance.

[searle]

Re: Polish - Step 3 Confusion

M07-Glaze and DC2-Polish are extremely similar, M07 is harder to find and targetted to professionals or competitive showcars, while DC2 almost the same but targetted to consumers.

On a white car, you will not notice as much difference in detailing results as on black or red cars, so I doubt you would detect any difference between the M07 or DC2.

I believe some of the step-2 cleaners (such as ColorX) have more polish than others, probably only only Meguiars would know the details. I personally think of SwirlX as more a cleaner than a glaze/polish/oil, so I add a polish (M07) after it (or a polish/wax combination). M07 or DC2 certainly never hurts, but on a white car the difference may not be noticeable after any cleaner which has polish/glaze/oils in it.

So, probably depends how much time you want to spend to get the last few increments of improvement. For a full detail, Wash+Clay are a given, but you could then just finish with ColorX as your cleaner+glaze+wax. To get slightly better results, you could SwirlX then Glaze (M07 or DC2) then 2 coats wax (NXT2.0 or ...). Then, maintain with a good wash and a spray-was booster

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Polish - Step 3 Confusion

We always consider Step 3 - Polish to be an option step and state so in the 5 Step Paint Care Cycle. This is primarily due to the now widespread use of clear coat paint systems and the fact that they don't benefit quite as much from a pure polish as older lacquer single stage paints did.

If the paint cleaner you're using is actually a cleaner/polish such as M80, SwirlX or M205 then you're essentially doing the polish step at the same time as the cleaning step. Further, if you select a polish/wax such as NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0 or Gold Class Wax, you're also applying some level of polish. Remember, a pure polish contains no abrasives so it's not correcting defects, and it offers no protection so it's not a wax substitute. It is simply a gloss enhancer, a beauty treatment for your paint if you will.

As searle mentions, you won't notice as much of a difference on a white car as you would on a darker color when using a pure polish, all the more reason for it to be an optional step. If memory serves you do have some darker vehicles among those listed as being owned by you and family members, so it might still be a good idea to keep some on hand. One last consideration, however, on this white 1999 Corvette - is there any chance that this is a single stage white paint? White and black were among the last colors to transition to clear coat paints, and we've seen some Hondas with single stage white that are much newer than your Corvette. Single stage paint should also NOT be looked upon as cheap or inferior either, just because most cars no longer use this system. Lexus still has a single stage black found on certain models. You'll know immediately when using a paint cleaner or even an aggressively applied cleaner wax - white paint will transfer onto the applicator and as long as you're not using a white applicator pad this transfer will be quite noticeable. If that's the case, then you might want to reconsider the use of a pure polish like M07 or Deep Crystal Polish. Single stage paints love pure polishes.

[k3ith]

Re: Polish - Step 3 Confusion

Thanks for the info on the polish guys. That clears it up a lot for me and introduces some other options for step 2.

I have never considered that the corvette might not have a clear coat. I'll do the "if white comes on the pad" test. If it does do I need to change anything in the other steps? Also are there any other ways to tell?

Michael, your correct that I do have three black cars that I work on frequently. Thanks for reading my intro! I'll definitely keep polish in mind for those.

Finally, since the polish might not make a real noticeable difference on the white, are there any other products that I might consider to give white that extra pop? (let me know if I need to ask this question in a new post as it is kinda off topic).

[William_F]

Re: Polish - Step 3 Confusion

M07 is harder to find

Most of the Auto Zones and O'Riely's here in Dallas carry it, so if you have those stores near you, that might be a good place to check if you're looking for some.

are there any other products that I might consider to give white that extra pop?

My wife's CRV is white and I've got a great result from GC Shampoo, clay treatment, single layer of cleaner wax topped off with NXT 2.0. Made the paint smooth as glass and very glossy.

[Murr1525]

Re: Polish - Step 3 Confusion

#205/SwirlX should finish out nicely on white.

As far as different processes, not really. The SS paint may just respond more to polishing oils.

[k3ith]

Re: Polish - Step 3 Confusion

Most of the Auto Zones and O'Riely's here in Dallas carry it

I am pretty sure I have seen it in auto zone here in Memphis.. in fact I think zone has it instead of the consumer version for some reason. I'm certainly not complaining..

[BarryK]

Re: Polish - Step 3 Confusion

One last consideration, however, on this white 1999 Corvette - is there any chance that this is a single stage white paint?

no chance at all it's single stage if it's still the original paint.

the Corvette production factory moved in 1981 from the old St. Louis plant to the new production plant in Bowling Green, Ky. The old St. Louis plant ONLY painted lacquer single stage paints same as they had since the very beginning of corvette production in 1953. The new Bowling Green, KY plant was set for the than newer, more modern 2-stage base coat / clear coat paint.
Because of this, in 1981 as the production factories were in the middle of being changed over, the corvette a customer received could have been painted either single stage or 2-stage paint, depending on the date of production therefore which factory the car came out of. If it came out of the new KY plant it was 2-stage.
Once the plant switchover was complete and 100% of Corvette production was now coming from the Bowling Green, KY plant all Corvettes now had 2-stage base coat / clear coat paint.
This mean that a 1999 corvette DEFINITELY has 2 stage paint from the factory. It could be repainted and the body shop used a single stage paint but I would doubt that since almost all bodyshops tend use 2-stage for repaints / repairs, etc unless it's a custom job and trying to duplicate older original paint on a classic or antique car.

[bene vita]

Re: Polish - Step 3 Confusion

BarryK,

Great post ... (See #8 above) all I could think of while reading it was the courtroom scene from
the film "My Cousin Vinny" with Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei. (See below)

It's posts like yours that make this forum so much fun.

Have a great Thanksgiving.

Harry

On the stand as a witness Marisa's (Ms. Vito) and the D.A. Jim Trotter's conversation went like this:

D.A. Jim Trotter: Now, uh, Ms. Vito, being an expert on general automotive knowledge, can you tell me... what would the correct ignition timing be on a
1955 Bel Air Chevrolet, with a 327 cubic-inch engine and a four-barrel carburetor?
Mona Lisa Vito: It's a bull---- question.
D.A. Jim Trotter: Does that mean that you can't answer it?
Mona Lisa Vito: It's a bull---- question, it's impossible to answer.
D.A. Jim Trotter: Impossible because you don't know the answer!
Mona Lisa Vito: Nobody could answer that question!
D.A. Jim Trotter: Your Honor, I move to disqualify Ms. Vito as a "expert witness"!
Judge Chamberlain Haller: Can you answer the question?
Mona Lisa Vito: No, it is a trick question!
Judge Chamberlain Haller: Why is it a trick question?
Vinny Gambini: [to Bill] Watch this.
Mona Lisa Vito: 'Cause Chevy didn't make a 327 in '55, the 327 didn't come out till '62. And it wasn't offered in the Bel Air with a four-barrel carb till
'64. However, in 1964, the correct ignition timing would be four degrees before top-dead-center.
D.A. Jim Trotter: Well... um... she's acceptable, Your Honor.

[k3ith]

Re: Polish - Step 3 Confusion

no chance at all it's single stage if it's still the original paint.

Thanks Barry. It is the original paint.

[BarryK]

Re: Polish - Step 3 Confusion

BarryK,

Great post ... (See #8 above) all I could think of while reading it was the courtroom scene from
the film "My Cousin Vinny" with Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei. (See below)

It's posts like yours that make this forum so much fun.

Have a great Thanksgiving.

Harry

On the stand as a witness Marisa's (Ms. Vito) and the D.A. Jim Trotter's conversation went like this:

D.A. Jim Trotter: Now, uh, Ms. Vito, being an expert on general automotive knowledge, can you tell me... what would the correct ignition timing be on a
1955 Bel Air Chevrolet, with a 327 cubic-inch engine and a four-barrel carburetor?
Mona Lisa Vito: It's a bull---- question.
D.A. Jim Trotter: Does that mean that you can't answer it?
Mona Lisa Vito: It's a bull---- question, it's impossible to answer.
D.A. Jim Trotter: Impossible because you don't know the answer!
Mona Lisa Vito: Nobody could answer that question!
D.A. Jim Trotter: Your Honor, I move to disqualify Ms. Vito as a "expert witness"!
Judge Chamberlain Haller: Can you answer the question?
Mona Lisa Vito: No, it is a trick question!
Judge Chamberlain Haller: Why is it a trick question?
Vinny Gambini: [to Bill] Watch this.
Mona Lisa Vito: 'Cause Chevy didn't make a 327 in '55, the 327 didn't come out till '62. And it wasn't offered in the Bel Air with a four-barrel carb till
'64. However, in 1964, the correct ignition timing would be four degrees before top-dead-center.
D.A. Jim Trotter: Well... um... she's acceptable, Your Honor.

that's one of my favorite movies and that is one of the best scenes in the movie!

I wasn't trying to slam anyone on the info (unlike Vinny in the movie), just attempting to explain that a '99 Vette would definitely have 2-stage paint on it and the correct reasoning why

[k3ith]

Re: Polish - Step 3 Confusion

I took no offense.. was good info.