Need good step by step advice, please

[eeprete]

Hi there, I am new here, but have used Meg's products in the past with positive results and have been happy. I am sort of at Ground Zero right now, though with my newest item I'd like to detail and keep it looking as good as possible.

I have a mid 80s Mercury Capri (sister to the Mustang), that I just got back from the paint shop about 10 weeks ago. I had to wait 8 weeks to wash it and wax it, so two weeks ago I finally got to wash it. I used a sheepskin mitt and Megs soap that I had leftover from a previous car. I then (thought) I was waxing it with Mothers (tisk tisk) PowerWax, however with that product you are supposed to use a buffer of which I was applying by hand.

Q: With the PowerWax, if a buffer is supposed to be used, was I harming or helping?

I have since picked up some Meguiars 26, and also some quick spray detailer. Do I need to prep the car at all beyond a simple wash before I wax it with the 26? I have considered using NXT2.0 TechWax before the 26. Will that have a positive effect or negative? Anything else I should be doing beforehand to remove any of the powerwax? I don't want to clay the car as the car has only been out twice since I even got it back from the shop.

More details about the car: Car is in a garage 100% when not used. Paint is 2 stage done with Glasurit products after car was stripped to bare metal. Color is silver with lower charcoal trim (that doesn't require waxing).

Any advice or help is appreciated. I really want to make sure the paint continues to pop, and perhaps have that almost "molten" look to it.

I have read AutoGeek and Autopia however so many people use so many products, I'd like to keep it simply. My car is not a 100K shelby, but is something very special to me.

Thanks,

Ed

ps: here is a pic of the car if it helps:

[Murr1525]

Re: Need good step by step advice, please

Q: With the PowerWax, if a buffer is supposed to be used, was I harming or helping?

As long as it was applied thin, should have worked well either way.

I have since picked up some Meguiars 26, and also some quick spray detailer. Do I need to prep the car at all beyond a simple wash before I wax it with the 26?

As long as the surface is clean, a simple wash will be ok.

I have considered using NXT2.0 TechWax before the 26. Will that have a positive effect or negative?With the Powerwax already on there, probably dont need 3 coats of wax right now. Anything else I should be doing beforehand to remove any of the powerwax? I don't want to clay the car as the car has only been out twice since I even got it back from the shop.

If you really want to start from scratch, then you would want some kind of cleaner or cleaner/wax to remove the Powerwax, but doesnt seem needed right now.

See bold

You can always do a big detail again soon if you like, or one with all Meguairs products.

[eeprete]

Re: Need good step by step advice, please

Thanks, I appreciate it. anyone else have any suggestions?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Need good step by step advice, please

The real shine, pop, depth, etc comes from the prep process, not just the wax. In fact, there have been tests done with various waxes on equally prepared cars and most people either can't tell the difference, or the differences that do exist are so subjective that somewhere along the line, almost each wax tested gets at least one vote as "best shine". We all perceive things a bit differently, and like different things as well.

Having said that, even though the paint is new you may want to go over it with a mild cleaner/polish like SwirlX to remove very tiny towel marks (yes, they can exist on a brand new paint job) and bring up the shine, that glow you're looking for. Ultimately this process will more easily return your desired result when applied by D/A polisher like our G110v2, but you most definitely can do it by hand if you wish.

Follow that step with a very thin and uniform coat of NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0. You may find that on this particular color you prefer the NXT alone. Then again, we all like different things and see things differently, and plenty of folks love M26 over NXT.

[gjohn28]

Re: Need good step by step advice, please

You weren't harming anything not using a buffer with the PowerWax.

If you truly want to make the paint "pop" and have that "molten" look, you may want to consider doing a little prep work before applying another wax. If you really don't want to clay (which you may want to consider even with a new paint job) then at least consider a mild cleaner - DC1, A12, ColorX - then follow up with a wax/sealant.

Considering where you live, with winter fast approaching you may also want to consider NXT2.0 instead of M26 for your LSP. Not there is anything wrong with M26, it's a great product, but NXT2.0 is Meg's best protecting wax and still provides a great deep, wet look. If you have the time and motivation, 26 on top of NXT is a great combo many on this forum swear by.

As far as a routine to keep your car looking good check out Al Kimel's Your Daily Driver: A Simple Wash & Wax Regimen.

[eeprete]

Re: Need good step by step advice, please

Thanks for the responses. been very busy of late. Car has been in the garage for two weeks now. It's basically a "garage queen", so what I may do is wash it one more time if I can get a warm enough day and then do NXT as it's basically away for winter now. Thanks again!