Opinion on my detail "system"

[AlexDGreat]

I just wanted to know if my method is good, or even correct for that matter. Anyways, here we go!

1. Wash car with Meguiars Gold Class Soap. After done wash, dry with microfiber cloth.

2. Clay car using Meguiars clay kit.

3. Use Meguiars SwirlX, and ScratchX 2.0 where there's deeper swirls. (machine applied)

4. Use Meguiars Show Car Glaze
(Machine Applied)
5. 1 or 2 coats of NXT Gen Tech Wax 2.0
(Hand Applied)

Any advice would greatly be appreciated.

[Keebler]

Re: Opinion on my detail "system"

I just tried using my machine to apply NXT 2 and it worked great. I used a black Meguiars pad, with the machine on speed setting 2 (I have the G110V2).

It was a real time saver, so since you have a machine, I'd recommend trying it.

[searle]

Re: Opinion on my detail "system"

SwirlX has some glaze in it, so additional M07 show glaze might not be needed, especially on white or light cars. On red or darker, I still chose to use it.

[Clutch34]

Re: Opinion on my detail "system"

Detailing procedure looks good, and like searle said, you don't really need the glaze, but if you have the time and want to do it, it'll only make your car pop more! Good luck!

[searle]

Re: Opinion on my detail "system"

By the way, if you do chose to apply glaze you can easily do it by hand since it does not need to be worked, just LIGHLY wipe on and wipe off. If you chose to do it with machine, keep a pad just for it. Glaze, by definition, is very oily and hence messy on a pad (and almost immposible to clean the pad for use with anything else). I have a glaze pad, but typically just do it by hand since it is actually easier and less messy that way.

[tcope1]

Re: Opinion on my detail "system"

Yup, I'd agree. I accidentally put some glaze on a white pad. While I think it's clean enough to use with other products, it still shows a little stain from the glaze (so there is still a little of glaze on the pad).

[AlexDGreat]

Re: Opinion on my detail "system"

Thanks for everyones help. By The Way, the car is a Rallye Red 2002 Honda Civic.



mine the picture doesn't show the swirls, but anyways just to give everyone an idea.

(FYI; although you can't see the back I do NOT have a fart can(muffler) or spoiler, I think Hondas should be clean, not race cars.)

[AlexDGreat]

Re: Opinion on my detail "system"

Couple more pictures:

[searle]

GLAZE is great for RED (Re: Opinion on my detail "system")

I had a Bright-Red Camaro-SS for 14yrs, mostly used Meguiars on it and it still got complements up to the weekend I finally sold it. Using M07 show glaze certainly contributed to that


I sold it and got a new car 2 months ago, more a wine-red, and still use glaze:


So, by all means use glaze everytime you clay and paint cleaner your Rallye-Red Honda . You will love the result.

[ATypeR]

Re: Opinion on my detail "system"

Hi guys, don't mean to hijack the thread but as it's similar to what I wanted to ask...

Would I be right in thinking I've got Glaze 7 in the right place here...
I'd wash, clay, polish (105/205), paint cleanse (e.g. Dodo Juice Lime Prime) Glaze 7 and then wax or seal? Polish, cleanser and glaze applied by G220

Thanks in advance guys

[searle]

Re: Opinion on my detail "system"

I'd wash, clay, polish (105/205), paint cleanse, then Glaze 7 and then wax or seal?

Absolutely right. First all the cleaning to get the paint surfaced prepared as best possible, then glaze to visually "soften/deepen" the paint with that deep wet-look. Then, of course, wax to seal in that finish and to protect it. "Trailer-queen" show-cars often dont wax after glaze, but they dont care if the glaze washes off a few days later in the first rain or wash, but "Daily-drivers" need that wax (2 coats, of course). Even if waxed, show-cars typically will add a short-term (days) coat of glaze on the very top for a show, but of course that top glaze wont last.

For us regular real-world folks, the glaze is after all the cleaning/prep and before the wax(s). After the full process, you can just wash and spray wax, or wash and re-wax, you typically dont re-glaze until you do a re-clay/cleaner detailing. If you think your wax has worn down and you are not going to do a re-detail, you can certainly re-glaze before a re-wax (it will never hurt and sometimes helps).

[Murr1525]

Re: Opinion on my detail "system"

Hi guys, don't mean to hijack the thread but as it's similar to what I wanted to ask...

Would I be right in thinking I've got Glaze 7 in the right place here...
I'd wash, clay, polish (105/205), paint cleanse (e.g. Dodo Juice Lime Prime) Glaze 7 and then wax or seal? Polish, cleanser and glaze applied by G220

Thanks in advance guys

Yeah, but you have got several paint cleaners on there (105/205, then Dodo Juice). Dont know if you would need to use them all. And then #7 after the paint cleaner.

[searle]

Re: Opinion on my detail "system"

yes, I was just looking at where the M07 glaze was in the original question's list (after all prep and before the wax). As Murr1525 pointed out, you have a lot of cleaners and polishes in your list. 105 is more than a cleaner, it is quite an agressive compound for serious defect removal. 205 is a cleaner/polish, and hence after it a additional pure polish (like M07) may not be necessary (but wont hurt), and Dodo juice many not be necessary.

So, to keep it simple, any pure polish/glaze goes after any preparation and before the wax. But, many of the Meguiars (and other brands) cleaners have glaze/oils in them (hence are cleaner+polish), so a further pure polish may not have a visible effect.

One difficulty for end-consumers is that it is typically not obvious (based on manufacturer labels) if a particular "cleaner" has significant glaze/oils in it or is primarily a just cleaner (only).

[ATypeR]

Re: Opinion on my detail "system"

Thanks guys. The Lime Prime does contain some oils but isn't a pure glaze or a pure polish but is also slightly abrasive and I have always had good results using this to finish.
So wash, clay, wash, polish, LP to finish, #7 to glaze and then a couple of coats (maybe 3 lol) of Dodo Juice Purple Haze (black car)?

Polish this is an area I'm a bit stuck in. I'd like a good medium aggressive polish for swirl removal and general depth but all I have in my boxes at the moment is SwirlX, Ultimate Compound, #205, #83, I was told a while ago to go for #83 or #205 (pretty much the same thing?) as they are medium cut. What's best to use as a polish from what I have? And what do you suggest in future to use as a medium cut polish to fit in with the schedule I have above?

Again, thanks fellas. Our nasty Brit winter has taken it's toll and it seems I've been getting it wrong so wanna get it right this time

[Murr1525]

Re: Opinion on my detail "system"

We'll go with Meguiars terminology on this, to keep things equal:

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Clean - This would be the #105/UC, #205/SwirlX, Lime Prime, #83.....
4. Polish - #7
5. Wax - This would be your wax , or sealant of choice. And some people mix and match, others just use all of one thing. Usually 2 coats is fine, some like 3. No need to go overboard.

So in Meguiars terms, the cleaning step is where you are confused. You say you have some minor swirls? Then the SwirlX/#205 is what I would try first. If those are not strong enough to remove the swirls with 2 passes, then move up to the much stronger UC/#105.

If the finish looks good after that step, you could go right to the polishing with #7. If you see a need for a milder cleaner, you can try the Lime Prime. Wont know for sure till you get out there and try stuff.

Hope that helps, or ask some more.