what goes first?

[soon2bsik]

Hey guys,

I have a black SUV (in florida none the less) and its paint job is in need of some desperate help. I can't afford to repaint it right now so I'm just trying to do what I can for the time being (clear coat is cracking all over the hood in little specks, lots and lots of scratches all over)


I bought my first set of detailing products:

Mild Clay Bar
Clay bar box kit
Quick Detailer
Scratch X
Swirl X
Ultimate Compound
Deep Crystal Polish
Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner
NXT 2.0 Wax


I wasn't sure how to go about working on it from product to product so I thought that I should start doing the scratch X first? I've been working on one side so far and having some minor luck with most of the scratches


However I don't know which product comes next?


Do i swirl x after I scratch x?

Do I clay before I paint clean? or the other way around?

Should I take care of what I need to compound AFTER claying or before?

Do I polish before I wax or after?


If anyone could give me like a list of what goes in what order for the first time using it. I know you use the products when each is needed but I'm wanting to do a detailing overhaul on this vehicle because honestly it needs all these products.


thanks guys

[Murr1525]

Re: what goes first?

Have you clayed at all yet?

I would consider trying Ultimate Compoudnd on a test spot, and see if that works better for you. Remember you need to apply it with a bit of passion to remove defetcts.

So it would be:
1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Clean - UC for removing defects, SwirlX in the future.
4. Polish - Deep Crystal Polish
5. Wax - Nxt 2.0 - 2 thin coats are best.

[soon2bsik]

Re: what goes first?

I clayed my hood about a week ago just to try it out but that's all I did besides washing it 2 days ago. For the past two days I've just been using scratch X because I wasn't sure in what order the products should be used. I have a bout 3 bottes of scratch x because I really wanted to try to get out as many scratches as possible.


I'm a little confused about the ultimate compound because from what I've heard it's what you use (As far as scratches go) when scratch x isn't working. Is this true?

[Murr1525]

Re: what goes first?

Yeah, but if it takes 2 days, and 10 applications to remove/improve a swirl/scratch (they may not all be completly removable), its safe to at least try a stronger product.

[soon2bsik]

Re: what goes first?

Yeah, but if it takes 2 days, and 10 applications to remove/improve a swirl/scratch (they may not all be completly removable), its safe to at least try a stronger product.

I agree, however this truck is COVERED in scratches and you only notice them when you're within 2 feet of it. I've used the scratch x with good results as long as I worked in a 6" area and applied 2 - 3 coats so thats what is taking so long. I have only found 3 scratches that are way too deep to fix with a product but I'm pretty confident I can get out the others if not most of them. It's just really time consuming because again, this truck is covered from bumper to bumper.

Scratch x seems to be leaving alot of swirls after wiping off, is this normal? or am I doing something wrong?

I apply with a meguiars foam applicator pad and I wipe it off with a meguiars microfiber towel (however the paint is really hot today because of the sun.. maybe I should of applied it in the shade?)

[Murr1525]

Re: what goes first?

Do you have the ScratchX 2.0?

Black paint can be soft.... it is possible you may want to try a follow up with SwirlX. Or you may find you want to work the ScratchX in well to remove the swirls, then kind of back off and apply lightly at the end.

Applying in the shade is certainly best.... wont work as well on a very hot surface.

And yeah, dont be afraid to try some UC on the next panel, it may speed you up.

[soon2bsik]

Re: what goes first?

Do you have the ScratchX 2.0?

dont be afraid to try some UC on the next panel, it may speed you up.

yes it is the 2.0, I think tomorrow I'm going to go at it in a small area with the UC and just see what.


I'm guessing I should wash, clay, paint clean, polish and wax all in the same day?

or is it ok to wait a day inbetween washing claying and paint cleaning if I wash before I polish and wax?


sorry for the 5,000 questions

[Murr1525]

Re: what goes first?

Sort of depends on how the car is kept, and how much time you have.

Like if the car is kept outside, or being driven, and getting dirty, you might want to wash/clay everything, and then clean/polish/wax the panel that you work on. Then the next day, you can QD the next panel to clean it some, and then clean/polish/wax.

If the car is indoors, staying clean, you could work a bit slower, completing each step all the way around.

Its really just that once you get the paint cleaned, and some polishing oils in/on the paint, you want to seal them in with a wax. Otherwise, they will wear off in the environment quite quickly, or if you have to QD/wash the car, etc to continue detailing.

Hopefully you can get around the entire car then to even everything up, an your next detail down the road can just be all SwirlX (or clay/SwirLX), and be done quickly all at once.

[soon2bsik]

Re: what goes first?

I think I'm going to perform all the steps one section at a time

by sections I mean:

1. hood/fenders
2. front/back doors
3.rear cargo panel/back hutch door


I'm going to do one section per day as I am running out of time to work especially because I A. get tired and B. don't get to start til late


each section I will:

Wash
Clay
fix (scratch x, UC, swirl x)
Paint clean
polish
Wax


then I'll work on the next section the following day, and apply a second coat of wax to the previous section.

sound alright?

[Murr1525]

Re: what goes first?

Yeah, dont try to do too much at once. If it takes 2 or 3 weeks, then whatever.

Dont forget the roof.

If the car is not too dirty, more dusty, you could just QD the next day, no need to entirely re-wash, if you gave a good wash already. After a few days, it may be more like dirt, and time to re-wash.

[soon2bsik]

Re: what goes first?

okay that seems like the best way for me to get it done.


and uh yeah... the roof...ha... that's going to be fun. Whoever attempted to wax it before me apparently forgot the "wipe off" part because it has nice white swirls all over the top that you can tell are some kind of cleaning product that never came off. Should be fun.