On the right track?

[Sheltiemama]

I have read and reread these forums and am getting a lot out of it... thanks... But I really want to make sure I'm starting out on the right track to keeping my new car looking good and wanted to get your expert opinions.

I have a brand new 2010 Ford Edge, Red Candy Metallic. I'm in Houston.
It parks mostly outside during the daytime (and will probably park in the parking garage in the heat of the summer) in a non-industrial area near downtown and in the garage whenever I am at home. I drive approx. 30 freeway miles each way for work. I purchased a Black & Decker 6" Random Orbit Polisher. I'm using good quality microfiber towels and microfiber pads for the polisher and all Mequiar's products.

I washed with Gold Glass Shampoo.
I applied 1 coat NXT 2 with the polisher, waited a few hours and applied 1 coat Carnuba with the polisher.
I've been detailing a couple times a week (after rain) with UQD. I also purchased UQW.

One thing I'm confused about is UQD vs. UQW. Which ones do I want to use when? in what order?

My plan is to wax with the NXT2 and Carnuba every 2-3 month and eventually claying it once a year. Is this a good routine? and in that order?

Any other comments or suggestion are VERY much appreciated. I'm loving the pictures you guys post. I probably won't since I started with a new vehicle. It looks wet and glossy (better than when it was new.) But I didn't get before pics and with your help I don't plan on it getting to where it needs before and after pics!

Thanks guys!

[CieraSL]

Re: On the right track?

Since this is your first post, to MOL!

Some videos to watch:

How to wash your car show car style

How to clay bar

Also check out these links:

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

List O' Links 2.0

Internet Resources for Detailing Newbs


It would also be a good idea to use a light paint cleaner whenever you are going to do a clay and wax. The clay will not strip all the old wax off - it will remove some, but not all. The paint cleaner will remove any old wax buildup. If you are washing correctly and using proper tools and techniques on a consistent basis, then swirls and scratches should not be a major concern. Swirl X is a nice light paint cleaner for general paint cleaning. Or you can do wash, clay, cleaner wax, wax. If you see a need to remove swirls and scratches, you might need to step up to something like Ultimate Compound.

For your question on UQD vs. UQW, watch this video:



Hope this helps!

[StadiumDetail]

Re: On the right track?

That is a great routine, but I'll suggest a new one time routine to use before this routine.

Go buy a clay bar, you should be able to pick up a Megs clay bar kit at your local supermart or auto parts store, directions are on the box and are very simple to do. This will clean your car of all contaminents and be a good prep for the waxes you use. Be sure to use the Cleaner Wax inside the clay kit, this will also help prep the paint. Then I would use your NXT2.0 and apply a single coat on the car, wait the time needed for drying and then wipe off. Wait 24hrs and then appy a second coat. Repeat 5-6 times, this is very overkill but it serves a purpsoe. At this point your car is ready and you can use your current routine for as long as you would like, but I would suggest starting all over before next winter starts.

The reason for the different prep and multiple layers of NXT2 is that there are sealents inside the NXT, sealents unlike wax will layer and bond with each other creating a much stronger protection then a single coat of wax. Sealents also last longer, this new prep will give you 6mo+ without ever touching the car again, but everytime you wax afterwards it only lenghens the protection.

It's a long and annoying process waxing with NXT every day for 6 days, but your car will look its best for those six days and there is a long term purpose behind the effort.

It is also important to note that even waxes take time to cure after they have been applied to a car. After you wipe off a wax application it is a good idea to wait a day until another application, this allows the product to properly bond to the paint reducing the amount removed with the second application.

EDIT: Just remembered the whole reason i was suggesting such an extreem amount of protection. Houston has terrible acid rain, water, humidity, and the air kind of ***** too . More protection is better in your environment to keep your car in tip top shape.

[Sheltiemama]

Re: On the right track?

Thank you for the suggestions so far...

Shane, the link for the UQD vs. UQW didn't come through on your post.

Lori

[Sheltiemama]

Re: On the right track?

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This sounds like a great plan and yes, definitely, annoying. But I would love to try it...

Just to clarify, I have to park it during this 6 day period? or can I wash it in between? Or could I do something like each weekend day 3 weekends in a row? and wash it before I get started that weekend?

Thanks,

Lori

[CieraSL]

Re: On the right track?

That is a great routine, but I'll suggest a new one time routine to use before this routine.

Go buy a clay bar, you should be able to pick up a Megs clay bar kit at your local supermart or auto parts store, directions are on the box and are very simple to do. This will clean your car of all contaminents and be a good prep for the waxes you use. Be sure to use the Cleaner Wax inside the clay kit, this will also help prep the paint. Then I would use your NXT2.0 and apply a single coat on the car, wait the time needed for drying and then wipe off. Wait 24hrs and then appy a second coat. Repeat 5-6 times, this is very overkill but it serves a purpsoe. At this point your car is ready and you can use your current routine for as long as you would like, but I would suggest starting all over before next winter starts.

The reason for the different prep and multiple layers of NXT2 is that there are sealents inside the NXT, sealents unlike wax will layer and bond with each other creating a much stronger protection then a single coat of wax. Sealents also last longer, this new prep will give you 6mo+ without ever touching the car again, but everytime you wax afterwards it only lenghens the protection.

It's a long and annoying process waxing with NXT every day for 6 days, but your car will look its best for those six days and there is a long term purpose behind the effort.

It is also important to note that even waxes take time to cure after they have been applied to a car. After you wipe off a wax application it is a good idea to wait a day until another application, this allows the product to properly bond to the paint reducing the amount removed with the second application.

EDIT: Just remembered the whole reason i was suggesting such an extreem amount of protection. Houston has terrible acid rain, water, humidity, and the air kind of ***** too . More protection is better in your environment to keep your car in tip top shape.

To note: there really is no point to layering 5 or 6 times. NXT has slight cleaners in it, including Kaolin clay, so each new layer takes off some of the old layer. Meguiar's official recommendation is two layers to ensure even coverage. Each new coat is not going to add anything. You reach a point where you get diminishing returns, meaning with each new coat (quote from Mike Phillips from the linked thread), "At this point you've reached a plateau (or limit), as to how much wax (natural or synthetic) a surface can hold. Once you reach this plateau, all further applications of wax simply become excess that will be removed (and thus wasted), during wipe-off because it has nowhere to attach and layer." You can read about that more in this thread: What's the Deal With Layering?



I don't know why my video didn't work. I embedded it in the post and it's showing up fine for me. Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZrg2viYHIs. If that doesn't work, go to YouTube and search for "Training Video Series - Maintain Your Finish." Hope this helps. Don't forget to have fun, Lori!

[Sheltiemama]

Re: On the right track?

Thanks, Shane. I'll watch those videos when I get home tonight... they have them blocked here from work.

I AM having fun with it... it's exciting to start off with a fresh slate. I had a dark blue Olds Intrigue before this car and it looked so good people were fighting over it when I decided to sell it. And I hadn't done it right the whole time, just toward the end of its' life with me. It's exciting to start fresh again and do the right thing from the start!

Thanks again for the help -

Lori

[cd36]

Re: On the right track?

Since this is your first post, to MOL!

Some videos to watch:

How to wash your car show car style

How to clay bar

Also check out these links:

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

List O' Links 2.0

Internet Resources for Detailing Newbs


It would also be a good idea to use a light paint cleaner whenever you are going to do a clay and wax. The clay will not strip all the old wax off - it will remove some, but not all. The paint cleaner will remove any old wax buildup. If you are washing correctly and using proper tools and techniques on a consistent basis, then swirls and scratches should not be a major concern. Swirl X is a nice light paint cleaner for general paint cleaning. Or you can do wash, clay, cleaner wax, wax. If you see a need to remove swirls and scratches, you might need to step up to something like Ultimate Compound.

For your question on UQD vs. UQW, watch this video:



Hope this helps!

So does the cleaner wax work good to remove the old layer of wax as well?

[CieraSL]

Re: On the right track?

So does the cleaner wax work good to remove the old layer of wax as well?

Yes. Typically, a cleaner wax can be used one of two ways: (1) work the cleaner wax into the paint to remove imperfections (what can be removed will depend on the abrasiveness of the cleaner wax), and let the wax dry, then remove. This way, you take advantage of both the cleaners and the wax. (2) work the cleaner wax into the paint to remove imperfections, then immediately remove. You won't get the benefit of the wax protection, but some people don't want it. Going with option 1, you could follow up with a dedicated wax such as NXT 2.0 or Gold Class Carnauba Plus, although you wouldn't have to. Keep in mind that a cleaner wax is typically not going to provide as much protection as a true wax (a non-cleaner wax). Going with option 2, you will definitely have to follow up with a wax, as you won't be getting any protection by wiping it off immediately. But yes, cleaner wax will work to remove the old layer of wax as well.

[StadiumDetail]

Re: On the right track?

To note: there really is no point to layering 5 or 6 times. NXT has slight cleaners in it, including Kaolin clay, so each new layer takes off some of the old layer.

I was not aware of this, but it makes since I guess. To the OP, i still suggest the layering process I mentioned earlier and I do realize the point of diminishing returns, but I've seen a difference first hand with excess layering and I also know your climate first hand as well.

As to which product to use there are many sealents out there, I just didn't want to reccomend a non Meguiars product. If any of the members here know the Megs product line well shoot a reccomendation.