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**Murr1525** · Mar 18, 2010, 03:47 PM

Re: Which products to use on my car?

Well, the rock chips would need touch-up paint.

But as for the swirls, you would likely want to look into SwirlX and Ultimate Compound. You can do a test spot with the SwirlX to check results, but you may well find yourself using the UC over the entire car. Then SwirlX for regular detailing in the future.

Then wax with something like Nxt 2.0, 2 thin coats are best.

Have you looked into claying at all yet?

**nebriv** · Mar 18, 2010, 05:33 PM

Re: Which products to use on my car?

Ok...The Ultimate Compound is much cheaper too!

I've read a little bit about claying, I don't really know too much about it...

So I should probably use the clay stuff first, on the entire car? And then the Ultimate Compound, also on the entire car? And then wax it with Nxt?

Also, hand buffing or using a machine? How much work is the compound? I've never done it before...

Would something like this be a good deal for me? I don't have any terry cloths or anything, so I'd probably need to get some.

**searle** · Mar 19, 2010, 10:55 AM

Re: Which products to use on my car?

Originally posted by nebriv View Post

Ok...The Ultimate Compound is much cheaper too!

I've read a little bit about claying, I don't really know too much about it...

So I should probably use the clay stuff first, on the entire car? And then the Ultimate Compound, also on the entire car? And then wax it with Nxt?

Also, hand buffing or using a machine? How much work is the compound? I've never done it before...

Would something like this be a good deal for me? I don't have any terry cloths or anything, so I'd probably need to get some.

wash, then clay (it is REALLY EASY), then cleaner, then optional glaze, then NXT2 sealant. When claying use lots of lubricant so your clay never "grips" the paint, it should always loosely "slide".

By machine, I assume you mean an inexpensive DualAction Orbital (read "Wax Spreader")? (not a rotary since I assume you dont have much experience detailing - yet). By hand is possible, but by orbital is a *little* easier. Serious defect removal is best done by a better Orbital like the Mequiars or Porter, or by a rotary (if sufficiently experienced/skilled). In any case, be sure to keep your tools (pads) CLEAN to ensure you are not working grit back into the finish.

Since you (wisely) said you are not looking for perfection, just a very nice daily-driver finish, you should find you get 80-90% results with good hand-application or Orbital-application.

Remember, UC is "easier" since it has more cutting ability, but that also means you need to be a bit more careful (watch the pressure). If/when it dries during application, stop and wipe that off and freshly apply/work to continue working the finish (if you need more work). Dont let it dry while still working it.

Once you have the finish to where you want it, maintenance paint-cleaning should be easy with just SwirlX.

PS: After the UC cleaning, you can often go directly to NXT. But, you can also first "fine-finish" with a light coat of SwirlX, and/or polish/glaze with DeepCrystal-2 or M07 glaze to maximize wet-look (especially for red or dark colors).

PPS: regarding that package, UC is great. UQD is great for a quick cleaning off dust. UQW is really great after every wash to touch-up the existing wax and you will get double the time inbetween full waxings.

Does that help? Let us know how it goes for you ...

**Murr1525** · Mar 19, 2010, 11:58 AM

Re: Which products to use on my car?

The package isnt bad... where was it from?

**searle** · Mar 19, 2010, 01:36 PM

Re: Which products to use on my car?

Originally posted by nebriv View Post

... Also, hand buffing or using a machine? How much work is the compound? I've never done it before...

Also just to clarify, you apply the cleaner (UC) and "work" it to remove imperfections, and then wipe off. Same with the wax. Some folks have a misconception about after that, when you remove/wipe the product - you really dont "buff" in the sense that you should not apply any significant pressure nor spend much time during the wipe/buff step. Mostly all you want to do is remove the excess product (usually one wipe pass) and then lightly "buff" a second time just to get any final product missed the first pass. You are not really "buffing" in the sense many folks think about that, i.e. you should not "work" the wax since that will NOT give a higher shine (that just minimizes the protection that is left behind).
- Is that (removal/shining) what you were referring to by "buffing"?
- or did you mean the "working" of the applied product to remove imperfections?

Assuming #2, how much work is involved depends on how much imperfections needs to be removed. UC works surprisingly well. And, it is NOT all-or-nothing. You can do enough work to get rid of the main issues, and leave it at that for now (and do more work sometime in the future if you want) - most folks will never notice the remaining issues.

**nebriv** · Mar 19, 2010, 02:59 PM

Re: Which products to use on my car?

Yeah I meant number 2, just to make sure, I put some of the UC on the applicator (that's another thing I'm unsure about) and then just spread it around a little and then wipe it off? Not really applying any pressure right?

For the applicators should I splurge and really get the Meguiar's applicator, they aren't too expensive I don't think, or what else can I use? I obviously don't want to scratch my car anymore :P

And the package is from Amazon.com, I think a moderator removed the link (sorry about that)

Thanks again! You guys are great!

**searle** · Mar 19, 2010, 03:58 PM

Re: Which products to use on my car?

Originally posted by nebriv View Post

Yeah I meant number 2, just to make sure, I put some of the UC on the applicator (that's another thing I'm unsure about) and then just spread it around a little and then wipe it off? Not really applying any pressure right?

For the applicators should I splurge and really get the Meguiar's applicator, they aren't too expensive I don't think, or what else can I use? I obviously don't want to scratch my car anymore :P

And the package is from Amazon.com, I think a moderator removed the link (sorry about that)

Thanks again! You guys are great!

Sorry, no. for #2 (defect removal) you need to "work" the UC with some passion (pressure and time). Once that is done, you just wipe it off (dont "buff" as part of the removal). Use any detailing foam applicator, it is just the Meguiars one is known to be good.

**nebriv** · Mar 19, 2010, 04:13 PM

Re: Which products to use on my car?

Ahh, I see. Ok that makes sense now.

And in terms of the claying? Any recommendations in terms of the clay and usage?

**searle** · Mar 19, 2010, 04:27 PM

Re: Which products to use on my car?

Originally posted by nebriv View Post

And in terms of the claying? Any recommendations in terms of the clay and usage?

Meguiars is good, so is Mothers and some others. Buy the consumer kit with clay+lubricant. It is REALLY EASY to use. Just spray and wipe the clay across the paint. The only trick is to be sure that you use lots of lubricant - - the clay should never stick to the paint, it should just slide accross it. It wont feel like it is doing anything, but after you wipe the panel dry you will feel that the paint is unbelievably smooth *AND* then the paintCleaner (UC, SwirlX, etc) will work even better. Also, after each panel you fold the clay over to embed contaniments and give a clean clay surface for the next panel.

ABSOLUTE RULE: If you drop the clay, throw it out (dont try to "clean" it). That is a good reason to only use a part of the claybar at any one time.

**nebriv** · Mar 19, 2010, 04:44 PM

Re: Which products to use on my car?

Awesome, thanks again man!

I'll try and post back with before and after pictures!

**nebriv** · Mar 19, 2010, 05:02 PM

Re: Which products to use on my car?

Rggg, I guess you can't edit your post?

Sorry for double posting...

Instead of an applicator pad can I use like a microfiber rag or something? It seems like I'd need a lot of applicator pads, and I don't really want to spend a WHOLE lot of money on this little project.

Also I was wondering how much UC I'd need for my entire car? I'm ordering online so I don't want to buy too little and have to order again and etc...any ideas?

**Murr1525** · Mar 19, 2010, 06:47 PM

Re: Which products to use on my car?

There is a short time limit on editing.

You only will need one applicator pad per product, (1 for UC, 1 for SwirlX, 1 for Nxt) so a pack of 4 will cost about 4 bucks from ADS, probably similar from Amazon.

Rags can be tricky.... MF can be gentler than foam, but rags can be thinner, vary in quality, etc, and you end up leaving marks behind, even with a good MF. It is important to apply even pressure, not using your fingertips.

I would hope you would not need more than 1 bottle.....

**nebriv** · Apr 4, 2010, 07:04 AM

Re: Which products to use on my car?

Hey everyone,

Thanks a bunch, both products worked very well. I was particularly impressed with the scratches around the door handle.

Here are some photos:

Before

After

Thanks again!

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Which products to use on my car?

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