Happy B-day to Me (well...my car)

[Matt97GT]

turned all the money i received from family and friends from my birthday and took advantage of Meguiars Holiday Offer.

I'm dying to get out there and clean my car, but the weather hasn't cooperated all weekend.

[Tim Lingor]

Happy Birthday...to your car!!

Seriously, congrats on your new toy! You will LOVE using the G-100 !!!!


Tim

[scrub]

I'll second 2hotford about using the PC.

I was hesitant to buy one I waited over a year. I couldn't imagine detailing withou it. I even look at chores around the house where I can use the PC...

You've got some great products to get started with.

Just some quick questions since I'm not to aware of your vehicles info.

Are there any specific surface flaws you looking to correct?

What is your choice of wax?

Lastly have you researched the proper application and removal techniques for your products?

Man this site has taught me tons about how to use their products. This site is a very useful resource.

Don't forget the before and after pics too. Good luck.

[Matt97GT]

Originally posted by scrub
I'll second 2hotford about using the PC.

I was hesitant to buy one I waited over a year. I couldn't imagine detailing withou it. I even look at chores around the house where I can use the PC...

You've got some great products to get started with.

Just some quick questions since I'm not to aware of your vehicles info.

Are there any specific surface flaws you looking to correct?

Just a few minor scratches and the obvious never-ending battle against swirl marks on black cars.

What is your choice of wax?

Currently, NXT Tec Wax. (Former Zaino User)

Lastly have you researched the proper application and removal techniques for your products?

Yes, for the last month roughly i've been researching and looking at threads made in the past which closely related to my situation. When there was mention about a G-100 special offer, i immediately talked to Mike Phillips. Trying not to go crazy, i chose what i thought were the common essential products, #83 and #80 (DACP and Speed Glaze). Almost every thread i saw regarding polishing and swirl removal had those products in them.


Now, i have a question. It says that #80 speed glaze is indeed abrasive. Once i go over the car with the #83 and #80 and set up good, would i still use the #80 speed glaze every month or so before waxing? Or is there a better and less/non abrasive product i should use? Perhaps the store shelf Deep Crystal stuff?

Man this site has taught me tons about how to use their products. This site is a very useful resource.

Don't forget the before and after pics too. Good luck.

I totally agree. Well, i'm proud to say my before pics are pretty good. I was using a craftsman 7" random orbital along with 3m swirl remover, Mother's step 2 polish, and nxt tec wax. I just got tired of the pads being torn up by the machine about half way through the car, and the fact that my end results, while very good compared to most, are not up to the stellar standards of this website.

last month:

[scrub]

Thanks for the info.

I had an 01 GT drk green and I have an 04 Avalanche black. I wash weekly as business allows. I'd say in regards to your #80 question...If you notice wash marks after a month then go for #80. I guess it kind of depends on the time you want to spend.

Past experience has shown with my 04 that if I use good wash techniques I can minimize the need to polish my vehicle with the pc. For month to month maintenance you could use a pure polish to restore the wettness and gloss then rewax.

I'm begining to think though that I don't like to polish with a pure polish and use NXT. It seems the NXT kind of smears while removing. I've had good luck with NXT then Gold Class Wax. I tried this combo just recently.

[JeepZJlover]

Perhaps ill get burned for this one but when it comes to having a black jeep the things full of swirls and ill tell you ive just given up on it it still gets washed and waxed but nothing else i just dont really care anymore. It has also gained alot of "Custom Pinstriping" from tight trails where tree branches scratch it up. By the way the mustang looks awesome, dont know how you all do it. But keep up the good work . And it looks like the beemer in the background needs washed.

[mustangless]

that almost looks like the same stuff I got except I got a PC instead of the g-100.

I did get some pads, #80 and #83. I am also going to be doing my 94 gt when I get some good weather

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by Matt97GT
Now, i have a question. It says that #80 speed glaze is indeed abrasive. Once i go over the car with the #83 and #80 and set up good, would i still use the #80 speed glaze every month or so before waxing? Or is there a better and less/non abrasive product i should use? Perhaps the store shelf Deep Crystal stuff?

Hi Matt,

Take your bottles of the #83 and the #80 and shake them up well. Then remove the cap and remove the safety seal and then pour a little of each product into your and and rub/feel them between two of your fingers.

Do they feel abrasive? Or do they feel like hand lotion?

The correct answer is hand lotion. The #80 is a very gentle cleaner/polish that you can use as often as you like before applying wax. It's mild cleaning action will always insure a clean surface that is clear and glossy. If you like however, you could switch to a pure polish like the Deep Crystal Polish. If you apply this pure polish by hand or with the G-100 the polish together with the application material and the polishing action created by moving the material over the surface will also give you a sleight cleaning action.

Either way you should see stellar results.

Mike

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Happy B-day to Me (well...my car)

Originally posted by Matt97GT

Interesting table. It looks like the table legs have feet with shoes.

Mike

[Matt97GT]

Hey Mike-

what i meant was that #80 had a 4 on the abrasive scale....comparing it to the 6 on the DACP. I assumed it was roughly 60% of the abrasiveness.

And yes, the legs are shapped like boots. it's actually some kind of stool. My mom is an interior designer, so she can find some wierd stuff at times.

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by Matt97GT
Hey Mike-

what i meant was that #80 had a 4 on the abrasive scale....comparing it to the 6 on the DACP. I assumed it was roughly 60% of the abrasiveness.

Don't try to equate to much specifics to the scale. They are basically just general guidelines.

While the #80 has a rating of 4 the abrasive in the #80 breakdown very quickly, so it doesn't abrade as long as most of the other cleaner/polishes. There are many factors that affect the aggressiveness of a product such as application method, application material, time, pressure etc.

#80 is a very mild cleaner/polish whose diminishing abrasives breakdown very quickly. It is very safe to use with a dual action polisher with the W-8006 polishing pad.

Mike

[Matt97GT]

what about that 9006 pad?


i was going to use #83 with the 8006, then the #80 with a 9006....followed by a coat of nxt and possibly remove with the other clean 8006 pad w/ an ultimate bonnet over it.


or should i use a pure polish before the wax?

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by Matt97GT
what about that 9006 pad?


i was going to use #83 with the 8006, then the #80 with a 9006....followed by a coat of NXT and possibly remove with the other clean 8006 pad w/ an ultimate bonnet over it.


or should i use a pure polish before the wax?

Mi Matt,

Here's what you want to do,

• 1) #83 Dual Action Cleaner Polish with the W-8006 Polishing Pad on the 5.0 Speed Setting
  2) #80 Speed Glaze with a dedicated W-8006 polishing pad on the 4.5 setting
  3) NXT Tech Wax with a W-9006 finishing pad on the 3.0 setting.

Remove the dried NXT with microfiber bonnet on a clean, dry foam pad, either a W-8006 polishing pad or a W-7006 cutting pad on the 5.0 setting. The W-9006 pad is too soft for efficient wax removal.

In the above process, applying a pure polish would be an optional step. The #80 is very rich in polishing oils, (which you will see when you wipe off the residue and inspect your car's beautiful finish), and so you can easily skip this step. If you want to apply a pure polish after the #80 Speed Glaze then do so using a dedicated W-9006 finishing pad on the 3.0 to 4.0 setting.

Compounds, Paint Cleaners, Cleaner/Polishes and Pure polishes do not need to dry. So after you applied any of these products and worked them in, go a head and remove them and move on to the next step. Use your softest 100% cotton terry cloth towels, or premium quality microfiber polishing cloths.

Meguiar's waxes on the other hand do need to dry before your remove them. To know when to remove a Meguiar's wax, read the how-to article in the below link.

How to tell when a Meguiar's wax is ready to remove - The Swipe Test

Hope this helps...

Have fun!

Mike

[Matt97GT]

well, i got to use it a bit for the first time tonight.

Washed and clay bar'd it, then brought it in the garage. I was going to just go bed but i couldn't wait so i broke out the g-100 and tested it out on the passenger side half of my hood.

initial impressions were pretty good. Didn't have to fuss around with putting the pad on like i would with my craftsman orbital. I poured 2 thin strips of #83 on the pad in an "X" form, and begin to apply it on the 5 setting.

I noticed i still had a bit of a problem with the foam pad spraying tiny foam particles everywhere, though it's not as bad as my craftsman. Still a little disappointing though, but perhaps it's because the foam is brand new and it wasn't moist enough?

I'll have to post some pics tomorrow, but after working the product in a small section for a few minutes i grabbed a microfiber towel and easily wiped off the area....the results were decent. It definitely feels smooth and improved, but my finish must be worse than i thought. There was still all kinds of tiny spots and scratches.

Overall i'm very happy with my package though. To expect an instant miracle after a few minutes with the first coat is a bit much. Plus, i'm working with crappy Ford black paint. Hopefully some decent pictures can help show you guys and help me out with what to do.

[Matt97GT]

well, tonight was pretty good. I had the garage for the night, so i washed my car again and had at it on the hood with the PC. I spent at least a half hour working the #83 on the hood. I tried taking before pics, but for some reason it wouldn't accurately show the condition. Lots of small swirl marks, and tiny pin-sized etchings all over the hood. The DACP did a pretty good job of taking care of it all.

I then moved on to #80 speed glaze and all i have to say is WOW....this stuff is MONEY! Virtually ALL swirls of any kind were now gone after a good 20 minutes with this stuff. I was amazed at how my paint just turned "wet" and the black became really dark and deep.

After that it was getting really late, so i threw a coat of NXT on began to clean up as a let it dry. 20 mins later i wiped it all down with a fresh ultimate wipe and called it a night. I'm starting to get the hang of it, and tomorrow i'll attack the rest of the car.

here is a pic right after the speed glaze, BEFORE applying any NXT!:



for reference, that's my driver side front fender.