evaulate my steps in detailing the car

[mikexima]

Well I just bought a used 2001 nissan maxima with a pearl white finish. It is a very well maintained arizona car with paint in great condition. However, being a 9 year old car, it does have swirl and long scratches here and there. (trunk, rear spoiler etc)...

I am planning to do everything by hand as I dont have a DA or the experience. I am not a newbie at auto detailing but im far from a pro. Initially, I wanted to merely do a wash and clay with wax but i figured since the clay will expose the clear coat, might as well get rid of the scratches as best as I could.

Now, would I want to use scratch x 2.0 or meguiars clear coat safe hand polish? Both products are designed to get rid of scratches but I dont understand the difference between the two. is the scratch x made for isolated areas where as the polish is made for use on the entire car? (solely based on the amount of product). which would I use?

Here are the steps im going to be taking

1) wash car with household dishwashing to strip any previous layers of wax

2) clay the car using meguiars clay bars that come with the KIT.

3) at this point, is it time to use the "cleaner wax" that comes with the kit or is it time to get rid of the scratches, if the later, what product is best?

4) after riddin the scratches, should I top it off with meguiars cleaner wax or meguiars ultimate quick wax spray or meguiars nxt wax. I have all 3 products but Would like to keep it at a minimal cost by not using the nxt wax kit.

feel free to critique my steps and suggest addition steps. I am not looking to produce results like a pro detailer and cure the paint down to the root. I just want to enthusiastically detail the car.

[ps2cho]

Re: evaulate my steps in detailing the car

I would not use dishwashing soap as it won't get all the old wax off completely. I would use paint cleaner, then clay it (2nd step so the clay doesn't get as dirty), then use scratch X then finally wax. Yes it is going to take a few hours, but seeing as you know some level of detailing, I expect you already should be fine with this.

Use the NXT 2.0 first, then after each week/EO week's normal washing, use the UQW on top.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: evaulate my steps in detailing the car

Never been a fan of dish soap on the car. Get yourself a dedicated car wash soap like gold class.

clay, use plenty of lube

Are you going to do your whole car, or just the isolated area's?
If the isolated areas, go with the scratch-x.

Then I would use the cleaner wax over the entire car.

Then give it a coat of the NXT wax.

For Regular maintenance you could use a quik detailer product for light dust, and /fingerprints.

Wash use the gold class, then use your Ultimate qiuk wax as a booster.

This is not a root to the paint detail. However it will make your Maxima look good.

[mikexima]

Re: evaulate my steps in detailing the car

thank you for the replies. I dedicate two days for this project. Yes i do want to get the entire body of the car rid of all scratches, what should i use? scratch x 2.0 or clear coat safe hand polish.

[Murr1525]

Re: evaulate my steps in detailing the car

Depending on how bad things are, I would want SwirlX or Ultimate Compound for doing a whole car.

[mikexima]

Re: evaulate my steps in detailing the car

Depending on how bad things are, I would want SwirlX or Ultimate Compound for doing a whole car.

in that case, what is the clear coat safe hand polish designed to do? I don't quiet understand what polishes do. How are they different than wax?

[yalerd]

Re: evaulate my steps in detailing the car

Best thing to understand the steps for a full detail is this thread
Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle - Updated!

[mikexima]

Re: evaulate my steps in detailing the car

Best thing to understand the steps for a full detail is this thread
Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle - Updated!

thanks for the awesome link. I think I know what to do now. Will post some pictures !

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

Re: evaulate my steps in detailing the car

I cant wait for pics!

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

Re: evaulate my steps in detailing the car

I would not use dishwashing soap as it won't get all the old wax off completely. I would use paint cleaner, then clay it (2nd step so the clay doesn't get as dirty), then use scratch X then finally wax. Yes it is going to take a few hours, but seeing as you know some level of detailing, I expect you already should be fine with this.

Use the NXT 2.0 first, then after each week/EO week's normal washing, use the UQW on top.

What are some paint cleaners you'd recommend?

[mikexima]

Re: evaulate my steps in detailing the car

ok guys, this project will begin on tuesday.

here is what is planned:

1) wash using meguiars car wash
2) clay using meguiars
3) meguiars swirl x and scratch x 2.0
4) mguiars pure polish
5) meguiars NXT wax 2.0
6)meguiars ultimate quick detailer

everything will be done with hand. just one last question to get the ultimate results. what kind of pads do I want to use on the swirl x, polish and wax. could I use a foam cutting pad on ALL? please recommend me what pads to use.

[Murr1525]

Re: evaulate my steps in detailing the car

Generally, you would want two thin coats of wax.

You can UQD after, but would want to wait several hours to let the wax cure more.

If you are working by hand, most people use the little yellow round Hi-Tec Foam Applicators.

However, if you were to go to ADS and buy the holder with the 4" foam discs, I would still want to try starting with a yellow polishing pad.

[mikexima]

Re: evaulate my steps in detailing the car

So i can use the the yellow foam applicators to apply swirl, polish and wax? I was under the impression that each step requires its own applicator too, as in, swirl remover requires a more abraise and wax needs a very soft pad.

[Murr1525]

Re: evaulate my steps in detailing the car

Oh yes, multiple applicators, but the same Hi-Tec style can be used for all steps.

Working by hand, I am not sure that different foams will have the same effect they do on a machine. Usually, by hand the smooth foam is good, and then terry only if something real strong is needed.

[jreblackGT]

Re: evaulate my steps in detailing the car

My experience with hand application (on a newer car) is that swirlX and scratchX didn't perform as well as Mirror Glaze 9 Swirl Remover 2.0 in removing swirls/minor scratches.