application questions?

[blacktavert]

this is my first post on this board. I am pretty familiar with detailing. I have a black 95 Trans Am convertible, i have taking great care of it since i have got it about 2 1/2 years ago. i have switched to using almost all meguiars products now. one of these weekends when i am free from some school work here at college, i need to clean up the car pretty bad, i have bought some of the new NXT.
so my steps to doing this are as follows:
wash with dawn
claybar
wash again with dawn
apply NXT

now can i apply a coat of #26 after that for more protection or a better look or should i leave well enough alone, or should i do anything else in between there.
right now the car has several coats of zaino on it, which i hate to deal with and wasnt very satisfied with.
thanks in advance for any help

[gb387]

First welcome you will find lots of info here!

Moving on... I am not to sure that I would wash your car with dawn even to remove old wax maybe some else can chime in on that but I think its hard on plastics and the adhesives used on trim and other items.

Now clay bar looks good I think its a good idea to wash after clay but I would stick with some car wash soap. Something you might want to do is add a second coat of NXT 24 hours after the first. I have found the second coat adds depth. If your not sure if its worth it try your hood first and see what it looks like, if it makes a difference do the entire car a second time. Sounds like you have some #26 I know others have used it with NXT I have not.

The possibilities are endless!

Well good luck let us know how it turns out.

In my signature area is my black truck with:
Meguiars Deep Crystal Cleaner
Meguiars Deep Crystal Polish
Meguiars NXT with a second coat 12 hours after first

[Mike Phillips]

Hi blacktavert,

Welcome to Meguiar's Online!

Quick question...

Is it possible to take a before picture of your Trans Am after washing but before applying the Tech Wax?

Mike

[4.6GT]

I would use a cleaner, then #7 polish and then NXT. I have a black GT and the addition of polish before the wax really brings out and deepens the color. I think you will be very happy with the results.

[Slats]

I don't recommend using dawn -- you'd be much better off using designated car wash soap for your Grand Am. As long as its been a couple months since you last waxed, theres no need to worry about removing the old wax. Also, clay bars supposedly remove old wax -- maybe someone else can verify this, but that's what I've heard. Since its a dark car, I'd try the following:

Wash
Clay
Polish
NXT wax

Note that there is no need to wash again after claying -- just use Quick Detailer and a towel to wipe it down if there is any residue.

Sounds like you have a good plan already, but polishing before the wax would probably look better. Yeah, I'd love to see some pictures if you can post them.

Slats

[rdarwa]

I agree with Slats...I would not use Dawn on your car. I had a Corvette dealer tell me to use it on my Vette. I could not for the life of me figure out why the wax kept disapearing. Everytime I washed it, I needed to wax again. Then after getting involved with Meguiars products I realized that I was washing it off everytime with that stupid dish soap. I now use Megs NXT wash and love it. It glides so easily over the paint. I wouldn't use anything else now.

NXT ROCKS!!

Let's face it...your car is worth a great deal more than dishes. Unless you are cooking on your car...nix the Dawn. Your car will thank you. LOL

[blacktavert]

I have a digital camera at home, so i can take pictures before and after and during each step of the process. the car is not in bad shape right now, it just hasnt had a coat of wax since last september probably, it sits outside right now at my apartment complex but when at home it sits in the garage. This winter hasnt been the greatest here in Illinois though as cold as it has been though.
I usually do use normal car wash with my car. the only time i use dawn is when i am going to wax my car so that i can get all the old wax off, if there is any left on there.

that was my plan was to apply another coar of NXT several hours later, does NXT build on itself like Zaino did, i know the more you put on of that the better and deeper it looked.

what is the best kind of cleaner to use and what exactly is the #7 polish? i dont mind paying extra for the professional line as long as i can find it in my town.

any other tips for me?

thanks, and sorry it is so long

[rdarwa]

blacktavert,

I would wait 12-24 hours between the NXT waxes to let it cure. I waited a day between coats.

I clayed my 4runner and Tundra with Quick Detailer. G-1116
Then I put on a coat of Deep Crystal Polish A-2116
I have never tried the #7 Show Car Glaze M-0716 (I hear it is great stuff though)
Then I put a couple coats of the NXT.

I now have 3 coats in one month on my 4runner and 1 coat on my Tundra. I have no build up at all. The paint is brillant silver! I can't believe what is has done to the color. It was gray now sparkling silver.

I am in Las Vegas right now...husband has a traveling job. We move from location to location. Been here about 6 months. The people in this apartment complex think I am a complete NUT. :p
Oh well...3 people have told me a should go professional.

Today is my birthday...been thinking about a PC...has anyone bought the cordless? It is a pain in the butt always moving about every six months and not knowing if the electricitly is going to be easy to get in the parking lot.

[blacktavert]

i plan on waiting until the next day to apply another coat of NXT,
what kind of cleaner should i use though?
what kind of polish should i use, the step 2 deep crystal polish or the #7 show car glaze, or is that not right for a clear coat car?

[TwoTooBlack]

On a black BMW with lots of swirls, I went with:

NXT wash
Clay
Scratch X
Deep Crystal Polish
NXT

Swirls gone, mirror finish. My wife hasn't stopped thanking me.

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by blacktavert
i plan on waiting until the next day to apply another coat of NXT,
what kind of cleaner should I use though?
what kind of polish should I use, the step 2 deep crystal polish or the #7 show car glaze, or is that not right for a clear coat car?

Hi blacktavert,

If I read you correctly, and your applying a second coat of NXT Tech Wax, then you should be able to apply the Tech Wax without cleaning, or polishing. Just make sure the surface is clean by either washing, or using a quick detailer.

Mike

[CHzo6]

Does Scratch X have to be applied by hand, or can you use the PC?