Fairly new to the DA with ?s

[2008GT500]

Hi all, I've been a car fanatic since I was born, and have certainly run the gauntlet of products over the years. All of that has led me to Meguiar's. I've been exclusively using Meguiar's for a few years now. I bought the DA early last year, and have been very happy with it. My routine was gold class wash, clay, DC-cleaner, #7, and NXT. Now the auto parts stores stopped carrying DC cleaner by me, so I ordered #2, but that word cut keeps sticking out in my head. I'm thinking it is more aggressive than I need. I have an '08 GT500 with very minor surface imperfections. In my reading, #80 seems to be the product of choice, so some advice would be great. I know #80 has some polish in it too, but would it be a better replacement for the DC cleaner than #2?

Any other advice is welcome too. I'm always willing to try new things.

[2008GT500]

Re: Fairly new to the DA with ?s

Another thing I saw was putting the #26 on before the NXT for a deeper shine. That doesn't inhibit the performance of NXT? I know it's all personal preference for the look, but it'd be nice to hear from anyone that has tried this.

[aerogt01]

Re: Fairly new to the DA with ?s

In my experience M02 is a little bit more finnicky than M80. Also, M80 has a lot of polishing oils in it that will really help condition the paint and get it to shine. Between the two, I would say M80. However lately M205 has replaced it as the first go-to polish for minor imperfections.

It is popular here to layer M26 and NXT for the ultimate shine, and it works fairly well.

[Murr1525]

Re: Fairly new to the DA with ?s

Yeah, #80 or #205 would be what you want, not #2.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Fairly new to the DA with ?s

# 80 would be a great choice.

[2008GT500]

Re: Fairly new to the DA with ?s

Thanks guys, I ordered both.

[SVT Lightning]

Re: Fairly new to the DA with ?s

And you want to put the NXT on first...and then#26!

[2008GT500]

Re: Fairly new to the DA with ?s

Thanks lightning, that makes more sense to me anyway.

[FRS]

Re: Fairly new to the DA with ?s

And you want to put the NXT on first...and then#26!

wrong order ..

[Andrew C.]

Re: Fairly new to the DA with ?s

wrong order ..

He was correct. You put Carnauba on top of Synthetic. So M26 on top of NXT

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Fairly new to the DA with ?s

Hi all, I've been a car fanatic since I was born, and have certainly run the gauntlet of products over the years. All of that has led me to Meguiar's. I've been exclusively using Meguiar's for a few years now. I bought the DA early last year, and have been very happy with it. My routine was gold class wash, clay, DC-cleaner, #7, and NXT. Now the auto parts stores stopped carrying DC cleaner by me, so I ordered #2, but that word cut keeps sticking out in my head. I'm thinking it is more aggressive than I need. I have an '08 GT500 with very minor surface imperfections. In my reading, #80 seems to be the product of choice, so some advice would be great. I know #80 has some polish in it too, but would it be a better replacement for the DC cleaner than #2?

Any other advice is welcome too. I'm always willing to try new things.

Considering your routine has consisted only of cleaning and adding polish and wax/sealant, even with perfect wash and drying technique you will still likely have some minor swirls.

I would suggest the M80 or M205 in order to clean those up, and then follow with the wax or wax +sealant of your choice. I think you will be pleasantly surprised how much better it will look with the minor swirls removed as well.

Oh, be sure to post some pictures!

Mark

[2008GT500]

Re: Fairly new to the DA with ?s

You are correct Mark, I have always fought the minor swirls. I'll take some before and after photos just to see. I probably won't be doing it until next month though, so hold tight.

[2008GT500]

Re: Fairly new to the DA with ?s

Well, I finally got off my butt and did it . I work at the space center, and have a photo shoot tomorrow with a bunch of Mustang guys out here, so I had to shine it up.

I washed and clayed, then went with 205, 7, then NXT. I wasn't thrilled with the 205 initially, I don't think I was aggressive enough, but after I put the 7 on, I was pretty happy. I still have some minor imperfections I can see under the fluorescent lights when looking at just the right angle, so I might try 105 next go around, or try 205 with a little more pressure. I'm always a little gun shy when trying something new.

I did take some before pictures of the Mustang and the Focus, so tonight I'll try and get some after shots and post them up. I bought an 02 SVT Focus last December Mark, and the paint was not maintained, so I clayed it, cleaned, polished, NXT and it was a million times better, but not great. The 205 seemed to help a little more this time, but I still need to step it up a notch.

Does anyone have opinions on the Lake Country pads vs. the Meguiar's pads? I used the Meguiar's pads the first time I used the DA and think I got better results, but I'm pretty sure I just wasn't being as critical. It's easy to see better results when you were used to hand waxing, so if any of you guys have pad opinions, I'd appreciate them.

[2008GT500]

Re: Fairly new to the DA with ?s

Also, what do you use on the front bumper black plastic of the Focus? I still have a wax mark there from previous owner I haven't gotten out. I love the Ultimate Protectant and it hides the wax pretty well, but won't take it out.

[gjohn28]

Re: Fairly new to the DA with ?s

...I wasn't thrilled with the 205 initially, I don't think I was aggressive enough...

What pad - type/size - did you use with the 205?

...I still have some minor imperfections I can see under the fluorescent lights when looking at just the right angle, so I might try 105 next go around, or try 205 with a little more pressure.

Adjusting your technique - a little more pressure, smaller working area, etc. - is a good idea. If you feel you still need to bump up your cut, try SwirlX or Ultimate Compound before going right to 105.