Neglected Rally Yellow Cobalt SS Supercharged

[xxxxsh4d0wxxxx]

So I recently acquired, (About a month ago now), a 2006 Cobalt SS Supercharged in Rally Yellow, after my 2008 base model Cobalt got totaled. I am new to "paint cleaning", as with my 2008, I clayed it twice a year and waxed it every three months. I didn't need to "clean" my paint as I was on top of it since day one.

Now with my 2006 SS, the Yellow is decently faded, has swirls, and it just doesn't look very good at all, (Needs to be clayed too), and I need to bring the luster back, as the car is in amazing condition other than this. There are some small dents, rock chips, and curbed rims, but that will too be taken care of on a later date.

Now, currently, in my shopping cart on the Meg's website, I have..

- NXT Car wash
- Smooth Surface Clay kit
- DCCP (Deep Crystal Cleaner Polish)(Contains mild abrasives, from what I understand.)
- DCPP (Deep Crystal Pure Polish)(As is says, pure polish, no abrasives, again, from what I understand.)
- NXT Tech Wax (Liquid)
- (2) 3-Pack Supreme Shine Microfiber Towel
- (3) 2-Pack Foam Applicator Pad

Now, have I got the correct items to fix my dull, neglected Rally Yellow?

Some Meg's items I already have at home..

- Ultimate Compound
- Cleaner Wax (Liquid)(Comes with the Smooth Surface Clay Kit)

[dave93761]

Re: Neglected Rally Yellow Cobalt SS Supercharged

Honestly, I wouldn't bother with the Deep Crystal stuff. You'll need something that's a bit more potent. Are you going to be hand polishing, or with a machine?

- NXT wash
- Clay Kit

- SwirlX (you also have Ultimate Compound already which is good) - SwirlX is a cleaner/polish, so you can get away without putting down some pure polish. If the SwirlX isn't cutting it (pun intended) by itself, use the Ultimate Compound first and then follow it up with the SwirlX.

- NXT 2.0
- Towels & pads as you think appropriate

I also wouldn't worry about using the Cleaner Wax - just apply 2 coats of the NXT when you've finished polishing, and you'll be very happy with the result.

[xxxxsh4d0wxxxx]

Re: Neglected Rally Yellow Cobalt SS Supercharged

Honestly, I wouldn't bother with the DCCP stuff. You'll need something that's a bit more potent. Are you going to be hand polishing, or with a machine?

- NXT wash
- Clay Kit

- SwirlX (you also have Ultimate Compound already which is good) - SwirlX is a cleaner/polish, so you can get away without putting down some pure polish. If the SwirlX isn't cutting it (pun intended) by itself, use the Ultimate Compound first and then follow it up with the SwirlX.

- NXT 2.0
- Towels & pads as you think appropriate

I also wouldn't worry about using the Cleaner Wax - just apply 2 coats of the NXT when you've finished polishing, and you'll be very happy with the result.

Okay, so scratch the DCCP. (Pun also intended.)

That also means ditch the Pure Polish.

Won't Ultimate Compound be too abrasive? Like won't it leave a haze/cloud or add more scratches/swirls, or dull the finish?

Also, does Cleaner Wax add scratches/swirls or no? I know it has abrasives.

And last question, SwirlX is lighter or more harsh as compared to ScratchX?

So, now I have..

- NXT Car wash
- Smooth Surface Clay Kit
- SwirlX
- NXT Tech Wax (liquid)

Lastly, yes, I am doing this by hand.

[dave93761]

Re: Neglected Rally Yellow Cobalt SS Supercharged

Okay, so scratch the DCCP. (Pun also intended.)

That also means ditch the Pure Polish.

Won't Ultimate Compound be too abrasive? Like won't it leave a haze/cloud or add more scratches/swirls, or dull the finish?

Also, does Cleaner Wax add scratches/swirls or no? I know it has abrasives.

And last question, SwirlX is lighter or more harsh as compared to ScratchX?

So, now I have..

- NXT Car wash
- Smooth Surface Clay Kit
- SwirlX
- NXT Tech Wax (liquid)

Lastly, yes, I am doing this by hand.

Remember that when polishing by hand, generally speaking products won't be nearly as abrasive as when they are used by machine.

Ultimate Compound is an awesome product - in many cases it finishes down so well that the surface is LSP ready when using a machine. You'll have no problems using it by hand. Look at the bottle you have - the picture on the cover with the before / after shot - that's what Ultimate Compound does - it doesn't haze the finish, it removes such hazing for you!

The trick is to work it long enough - until it's virtually transparent.

The Cleaner Wax is not abrasive at all, but like I said earlier, if you're getting the NXT, you'll get a better result from 2 coats of NXT rather than using the cleaner wax first. As NXT is a synthetic sealant, it will bond better to the paint surface as opposed to a layer of wax - therefore it will also last longer this way as well.

SwirlX is less aggressive than ScratchX 2.0 - ScratchX 2.0 is designed for isolated problems. SwirlX is a cleaner/polish, so after using some Ultimate Compound to address the hazing and scratches you have, follow with the SwirlX to polish the surface to a clear and glossy finish! Then finish with 2 coats of the NXT and you won't be disappointed.

[xxxxsh4d0wxxxx]

Re: Neglected Rally Yellow Cobalt SS Supercharged

Remember that when polishing by hand, generally speaking products won't be nearly as abrasive as when they are used by machine.

Ultimate Compound is an awesome product - in many cases it finishes down so well that the surface is LSP ready when using a machine. You'll have no problems using it by hand. Look at the bottle you have - the picture on the cover with the before / after shot - that's what Ultimate Compound does - it doesn't haze the finish, it removes such hazing for you!

The trick is to work it long enough - until it's virtually transparent.

The Cleaner Wax is not abrasive at all, but like I said earlier, if you're getting the NXT, you'll get a better result from 2 coats of NXT rather than using the cleaner wax first. As NXT is a synthetic sealant, it will bond better to the paint surface as opposed to a layer of wax - therefore it will also last longer this way as well.

Yes SwirlX is less aggressive than ScratchX 2.0 - ScratchX 2.0 is designed for isolated problems. SwirlX is a cleaner/polish, so after using some Ultimate Compound to address the hazing and scratches you have, follow with the SwirlX to polish the surface to a clear and glossy finish! Then finish with 2 coats of the NXT and you won't be disappointed.

What is LSP?

So I would section off each panel, and work in the SwirlX until it is transparent? I don't believe I need UC as I don't have any hazing, however I do have a few isolated scratches.

But either way, SwirlX or UC, I work in until transparent? Panel by panel?

Then two coats of NXT?

I wish a picture would do justice of my trunk. I have de-badged the trunk and holy cow, the Yellow under where the badging was is like brand new, as opposed to the rest of the trunk which is faded.

Which restores color? UC or SwirlX?

[CieraSL]

Re: Neglected Rally Yellow Cobalt SS Supercharged

Yes, you can polish by hand no problem. Also, Ultimate Compound has always finished out LSP ready for me. I have never had to follow it up with a lighter polish, which is one of my favorite perks of UC. Check out this Mustang I polished by hand with UC:

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37008

[dave93761]

Re: Neglected Rally Yellow Cobalt SS Supercharged

What is LSP?

So I would section off each panel, and work in the SwirlX until it is transparent? I don't believe I need UC as I don't have any hazing, however I do have a few isolated scratches.

But either way, SwirlX or UC, I work in until transparent? Panel by panel?

Then two coats of NXT?

I wish a picture would do justice of my trunk. I have de-badged the trunk and holy cow, the Yellow under where the badging was is like brand new, as opposed to the rest of the trunk which is faded.

Which restores color? UC or SwirlX?

LSP = Last Step Product or Last Step Protection (wax or sealant)

To be totally honest I've found SwirlX by hand is pretty gutless. Ultimate Compound by hand can remove light swirls. SwirlX will finish down a bit glossier than UC because of the polish in it.

Working the whole panel at a time is too much - about a 1'x1' area is enough in one go - so break each panel up into 'sections'.

Both products need to be worked in until essentially transparent, then just buff them off.

Both products restore colour and clarity - the main difference being UC is more aggressive than SwirlX - this being said, hand polishing is relatively useless with regards to defect removal on cars with hard modern clearcoats.

Assuming you use correct technique, there is almost ZERO chance of doing any damage whatsoever. So I would still recommend using the UC first (to maximise the scratch removal potential), and then the SwirlX to give it a bit more gloss and shine to the finish. The NXT will top it off nicely.

You should take a picture of the area you're referring to, and then post it up here for us all to see!!

[xxxxsh4d0wxxxx]

Re: Neglected Rally Yellow Cobalt SS Supercharged

LSP = Last Step Product or Last Step Protection (wax or sealant)

To be totally honest I've found SwirlX by hand is pretty gutless. Ultimate Compound by hand can remove light swirls. SwirlX will finish down a bit glossier than UC because of the polish in it.

Working the whole panel at a time is too much - about a 1'x1' area is enough in one go - so break each panel up into 'sections'.

Both products need to be worked in until essentially transparent, then just buff them off.

Both products restore colour and clarity - the main difference being UC is more aggressive than SwirlX - this being said, hand polishing is relatively useless with regards to defect removal on cars with hard modern clearcoats.

Assuming you use correct technique, there is almost ZERO chance of doing any damage whatsoever. So I would still recommend using the UC first (to maximise the scratch removal potential), and then the SwirlX to give it a bit more gloss and shine to the finish. The NXT will top it off nicely.

You should take a picture of the area you're referring to, and then post it up here for us all to see!!

Oh okay, well, like I said, I can post pictures, but I'm not sure how much of help they will be. The car is a little over 5 years old, and the Yellow is fairly faded, and it has a few swirl marks.

It's not like a hazy fading, just fading (Not like the picture on the UC bottle). So, I'm not sure if I should start with UC or SwirlX. But if you say UC, then UC it is. I've never used it.

It's going to be a pain to do the entire car by hand, but oh well. :P

Will UC take off all of my previous stuff? If so, UC should be first no matter what, seeing as SwirlX contains polish. Correct?

[dave93761]

Re: Neglected Rally Yellow Cobalt SS Supercharged

Oh okay, well, like I said, I can post pictures, but I'm not sure how much of help they will be. The car is a little over 5 years old, and the Yellow is fairly faded, and it has a few swirl marks.

It's not like a hazy fading, just fading (Not like the picture on the UC bottle). So, I'm not sure if I should start with UC or SwirlX. But if you say UC, then UC it is. I've never used it.

It's going to be a pain to do the entire car by hand, but oh well. :P

Will UC take off all of my previous stuff? If so, UC should be first no matter what, seeing as SwirlX contains polish. Correct?

Don't worry, the UC is EASY to use.

Yeah hand polishing can be hard work at times, as you do need so put some 'passion' into it to get the best result.

Even with light fading, you'll most likely need the extra oomph of the UC to get the job done. Then if you follow with the SwirlX, you should be able to see a difference as opposed to just the UC.

Any paint cleaning product will remove stuff that's previously been applied (old wax etc), so yes it will remove anything you put on the car in the past. This is not the reason that you would want to use UC first instead of SwirlX, but mainly for the extra cutting power that you'll need.

[xxxxsh4d0wxxxx]

Re: Neglected Rally Yellow Cobalt SS Supercharged

Don't worry, the UC is EASY to use.

Yeah hand polishing can be hard work at times, as you do need so put some 'passion' into it to get the best result.

Even with light fading, you'll most likely need the extra oomph of the UC to get the job done. Then if you follow with the SwirlX, you should be able to see a difference as opposed to just the UC.

Any paint cleaning product will remove stuff that's previously been applied (old wax etc), so yes it will remove anything you put on the car in the past. This is not the reason that you would want to use UC first instead of SwirlX, but mainly for the extra cutting power that you'll need.

Got it! That makes sense. Use UC to remove all previous stuff, and it cuts all the way down, then SwirlX for more cleaning, and to polish, then NXT wax.

What would be the correct technique to work it in (Both UC and SwirlX), other than just doing it in sections? Any special way I should work it into the paint?

As of being out tonight, I was under some bright parking lot lights, and my trunk does have a decent amount of swirls, as opposed to my hood, which has little to none.