Some observations

[Brook]

No questions here, just some observations, sort of like a blog or journal entry I suppose:
I noticed that despite very careful care over the past several months since my last detail, my Stormy Blue Mica MX-5 had a fair number of light swirls, particularly on the doors, and some more serious defects on the trunk lid and bonnet. It's probably the summer dust and dirt, bug splatters, and driving across the Nevada deseret and California from Utah to San Francisco in July.
I used 205 and an orange LC pad, followed by 205 and a white LC pad with dramatic results. I had tried 105 a week previous and it created more problems than it solved. Ultimate Compound hasn't given me very long work time in the past. The 205 had what others on the forum have termed "insane" working time. I could have gone all night without the dusting and drying I've had with other products.
I then washed the car and applied NXT 2.0 wax, but was disappointed that it seemed to leave a lot of streaks or a residue that was difficult to remove.
I let it sit overnight, wiped it down again and applied Meg's carnauba paste wax. My paint seems to react much better to the natural wax.
The entire process took about five hours. I'm pretty slow.
I was very pleased with the results. Oh, there are a few defects that probably wouldn't be noticed by anyone but me, but after 5 hours I'd had enough and the results were certainly acceptable (and stunning!). I don't think I have the patience (or the skill) to be a professional detailer.
I will say that since buying this car a year ago and studying carefully the threads on the Meguiar's forum I have learned a ton of helpful information and my car looks better than it ever would have otherwise.
Thanks fellow posters and thanks Meguiars!

P.S. I won't post any before/after photos. I didn't take any and there are far more talented detailers and interesting stories than this one of mine.

[Brad777]

Re: Some observations

No questions here, just some observations, sort of like a blog or journal entry I suppose:
I noticed that despite very careful care over the past several months since my last detail, my Stormy Blue Mica MX-5 had a fair number of light swirls, particularly on the doors, and some more serious defects on the trunk lid and bonnet. It's probably the summer dust and dirt, bug splatters, and driving across the Nevada deseret and California from Utah to San Francisco in July.
I used 205 and an orange LC pad, followed by 205 and a white LC pad with dramatic results. I had tried 105 a week previous and it created more problems than it solved. Ultimate Compound hasn't given me very long work time in the past. The 205 had what others on the forum have termed "insane" working time. I could have gone all night without the dusting and drying I've had with other products.
I then washed the car and applied NXT 2.0 wax, but was disappointed that it seemed to leave a lot of streaks or a residue that was difficult to remove.
I let it sit overnight, wiped it down again and applied Meg's carnauba paste wax. My paint seems to react much better to the natural wax.
The entire process took about five hours. I'm pretty slow.
I was very pleased with the results. Oh, there are a few defects that probably wouldn't be noticed by anyone but me, but after 5 hours I'd had enough and the results were certainly acceptable (and stunning!). I don't think I have the patience (or the skill) to be a professional detailer.
I will say that since buying this car a year ago and studying carefully the threads on the Meguiar's forum I have learned a ton of helpful information and my car looks better than it ever would have otherwise.
Thanks fellow posters and thanks Meguiars!

P.S. I won't post any before/after photos. I didn't take any and there are far more talented detailers and interesting stories than this one of mine.

I've ran into the same streaking problem if I wash the vehicle after cleaning all the wax off. This actually makes sense if you consider there is no slick protection on the vehicle. Same thing happens if you go too long without waxing.

I apply NXT 2.0 and other wax products immediately after cleaning...problems disappeared. Wash the car afterwards.

[Brook]

Re: Some observations

Good point. I hadn't thought of that. I haven't had problems with NXT in the past; only this time after I washed the car.

[slickooz]

Re: Some observations

When you detailed your car, did you use 2 bucket system with grit guard? People here have said using grit guard will help prevent swirls.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Some observations

It is quite common for the Mazda MX-5 Miata to have pretty soft paint. This would explain the quick results using something as mild as M205 and the negative results you got with M105 - it's simply overly aggressive for this paint.

The streaking issues you saw with NXT 2.0 can almost always be traced to a heavier than needed application and/or not enough drying time. A full sized sedan (think Chrysler 300, Ford Taurus, Cadillac STS) can be covered with just a couple ounces of product. Something as small as an MX-5, even with the PRHT, will take even less. But let it dry fully; NXT 2.0 is easier to remove if you let it dry a bit longer than you think you should rather than wiping it off a bit early. Even a full hour of dry time should result in an incredibly easy wipe off.

As for accumulating swirls over time, even though you're being very meticulous in how you care for the finish, we'll put that down to the soft paint too. Speaking from personal experience, I used to have a '99 Emerald Mica Miata and the paint was very delicate. I only drove it about 3000 miles a year and it sat in my garage the rest of the time. I treated it exactly the same as my daily driver, but the daily always had fewer swirls, less defects, etc. That Miata was like a trained dog - just say "scratch" and it did!!! Fortunately, correction was super easy as long as mild products were used. Heck, you could probably apply ColorX once a month via D/A and a finishing pad and never see a mark in the paint again!!

[Brook]

Re: Some observations

Michael, thanks for your always helpful and insightful comments. Interestingly, I have noticed some other recent positive comments on ColorX here and have been contemplating trying it out. I'll give it a whirl in the next few weeks and report back.

On the NXT 2.0, I have to confess that by the time I got to the waxing stage I was pretty tired. I have applied NXT previously using the DA and a red LC pad, and frankly, I got much better results--but it was on a different car. Thanks for the reminder to apply a very thin coat and to let it sit longer. As I say, I was likely over-eager as it was getting to be the wee hours of the morning and I wanted to get to bed.

slickooz, I didn't use the two-bucket system. Your point is well taken.

[k3ith]

Re: Some observations

Interestingly, I have noticed some other recent positive comments on ColorX here and have been contemplating trying it out. I'll give it a whirl in the next few weeks and report back.

I too saw positive comments on Colorx here. Before reading I actually thought it was a product for older single stage paint! I tried it a few weeks ago on black and loved it. Give it a shot for sure.