Is It Worth It To Polish New Paint?

[music_man185]

i have an 07 Tacoma. i bought it new. i'm getting ready to give it it's first REAL detail. i've washed it and waxed it before and even clayed it once. the only problem i have with the paint now is that i have some pretty bad water spots that i'm hoping the cleaner will take out ( is the pre wax cleaner strong enough for rough water spots?). my question is, with the paint still being fairly new, would it be worth my time to polish the paint? it is black sand pearl, and i want the deepest, mirror black i can get. i was planning on...

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Pre Wax Cleaner (something to get out rough water spots)
4. Polish (if worth while)
5. Sealer/Glaze
6. Wax (coat of synthetic NXT and coat of carnauba S100)

also, if it is in my best interest to polish, which polish should i use? my paint is black with a metal flake in it, which i dont really like. it seems like the metal flake makes it seem like a greenish color in certain lights and makes it impossible to achieve that deep mirror black finish. is one polish better to correct this and help bring out the black? i've been looking at the Deep Crystal Polish and the Show Car Glaze #7. i dont have a DA, so any products i use will have to be "hand friendly"

[Spidey]

Re: Is It Worth It To Polish New Paint?

the flake/and possible pearl will make the colour look like a diff tint under the sun.. for me my black has metallic blue/pearls in it.. it's not a big deal but a true gloss black would be the best lol.. im not sure if auto comapanys do this to keep body shops in business (colour matching/blending) or to make their cars look classier and more luxurious..

neways.. it wouldnt hurt polishing the car.. but i always find on paint that is pretty new (and isnt dried out), clay, pre cleaner, wax is good enough.. i think the sealer and synth wax is over kill.. the polish is essentially doing what the sealer glaze is doing... i would take step 5 out, since you are layering the s100 on the nxt, it should be sealed pretty nicely

[Murr1525]

Re: Is It Worth It To Polish New Paint?

i have an 07 Tacoma. i bought it new. i'm getting ready to give it it's first REAL detail. i've washed it and waxed it before and even clayed it once. the only problem i have with the paint now is that i have some pretty bad water spots that i'm hoping the cleaner will take out ( is the pre wax cleaner strong enough for rough water spots?). my question is, with the paint still being fairly new, would it be worth my time to polish the paint? it is black sand pearl, and i want the deepest, mirror black i can get. i was planning on...

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Pre Wax Cleaner (something to get out rough water spots)
4. Polish (if worth while)
5. Sealer/Glaze
6. Wax (coat of synthetic NXT and coat of carnauba S100)

also, if it is in my best interest to polish, which polish should i use? my paint is black with a metal flake in it, which i dont really like. it seems like the metal flake makes it seem like a greenish color in certain lights and makes it impossible to achieve that deep mirror black finish. is one polish better to correct this and help bring out the black? i've been looking at the Deep Crystal Polish and the Show Car Glaze #7. i dont have a DA, so any products i use will have to be "hand friendly"

You will want:

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Clean - You'll want either SwirlX or Ultimate Compound. Might want to get both on hand, so you can do a test spot of the milder SwirlX, then use UC if needed.
4. Polish - Would be optional, but if you want the best look, then you certainly can polish. DC Polish would be easier to use.
5. Wax - 2 thin coats.

[music_man185]

Re: Is It Worth It To Polish New Paint?

3. Clean - You'll want either SwirlX or Ultimate Compound. Might want to get both on hand, so you can do a test spot of the milder SwirlX, then use UC if needed.

the deep crystal pre wax cleaner isn't strong enough? i have some swirl x already. but i was under the impression that swirl x is more abrasive than i would want. especially to use over the entire truck. i really dont have many imperfections as far as scratches and swirls. mainly just the water spots.

also, if i'm going to polish, would i see any benefit in a sealer/glaze?

and is the deep crystal polish better than the show car glaze 7?

[Murr1525]

Re: Is It Worth It To Polish New Paint?

The #7 is pretty top of the line, but can be a bit trickier to use. Up to you.

Going from the cleaner, to the polish, to the waxes should be best, but you can play with other combinations if you like. Your eye may like something different.

As far as the water spots, it depends what kind they are. If it is just some residue on the surface, a mild cleaner would work. If it is spots that have etched into the surface, then it is basically a swirl/scratch, and needs treated similarly.

SwirlX is on the mild side as well, nothing to worry about using.

[Shawn T.]

Re: Is It Worth It To Polish New Paint?

I am going to do my sisters car tomorrow: wash, clay, A12 Cleaner/Wax, and top with NXT. I may be only to use with Cleaner/Wax because of time constraints though. I'll post some pics of befores and after so you can see the difference.

Actually I may give my D151 a shot. I have been waiting to use it for quite a while.

And yes, her car is new but i hasn't been washed since the dealership washed it.

[music_man185]

Re: Is It Worth It To Polish New Paint?

As far as the water spots, it depends what kind they are. If it is just some residue on the surface, a mild cleaner would work. If it is spots that have etched into the surface, then it is basically a swirl/scratch, and needs treated similarly.

my water spots are over the entire truck and have been left untreated for a while. they are very visible when looking at my truck in almost any light or angle. so my guess is that they are etched in. how would color x compare to swirl x in my case?

[Murr1525]

Re: Is It Worth It To Polish New Paint?

ColorX will be milder.

I love ColorX for general car care, but wouldnt want to remove defects with it, esp by hand.

[music_man185]

Re: Is It Worth It To Polish New Paint?

ok, so swirl x it is. its been a while since i've used it. i can't remember...do you work it in until its almost gone and wipe off excess? or work in and let it sit like wax?

and which would be better...foam applicator or microfiber applicator?

[Bill Davidson]

Re: Is It Worth It To Polish New Paint?

ok, so swirl x it is. its been a while since i've used it. i can't remember...do you work it in until its almost gone and wipe off excess? or work in and let it sit like wax?

Yes, the only Meguair's product you let sit is wax (other than some of the solvents if you are letting them dwell).

[Bill Davidson]

Re: Is It Worth It To Polish New Paint?

ok, so swirl x it is. its been a while since i've used it. i can't remember...do you work it in until its almost gone and wipe off excess? or work in and let it sit like wax?

Yes, the only Meguiar's product you let sit/cure is wax (other than some of the solvents if you are letting them dwell).

[music_man185]

Re: Is It Worth It To Polish New Paint?

does the swirl x need to be "worked" in? or just rubbed on and let it do the work?

[Murr1525]

Re: Is It Worth It To Polish New Paint?

For general cleaning, it could be applied mildly, but if you are going to remove defects, it will need worked in wit hsome passion.

I like foam applicators myself.

[Bill Davidson]

Re: Is It Worth It To Polish New Paint?

worked in... as do all of the compounds. It's the combined abrasiveness of the pad and compound that correct the paint surface.

Water spots can really vary. Some will come off with a good washing with car wash soap, other's may need some serious correction. You really have to do a test spot.

[music_man185]

Re: Is It Worth It To Polish New Paint?

ok, but just so i'm clear, it should be worked in thoroughly. but i shouldn't use a lot of pressure or force, right?