Is It Worth It To Polish New Paint?

[akimel]

Re: Is It Worth It To Polish New Paint?

MusicMan, be sure to do a test spot with SwirlX: How to do a Test SPOT. You want to first determine whether SwirlX is strong enough to remove your water spots. It may not be. If it's not, you will want to do a quick run down to the store and pick up a bottle of Ultimate Compound.

BTW, be sure to use a foam applicator when applying either SwirlX or UC. Maybe it's just my bad luck, but I've had some bad luck using the microfiber applicators one buys at the local auto store.

[akimel]

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?

You should find the following articles helpful:

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30910

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7228

Oh, and did I mention: Do a TEST SPOT.

[music_man185]

Re: Is It Worth It To Polish New Paint?

thanks for the heads up. i'm pretty sure swirl-x is strong enough to remove the water spots i have. i treated my hood last year and it did well. my concern was that the swirl-x was too abrasive for what i needed it to do and that maybe i should step down to a pre-wax cleaner. but murr assured me that swirl-x is relatively mild and should be ok.

when i treated my hood last year, the water spots came off, but i'm still not sure that i applied swirl-x right. i dont think i worked it in enough. i treated it more like a wax. i only have microfiber applicators, so i will probably run to the store and pick up some foam.

[Murr1525]

Re: Is It Worth It To Polish New Paint?

If the spots came out, then you worked it in enough.

These spots could be milder, worse, so just have to see. Worse may need worked in more.

[Bill Davidson]

Re: Is It Worth It To Polish New Paint?

Music Man,

Assuming your '07 Tacoma hasn't had the integrity of it's original clear coat compromised (meaning some hack didn't remove half of it). You could use Swirl X by hand every Spring for the next 50 years and not have to worry about causing any harm.

Don't worry about Swirl X being too aggressive of a product.

That being said you should be working it more than a wax application (as a norm).

[Pizzaguy]

Re: Is It Worth It To Polish New Paint?

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.

EMphasis mine.

Seems like a LOT of those who know, insist on two coats.

How long between coats of NXT TW 2.0? I did a coat three hours ago, car is sitting in an air conditioned garage - can I get away with another coat later today?

[Murr1525]

Re: Is It Worth It To Polish New Paint?

The two coats just ensures even coverage and protection... even if you wax everywhere and dont miss a spot, the imperfections in the paint might mean you dont get wax in there, so hopefully twice it all fills in.

As far as waiting, you would want to apply, let dry, remove. Then wait at least 15 min if possible, 24 hours for best looks, and repeat.

[Pizzaguy]

Re: Is It Worth It To Polish New Paint?

24 hours. I figured you'd say that. I wanted to go run around town, but don't want to take it out until I get the second coat on - but it's gonna RAIN ALL DAY tomorrow.

[Murr1525]

Re: Is It Worth It To Polish New Paint?

It will look 90% at least of the way there if you wait 30 minutes or so.

But you can QD in between coats if needed.

[Pizzaguy]

Re: Is It Worth It To Polish New Paint?

I've waited 24 hours, drove the van to church instead.

Going to to another coat now... hey, I know I want to keep wax and Ultimate compound off rubber, glass etc. But what about the body panels that are, I guess, some form of plastic? The bumpers are certainly not steel, but they ARE painted (I guess) surfaces.

Am I going to get into trouble for using the Ultimate Compound or NXT wax on those surfaces? My fake-side-intakes are plastic, obviously plastic, any worries about what I apply to them?

[Bill Davidson]

Re: Is It Worth It To Polish New Paint?

Just keep the UC and wax off any textured or unpainted surfaces.

I think that answers your question.

[Pizzaguy]

Re: Is It Worth It To Polish New Paint?

Unpainted sure speaks for itself, but "textured"?

[Bill Davidson]

Re: Is It Worth It To Polish New Paint?

Unpainted sure speaks for itself, but "textured"?

Typically textured surfaces are plastic and unpainted, but who knows what you might come across (with colors being impregnated into plastics).

By textured I mean bumpy. You will have a heck of a time removing excess product.

[Pizzaguy]

Re: Is It Worth It To Polish New Paint?

Ok, got it.

Well, done with two coats of NXT - not only does the car look wonderful, but I can't believe the effect the wax and clay had on the FEEL of the finish!

If you leaned up against the car, you'd fall over - it's so smooth!