My 1st time

[Dice13]

in wanting to clean the outside of my 3 day old M3. I always went to car washes when I did not want to wash by hand. Well this car is by far my nicest and baddest and will never see a car wash. I figure if I learn how to keep my car looking new as day I picked it up right from the start no swirls or scratches would be a good start. I don't want to get too anal but see myself being anal too a point. If someone can give me a rundown in some of the things I can pick up at my auto store that would be helpfull. I got down microfiber towles many of them, wafflw weave towles many of them,micro mitts or sea sponge.

Being car is spanking new what should I do just wash and sealant in place of wax. Do I need to clay bar car being its new. Do I put the same sealant on my 19 inch M rims. Any help would be great and thanks I know there are many threads to look over. I just want to make this simple as I can while keeping car as glossy and sparkling new as I can right from the start.

[Chris Thompson]

Re: My 1st time

First find a good soap. I use Meguiars Gold Class and love it. When it comes to washing, I cannot stress the value of the grit guard enough. The amount of dirt they keep from going back on your vehicle is mind blowing. However, you probably will not be able to pick this up at the auto parts store.
Once its washed clay is another must-do process. Even with new cars, clay is still immensely helpful.
Personally, I like wax better than sealant. Sealant is going to last longer but I love the look of wax much better. If you have a light color car, you are not going to notice it as much and can get away with a sealant. However, if your car is dark you are probably going to want a good wax. #26 is my favorite.
Post some pics when youre done. Congrats on the new car.

[Murr1525]

Re: My 1st time

In addition to the above, washing with 2 buckets is good.

Also, I like to clay, then ColorX, then wax as above for a quick but complete detail.

[Dice13]

Re: My 1st time

I am getting so lost with something I thought would be so easy.

1- OK new white car . I should clean ( I bought Meguiars Gold Class shampoo and conditioner )its all in one bottle. I will use the 2 or 3 bucket system and will order the grit guard.

2- I did not think I had to clay a new car but if thats what it will takes to make it look the best as possible (Meguiars has one with the detail spray.) Do I need to rinse after I use it or re-wash the car. I am looking to get the car as shiney and glossy as I can like a mirror.

3- Then just wax it with solid ,liquid or sealant. The more I read the more lost I become.

I also saw a vaper random orbital Buffer/polisher. Should I stay doing it by hand or is is easy to ues with great results. They are real cheap they have a 6 inch or a 10 inch one. Do you use them to wax a car? I also say Ice synthetic liquid polish. The auto stors dont have many polishes just waxes solid or liquid wax.

[Murr1525]

Re: My 1st time

1. Many of us use '3 buckets' overall.... 1 for wheels. Then 1 for soapy water, 1 for rinse water for the car itself. If you go with one Grit Guard for now, it goes in the rinse bucket.

2. Yeah, claying is certainly good. For fun if nothing else, but I am sure you will see/feel an improvement. No need to re-wash after, you will dry up the lube as you go, and then a paint cleaner or cleaner/wax next will take care of any little smear left.

3. A wax or sealant can be in paste or liquid form... And the terms wax and sealant can vary from company to company, adding to the confusion.

But 2 coats of something are recommended, and I think you will do best with ColorX followed with your choice of wax/sealant (Nxt 2.0, Gold Class+, #26... or the new Ultimate Wax as soon as it comes out.)

Cant do much better for a 4 step detail than that.

[11sallygt]

Re: My 1st time

I like to use M21 followed by M26 or Gold Class after a good 12 hour cure of the M21. That way you get the best of both worlds. You get the durability of a polymer sealant and the rich wet look of wax.

[Dice13]

Re: My 1st time

1. Many of us use '3 buckets' overall.... 1 for wheels. Then 1 for soapy water, 1 for rinse water for the car itself. If you go with one Grit Guard for now, it goes in the rinse bucket.

2. Yeah, claying is certainly good. For fun if nothing else, but I am sure you will see/feel an improvement. No need to re-wash after, you will dry up the lube as you go, and then a paint cleaner or cleaner/wax next will take care of any little smear left.

3. A wax or sealant can be in paste or liquid form... And the terms wax and sealant can vary from company to company, adding to the confusion.

But 2 coats of something are recommended, and I think you will do best with ColorX followed with your choice of wax/sealant (Nxt 2.0, Gold Class+, #26... or the new Ultimate Wax as soon as it comes out.)

Cant do much better for a 4 step detail than that.

What is Color x now. I getting all confused. Wash -dry,QD and clay wipe dry, then is there one more process or 2. Is it just wash and after clay wax or something I need to do before wax, I want a wet glossy look. This car is only 3 days old, sorry I just am not sure what comes after clay, a paint cleaner,what is color x,NXT2.0 does what,and what #26.

wash
clay
not sure
wax can you make this clearer for me . This is a long way from to old car washes,lol thanks for you patients and understanding.

[akimel]

Re: My 1st time

Dice13, the most important thing you can do is to adopt a regular detailing regimen. Check out this article: Your Daily Driver: A Simple Wash & Wax Regimen.

[Dice13]

Re: My 1st time

Thanks guys you been real helpful. Wash-Dry, I am gonna clay -dry then wash-dry again, then a wax cleaner I think. Then I will finish with a wax.

[Blueline]

Re: My 1st time

What is Color x now. I getting all confused.

I know what you mean about confusing.
ColorX is Mequire's cleaner wax. It is a one step product, for those who want to only do one step. It is a good produce and can be used on its own.

So you can do three easy steps and have a nice shine and protection

Wash
Clay
ColorX

You car will look "marvelous"

If you wish, top it off with a coat of NXT, and it will look even better.

When you get a little more experience you can try the other stull everyone is telling you about and making it confusing.

As for power buffers, I use and recommend one of those cheaper random orbital buffers to apply the Color X. To me it make it clean better. I have never used NXT as a topper (M16 is my choice) but I believe that should be put on by hand.

Good luck. It is not rocket science. Have fun simply...and later on if you wish get into the heavy duty detailing "stuff"

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: My 1st time

Thanks guys you been real helpful. Wash-Dry, I am gonna clay -dry then wash-dry again, then a wax cleaner I think. Then I will finish with a wax.

That will be a very good plan of attack.

Congrats on your new car. Enjoy it.

[Dice13]

Re: My 1st time

OKguys heres what my auto store had

1- Meguiars Gold Class shampoo and conditioner car wash then dry is first step.

2- Meguiars smooth surface clay kit with QD second step

3- Meguiars NXT Tech wax 2.0 ( not sure if I needed this or not ) is this a polish or sealant? To give it the most shine like glossy looking and is this the stuff that takes out light swirls. Is this the 3rd step or am i missing something my car is new and the only tiny swirls it has in just 2 mirco fine spots that I put there with QD I think the same day I got the car just to see how good it worked. The dealer had car swirl free belive it or not. Can the pad that comes with it be used.

4- I went with Meguiars Hi Tech Yellow Wax #26 in a paste in solid form.I know this is the last step. Can the pads that come with the was be used I dont know if its a micro pad.

I got a auto spa microfiber micro-poly wash fibers mitt. Peak -Micro super absorbent drying towel- very fluffy and another dry and clean micro with some smaller ones.

I know there is many questions I have but if you can sum up if I am right on or if I am a tad off I am not sure about the NXT 2.0 tech wax, what that is or if its needed or if something should be in its place like wax compound,

[Dice13]

Re: My 1st time

Ok guys here is what I brought from my auto store and the order in right way to wash.

1- Meg's Gold shampoo, wash-dry using 3 bucket system.

2- Meg's QD clay bar kit- spray,clay,wipe. Kit came with a cleaner wax,Not sure if I need to use this also.

3- Meg's NXT 2.0 tech wax ( not sure if I need this or not ) Will it take out the smallest swirls just a few hair line ones that can barely be seen if you look just right, I put them there with QD The day after I got the car, The dearler belive it or not had the car preped awesome no visible swirls ( kick myself in the a$$ ) dummy. Do I need to do a step other then NXT 2.0.

4- Meg's yellow solid paste #26 wax

Thanks for all your help guys I think I am almost ready for 1st exterior true detail when car gets a little dirtier.

I am getting close to getting

[Murr1525]

Re: My 1st time

You'd be surprised... you may have just uncovered some swirls, not caused them. Can be hard to tell.

None of the products you bought will really be for swirl removal, though the waxes may hide them some.

If it were me, I would want to try the Cleaner/Wax (similar but milder than ColorX) and then one of the regular waxes. Can try both if you like, or part of the car in each to see what you like, etc.

I think you would be missing out without some kind of a cleaning step, like the Cleaner/Wax provides.

[Dice13]

Re: My 1st time

This car is white just so you know.

Meg's QD with clay came with a cleaner wax but that did not seem to take away the hair like swirls, I will give it another shot. I tested it out. So what do I need to do? Put cleaner wax after the clay bar treatment, Meg's QD came with one.

Before I give it the yellow #26 solid wax as last process should I give it a pure polish (and what would the name be) would that be the NXT for an extra glossy look and is that concidered pure polish. Also are the pads that come with the wax good and soft enough to use or should I just use mirco towels for everything.