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New to detailing and need guidance.

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  • #1

    New to detailing and need guidance.

    I recently bought a 2009 black Corvette. The paint seems to be in very good condition but it was apparent that it needed some TLC to make it shine like new.

    I'd never heard of claying a car until last week but it sounded exactly like what would need to be done in order to make the finish look spectacular. So, I washed the car, detailed the wheels & wheel wells and then claybarred the whole car with Meguires clay kit. I also used Meguires ScratchX on two small areas where I noticed some minor swirling and on one little minor scratch. The ScratchX works miracles (I'd used it on other cars before). Anyway this the first time I really wanted spectacular results. I then applied Meguires NXT (1 coat). Now, I have to admit car looks like it just came out of the showroom. But... I really want so much more. I've seen cars that look like they are coated with liquid glass and that's what I'm after. That "Wow how'd you do that?!" shine that show cars have.

    I don't really want to use power equipment so everything will be done by hand. Is it even possible to get a show car look doing it by hand?

    What should I do/redo? And which products should I use?

    Please guide me.

    Thanks...
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: New to detailing and need guidance.

    You will likely be wanting to use something like SwirlX for a general cleaning all over the car.

    Using something like Deep Crystal Polish or #7 Show Car Glaze after cleaning will help, and then wax.

    The new Ultimate Polish and Ultimate Wax will probably be great for you as well as soon as they come out. Using a G110, etc would likely push the results a bit further along.
    2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

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    • #3
      Re: New to detailing and need guidance.

      ok, so do I need to use something to remove the NXT I just put on? Or, will using SwirlX over the NXT do the job?

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      • #4
        Re: New to detailing and need guidance.

        SwirlX would remove the Nxt that is there.

        The car should not need clayed right away, so you would just wash or QD, then SwirlX, then polish, then wax.
        2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

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        • #5
          Re: New to detailing and need guidance.

          ok, thanks.

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: New to detailing and need guidance.

            You may like to do one panel all the way through to compare, before doing the whole car.

            But really, wont do much better than using what was mentioned above by hand.
            2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

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            • #7
              Re: New to detailing and need guidance.

              Working by hand can be extremely labor intensive and if you aren't used to doing it you may notice the quality of work tapering off as your arms become worn out. There's a mathematical formula for it, something along the lines of "the level of defect correction is inversely proportional to the dosage of ibuprofen needed for pain correction". Or something like that. I never was a math wiz.

              Anyway, do yourself a HUGE favor and do a test spot first - a 2' x 2' area on the hood is a great start. Corvettes are notorious for having very hard paint (not all will, but more often than not seems to be the case) so hand work can be quite challenging on these cars. Adding a good D/A buffer to your arsenal is a huge help, especially if you're going after the deepest, wettest shine you can get.

              If you really want to go at this by hand, then SwirlX may not be quite aggressive enough if the paint has even a moderate level of swirls. But if right now the car is virtually defect free and you just want to increase depth, clarity and gloss, go with M205 and then follow with two light coats of NXT 2.0
              Michael Stoops
              Senior Global Product & Training Specialist | Meguiar's Inc.

              Remember, this hobby is supposed to be your therapy, not the reason you need therapy.

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              • #8
                Re: New to detailing and need guidance.

                Originally posted by Michael Stoops View Post
                Working by hand can be extremely labor intensive and if you aren't used to doing it you may notice the quality of work tapering off as your arms become worn out. There's a mathematical formula for it, something along the lines of "the level of defect correction is inversely proportional to the dosage of ibuprofen needed for pain correction". Or something like that. I never was a math wiz.

                Anyway, do yourself a HUGE favor and do a test spot first - a 2' x 2' area on the hood is a great start. Corvettes are notorious for having very hard paint (not all will, but more often than not seems to be the case) so hand work can be quite challenging on these cars. Adding a good D/A buffer to your arsenal is a huge help, especially if you're going after the deepest, wettest shine you can get.

                If you really want to go at this by hand, then SwirlX may not be quite aggressive enough if the paint has even a moderate level of swirls. But if right now the car is virtually defect free and you just want to increase depth, clarity and gloss, go with M205 and then follow with two light coats of NXT 2.0
                I agree wholeheartly ^

                Get yourself a DA, profesional polish and pads. You won't regret it, I guarantee you

                Your going to kill yourself trying to correct Corvette clear by hand

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                • #9
                  Re: New to detailing and need guidance.

                  If you got the money buy a DA.
                  Well worth the cost.
                  I use a Meguiars DA with Colorx and A12 cleaner wax all the time.

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