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Color X now what?

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  • #1

    Color X now what?

    Hi All,

    As per a previous thread, I am trying to restore some shine to my 2001 VX Holden Commodore SS in white ( Im in Australia ). The problem I had on the car was a heap of fine scratches, looks like these may have been inflicted by an auto car wash by the previous owner, some dullness water etching oxidisation

    So far this is my process ( all applied by hand )

    1. Wash with Gold Class
    2. Clay car with meguiars clay
    3. Wash again with Gold Class
    4. One coat of color x

    The color X has improved things slightly (it does look better), but I noticed the defects mostly still remain. My question now is, do I re apply a second coat of color x with a bit more passion/effort, or do I go straight to the ultimate compound.

    If I do go the ultimate compound, I assume I just apply and wipe straight off and not let dry? Also after doing the car with ultimate compound, do I follow up with Color x again, or can I skip straight to the NXT tech wax 2.0 application after the ultimate compound. I should mention the products I have are ultimate compound, color x and NXT tech wax 2.0.

    If the ultimate compound does not remove the defects, I guess the next step is a machine polish?

    Thanks for your advice

    Craig
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  • #2
    Re: Color X now what?

    Originally posted by clarky75 View Post
    Hi All,

    As per a previous thread, I am trying to restore some shine to my 2001 VX Holden Commodore SS in white ( Im in Australia ). The problem I had on the car was a heap of fine scratches, looks like these may have been inflicted by an auto car wash by the previous owner, some dullness water etching oxidisation

    So far this is my process ( all applied by hand )

    1. Wash with Gold Class
    2. Clay car with meguiars clay
    3. Wash again with Gold Class
    4. One coat of color x

    The color X has improved things slightly (it does look better), but I noticed the defects mostly still remain. My question now is, do I re apply a second coat of color x with a bit more passion/effort, or do I go straight to the ultimate compound.

    If I do go the ultimate compound, I assume I just apply and wipe straight off and not let dry? Also after doing the car with ultimate compound, do I follow up with Color x again, or can I skip straight to the NXT tech wax 2.0 application after the ultimate compound. I should mention the products I have are ultimate compound, color x and NXT tech wax 2.0.

    If the ultimate compound does not remove the defects, I guess the next step is a machine polish?

    Thanks for your advice

    Craig
    Gday mate, great to see another Melbourne-based Aussie!

    ColorX is a cleaner-wax. It doesn't pack a whole lot of punch when it comes to defect removal. As it leaves behind a coat of wax, applying multiple coats will only remove the previous coat you've already put down.

    You're better served going over the car with the Ultimate Compound first to remove the scratches etc. As you are hand applying, it may take multiple passes to achieve your desired result.

    As far as ColorX and NXT, ColorX is a 'wax' where as NXT is a synthetic sealant. Usually you would apply a sealant first and then top this with a wax. However, ColorX is a 'cleaner wax' - if you put this on after the NXT, you would most likely remove the coat of NXT you've just applied. You're better off applying 2 coats of NXT a few hours apart at least.

    Then perhaps when the NXT has worn off down the track, perhaps use the ColorX on a monthly basis to keep up the protection (and to use it up).

    If you have any issues PM me - depending where in Melbourne you are, it may be worth coming to see me and I can show you exactly what is needed to get the shine back on the SS!

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    • #3
      Re: Color X now what?

      You can top Colorx with NXT if you like. It will work very nicely.

      If you really want to remove defects then you will have to use a dedicated paint cleaner like Ultimate Compound or a cleaner/polish like Swirlx.
      Tedrow's Detailing
      845-642-1698
      Treat Yourself to that New Car Feeling

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      • #4
        Re: Color X now what?

        Originally posted by Shawn T. View Post
        You can top Colorx with NXT if you like. It will work very nicely.
        Just be wary that the NXT won't bond as well to the ColorX as it would if it was applied straight onto the paint. Therefore, it won't last as long.

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Color X now what?

          Originally posted by dave93761 View Post
          Just be wary that the NXT won't bond as well to the ColorX as it would if it was applied straight onto the paint. Therefore, it won't last as long.
          Dave, the ColorX/NXT combo is used by many of the Meguiar's brethren. I have not read of complaints of compromise in durability.
          Swirls hide in the black molecular depths, only waiting for the right time to emerge and destroy your sanity.
          --Al Kimel

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Color X now what?

            Dave gave excellent advice - it's very likely that scratches inflicted by an automated car wash are just no match for ColorX, simply because ColorX is very, very mild as far as true defect correction goes and that type of scratch can be pretty tenacious.

            Follow his guidlines, and definitely work UC in small areas and wipe off before it dries. You can then finish with ColorX or go straight to NXT Tech Wax 2.0 - or even use both as Shawn suggests.
            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.

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Color X now what?

              Originally posted by akimel View Post
              Dave, the ColorX/NXT combo is used by many of the Meguiar's brethren. I have not read of complaints of compromise in durability.
              That may just be because users of that combination are re-applying before any noticable loss of protection. But generally speaking, it is accepted that any synthetic sealant will bond better directly to a paint surface than to a previously applied layer of a carnauba-based product.

              This is one reason why it is usually recommended to top a sealant with a wax, rather than the other way around.

              In any case, if the Ultimate Compound does the job for him in terms of defect removal, why use ColorX as the LSP when he has the NXT on hand - just go two coats of the NXT, and use ColorX as a booster for when NXT is wearing off....the ColorX will remove the NXT and last for a while anyway by itself.

              Don't get me wrong, I really like ColorX - I've used it before several times, both on my car and on my customers.....I've had excellent durability from it on my silver Falcon. But I just think the NXT wouldn't last as long over a ColorX base than if applied directly to a prepped surface.

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Color X now what?

                Originally posted by dave93761 View Post
                That may just be because users of that combination are re-applying before any noticable loss of protection.
                Or it may be that folks simply have not seen a drop-off in durability. As I said, the ColorX/NXT combo is quite popular and there's lots of anecdotal testimony to which one might appeal.

                But generally speaking, it is accepted that any synthetic sealant will bond better directly to a paint surface than to a previously applied layer of a carnauba-based product. This is one reason why it is usually recommended to top a sealant with a wax, rather than the other way around.
                I do not disagree with the conventional wisdom, but NXT is not an ordinary sealant. It does not appear to have bonding problems when applied on top of other protectants, whether carnauba-based or synthetic.

                In any case, if the Ultimate Compound does the job for him in terms of defect removal, why use ColorX as the LSP when he has the NXT on hand - just go two coats of the NXT, and use ColorX as a booster for when NXT is wearing off....the ColorX will remove the NXT and last for a while anyway by itself.
                Quite right. Assuming that the paint is LSP-ready, there is no need to follow up Ultimate Compound with ColorX.

                The ColorX/NXT combo is used by many as part of a regular wash & wax detailing regimen. This is a regimen for ordinary folks, not professionals or even enthusiasts. ColorX is used to clean the paint and provide an initial layer of protection. It is then topped with NXT (or whatever) to provide even coverage and improved durability. Hence, instead of a three-step process (paint cleaner followed by two coats of NXT), we have a two-step process (ColorX + NXT). This saves a fair amount of time and energy.
                Swirls hide in the black molecular depths, only waiting for the right time to emerge and destroy your sanity.
                --Al Kimel

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Color X now what?

                  Hi All,

                  Just an update, tested some ultimate compound on the roof tonight which was probably one of the worse parts, did one small section of the roof, 2 goes of ultimate compound did not hardly do anything, the scratches, oxidisation,etc still remain.
                  Think I will need to get onto this now via machine, which is what I expected anyway, thanks to all who replied
                  Clarky

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