New Guy with some questions??

[Razor88]

First,I just wanted to say Hi I have been visiting for a while and have learned quite a bit just from reading some of the posts. I detailed my wifes explorer this past weekend and I feel it turned out pretty good for the first time( NXT wax with the PC 7424 ). The one problem I had was using the clay bar. I left alot of scuff marks on the paint I used the quick detailer spray pretty heavy but it still scuffed pretty bad. Not really sure where I went wrong. The 2nd question I have is with the #21 sealent. I really would like to try this product but I am not sure if this is used with the NXT tech wax or if it used in place of it. Any help about the clay or the #21 would be GREAT. Thanks, and I'm glad I finally got brave enough to post. Thanks Again.

[Comanche]

i am no exspert but i had a simular question like yours. the awnsers i got back was that meguairs products are compatable with each other. You might want to try out the product on a small section of a vehicle. Do some test with some different meguiars products and see which gives you the best shine.

[KTruck]

Hi:

Welcome.

A little more info on the clay problem.

Which clay did you use?

Was it scuffing or smearing?

The 2nd question I have is with the #21 sealent. I really would like to try this product but I am not sure if this is used with the NXT tech wax or if it used in place of it.

NXT and #21 are both LSP products. So you would use only one of them.

Regards,

KTruck

[Razor88]

KTruck, I was using the Meguirars Detail clay. I guess I would say it was more smearing. At first I thought I wasn't using enough of the detail spray so I used it pretty heavy,still left smear marks all over the hood.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

The first question is which Detailer Series Clay are you using? The Mild C-2000 or the Aggressive C-2100? The C-2100 Aggressive Clay is generally followed with a rotary buffer as it may leave marring.

The Mild C-2000 should not be leaving any marring at all. Are you using plenty of detailing lubricant like #34 Final Inspection? Did you drop the clay? If the clay was dropped, it must be thrown out. Hence, it is wise to cut the bar into 3 equal pieces just in case you do drop one. Also, make sure the car's surface is cool. A hot surface will dry up the lubricant too quickly leaving you with a dry on dry situation.

Tim

[Razor88]

Tim,Thanks for the responce. I was using the Quick clay detailing system. I did cut the clay into 2pcs. This was the first time I have ever used the clay. I used alot of the spray. The only thing I did not do was flatten out the clay.I cut it into 2pcs and started using it. Maybe thats where I messed up.

[Tim Lingor]

Hey,

The Quik Clay is quite mild. If you used lots of the supplied lubricant (Quik Detailer), you should not have had marring. Did you clay the car in the shade on a cool surface? Again, if it was completed in the sun, the lubricant may have dried too soon.

Another factor is that if the car, assuming it was clayed outdoors, may have attracted dust and was then worked into the paint by accident. I like to clay in a garage if at all possible. If not, I make sure that it is a calm day with no wind.

Hope this helps!

Tim

[Mike Phillips]

Hi Razor88,

It helps to knead your clay into a round wafer somewhat like a small pancake. Then mist some Quik Detailer onto the surface and onto the clay and begin claying.

Like Tim said, try to clay under cover to prevent any airborne contaminants from entering into the pictures. Also the surface needs to be in the shade and cool to the touch. If the paint is in the sun, the warm temperature will make the clay difficult to work with and also tend to try to dry up your spray lubricant.

Claying will often times reveal unwanted contaminants you never knew existed. Below is HotRodGuy's 1955 Hotrodded Suburban that we almost didn't clay before we polished out because we couldn't feel any contaminants on the finish.



After claying we found red paint overspray on our clay that we removed from the wild clear coated purple with flames paint job.



In most cases, examining your car's finish with your sense of touch after washing will reveal above surface contaminants that you can feel with your fingertips, but not always.

[Razor88]

Thanks Mike, I did do the detail job in my garage last weekend. Like I said, it was my first time. I really just need to try again. Maybe I was also putting to much pressure on the clay. I do appreicate the help.