Which bundle for first Meguiar's kit on twenty year old vehicle

[Saraya]

Re: Which bundle for first Meguiar's kit on twenty year old vehicle

Hey again all,

This is what I've procured :

All purpose (it's clear with a tinge of light brown, is it meant to be? Kinda looks like when wheel or glass cleaner sits on the shelf for a long time.I wonder if it's as potent as the detailer 101)
Ultimate Wash and Wax
Clay Kit (2x80g) - Any quick tips on how much detailer to use when lubricating an area or what surface size to do at a time with the clay?
Ultimate Compound
Ultimate Polish
Ultimate Liquid Wax
Ultimate Protectant
Ult Quik Detailer
2x Magent towels
1x Lambswool
1x Mitt
2x Shine microfibre
2x applicator pads
2x evencoat pads
2x buckets with grit guards
3x toothbrushes

Questions :

1. Going to go around all the external plastic and trim with the APC first. As most of it it's less than a few inches in it's widest places, should I use the toothbrush on all portions? If not, spray on and wipe with microfibre towel?
2. APC for tires as well? Should I invest in a scrub brush? Or just spray on and remove in a few minutes with an old rag.
3. Clay bars:
-Do you NOT dry the vehicle after a wash, as to use some of the water(plus detailer) as lubricant before clay?
-Instructions say to break off a little and put in your palm? Lots of videos with people using entire bars...
-And do I rewash after a clay?
-Do you lubricate the bar a bit in it's storage box/bag so it stays moist when not in use?
4. How come in lots of the videos, people do not wear the mitt, they just palm it on one side?
5. Do you use warm water with Meguiar's soaps?
6. As my wheels are painted, should I also clay, compound, polish and wax?

[The Guz]

Re: Which bundle for first Meguiar's kit on twenty year old vehicle

Not sure what APC you got but D101 is green and D103 is orange.

Questions :

1. Going to go around all the external plastic and trim with the APC first. As most of it it's less than a few inches in it's widest places, should I use the toothbrush on all portions? If not, spray on and wipe with microfibre towel? Depends on if it is textured trim or not.
2. APC for tires as well? Should I invest in a scrub brush? Or just spray on and remove in a few minutes with an old rag. Brush is always best but a rag should work.
3. Clay bars:
-Do you NOT dry the vehicle after a wash, as to use some of the water(plus detailer) as lubricant before clay? That's up to you. If you are in the shade you can leave the water on it. If it's outside I would dry it off to avoid water spots etching in the hot sun.
-Instructions say to break off a little and put in your palm? Lots of videos with people using entire bars... Cut the bar in half. Just in case you drop it on the floor. If you drop it you have to throw it away.
-And do I rewash after a clay? No need to. Wipe as you clay. The compound or polish will remove any left over residue.
-Do you lubricate the bar a bit in it's storage box/bag so it stays moist when not in use? Yes that would be a good idea. You could even put in a plastic baggie with a little QD in it.
4. How come in lots of the videos, people do not wear the mitt, they just palm it on one side? Users choice.
5. Do you use warm water with Meguiar's soaps? Doesn't matter.
6. As my wheels are painted, should I also clay, compound, polish and wax? You could. If not a clay and wax unless if theirs a blemish on them, then use a compound and wax.

[Saraya]

Re: Which bundle for first Meguiar's kit on twenty year old vehicle

Mine is a premixed trigger bottle.

So my adventure went ok, up until I ran out of daylight. I started out by doing APC on trim, tires and wheels. Took several passes, particularly on the trim/stripping around windshield and rear window. Spent too much time on that!
Washing and clay went well, though while clay did smooth the surface I could still feel minute dirt(maybe defects, pits,?) I couldn't see them though, guess that's how it goes.
Got compound done on entire vehicle(paint) - could not see much difference. I guess it's more noticeable with glossed simple colors. I thought it would remove minute surface scratches from bumper and sides but it didn't - they must be too deep. I also had this one small - what looks like water spot/run- that wouldn't come out either, maybe a chemical got left on it in the past. Really hoped the compound would have gotten to it.
Polish and wax only made it onto the hood, roof, trunk lid/spoiler. It's raining tomorrow so though best to hit those first.

Now because it's going to rain, do I need to wash the non waxed areas again? Or just hit them with quik detailer and get to the polish/wax next?
I missed out on applying the ultimate protectant to trim, don't make me do the APC again!

[Murr1525]

Re: Which bundle for first Meguiar's kit on twenty year old vehicle

There used to be a consumer line apc, perhaps you find one.

As far as reducing defects, might have to say more about how you did it, and we can help your technique.

Qd would be fine after rain, before working again.

[Saraya]

Re: Which bundle for first Meguiar's kit on twenty year old vehicle

There used to be a consumer line apc, perhaps you find one.

As far as reducing defects, might have to say more about how you did it, and we can help your technique.

Qd would be fine after rain, before working again.

I did compound by hand with foam applicator, fairly small pattern area, quick circular motions, overlapping with a triple pass. Left it about thirty-forty seconds and wiped/buffed away - anything longer and it would get particularly sticky and hard to remove. I do not remember seeing any paint or coloring in the pad.
And with all of these steps, if repeating or starting over, which are to be avoided if possible? Compound and polishing as they are removing surfaces?


For those that wax windows, is it wax first and then the Meguair's window cleaner, or the other way around?

[The Guz]

Re: Which bundle for first Meguiar's kit on twenty year old vehicle

Your arms can only do so much. If you want more correction then you will have to get a DA.

[Saraya]

Re: Which bundle for first Meguiar's kit on twenty year old vehicle

Your arms can only do so much. If you want more correction then you will have to get a DA.

Hey! I got guns!

Can you comment concerning window waxing? Is liquid wax safe on windows and wheels or should it be UQW?
I think I may clay them first as well(outside only).

Quickly on interior, if it's fairly clean but just dusty, is APC really necessary? Would a dust brush + ultimate protectant suffice?

[The Guz]

Re: Which bundle for first Meguiar's kit on twenty year old vehicle

It's safe on glass and wheels. On my wheels I did a clay, compound, polish and wax because black wheels show everything. Now all I do is UWQ the wheels. Easier to do until I need to repolish them. For the glass I clayed and if there are water spots I hit them up with water spot remover and finished the glass off with UWQ.

Try a test spot with APC before you use it on your interior. If the test spot is ok then follow up with ultimate protectant.

[Jarhead0754]

I don't care if u got huge guns, like guz said the only way to get great results is with a da. Otherwise u would have to work thae same area for bout an hour for what a da can do in 2 mins. Even then u won't get the same cutting ability. Ur gonna b disappointed everytime till u get a da. Sorry to say that.

[Saraya]

Re: Which bundle for first Meguiar's kit on twenty year old vehicle

It's safe on glass and wheels. On my wheels I did a clay, compound, polish and wax because black wheels show everything. Now all I do is UWQ the wheels. Easier to do until I need to repolish them. For the glass I clayed and if there are water spots I hit them up with water spot remover and finished the glass off with UWQ.

Try a test spot with APC before you use it on your interior. If the test spot is ok then follow up with ultimate protectant.

Thanks

I don't care if u got huge guns, like guz said the only way to get great results is with a da. Otherwise u would have to work thae same area for bout an hour for what a da can do in 2 mins. Even then u won't get the same cutting ability. Ur gonna b disappointed everytime till u get a da. Sorry to say that.

Indeed. How about for wax, DA still helpful? I ask because I did two coats of LW on the hood (as a test) and after it rained, it certainly beaded but didn't sheet very well. Tried with a hose and same result.

[The Guz]

Re: Which bundle for first Meguiar's kit on twenty year old vehicle

How about for wax, DA still helpful?

The simple answer is yes. It allows you to put on a coat of wax real thin.

I ask because I did two coats of LW on the hood (as a test) and after it rained, it certainly beaded but didn't sheet very well. Tried with a hose and same result.

Did you allow a 12-24 hour window before applying the second coat of ULW? It is possible that the rain compromised the wax from fully curing. Hopefully Michael Stoops can chime in and give you a better answer.

[Saraya]

Re: Which bundle for first Meguiar's kit on twenty year old vehicle

Did you allow a 12-24 hour window before applying the second coat of ULW? It is possible that the rain compromised the wax from fully curing. Hopefully Michael Stoops can chime in and give you a better answer.

Definitely at least twelve hours, possibly rain got to it first though before it cured.

Today it rained fairly hard for half an hour, the entire car was covered in dime sized beads.

[Saraya]

Re: Which bundle for first Meguiar's kit on twenty year old vehicle

So my thinking is that beads dry up, leave dirt behind. After two days and one rain, I'm already seeing black dirt/dust when I run my finger along the body work. Going around with a towel and quik detailer, results in a fairly dirty towel.
I thought part of the benefit of waxing is having enough water sheeting that it doesn't sit there and turn into dirt.

[Saraya]

Re: Which bundle for first Meguiar's kit on twenty year old vehicle

If someone managed to have a moment to explain/answer previous post concerning how much beading/sheeting to expect and how that correlates with reduced dirt buildup, please do.
Otherwise, while I may come back to this thread in the future, big thanks to all those who helped out and I am much more confident(and happier) with my new knowledge/experience.


Take care,

[Saraya]

Re: Which bundle for first Meguiar's kit on twenty year old vehicle

UPDATE :

Summer has come and gone for the most part. I've resorted to washing two to four times a month.

The Good :

-The water doesn't sheet as much as I'd like but it certainly beads and I am fairly happy with how it dries on it's own.
-Occasionally using quik detailer during the week in between washes, is an acceptable half measure. I had to get over the fact that unlike the Meguiar's videos, the car is technically dirty when I goto detail it, hence a dirty rag.
-After a few applications and drying of the Ultimate Protectant, the interior looks very good. It starts out sticky - particularly on vinyl/leather - and gets better as it dries.
-Polish (in particular) helped to bring out shine in the bumpers that wasn't noticeable before.
-Most sticky deposits such as wax and sap wipe off very easy and do not leave much of a stain as they did before.

The Bad:

-I've noticed that despite regular washes with a wax and wash formula, the surface has all ready started to get iron/grime deposits. It makes me consider doing another clay; it just seems too soon!
-Ultimate Protectant gets washed off easily by rain water around the external window rubber and rubber trims. I have to apply it each time I wash the car.
-When done by hand, compound has seemed to be ineffective on any light scratches or defects that I can find on this particular vehicle. It may require a machine buff.
-Perfect clarity glass cleaner leaves a kerosene streak/patching after a few days. I am still on the hunt for a product that does not do this.