Thoughts on my process?

[C30D5]

Hi, I have a few questions about my process and would love some input. I'm not new to the concept detailing but have never properly polished paint. Let me start with my kit list:

G220v2.0
Soft Buff 2.0 finishing pad (black)
Soft Buff 2.0 Polishing pad (Yellow)
Ultimate polish
Nxt tech wax 2.0 (liquid)
Nxt car wash
Ultimate quik detailer
Bucket + Grit Guard
Water Magnet
Microfibre wash mitt

I usually wash with the nxt, polish with the ultimate polish and the yellow pad, seal with the tech wax and black pad. I usually clay very 6 months or so and just got the detailing spray which I used a day after my last wash. My car is metallic black. How does that sound?

I do have a couple of spiderweb scratches, no real swirls and a couple of small marks. I would like to add Ultimate Compound to the mix and have a couple of questions. Firstly, what pad do I need to use? Secondly, do I need to IPA wipe after using it or will it wipe off with a microfibre?

Thanks for your help!!

[C30D5]

Re: Thoughts on my process?

Another question i forgot to add. I last clayed towards the end of February, If I were to use the ultimate compound now should I clay first?

[Christopher.Brown]

Re: Thoughts on my process?

Thats a pretty solid care regimine, if only everyone took the time to care for their vehicle like that

A small, yet effective tweak would be to switch the order in which you utilize the yellow and black pads in your process. The yellow pad is a polishing pad and is more aggressive than the black, finishing pad..

Therefore i would use recommend using the yellow pad to remove the vast majority of defects, with say ultimate compound (depending on how severe the level of defects were) and then I would finish the buffing process using the black pad and ultimate polish....

If going directly to NXT wax, i would say you dont HAVE to use IPA to wipe down. Its an optimal step, but in my opinion not really necessary. I would just ensure the surface is thoroughly wiped down, then lay down that NXT wax.
_______________________________________

To answer your other question, yes, clay first BEFORE compounding as it removes bonded TOPICAL contamination which is above the paint. Buffing (compounding) removes defects which are in the painted surface (clear coat) and to more easily access these the surface needs to be clean and smooth feeling after decontamination (clay barring).

If i missed anything, im sure Senior Stoops will chime in.. but good work

[C30D5]

Re: Thoughts on my process?

Thats a pretty solid care regimine, if only everyone took the time to care for their vehicle like that

A small, yet effective tweak would be to switch the order in which you utilize the yellow and black pads in your process. The yellow pad is a polishing pad and is more aggressive than the black, finishing pad..

Therefore i would use recommend using the yellow pad to remove the vast majority of defects, with say ultimate compound (depending on how severe the level of defects were) and then I would finish the buffing process using the black pad and ultimate polish....

If going directly to NXT wax, i would say you dont HAVE to use IPA to wipe down. Its an optimal step, but in my opinion not really necessary. I would just ensure the surface is thoroughly wiped down, then lay down that NXT wax.
_______________________________________

To answer your other question, yes, clay first BEFORE compounding as it removes bonded TOPICAL contamination which is above the paint. Buffing (compounding) removes defects which are in the painted surface (clear coat) and to more easily access these the surface needs to be clean and smooth feeling after decontamination (clay barring).

If i missed anything, im sure Senior Stoops will chime in.. but good work

Thanks for the reply! I've just been to get some Ultimate Wax to try instead of the NXT 2.0. Would I be correct in assuming I can use the ultimate polish as much as I want, say when I wax every couple of months? Also the compound, how often should that be used??

[Christopher.Brown]

Re: Thoughts on my process?

compounding is for major defect removal. If the car just has minor imperfections from regular maintenance washes then a light polish might be all the doctor orders again on your vehicle.

As far as how much can you use UP? Well there is a finite amount of clear coat on any vehicle and abrasion and elemental exposure are the most aggressive means of removing this vital coat. Therefore, i would recommend that after dialing in the vehicle's finish to your preference to try to keep it as clean as possible by touching the surface as MINIMALLY and as INFREQUENTLY as possible.

this is all based on the idea of preserving the paint on the vehicle.

Now i understand some people YEARN to care for their car. THIS IS GREAT. But in performing an abrasive process, such as buffing, too frequently.... the vehicles paint can lead to failure too soon.

So i suggest, if you MUST touch your vehicle to soothe your soul. Wash her weekly, then for extra care take your fluffiest towel, spray a minimal amount of spray wax on the face of that towel, and go around her either monthly or every other week (for those HYPER OCD )

This will suffice your need to love on your vehicle, while ADDING a sacrificial layer of protection to the surface. This way everyone wins!!!

[C30D5]

Re: Thoughts on my process?

Thanks, i really appreciate the advice. The paint is really good, just a few small scratches on the clear coat on the rear bumper from people taking bags out and a few fine fine swirls around but nothing major. Maybe I'll be best just using the polish? Am I right in understanding the MEguiars Ultimate Polish is non abrasive so I don't need to worry about the clear coat? I attend a few car shows a year and want to have it looking its best. The last time I polished and waxed was the 24th March and have another meet this Sunday.

[The Guz]

Re: Thoughts on my process?

Ultimate polish does have abrasives in it.

[kivyee]

Re: Thoughts on my process?

Thanks, i really appreciate the advice. The paint is really good, just a few small scratches on the clear coat on the rear bumper from people taking bags out and a few fine fine swirls around but nothing major. Maybe I'll be best just using the polish? Am I right in understanding the MEguiars Ultimate Polish is non abrasive so I don't need to worry about the clear coat? I attend a few car shows a year and want to have it looking its best. The last time I polished and waxed was the 24th March and have another meet this Sunday.

Ideally you'd do the correction once (i.e. compound/polish) and then only wax/seal it for the rest of the vehicle's life. Of course eventually it will require correction again, but i think the idea to do it as infrequently as possible.

[The Guz]

Re: Thoughts on my process?

Polishing once or twice a year is not unheard of. You will be fine as long as you maintain properly.

[Jbirk]

Re: Thoughts on my process?

From what I have read, Ultimate Polish is much like Meguiar's M205... It cuts a little, but is loaded with polishing oils.

Regardless, it is safe for routine use! While there is no scale they say it cuts less than M205, so it is probably a 2 or a 3 for aggressiveness.


Being it is less than compounding, and beingng you can make pass after pass after pass while compounding and that is still nowhere near as big an axe as wet sanding... in the grand scheme of things Ultimate Polish can be used all you want.