What process should I use...Help!

[toro1966]

Hello all. I have a 2003 10th Anniversary Mustang Cobra Convertible. The paint is in good shape and the car has been garaged. About a month ago I got some good water spots on the car that wouldn't even come off with clay. I used meguiars fine cut compund to remove the spots, but now I have light swirls because of it. I know I need to use the swirl remover to get rid of it and already have number 9. Assuming this is the first time the car has been truly top down detailed, whihc it isn't, but let's assume so, is the order of products and actions I list below a good way to get a really good shine and quality finish. I intend to:

1. Wash with gold class.
2. Clay bar w/meguiars and final inspection
3. Wash with gold class
4. Clean entire car with the #9 as it is a cleaner as well as swirl remover.
5. Polish with glaze number 7
6. NXT wax
7. NXT wax - 2nd coat

Anyone see any problems or have any better suggestions as to the order of actions. Thanks for the help.

[LnkPrkSoldier]

well i don't know how aggressive of a swirl remover you need since i see no pictures. and for the nxt wax, make sure that they are applied 24 hours apart to give the maximum gloss.

[toro1966]

Swirls are very light. Hard to see except up close and in direct light. Thanks for the info on NXT. This will be the first time I have used it. Normally I use megs carnuba yellow.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: What process should I use...Help!

Originally posted by toro1966
I used Meguiar's fine cut compound to remove the spots, but now I have light swirls because of it.

Hi toro1966,

How did you apply the M02 Fine Cut Cleaner?

By hand? If so, what kind of applicator and how aggressive?

By machine? If so, what kind of machine and what type of buffing pad or bonnet?

This will help to indicate how deep the swirls are. Don't worry, we can help you remove the swirls and restore a show car shine.

[toro1966]

I used an orbital buffer with light to moderate pressure and a terry bonnet. In a couple of areas I used my hand (around the antenna, etc).

It actually seems the places I used hand have deeper swirls/scratches than the rest of the car that I used a buffer on. I guess that's because I pushed a little harder with my hand.

Also, where can I get one of your Meguiar's dual action buffers?

Thanks.

Ray

[Mike Phillips]

There are two ways you can fix this,

By Hand - Using ScratchX

By Machine - Using a dual action polisher and if you're lucky a light cleaner polish like M80 Speed Glaze.


I note that you're in California? Is Irvine too far to drive so that you can attend one of our detailing clinics? At the clinic you can learn how to remove scratches and swirls using either method listed above.

Meguiar's Inc
17991 Mitchell South
Irvine, CA 92614
Mapquest Driving Directions

[toro1966]

Well it is over 400 miles away because I am in central California so it is too far. Can I get the same results with a Dual Action buffer using the Swirl Remover #9 instead of the #80? I don't have any #80 and the only way to get it is online as ar as I know. I have never seen it in a store. Also, would the process I detailed in my initial post be correct, or would recommend a different sequence and/or product? Thanks again.

[Mike Phillips]

Unless the paint is really soft, which I doubt, M09 will not be aggressive enough. M80 at a minimum, M83 if M80 doesn't work.

Here's a how to article on how to find a PBE store,

How to locate Meguiar’s Professional & Detailer products in your hometown

We have a stealer Rep and a true craftsman in the art of polishing paint in your area by the name of Jeff Brown, perhaps he has a clinic coming up soon in your area which you could attend. He can teach you more in one day than you could learn in years.

As far as your process,

1. Wash with gold class.
2. Clay bar w/Meguiar's and final inspection
3. Wash with gold class
4. Clean entire car with the #9 as it is a cleaner as well as swirl remover.
5. Polish with glaze number 7
6. NXT wax
7. NXT wax - 2nd coat


You don't have to re-wash the car after claying if you wipe of any clay/M34 residue after claying each section. You can if you want, but you don't have to.

As stated above, unless your paint is very soft, M09 probably won't be aggressive enough as it's a very gentle cleaner polish which works best for removing swirls and scratches when applied using a rotary buffer.

Applying a pure polish before applying wax is a good process, if you end up using some M80 Speed Glazes, you can skip this step as the M80 Speed Glaze is very rich in polishing oils and you will get the same looking result after using it and that's a clear, glossy, rich in color finish perfect for applying a Meguiar's wax.

As for the NXT, Meguiar's always recommends two thin coats of any of our waxes for best appearance results and uniform protection over the entire finish.

You don't have to wait 24, or even 12 hours to apply the second coat. You can read this thread for more information as cure time tends to cause some confusion for people.

Check out this article in the The Information Station

NXT Cure Time

Actually, there is a lot of great information in the Information Station forum, especially in the Hot Topics forum.

Also the How To forum.

[toro1966]

Thanks a lot. I am going out this mornig to see if I can't find some M80 locally. I found several dealers using the tool in your website. I am also going to see if I can't get my hands on one of those dual action polishers. Amy idea as to what type of bonnet or discs I will need? Thanks again.