Detailing Help

[Luis00]

Im a total Noob when it comes to detailing, but im going to give it a try very soon. I was wondering if these steps make sense before buying most of the things ill need.

1. Wash
2. Dry
3. Clay
4. Polish
5. Glaze
6. Wax

Im confused about the last two steps though... Is it ok to glaze and wax, does it make sense, or do you only have to do one of them?

[Murr1525]

Actualy, you're just slightly off..

1) Wash - Nxt Wash or Gold Class wash work work great

2) Clay - The Quick Clay system will work great

3) Clean - You will want to use some sort of paint cleaner next. depending on yoru paint, you could use DC#1 for mild cleaning, or ScratchX for removing swirls, etc.

4) Polish - DC#2 will be a good Polish for you.

5) Wax - Nxt Wax, Gold Class wax are the most common you'll see, but DC#3, #21, #26, etc are also good.

Polishing and glazing are the same term in Meguiars. Other companies have different meanings for them.

Polishing will not add any protection to your finish, but will nourish your paint, and help add that depth and gloss.

Waxing is what will add protetction, and seal in your results... till it wears off of course.

[Luis00]

Thank you for the reply.

I still havent learned what all the letters and numbers are for exact items(DC #1, DC #2???) for example.

A little help would be appreciated, thanx

So I could use a polish or a glaze then? either one is ok?

[Murr1525]

Not a problem...

DC#1 = Deep Crystal Step 1, which is a very mild paint cleaner

DC#2 = Deep Crystal Step 2, which is a very good and easy to use pure polish, (also considreed a glaze in Meguairs terms).

DC#3 = Deep Crystal Step 3, which is a blended carnuba wax. It is quite good, and gives great results, esp for the price. I do prefer Nxt or Gold Class, but a few bucks more.

#21, #26, etc are products from the professional line. Both are waxes, and if you are starting out, dont need to get too worried about it. But if they are in a store near you, you can certainly check them out.

Meguairs has some products called Polishes, and some called Glazes. Both are the same thing. What you want to watch for is pure polishes/glazes, cleaner polishes ,and cleaner waxes.

A pure polish is just that, purely oils to help nourish your paint and give a deep gloss. This is Deep Crystal Polish, and #7 Show Car Glaze are examples. Note, different names, same thing.

A cleaner polish has cleaning, and swirl removing abilities, as well as polishing oils. This would be like #80 (Speed Glaze), or #83(Dual Action Cleaner Polish), both cleaner polishes, and they are meant to apply by machine. Not much for you to worry about right away, but again, both terms are used.

Cleaner waxes contain cleaning ability, polishing oils, and wax. Meguairs cleaner wax is an obvious example, and ColorX is also a great cleaner wax.

Hope that explains a bit.... if complicated..

[Xtreme99_s-Dime]

actually if you would like to save more time, you can clay after you wash, and before you dry. Use some fresh soapy water as the lubricant for the clay instead of your quik detailer.

Also, a polish and a glaze are essentially the same, a glaze is just a very fine version of a polish and is made more for gloss and reflection rather than cutting and swirl-removal ability.

Get into your deatiling, there's nothing better than spending all weekend on your car and getting compliments on it for the next month.

Stevo

[Luis00]

Thanks for the replys you guys have been A LOT of help. This is a pretty cool site too..

I had some more questions though.

With these products:
Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner
Quik Clay Detailing System
Deep Crystal System Paint Cleaner
Deep Crystal System Polish
Show Car Glaze
Gold Class Clear Coat Car Wax...

What would be the Best...for lack of a better word...Lineup I guess?
And how many coats?
How much time to leave them on before removing them?
I might try it this weekend if it doesn't rain. I just dont want to mess up.

[Luis00]

Does.....
Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner
Quik Clay Detailing System
NXT Generation™ Car Wash
Deep Crystal System Paint Cleaner
Deep Crystal System Polish or Show Car Glaze
Gold Class Clear Coat Car Wax
.....Seem o.k. ???

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by Luis00
Does.....
Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner
Quik Clay Detailing System
NXT Generation™ Car Wash
Deep Crystal System Paint Cleaner
Deep Crystal System Polish or Show Car Glaze
Gold Class Clear Coat Car Wax
.....Seem o.k. ???

All of these are great products. You really only need one car wash however.

Read this thread to learn about Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle,

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

Then read this article as an outline as to what to use and the order in which to apply each product. You can of course substitute different paint cleaners, polishes and waxes for the ones shown.

How To Remove Swirls By Hand

[Murr1525]

Those products are good.. though the Nxt wash is a little out of order if you were putting it in order. You would be wanting to use either Gold CLass wash or Nxt wash.