help with shining process

[jcp2o06]

im pretty new in detailing my vehicle, which is a 2002 Ford Mustang. Before i would only wax it, which i did maybe twice but i realize i did bad in not cleaning it first with polish and well i have seen through the pics on this forum the effects meguiars products have on vehicles. This is the process I have comed up with to shine up my car. How good is it? any recommendations? For steps 3 and 4, isn’t ScratchX a polish on its own? Or can I still apply scratch x and then the pure polish? Thanks

1) Wash/Dry Car
2) Apply Meguiars Quik Clay system on just the top areas where
oxidation is more susceptible.
3) Apply ScratchX all around the car.
4) Apply a Meguiar's Show Car Glaze (as was recommended by a guy from customer care since i live in texas where their is a lot of precipitation)
5) Apply Meguiars NXT Generation Tech Wax.
6) Finish off with Meguiars Quik Detailer. I might apply this every
week to keep it looking new.

For steps 3 and 4, isn’t ScratchX a polish on its own? Or can I still apply scratch x and then the pure polish?

[roushstage2]

Welcome

Clay the whole car, it is worth it, trust me.

What kind of scratches are you trying to get rid of? There may be something better for what you are trying to get rid of instead of ScratchX.

Don't apply and liquid (quik detailer) for 24 hours after waxing. Might try NXT Speed Detailer as well. Quik Detailer does not work well on my paint, may not work well on yours since it is the same car. Don't know for sure though.

[Chris Nemlich]

Yes, ScratchX does polish the surface. If you have time and want to you can still use a pure polish. The best idea would be to do a test spot with the pure polish and see if you notice a difference. If you like it, then use the pure polish on the entire car. What color paint do you have? On lighter colors (whites, beiges, silvers) I am usually less likely to use a pure polish than I am on darker cars.

Also, you have Quik Detailer as step 6. This is a maintenance product and shouldn't be applied right after waxing with NXT. You should do two thin coats of wax to make sure every area gets covered. Quik Detailer is used between washes when you have only a very light amount of dust on the car. Simply spray and wipe and you will reveal the "just waxed" look.

One a slightly different note...Make sure you have products to properly clean and dress tires, trim, wheel wells, chrome, plastic, etc. These tend to be the finishing touches on a great detail.

[jcp2o06]

Re: Welcome

Originally posted by roushstage2
Clay the whole car, it is worth it, trust me.

alrighty ill do that

What kind of scratches are you trying to get rid of? There may be something better for what you are trying to get rid of instead of ScratchX.

i dont really have scratches, just a swirl mark that i got from the auto shop when they polished it. but ive read that scratch x is not necessarily for scratches, that i can still use it to polish.

Don't apply and liquid (quik detailer) for 24 hours after waxing. Might try NXT Speed Detailer as well. Quik Detailer does not work well on my paint, may not work well on yours since it is the same car. Don't know for sure though.

Thanks for warning me of that product on mustangs...How do you detail your mustang roushstage2?

Yes, ScratchX does polish the surface. If you have time and want to you can still use a pure polish. If you like it, then use the pure polish on the entire car. What color paint do you have? On lighter colors (whites, beiges, silvers) I am usually less likely to use a pure polish than I am on darker cars.

My paint is mineral gray so which polish do you recommend?

You should do two thin coats of wax to make sure every area gets covered.

so i should wax it completely and then wax it again?

Make sure you have products to properly clean and dress tires, trim, wheel wells, chrome, plastic, etc. These tend to be the finishing touches on a great detail.

yes i need that as well...what products do you recommend for like each thing you mentioned?


I have a question... I was cleaning my interior and well i sprayed some Febreze in there and well it smelled nice for a while then it kinda got mixed with dirt im guessing and it kinda stinks now... i went to oreilly's a while ago but couldnt decide on which cleaner to use on my upholstery...the price ranges were over 10 dollars over sprays that did that same thing...whats the one you use?

[Chris Nemlich]

Re: Re: Welcome

Originally posted by jcp2o06

My paint is mineral gray so which polish do you recommend?



so i should wax it completely and then wax it again?


yes i need that as well...what products do you recommend for like each thing you mentioned?


I have a question... I was cleaning my interior and well i sprayed some Febreze in there and well it smelled nice for a while then it kinda got mixed with dirt im guessing and it kinda stinks now... i went to oreilly's a while ago but couldnt decide on which cleaner to use on my upholstery...the price ranges were over 10 dollars over sprays that did that same thing...whats the one you use?

If you want a pure polish, either Deep Crystal Polish or M-81 Hand Polish would work well, although I really don't use a pure polish too often. People also rave about #5 and #7. You should probably get someone else's opinion on that.

Yes, you should wax the car, remove it, then wax again with the same wax or top it with something different if you would like. Everybody has different preferances in this category.

As for other products...

Glass - NEW NXT Generation Glass Cleaner
Tires - NEW NXT Generation Insane Shine Tire Spray or Gold Class Endurance
Wheels - Hot Rims/Cool Care All Wheel Cleaner and NXT Generation All Metal Polysh
Plastic - PlastX
Trim - Gold Class Trim Detailer

Hope this helps!

[jcp2o06]

ok so give me your opinion, #5, #7, #81, or Deep Crystal Polish. What would you all use...my car has grey paint...

also, can i still use scratch X on the surface...it wont harm it by applying the pure polish later?

[roushstage2]

The first time I did an extensive detail, I clayed it and used the Deep Crystal System. Now I am going to maintain it by using #9, #7, NXT Tech Wax, and Gold Class Wax. Tomorrow it going to be getting some #7, NXT, and Gold Class. AS for quick detailing, I use a car duster, then some NXT Speed Detailer.

Mineral Gray paint is kinda in between light and dark. For pure polishes, I would use Deep Crystal #2 or Mirror Glaze #7.

It will do no harm to apply pure polish after ScratchX.

[Murr1525]

Just to add in, since you mention using the Spray Detailer often... If you wash weekly, or every two weeks, you can also use the Spray wax, or Nxt Spray Wax in order to add shine back, as well as some protection.

And you wont go wrong with any of the polishes, though I suspect the DC#2 may be the easiest to use.

Also, after you get the swirls out with ScratchX, you may want to switch to a milder cleaner for future details, like DC#1 or something,for when there are no real defects to remove.

[jcp2o06]

so yea im planning to clay it first, no matter what followed by scratch x...when you refer to the deep crystal system, you mean the 3 step process right? the cleaner, polish, and wax. This would be a lot cheaper...and it would do a good job right... as for your advice, you think its ok for me to wait the next time i wax it to use the nxt tech wax and the stuff i was to use above on my first post... the paint on my mustang is pretty good but for sure it needs a shine and clean...

so ok tell me hows this:
1) Wash Car
2) Clay Car
3) Apply Scratch X
4) DC#1
5) DC#2
6) DC#3
then apply #3 again as you said its good to apply 2 coats of wax...

btw, whats the speed detailer... you apply that between waxes when you was the car or what...

hey roughstage2, you say that after nxt tech wax, you use the gold class...you wax with nxt tech wax, and for the second coat you use gold class wax. is that what you mean?

[Murr1525]

I think so many products have been mentioned its getting a tad confused...

You current steps 1 through 6 will work great, though you dont need to use DC#1 after ScratchX. It would replace ScratchX in the furture.

I would:
1)Wash
2)Clay
3)ScratchX
4)Polish with DC#2
5)Wax with your choice of wax/waxes. DC#3 is good, though I prefer Nxt and Gold Class. Nxt will be most durable, though Gold Class may look a little richer on dark paint.

Then, once you have removed the Scratches/Swirls in the first big detail, future full details would look like:
1)Wash
2)Clay if needed - have to judge for yourself
3)DC#1
4)DC#2
5)Wax with your favorite wax/waxes.

2 thin coats of wax will look best, and provide uniform coverage/protection. This could be 2 coats of the same wax, or one coat of Nxt, and one coat of Gold Class, or whatever combo someone chooses.

The speed detailer is used to remove light dust, fingerprints, bird droppings. It adds lubriation so you can wipe those things off safely, and also leaves behind a nice gloss. Could be a last touch when you reach the car show, that sort of thing.

Hope that answers some questions. If not, we'll try again...

[jcp2o06]

Originally posted by Murr1525
I would:
1)Wash
2)Clay
3)ScratchX
4)Polish with DC#2
5)Wax with your choice of wax/waxes. DC#3 is good, though I prefer Nxt and Gold Class. Nxt will be most durable, though Gold Class may look a little richer on dark paint.

thanks for clearing that up Murr, ill follow that process the first time, then I might switch to the Show Car Glaze instead of DC#2…

I got more questions, hows this for the rest of the detailing…

For my tires ill clean them with NXT Tire Cleaner since ive really never cleaned them with a cleaner…then Im not sure what to use the nxt instant shine or the gold class endurance…question, under the fenders there is like a lot of grease and grime… and that messes up the look of the car… what can I use on there??

For the wheels im not sure to use Hot rims Cleaner or gold Class Wheel Cleaner, whats better…I guess its just a matter of testing.. then ill apply the NXT all Metal Polysh

And for my glass, ill use the NXT Glass Cleaner…my glass has been marked by the wipers and I hope this will remove that so I can get clarityyy!

Roushstage2, whats the dashboard of the 2002 mustang made of?? Its not vinyl right, I think its plastic…not sure man I get confused with the interior…

Hey btw, what can I do to my carpet, I still got the problem I mentioned in one of my previous posts with the febreze thing mixing up odors… what cleaner is good?

[Murr1525]

Just use the Show Car Glaze from the start.. no sense to buy a bottle of DC#2 for one use...

You can use Meguiars Degreaser, Super Degreaser, or something like Simple Green. It can also be the one reason to stop by a coin-car wash... they use a strong soap, and you can give a good blast in the wheel wells/underbody there.

Yeah, both wheel cleaners are good products.... Nxt Polysh works great on my exhaust tips and muffler.

You can Clay your glass as well... do you paint first, then glass..

With either interior, the Nxt Tech Protectant should work. I really like it, goes on easy, let it sit for 5 minutes, then wipe off excess for a rich, but subdued look.

Well, Meguairs make the APC, whcich can be used, and also the upholstry cleaner. I have neber used either, but there are your main options.

[jcp2o06]

well then im sticking to the DC#2 for a while... they dont have show car glaze at oreilly's, and i dont want to order online..ill do that when DC#2 finishes...also... hey Murr i didnt know you could clay the glass toooo.. cant wait to detail my car... thanks for all of these info man... hey how many applicators or towels do you use when you detail...and what types (e.g. terry, micro, etc.) ... i want to get the WW for drying and couple of microfibers for detailing..

[Murr1525]

DC#2 is good stuff... cheap stuff, but performs like it costs 4 times that...

You can clay paint, glass, wheels (in that order), trim, the kitchen sink, whatever... I mean you can probably clay the dashboard if you got junk on it. (Just a guess though).

Well, I have a Subrau Legacy, and I would use 2-3 Water Magnets. Depends how well I sheet the water off, ring them out, etc. 3 is just easy. Esp the first time, your water wont sheet of too well, so will be harder to dry.

I use the foam applicator pads, at least 1 per product to apply.
1-2 Supreme Shine Microfibers per product to remove. For more agressive application, some terry cloth can be used, like for ScratchX for instance.

The foam applicatos should stay product specific, the microfibers just need washed, and then can be used for whatever next time.

I also have some cheapie microfibers from Target for in door jams, under the hood, etc.. where I dont want to ruin my good ones.

[roushstage2]

Sorry I haven't answered your questions. Some f'ing kids egged my car and so I have been spending the past 2 days working on that. #26 saved my paint with only one coat. The eggs sat on the paint for about a day in the sun, no stains etc.

Anyways, yes, I meant a coat of NXT then a coat of Gold Class. (haven't actuaaly done this yet, and I don't think I will either now)

Last night after I clayed the car to get rid of the egg on the paint, I used #7 followed by 2 coats of NXT (12 hrs apart) and all I can say is wow!!!

The dash is made out of like a vinyl/rubber/plastic material. Not sure exactly what it is, but any protectant works on it.

Wasn't trying to hijack the thread; sorry about that.