DC1 or DC2?

[Electric Shepherd]

Just a quick query folks!

I've got a new [3 month old now] Audi TT in Phantom Black metallic. Now, as you can imagine the paint work is pretty pristine (apart from a couple of bird attacks although Scratch-X has made the best of those) so my question is this; I imagine it's not necessary to use both DC1 and DC2 prior to applying NXT wax at present, my thoughts are that I could just use DC1 to get the old wax off prior to putting the new coat on, or should I be using DC2 instead?

Any input welcome!

[oc detailer]

dc-1 , dc-2 , then nxt...

[05PhillyStang]

DC 2 is a polish. It will add shine and glossyness to your finish. You don't have to do it, but if you want your TT to look its best, I would put a coat on after the DC 1

[Murr1525]

For the best results on any vehicle, all 5 steps of the 5-step cycle are important, even on a new car.

1. Wash: Gold Class or Nxt Wash are great on any vehicle.

2. Clay: Even on a new car, claying can make a world of difference. Certainly did on my new car. Meguiars Quick Clay is fantastic product, and so easy to use.

3. Clean: Much as with claying, even a new car can have dirt that your eyes cant see. To get the best life-span out of a wax, this dirt should be removed. DC#1 is a very gentle cleaner, perfect for new cars that dont have defects to remove. It will safely clean the dirt out of the pores in your paint.

4. Polish: Polishing is good for restoring the oils to paint, but also gives the paint gloss and depth. On a dark car, like black, polishing with DC#2 can be a fantastic step.

5. Wax: Waxing is used to protect the surface, but also seal in the results from the claying/cleaning/polishing steps. Wax can add its own gloss, but the real results come from the steps before. Nxt or Gold Class waxes are fantastic.

I know that is a long answer, but all the steps are beneficial to any car, even a new one.

One product I also keep around is ColorX, which is a cleaner/wax, as it is a great one step product to clean/polish/wax a vehicle. I then top it with a coat of Nxt wax. My car is a dialy driver, so that is a nice easy way to cut out a few steps when short on time.

[silence]

I always use DC#1 before DC#2 Its leaves the surface nice and ready for a good polish'in

[BJClarke001]

Re: DC1 or DC2?

Originally posted by Electric Shepherd
............ so my question is this; I imagine it's not necessary to use both DC1 and DC2 prior to applying NXT wax at present, my thoughts are that I could just use DC1 to get the old wax off prior to putting the new coat on, or should I be using DC2 instead?

Electric Shepherd,

Based on what your saying. Your saying the paint is clean. In that case, I would use the DC2 and then reach for the wax of your choice.

I too have a new vehicle and I did use the DC1 first more for grins. I didn't think I really needed it and when I applied it, I really didn't see or feel any differences in the finish because the paint was already like new. I did apply it more to see what would happen and more so to give myself more practice in ALL the steps. DC1 is a chemical cleaner and it may have mild diminishing abrassives (I think it does..... Someone on here set me straight if this is an incorrect statement) to remove very very very mild sctatches (not swirls but a single scratch or two seen from various lighting angles) . If you see some of these very mild scratches, you may want to use this then. As far as removing the old wax, I don't think that is really needed.

I do recommend the polish (DC2) to be done, It really does all add up to the final shine you get after the wax you apply.

Hope this helped.

[silence]

If your doing a full detail on your car then it is always a good idea to use DC#1 to strip off any wax that might have been applied before.

The DC#2 adds a beautiful deep shine that's nice to seal in with a wax.

[Murr1525]

DC#1 is chemical only, no diminishing abrasives, and it will not remove any scratches.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: DC1 or DC2?

Originally posted by Electric Shepherd
Just a quick query folks!

I've got a new [3 month old now] Audi TT in Phantom Black metallic. Now, as you can imagine the paint work is pretty pristine (apart from a couple of bird attacks although Scratch-X has made the best of those) so my question is this; I imagine it's not necessary to use both DC1 and DC2 prior to applying NXT wax at present, my thoughts are that I could just use DC1 to get the old wax off prior to putting the new coat on, or should I be using DC2 instead?

Any input welcome!

Hi Electric Shepherd,

All of the recommendations above have been dead on and all of them will give you the results you're looking for.

Just to add to what everyone else has said to your thoughts/question...

Originally posted by Electric Shepherd
my thoughts are that I could just use DC1 to get the old wax off prior to putting the new coat on, or should I be using DC2 instead?

The Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner also contains rich polishing oils like the Deep Crystal Polish; because it's also a paint cleaner, it will work perfectly fine to use this product to clean the paint and then go right to wax.

Optimum results are always to break the process up into its individual steps with a dedicated product for each step, but because your car's paint is brand new, the combination of the DC1 with your choice of a wax will produce show car results and actually your time would be better spent applying a second coat of wax after the first one.

Does that help?

[Electric Shepherd]

Thanks guys!

For a full detail I use the following:

1. Wash - using Johnson's baby shampoo [very kind to your paint but effective too!]

2. Quik Clay

3. Wheels - Hot Rims to clean, tyres dressed with Gold Class Endurance Gel

4. DC1

5. DC2

6. NXT liquid wax

All by hand, phew...

Hence I'm wondering if I need both DC1 and 2 if I'm going for a more routine clean of the car as I rarely have the time to do this full regime due to the delightful British climate and the demands of two kids under 6!

[Murr1525]

A busy schedule is exactly the reason I love ColorX.