Need help getting started...

[cablebfg]

I am 17 and just got my 1994 BMW 325i, it is Hellrot red, which is a rare color and I would love to keep the car nice and clean. Unfortunately, i have NEVER waxed/polished/paint cleaned a car at all, so i am at the mercy of things i have seen other people do in movies and just everyday things like that, and i know that most people dont do it the right way to begin with.

i recently washed my car and applied some scratchX, then i applied some polish to the hood, i stopped right there when i noticed i had alot of swirls in my finish. so im just curious as to how to apply this stuff the right way, i have the money to buy a few extra products, but as of right now i have ScratchX, Deep Crystal Polish, and a bottle of NXT Wax. I also have 100% cotton terry cloth towels. and i use the Meguiars (Purple) carwash.

like i said i have no experience in this whatso ever, so i dont know how to go about this at all... If i could get some helpful motions as to how to apply these products with the most effect, and some helpful tip, especially with the wax, and as to how to apply it in the right manner and how to take it off, and what i should look for when it is time to remove these products.
Thanks in advance.

[CHzo6]

Dont have a lot of time to post, but check this link out....

http://www.meguiars.com/faq/_index.cfm?faqCat=Paint%20Care

[cablebfg]

maybe even some helpful links giving me SPECIFIC details would help also. remember im a complete noob to this..

[cablebfg]

that link above i have already visited and read into, but it told me nothing about how to apply and remove the product in specific deails, it just tells u should apply this and remove it, well, how should i apply it? glob it and spread? or should i do it in sections? how long should i keep rubbing it over my finish? what should i look for to indicate that? when should i remove it? all those SPecific details is waht im looking for... thanks in advance again...

[avs]

I highly suggest you buy a PC! I was very hesitant to use it, but I am glad I did.I just to my 1st detail with one and it is very easy to use and yeilds amazing results! I used the video about the PC on the Meguiars home page and also this site Make sure your towels are good quaily and truely 100% cotton, so you don't indice more swirls.

[gb387]

For a first timer I would do as follows:

1. Wash car with your current wash
2. Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner
3. Deep Crystal Polish (you have)
4. NXT Wax (you have)

If the surface of the car feels "bumpy" after its been washed you might try the Quik Clay System before you start with the paint cleaner. The clay might take some time to get use to using but it does a very good job of removing any stuck on stuff. Remember to use lots of quik detailer to lubricate the surface.

I started out with the Deep Crystal system several years back and had very good luck with it. Its easy to find and even easier to use. Apply all your products with an applicator pad you can find the meguiars brand applicator pads at walmart. Remove all the products with Microfiber towels or a GOOD quality 100% cotton terry towel.

Just follow the directions on the bottle and you shouldn't have any problems. I will say you do not want to let the Deep Crystal Polish dry it becomes very hard to remove work in a small area. When it comes to the NXT its very easy to apply and remove. Apply a thin coat of NXT let it set for 15-20 min and the stuff wipes of very easy.

This is one of many options, I think the deep crystal products are great for people who have never used such products. The NXT will give great results. I am a strong believer in using a cleaner then polish then wax I feel the three steps give a far better looking job than just wax alone.

[cablebfg]

thanks

alright, that should pretty much do it, if anyone else has some helpful hints and doesnt mind sparing their time to help a noob waxer in need, i would greatly appreciate it... and i dont have the money for a PC? isnt that the motorized cleaner? if so then i dont have the money right now, i have about $60 bucks in my pocket that i need to keep for a prom ticket at the moment, so i have about $20 bucks of spending money, and thats all i got, so im gunna go pick up the deep crystal paint cleaner, and the foam applicator pad... i guess i will need two more cuz the NXT already came with one... why use the applicator pads? are they better? and should i use it with all three paint protector products? thanks again

[rusty bumper]

Re: thanks

Originally posted by cablebfg
alright, that should pretty much do it, if anyone else has some helpful hints and doesnt mind sparing their time to help a noob waxer in need, i would greatly appreciate it... and i dont have the money for a PC? isnt that the motorized cleaner? if so then i dont have the money right now, i have about $60 bucks in my pocket that i need to keep for a prom ticket at the moment, so i have about $20 bucks of spending money, and thats all i got, so im gunna go pick up the deep crystal paint cleaner, and the foam applicator pad... i guess i will need two more cuz the NXT already came with one... why use the applicator pads? are they better? and should i use it with all three paint protector products? thanks again

Hi cablebfg...Welcome to MOL!

Here's my 2 cents worth...When you wash your car, use 1 bucket for soap, 1 bucket for clear water, and use a fuzzy wash mit to wash your car with...When you need more soap to wash with, return your mitt to the clear water, rinse & wring it out before going back to the soap bucket...That way, you won't be returning dirt to your finish and possibly causing more scratches & swirls.

Also, do a final rinse with a gentle stream of water from the top down...That way, the water sheets off instead of leaving many beads...Makes it easier to dry too.

If doing a detail by hand, then I would use thge Meguiar's pads like gb387 posted...Years ago, I used to use any old rag or whatever to apply Meg's products with, until I tried their foam pads...They made a big difference in the quality of my work.

You can find them at Wal-Mart and other places.