Brand new car - how to start?

[mikkl]

Since my first attempt with nxt this weekend, I've spent a great deal of time here reading, but I'm still a bit confused.

I have a new car (three weeks from the dealer) with a beautiful, swirl-free and deep black finish. I want to keep it this way.

I've read the five step process. My question - after washing, is a cleaner necessary before moving on to polish? I do not have any swirls or scratches that need to be removed so I'm not clear on the need for a cleaner (they are all scratch removers, right?) prior to polish.

BTW, I will be doing all of the work by hand.

TIA,

mikkl

[Ranger72]

ON a brand new car, I would just wash, inspect, and if no swirls/ scratches are found, just clay polish with my favorite #7 and wax.
Actually claying on the horizontal panels may be fine.

[Murr1525]

Not all paint cleaners are swirl removers. DC#1 is a great cleaner for use on new cars, because it is quite mild. Just helps get the dirt out of the pores.

If you have the time, using a process like:
1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Clean - DC#1
4. Polish - DC#2
5. Wax -Nxt wax, etc

will give great results and make sure you are working on a perfectly clean surface. And I would clay the whole car, makes a big difference.

[gb387]

Black.... Yes, I learned a lot from MOL about my black truck.

This is a little off topic but here goes...

Make sure you are using QUALITY wash mitts/dry towels and so on. Also proper washing technique is a must! This will also help keep your finish looking its best.

Here is a great drying towel (I like them so much I now have 5): Water Magnet Drying Towel
I am currently using this mitt: Deep Pile Chenille Wash Mitt
This will also help: Grit Guard Insert

Just some food for thought!

[mikkl]

Thanks for the advice. I have been looking locally for a grit guard--no success yet. I will continue looking, however, as this is a great idea--but I hate paying shipping on a $10 product...

For washing cloths and polishing rags I use either Turtle Wax microfiber clothes (I can get these locally at Meiers) or 100% cotton diapers (left-overs from my children). Both seem to do a good job.

Again, thanks!

Now to find a local store that carries DC #1 and #2....

mikkl

[Murr1525]

I often have to order some things from Meguiars.. including a Grit Guard and Quick Clay. I just make sure I have a few things to order to make it worthwhile.

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by mikkl
...or 100% cotton diapers (left-overs from my children).
mikkl

I would ditch the diapers and use the microfiber or 100% cotton terry towels to remove anything from your paint with.

The diapers are soft, but they can trap dust, dirt, etc. and scratch the finish due to the lack of a good nap.

[TKDDAD]

Re: Brand new car - how to start?

Originally posted by mikkl
Since my first attempt with nxt this weekend, I've spent a great deal of time here reading, but I'm still a bit confused.

I have a new car (three weeks from the dealer) with a beautiful, swirl-free and deep black finish. I want to keep it this way.

I've read the five step process. My question - after washing, is a cleaner necessary before moving on to polish? I do not have any swirls or scratches that need to be removed so I'm not clear on the need for a cleaner (they are all scratch removers, right?) prior to polish.

BTW, I will be doing all of the work by hand.

TIA,

mikkl

mikkl, I also have a new 3 1/2 month old Ebony Black car and let me tell you, you're in for a treat when you detail it for the first time...I thought the car looked great when I picked it up at the dealership...that was until I got my G100 Dual Action polisher and a bunch of Mequiars products...BLACK is particularly tough because it doesn't take much to make it look dirty...the process I've used to make it "pop" and get that wet look that makes black cars look awesome is this:

* Wash with NXT wash
* Quik Clay
* #80 with DA
* DC #2 by hand
* two thin coats of NXT Liquid

I tried doing it all by hand and let me tell you, the G100 is the best investment I've ever made in my vehicles (not to mention saving my arms

I agree, ditch the diapers...microfibre is the only thing I'll use on my black beauty..

For winter, I'm going to try #16 which I've never tried before but after reading these boards for 4 months, sounds like it will offer good protection during the nasty winter months.

Congrats and good luck with the new ride...post some pics when you get a chance !!!

[BJClarke001]

Re: Re: Brand new car - how to start?

Originally posted by TKDDAD
...the process I've used to make it "pop" and get that wet look that makes black cars look awesome is this:

* Wash with NXT wash
* Quik Clay
* #80 with DA
* DC #2 by hand
* two thin coats of NXT Liquid

TKDDAD,

I am currious about why you choose to apply DC #2 by hand. Is it a matter of needing another dedicated pad or are you finding it is because the results are better? I have a DA now and wanted to hear your thoughts.

[Mike Phillips]

I agree with others, ditch the diapers. Don't ever use anything with a flat sheen, or flat surface.

Any abrasive particle that gets trapped between your paint and the flat sheen of a diaper or t-shirt will have no place to bury into and will be ground into the paint.

Flat sheen wiping materials hold less product because there is no place for it to go unlike a wiping cloth with a nap.

Flat sheen wiping cloths offer no cushion on the surface level.


To keep black paint looking swirl free you're going to need to learn how to really do a careful job of washing it. Always us a high lubricity car wash soap and a quality wash mitt. Don't rub and rub and rub the paint to wash it, simply make a pass or two for each section and rinse.

Dry with a soft drying towel, always make sure they are clean. Some people use the Blotting Technique instead of wiping their drying towel over the finish.

Then find a wax you like and use it often.

Suggested Products for Taking Care of a New Car

[TKDDAD]

Re: Re: Re: Brand new car - how to start?

Originally posted by BJClarke001
TKDDAD,

I am currious about why you choose to apply DC #2 by hand. Is it a matter of needing another dedicated pad or are you finding it is because the results are better? I have a DA now and wanted to hear your thoughts.

You know, I don't really know why I did it by hand...I guess I was thinking, "polish"....not really a work in product so wipe on wipe off...plus, to your point, I didn't want to dedicate another pad...unless I'm missing something and should be looking to put the polish on with the DA.... I'd use the DA on my windows I like it so much !!

[BJClarke001]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Brand new car - how to start?

Originally posted by TKDDAD
You know, I don't really know why I did it by hand...I guess I was thinking, "polish"....not really a work in product so wipe on wipe off...plus, to your point, I didn't want to dedicate another pad...unless I'm missing something and should be looking to put the polish on with the DA.... I'd use the DA on my windows I like it so much !!

Last week, I used the DA on a poor finish (neighbors car) using DC #1 and DC #2. It came out really good to be honest. I liked the way both these products went on with the DA. There are tons of scratches in the paint from him doing things like putting boxes on a dirty finish and sliding the boxes around. Thus, he has these fine straight scratches all over the place and I plan on hitting them this weekend with #80 or #83. This car is a real beater and I am more like experimenting. I could get really crazzy with the ScratchX but this is my training for the DA.

PS: Sorry that I am somewhat Hijacking this thread.

[Bergland]

new wheels

Congrats on the new wheels. Black can be needy but rewarding. Ditch the diapers, not even on trim. Use a lambswool or cotton chenille mitt. I have been happy with the Gold Class Car Wash. Once waxed you will not need much of the concentrate in your pail. Use the two bucket method, one bucket w/soap, one to rinse your mitt before soaping it again. After doing the trim, bumper covers, tires, pitch the water in both pails and start with clean soap, rinse water in each respective pail. Use a new mitt for the body. Rinse with the nozzle off the hose. Rinsing well w/out the nozzle will make the drying step easier, especially after you have a coat of wax on your car.
You may not need to polish beyond a mild paint cleaner-trust your assessment after mashing and drying. I do not like chamois as I have experienced fine scratching. I use microfiber to dry, polish and buff.
#7 is a great product. Any Meguiar glaze will give the foundation to a wet look once waxed.
My neighbors know it is Saturday when they see me washing my cars. They think I`m nuts (maybe they`re right), but they keep quiet after I used clay to remove road stripe paint from my SRX.
Bergland

[mikkl]

Many thanks folks. My clay kit arrives tomorrow and, weather permitting, I start detailing on Saturday.

Question on the DA--how do you keep the chemicals off of the plastic or is this not a problem? The one thing clear in the nxt paste directions is to keep it off of anything other than paint. How do you do that with a mechanical buffer?

Just curious. As I mentioned earlier, I'll be working entirely by hand but that doesn't stop the curiosity.

mikkl

[Bergland]

Painters tape (blue masking tape) and microfibre hand application in tight areas. Remember to work out of direct sunlight and on cool metal.

Put the DA on your holiday/birthday list- I enjoy mine.

Bergland