Help With Deciding Which Meguiars Regimen To Go With My New Suv

[Mura2005]

Hi. I have purchased a new Nissan Muranno. I am interested in having that deep wet gloss and shine to it. It is dark blue. I am familiar with the process as far as washing, paint claening, polishing, and then waxing, but don't know what products to use. Would it be better to apply products by hand or polisher? The regimen I came up with myself is the Step one pain cleaner from teh Crystal clear system, #7polish, and either the Gold class wax, or #20 or #21 sealer. I also want to use the Gold class car wash liquid. Basically I am looking for something thats' going to make my truck stick out as far as deepness and richness in color. Can someone HELP??

[Pete-FWA]

Mura2005

Do a search on the forum for "new car" or something similar. You'd be surprised about the varying conditions of "new" paint finishes.

Simplest test for now: How does your paint FEEL? The experts here recommend covering your hand with a piece of clear Cling Wrap or something similar, then moving gently over various areas of your finish to see how smooth it is.

The regimen you have suggested may or may not be an exact fit. Maybe you don't need to do even as much as you've suggested or you might need more.

Have you ever clayed paint?

People have been raving over how good #21 not only goes on and off, but how it lasts and about the look it gives paint. Some with the dark colors have talked about going over #21 with another of the waxes to give it even more character (depth and glow or clarity).

[Mura2005]

Hey thanks for your reply. My paint feels smooth. I just dont' know if i mix and match products, if i need to switch to something else, will the effect be compromised? Thanks again

[Murr1525]

Already sounds like a good start.. Here are a few thoughts to add to Pete's:

1. Wash: Gold Class that you have is fantastic. Be sure to use the 2-bucket method, good sponge/mit and towels. The water magnet towel is great.

2. Clay: Definately Quick Clay soon. I thought my new paint was good.. then I clayed. Fantastic decision, looks 10 times better. I would always recomend claying any new car.

3. Clean: If you have no swirls, other imperfections, then DC#1 that you have will be great.

4. #7 is fantastic, a good choice.

5. Wax: You have many options. Nxt, or #21 are great choices for durability. #26 lasts well, and looks great on dark colors. A popular choice is one coat of Nxt/#21, and one coat of #26.l

Then follow up with a Spray wax after most washes.

[jfelbab]

For my new RX330 I washed with Gold Class wash, clayed, and hit it with #81. I applied two coats of NXT Tech wax, 24 hours apart, and after every other wash I apply NXT booster spray wax.

The result is that the RX always looks like it has been just detailed. NXT gives me the very wet and glossy look I love.

As the car ages I redo the detail and include a paint cleaner step after I clay as one of the steps. In my case, I need to do a full detail on the RX 330 about every 6 months. The RX is my daily driver and is garaged nights.

[papi_Jay]

Hopefully your car wasn't prepped by the dealer and covered with holograms and/or swirls ?
If paint is a-ok , even though it's new you should still clay the car .
I would take extra time with the front , the mirrors backside ( facing front ) and the area behind the wheel wells .
Also clay the glass , then wash the whole car again and dry .
Wash with two bucket method or grit guard + a microfiber sponge , then dry with meg's water Magnet MF waffle towel .
Apply DC # 1 with an even coat applicator working it into an area and wiping it off before it dries with a Meg's Supreme Shine towel .
Then skip # 2 and # 3 and definately skip #7 glaze . It is pretty hard to work with and the sealant #21 or #20 will not bond 100% with it . If you are not in a winter area , and want to apply the sealant more often , then glaze , BUT use #5 instead and make sure you wipe ALL excess of the glaze off before appying your sealant .
Next day apply another coat of sealant , and next day another if you like .
Top it with a carnuba wax such as #26 yellow for a little added depth and warmth if you like

[Mura2005]

question about claying

Hey guys, thanks for your help. One thing I want to know is, Is working with #7 difficult. I am doing this by hand not a polisher. Is claying difficult also?? Another question I have is, how do I do the TWO BUCKET METHOD Thanks

[jfelbab]

Re: question about claying

Originally posted by Mura2005
Hey guys, thanks for your help. One thing I want to know is, Is working with #7 difficult. I am doing this by hand not a polisher. Is claying difficult also?? Another question I have is, how do I do the TWO BUCKET METHOD Thanks

#7 is not difficult. It is basically a wipe on and wipe off product. Do a panel or two at a time then remove. It will not dry but it will skin over. I remove the skin with a terry towel and buff with a MF towel. I also apply #7 or #81 by hand. I use the PC for paint cleaners and polishes.

Claying is very easy. Use lots of lube and don't press too hard. Let the clay do it;s work as it glides across the paint. It is a good idea to cut your clay bar into half or thirds and put the unused portions in a baggie. If you drop a piece toss it. Clay your paint then move on to clay your glass and finally move to clay your wheels.

Two buckets...one for rinse water and one for soapy wash water. You might also want to use a grit guard in the bottom of the buckets. Load up your wash mitt with sudsy water and do a panel then rinse the mitt in the rinse bucket. Reload the mitt with soapy water and move on to the next panel. Work from the top down.

You should probably consider using a new wash mitt and replacing it every few months. I use the older mitts for doing the wheels and fender wells.

[Mura2005]

Hey jfelbab thanks for your reply. Would you say that #7 will give my dark blue SUV a glossy and deep shine? Where do I get a grit guard? Do I only get one? What does claying do??

[Murr1525]

Well, I think #7 will give about as dark of a look as possible. #7 + #26 wax should go as dee pas possible.

The easiest place to get a grit guard is to just order one over the phone from Meguiars. I only have 1 at the moment, and definately love and recomend it. You can get one for your rinse water bucket, or one for both buckets. Being skeptical, I got one at first. Have to get another...

Claying removes any contaminants that are strongly bonded to the surface of your paint. As an example, if your cars surface were sandpaper, the clay would remove the sand, just leaving the smooth paper behind. This is important because the tiniest bumps ruin the gloss and reflection of light, and if they 'break' loose while you are cleaning/polishing/waxing, they can cause swirls.

For new cars, or people living near an industry, rail dust can be a problem. Can you imagine wiping thousands of specks of steel across the paint?

[Mura2005]

Wow now I know what you mean. Is it hard to clay though? How do you do it? Is it hard to use #7? What exactly are swirl marks??

[Mura2005]

one other thing. What is #81??

[Murr1525]

#81 is a pure polish, like #7. Up to you which you choosel

Claying is the easiest thing ever, esp once you do it the first time. Just keep the panel you are working on lubricated with spray, and wipe a pice of the clay on the surface. Use 1/3 or 1/2 a piece at a time as was mentioned. When the clay looks a bit dirty, just sortof fold it over on itself so you have clean clay again. Claying may not use up a piece of clay, but dont be afraid to use a whole bottle of lube.

#7 shouldnt be too hard for you.

Swirl marks are just the vey light, swirls/circular scratches yo usee on a car when it is in the sun. They are very easy to get, so we always try to minimize the chance of getting them, like with the 2-bucket method, grit guard, clay, etc.

[Mura2005]

Oh i didn't know about swirl marks. Would the #2 Crystal clear system remove them? What do you recommend to remove swirl marks?

[Mura2005]

One other question. can someone use 2 polishes at the same tim??