Swirl marks AFTER waxing. Do I need to strip??

[Hannibal]

Hi there. I have a dark metallic forest green silverado ext cab. I bought it 3 months ago. The paint is nice with a few scratches here and there. People comment on how nice the truck looks. One guy asked if I had it painted recently (I just waxed with GC Paste wax) Anyway here goes my situation:

I am beginning to see swirl marks. I was using a chamois, but now I use a going to use a Meguiars water magnet, and I now realize that you should use a DIFFERENT towel when doing door jambs etc. I only have one bucket, so I dont know what the 2 bucket system is. I Use Gold class shampoo with a MF sponge, then I dry with chamois, then I used Gold Class Paste wax, It looks very very nice!! I use SX where I see a few marks from everyday use.

I wore myself out doing the waxing and washing. (I just cleaned and waxed my GF's car too). Should I get meguiars electric polisher? I feel comfortable using one, though I never have. I want to basically "start over" to get the swirl marks out, but I have already waxed (1 coat) with GC paste wax. Do I have to strip the wax first, then clay, then polish??

Would someone give me a basic grocery list for using the G100?? I dont want to use any proffessional glazes or what not, I dont think it is necessary for this paint. Just the basics, etc.

Forgive my penmanship, I have had a long week. (and weekend)
Thanks!!!!

[Djmigs]

Hello Hannibal

& Welcome to MOL


your at the right place and there are some awesome people here to lend you some hand and give you some tips...we are all here to help eachother to get the best shine and protection for are vehicles....

here are some links to start you off as others will fill in...

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

What it means to remove a scratch out of anything...

Recommended Products - G100a Dual Action Polisher

two bucket method breifly is purchasing two buckets with two gritguards in the bucket then one is water only and the other is water mix with your car soap of your choice.....

grit guard

this should give you a start.....good luck and if you can out some pics up ...we all love to see before and after pics.....

[Murr1525]

I would recomend veiwing a coupld of the threads on the Makeovers ,etc.. just to see what sort of products, techniques are used with the G-100.

Dont be afraid of using the professional products. They are most economical, and best formulated for use with the G-100.

This is what I would recomend, if you paln to do everything with a G-100:

1. Wash: Gold Class, or Nxt wash.

2. Clay - Meguiars Quick CLay.

3. Clean/Polish: #80 and #83 are the 2 products everyone with a G-100 should have.

4. Nxt Liquid, #26, or #21 are great to use with a G-100.

As for the 2-bucket system, basicaly, you will have 2 buckets. Hopefully, a Grit Guard in both. If not, put a Grit Guard in the wash water bucket. Have one bucket for soapy water, and one for wash water. Dip sponge in soapy water.. clean car... then wash sponge, wiping it over the grit guard, to clean it. Then back to the soapy water.

[ViperArry]

Almost nothing to add to the given advice.

One thing only....Stop using a sponge.......

A Washmitt has space to collect sand etc..... a sponge doesn't.
So a sponge always creates swirl marks.

[Hannibal]

Ok, I have ordered a MF wash mit from meguiars.

Please explain step 4:
4. Nxt Liquid, #26, 0r #21 are great to use with a G-100.

( re #4 )So there is something I put "on top" of the wax? I prefer gold class since my vehicle is darker. Can I still follow these steps but use Gold Class Wax?

Here are a few additional concerns/questions:
1. Do I have to strip the wax of before I clay? If so, couldnt I just wash using some dish soap which is known to remove wax?

2. Do you apply paste wax with the G100? Or should I use the liquid? (I have both)

3. Does the G100 come with the pads or bonnets that I need?

4. In Step 3, the Clean/polish (#80, #83) Are these the equivelant of "paint cleaner" and "Polish" In meguiars 3 step products?

5. So I can apply paint cleaner, polish, AND Gold CLass liuid wax with the G100??

THANK YOU very much for your time in answering these questions for me!!!

[Hannibal]

UPDATE: Here is my shopping cart at meguiars. Is there anything missing that I might need?

G1116 QUIK CLAY DETAILING SYSTEM
G10307 SCRATCH-X
A3016 DEEP CRYSTAL PAINT CLEANER
A2116 DEEP CRYSTAL POLISH
X3010 ULTRA PLUSH WASH MITT
X3080 EVEN-COAT APPLICATOR PAD (2 PACK)
X1180 ADJUSTABLE BODY DUSTER W/LONG HANDLE
WDAV99-B COLLECTION OF PADS WITHOUT BACKING PLATE
G100A PORTER-CABLE POLISHER W/W64DA & W8006

Should I just use the accompanying buffing pads? OR is the collection a good assortment? I think that I should have a seperate pad for each step. I already have an assortment of soap, terry towels, etc. So let me get this right:

Wash
Clay
Paint Cleaner
Scratch X **OR** Polish #2
GC Liquid wax

Is that the right order?

[Pete-FWA]

Quoting Hannibal:

( re #4 )So there is something I put "on top" of the wax? I prefer gold class since my vehicle is darker. Can I still follow these steps but use Gold Class Wax?
Most people who layer or "top" their last stage product (LSP) do it with a wax. The reasons seem to be twofold:
1) for insurance that they have complete coverage with their LSP, they "layer" with a second thin coat of the same LSP
2) to add a different depth or gloss to the first LSP i.e. #21 sealant followed by #26 wax for added warmth in appearance

Here are a few additional concerns/questions:
1. Do I have to strip the wax of before I clay? If so, couldnt I just wash using some dish soap which is known to remove wax?

Clay will remove what needs to come off and washing with dish soap/detergent is too harsh. If your paint is nice enough that you're going from clay directly to wax, no worries about removing the old wax. Since it appears you are going to do some cleaning/polishing, then no need to use the detergent. Paint cleaner/polish products will remove old wax.

2. Do you apply paste wax with the G100? Or should I use the liquid? (I have both)
Paste works fine with a DA/G100

3. Does the G100 come with the pads or bonnets that I need?
Check Meguiar's online under G100 and it tells you exactly what pad, etc, comes with that machine
I don't think they come with a microfiber bonnet, which is ideal for applying LSP. Using the W8006 directly with the wax isn't advisable. Slip the bonnet over and you'll get fabulous results.

4. In Step 3, the Clean/polish (#80, #83) Are these the equivelant of "paint cleaner" and "Polish" In meguiars 3 step products?
Both #80 Speed Glaze and #83 Dual Action Cleaner Polish have diminishing abrasives and are more aggressive than the Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner. 80 and 83 also have polishes included
83 is the more aggressive of the two

Hope that helps, Hannibal

[Hannibal]

Ok will this bonnet fit the G100a?

https://www.meguiars.com/estore/product_detailiStore.cfm?from=istore&item=19626

I have adjusted my cart so that I will follow these steps:

Wash
Clay
Pure Crystal paint cleaner
#80 Speed glaze
Gold Class paste wax

Is that right? You think that would remove swirls? Once I get it right, I will be able to prevent swirls much better know I know from mistakes.
Thanks for all your help.

[Pete-FWA]

Yes, that bonnet is the one! Get the 6-7" so it fits over a 6.5" foam pad. Slip it over the pad and use to apply your LSP (Gold Class Wax that you mentioned).

With regards to the Speed Glaze, it's a far more aggressive product that Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner. Meguiar's teaches using the least aggressive product to get the job done. In this case, you may not need something as aggressive as Speed Glaze. I'd suggest a search on the forum to see how and when people use it.

Ideally, I'd have the DC Paint Cleaner on hand to try it first. If that satisfies you with results, then no need for the Speed Glaze. Go from DCPC to Deep Crystal Polish, then finish with your Gold Class Wax.


If you DO need and use Speed Glaze, I recommend modifying your steps as follows:

Wash
Clay
Speed Glaze
Deep Crystal System Polish (for extra depth and gloss)
Gold Class Wax.

[Accumulator]

The last GM truck I worked on ('05 Suburban) had pretty hard clear, so IMO the Silverado is gonna need at least the #80 if it has clearly visible marring (I had to use much more aggressive products first, I just finished it up with the #80 after doing all the major correction with other stuff). IIRC, the Deep Crystal Step #1 Paint Cleaner is nonabrasive, so I wouldn't even bother with it if you have swirls. Just let the #80 cut through whatever's on there now.

I agree with Pete-FWA- #80/Deep Crystal Step #2/LSP. But I use bonnets to *remove* LSPs, I apply them with finishing pads (9006). I use bonnets over cutting pads (7006), they seem to hold onto the bonnets better than softer pads do.

[Hannibal]

Ok, the clear coat does seem very hard on this truck. I was thinking of just using sratch-x after the Deep crystal paint cleaner. How does scratch-x compare to #80?? I dont want to go aggressive, I looked again today at the swirl marks, and they are very faint. I have confidence in the scratch-x stuff.

So now I am at this conclusion:

Wash
Clay
Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner
Scratch-X
Gold Class Wax

Can I apply scratch-x AND the paint cleaner with the G100??
Thanks So much, I am going to post some pics soon as I receive my materials. BTW, do you reccomend getting the G100a from Meguiars, or is there somewhere cheaper?

[ViperArry]

Hannibal,

Add the
Deep Crystal Polish



The polish is a necessary step to follow up on the paint cleaner.
The paint cleaner cleans the littlest holes in your paint..... the polish feeds this holes.....
The combination helps to achieve the best state for your paint to put the wax on it....

[Djmigs]

i would go with the #80 vs scratchX
reason scratchx is used by hand and #80 is used by g100
since you have the g100 might as well make it easier plus in the long run save money by buying bulk...

plus if you use 80 you dont need to use deep crystal paint cleaner....
so the steps you can do is.....
wash
clay
80
#7 or #5 (polish is not necassary but will add gloss)
#20 or #21(or your choice of wax) 2coats

.....just a thought

[Hannibal]

Ok, I am also going to get some 83 to have just incase. I will do my GF's 93 subaru first. Thanks for the input!!