Deep Crstal 3 step process links/advice

[DiSpLiFF]

I've been searching the forumns for about an hour now being side tracked by other forumn topics that caught my eye.

I just bought the 3 step deep crystal system, and was gearing up to do my first detail job on my 08 black GTI.

I'm just curious if anyone has any links on how to use this process, I really want to know as much as possible before i get into it.

Also do i have to claybar before using the system? or is simply washing it fine?

any information would be greatly appreciated.

[Tuck91]

Re: Deep Crstal 3 step process links/advice

Do you just want a clean surface for the wax to bond to?

If so, start by washing the car with good quality washing/drying tools. The two bucket method with gritguards is something you want to do too if you like.

Then clay your car with something like the Smooth Surface Clay Kit.

Then you can go ahead and wax your car with Deep Crystal System Carnauba Wax, two thin coats are the best.

Is this what you are looking to do?

[Nappers]

Re: Deep Crstal 3 step process links/advice

to MOL!

Check this out!

List O' Links 2.0 Done by Ryan L.


Just curious, are you doing this by hand or machine?

IF by hand, I started out with the DC system and still have and use it.

By hand, you need to be VERY PATIENT and with Step 1, do more than 1 pass and work small areas like a 12X12 area, DC1 is not to dry so work it in, wipe off and do a test spot before moving on to the next section, hate to do the whole car and not like the results!

Step 2 is a pure polish, an option but a great option, it's a wipe on wipe off. Step 3 obviously is the wax, wax with a thin layer let it dry and do a Swipe Test (in the list o links) and do another coat of wax at least an hour up to 12 hours later.

If you have deeper swirls or RIDS (Random Isolated Deep Scratches-I think....) then you may need stronger product, not sure what's available to you up there in Canada, but Ultimate Compound and SwirlX are great products to use by hand, UC being the more aggressive product.

Also, you should clay your car and get rid of any embedded particles in the paint and make it baby rump smooth!

Check the List O' Links over that Ryan did, he did a lot of work putting this together and is working on a 3.0 version due out in the near future .

Always start with least aggressive product first then work your way up as needed to get your paint flawless

Keep us posted!

[DiSpLiFF]

Re: Deep Crstal 3 step process links/advice

thanks for the quick replies, and yes i am doing this by hand. I haven't purchased a clay bar kit, i was planning on doing the clay bar right before winter starts.

i was planning on washing - drying - step 1 - step 2 - step 3

so steps 1 and 2 from what i've gathered from that big links page is put on with one cloth rub in, and remove right away with another cloth. do it in small areas one at a time.

the waxing however i just do the whole car and let it sit for a bit ? and then remove it?

[Caress Detailing]

Re: Deep Crstal 3 step process links/advice

Yes, step 1 you sort of need to "work it in" as it's going to clean your paint. Step 2 you can work it in and wipe it off as it doesn't need to dry. Step 3 you could apply to the whole car, wait 10-15 minutes to dry to a haze and then remove.

Edit: also to add about claying, it's well worth it. It will make applying the whole 3 step process a lot easier since there is no contaminates to cause unnecessary friction.

[Nappers]

Re: Deep Crstal 3 step process links/advice

In the List O' Links under Waxing.....

Swipe Test

[DiSpLiFF]

Re: Deep Crstal 3 step process links/advice

Yes, step 1 you sort of need to "work it in" as it's going to clean your paint. Step 2 you can work it in and wipe it off as it doesn't need to dry. Step 3 you could apply to the whole car, wait 10-15 minutes to dry to a haze and then remove.

Edit: also to add about claying, it's well worth it. It will make applying the whole 3 step process a lot easier since there is no contaminates to cause unnecessary friction.

so i'm not actually putting step 1 and 2 on the whole car? is the clay bar the only thing that removes wax?

[Murr1525]

Re: Deep Crstal 3 step process links/advice

so i'm not actually putting step 1 and 2 on the whole car? is the clay bar the only thing that removes wax?

Yes, you would clay, and use DC Step 1, 2, and 3 over the entire car.

The clay and the paint cleaner (DC1) will remove wax.

[starchland]

Re: Deep Crstal 3 step process links/advice

was in your boat not too long ago with the 3 step system.

best advice I can give is to not rush anything. make sure you take your time and allow at least a full day for good results. if it means breaking the work up into 2 parts then do it.

things I found that worked well:

no direct sunlight

do it indoors if you can or a Very calm day is a must

under controlled lighting is the best to show all the defects in the paint.

dont let anything dry except the wax

work the products in nicely allowing the diminishing abrasives to do their duty

keep everything clean

a good quantity and quality of microfibres are a must.

take your time!

If it means doing one body panel a day then so be it! the end result will be much more satisfying.

[Thomas S.]

Re: Deep Crstal 3 step process links/advice

thanks for the quick replies, and yes i am doing this by hand. I haven't purchased a clay bar kit, i was planning on doing the clay bar right before winter starts.

i was planning on washing - drying - step 1 - step 2 - step 3

so steps 1 and 2 from what i've gathered from that big links page is put on with one cloth rub in, and remove right away with another cloth. do it in small areas one at a time.

the waxing however i just do the whole car and let it sit for a bit ? and then remove it?

Here's my receipe:

1. Wash the car with a microfibre wash-mitt and NXT car wash, I prefer abucket with GritGuard in it.
2. Dry the car with a microfibre towel, like the Water Magnet. Make sure the car is completely dry!
3. Clay the car, like the Quik Clay kit, be sure to have a clean microfibre towel to wipe off the claylubricant.
4. Then go to DC step 1, paint cleaner. Use as recommended.
5. Then go to DC step 2, the polish. Use as recommended.
6. Finish off with the DC step 3, carnauba wax OR you can also choose an LSP like Tech Wax 2.0.


Good luck with detailing! (and remember to buy enough microfibre! )
3.

[THERAPY]

Re: Deep Crstal 3 step process links/advice

I utillize a step 1 and then beeswax of karnauba. content with a result


at first certainly i wash the car and clear clay)))))

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Deep Crstal 3 step process links/advice

If you read through the 5 Step Paint Care Cycle most of your questions should be cleared up. We don't really discuss Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner any longer since it has been phased out and replaced with SwirlX, but the use of the product is the same. There's even a video showing proper use of a liquid paint cleaner, which should be a big help to you. Also, even though you're using a different wax that the NXT highlighted in that article the use of any Meguiar's wax would be the same as what is shown for the NXT Tech Wax 2.0 in that thread.