How much of importance is surface prep?

[zaidgreat]

Re: How much of importance is surface prep?

So with everybody saying prep is the the most important step, will Meguiars drop the price of NXT 2.0 and Gold Class while jacking up the price of ScratchX, Cleaner Wax, ColourX and other Step 2 and Step 3 products?

It will be better if Megs maintain their surface prep prices while dropping the prices of its LSPs....

[Michael Stoops]

Re: How much of importance is surface prep?

So with everybody saying prep is the the most important step, will Meguiars drop the price of NXT 2.0 and Gold Class while jacking up the price of ScratchX, Cleaner Wax, ColourX and other Step 2 and Step 3 products?

Ah..... no.

[zaidgreat]

Re: How much of importance is surface prep?

It is also true that a surface prep will provide different outcome/result in its final stage before coating a sealant or wax.
In fact it is where we get our paint's TRUE 'slickness', 'glossiness', depth etc.
LSP's just a small icing on the 'cake'.
It's sad to see the norm in my group of friends/detailers over emphasizing on sealants/waxes

[bullitt21]

Re: How much of importance is surface prep?

I agree it's almost 100% prep. I can notice very(and I mean very) subtle diffferences in the application of different LSP's. I've just started totally correcting the loaner SUV(Black Sport Trac) we use. I went ahead and did a full correction on the hood. One side has Megs #16 and the other Supernatural and I can't tell the difference. Sometimes I do feel that some LSP's give a more warm, deep look on darker cars, but it's still subtle. When I think LSP I think more in terms of durability and static control.

[weis]

Re: How much of importance is surface prep?

from my noob experience..

surface prep will provide longer durability.. no doubt about that.. referring to looks, then i not too sure.. haha.. cause i dun have other products to compare..

only meguiar's in my arsenal so far

[EPHIOS]

Re: How much of importance is surface prep?

I'd say, the products you use is only as good as your techniques. It's like a 50/50 split.

[Paul S]

Re: How much of importance is surface prep?

Not discounting the importance of surface prep , but all LSP's are not created equal. Things that come to mind are durability and ease of application and removal.There are LSPs that seem to last thru months of adverse weather and others shot after a short time. Some seem to reflect metallic colors differently then others. Some make reds or other colors seem darker. I am on board with the idea that the prep is the most important step and without it your just wasting wax LOL. Paul S

[Michael Stoops]

Re: How much of importance is surface prep?

I'd say, the products you use is only as good as your techniques. It's like a 50/50 split.

The guys in our Customer Care Center gets calls on a daily basis where someone is complaining about the poor results they've gotten from a product. 99.9% of the time it turns out they're using the product incorrectly - applying a pure wax to a very badly oxidized surface expecting a small miracle; putting a paint cleaner on like a wax and letting it dry; or even using the wrong product on the wrong surface. Plenty of those same people have called back a few hours or days later, after going back and using the same product correctly, just to let us know that it actually is pretty darn good stuff!!!