How much of importance is surface prep?

[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!!!

[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

[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.

[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

[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.

[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

[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?

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....

[StoneRaizer]

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?

[zaidgreat]

Re: How much of importance is surface prep?

Its about time to start paying top dollar for surface prep products as its money well spent as opposed to forking out hundreds or thousands of dollars on LSPs.... Heck, I'm not going to spent anything more than $50 for a small can or tub.
(Makes me feel good now).....

[Jokeman]

Re: How much of importance is surface prep?

100% prep.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: How much of importance is surface prep?

Marketing Especially in the cases of some manufacturers where huge sums of money are charged for waxes which, in the case of prep work beging spot on, add little or nothing to the finish.

Last year I, with the help of a few mates , machine polished to perfection 7 black Vauxhall Corsas, identical cars and then applied a range of LSPs - one on each car, ranging from cheap and cheerful to expensive and exotic... Could anyone spot the difference and find the expensive waxes? Nope!

Its all in the prep

That was such an awesome demonstration of the power of perception. If memory serves, even with the very wide range of prices in the LSPs used almost all of them earned both a top mark and a bottom mark somewhere along the line. Good stuff.

[Kickin Griffin]

Re: How much of importance is surface prep?

So, why is it that LSPs costs a lot more than surface prep products? Are we all sort of ''misguided""..

Marketing Especially in the cases of some manufacturers where huge sums of money are charged for waxes which, in the case of prep work beging spot on, add little or nothing to the finish.

Last year I, with the help of a few mates , machine polished to perfection 7 black Vauxhall Corsas, identical cars and then applied a range of LSPs - one on each car, ranging from cheap and cheerful to expensive and exotic... Could anyone spot the difference and find the expensive waxes? Nope!

Its all in the prep

[captaincog]

Re: How much of importance is surface prep?

I would say good surface prep is important for several factors that I have learned over taking classes and then practice, practice...
I know that a well prepped surface not only comes out looking great, but any additional corrections that need to be done are easier to see. I also learned the surface prep makes the final stages much easier. I remember using old paste wax and dishwasher detergent on my Dad's MGB when I was a kid and did not know any better. Wow, what a chore that was after doing the same wash and then paste wax every week. Years later the job was torture because the surface was so bad that the wax could not be removed. Many years later after learning the right techniques, correct product application, etc., the removal is no work at all. I find that for me surface prep makes the entire job easy. I am able realize some solace, satisfaction, and visual rewards for a well done job. Oh, and the 50+ car show trophies don't hurt either.

[Caress Detailing]

Re: How much of importance is surface prep?

It also depends what the user is trying to achieve.

Some people might consider just claying a car as surface prep and then apply a wax.

Is that wrong? I don't think so. If the car doesn't need compounding, polishing, or cleaning then maybe claying is sufficient.

Then of course, obviously heavier neglected cars will need more correction.