New to the forums and have a few car care questions...

[SqueekyKleen]

Hello everyone,

Just introducing myself and wanted to say hello. I've recently got a brand new 2010 Nissan (dark grey) and had a few questions regarding Meguiar's products and one issue regarding SwirlX:

1. Swirl X question:

I've noticed some light "streaks" on my rear bumper. Ironically, I've used the quick detailer and I think the cloth I used to clean it cause some streaking. I've recently purchased Swirl X to perhaps remove the streaks. I've also have an old bottle of Meguiar's Paint cleaner. Will both of these do the trick? I would imagine using these would strip away the layer of wax so probably I would need to reapply a coat of wax?

2. Uses for Quick Detailer

Since my car is more of a dark color, I noticed that dirt still appears on the doors (especially on the bottom) even after I wash it. Will using Quick Detailer after drying the car be a good idea to remove the dirt or will this end up scratching the paint?

3. Got a lot of Mequiar's products. Do I need all of them?

I have a lot of Mequiar's products from my old car. It might be overkill to have all of them:

1. Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner
2. Deep Crystal Polisher
3. NXT Liquid Wax
4. SwirlX
5. Scratch Remover
6. Quick Detailer
7. NXT Spray Wax

I guess it all comes down to what I want to accomplish. I always thought if I want to prep a car for cleaning, I would use the paint cleaner first, followed by the polisher and then wax. Does this still apply? I would use the scratch remover and swirl X only on occassions where I see I might need them and not to use them for entire paint prep process.

Towels:

I've got tons of rags and applicators. Normally I use microfiber to polish off wax after applying it and use it to clean windows.

Is there a difference between using Meguiar's detailing cloths vs microfiber towels to wipe off wax? I would imagine detailing cloths are used for a final wipe down after the car has a final coat of wax?

Very complex! Can anyone put my on the right path?

Thanks everyone!

[Murr1525]

Re: New to the forums and have a few car care questions...

1. Those are what you would start with. Try working in the SwirlX with a bit of passion over the swirls, and see how it goes.

2. QD is for light dirt, so you dont want to go wiping off sand, etc eith it. What do you mean re-appears, like you are missing spots, or splashing dirt up off the ground with your hose?

3. You can use SwirlX for the entire car. But yes, the basic ideas still apply. Have any clay there?

4. There are many companies who make quality MF towels, you just dont want to be using something real cheap and scratchy on the paint.

[SqueekyKleen]

Re: New to the forums and have a few car care questions...

Thanks for your response. I'm definitely going to give SwirlX a try first to clean the bumper. My guess is also not to use a circular motion but rather a back and forth one with the applicator pad? Is it also safe to assume I need to reapply a new coat of wax afterwards?

Oh, by "reappear" I mean once I wash the car, it seems like the dirt still remains on the bottom of the doors and below the rear view mirrors after drying. I thought maybe some Quick Detailer would make it cleaner and make some of the dirt residue go away.

Nope, no clay yet. Perhaps that should be next on my list. So if I had to do a car from paint prep to wax given the products I have, would it go in this order?:

1. Clay first
2. Paint Cleaner
3. Polish
4 Wax

I also bought a Meguiars Water Magnet for drying along with some of their Microfiber towels. Should I also get the detailing cloths too? They would be used for the final buff down after wax correct?

Many thanks.

[Murr1525]

Re: New to the forums and have a few car care questions...

1. It just needs worked in, you can go in whatever motion allows you to do that best. Try for a smooth foam applicator pad if you have one. And yes, wax after.

2. What soap are you using? Sounds like you may be missing spots. But yes, drying with QD would help prevent missed dirt from scratching.

3. Yes. SwirlX is more of a cleaner/polish, so the polish would be more optional after it. And two thin coats of wax are best.

4. Not sure we have anything called a Meguiars Detailing Cloth here.... Is it white in a plastic envelope?

[SqueekyKleen]

Re: New to the forums and have a few car care questions...

Thanks for the suggestions. I did an order the other day for the three pack microfiber, water magnet and the microfiber applicator pads. The detailing cloth comes in a package. Its called "
I take the car to get it cleaned at a touchless Laserwash. No contact with cloths or anything. It does a decent job. I know going to car washes are taboo but unfortunately its the best I can do. I figured the touchless Laserwash is the best if I have to take to a carwash. I immediately dry it afterwards to get all of the waterspots that the blow dryer missed.

[Murr1525]

Re: New to the forums and have a few car care questions...

You might want to look into something like Last Touch of Final Inspection if you will be using a lot of QD.

Think part of your message got cut off, but I assume you meant to say Ultiamte Wipe? I like them for a final wipe around, spray waxes/UQD after a wash, etc. But some people like them for removing product as well.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: New to the forums and have a few car care questions...

Definitely get the smooth surface clay kit.
If you are going through a lot of quik detailer, you might want to try using Last Touch, or #135 synthetic spray detailer. The last touch can be diluted @ 1:1 for use as a clay lube. You are not advised to use #135 as a clay lube.

The 135 has hydrophobic polymer technology. This simply put, helps sheet the water afterit gets wet. Helps reduce the number of water spots.

Hello and welcome to mol.