NXT = The Win!

[00SOHCV8]

Hello all! I came across the forum when I got really serious about showing my 2000 Mustang GT. Car shows have always been my favorite weekend activity and the GT is a retired daily driver. I've received trophies at a couple of local shows, but at larger shows there is always a lot of competition in the '94-'04 Mustang Coupe class. I was thrilled when I won 3rd place in my class at a large Mustang and Ford show on 7/31/05! I owe alot to NXT Paste Wax-






I've flirted with other car care brands, but I always come back to Meguiar's. I even considered Zaino after seeing all the internet hype about it, but then I started seeing threads about NXT being superior and easier to use-




I doubt these pix do the finish any justice, but I had several people ask me at the show what kind of wax I used. I got to brag on NXT big time! Thanks Meguiar's!



I used:

1) 00 Car wash
2) Clay Bar
3) 00 Car Wash again
4) Two coats of NXT paste 1 week apart
5) NXT Insane Tire Shine

Maintain with:

1) Duster
2) NXT QD

Thanks for all the information on this forum. The next show is in a week. Wish me luck! Thanks to all . . .

[00SOHCV8]

Whoops!

Like my avatar sized pics?!

Lemme try again-

[Murr1525]

Thats fantastic.. good job.

Since you did so well, perhaps some sort of paint cleaner and polish before the wax would move you up even further... Even ColorX before Nxt.

[00SOHCV8]

Since you did so well, perhaps some sort of paint cleaner and polish before the wax would move you up even further... Even ColorX before Nxt.

Do I still need a paint cleaner after using the Clay?

I've never tried ColorX; my car has suprisingly few swirl marks in it, so I've never really considered a polish. The few swirls I could see, NXT seemed to hide really well. What's the "mildest" polish available from Meg's?

[sixty7mustang22]

I have always been one to just wax my car. Yeah it looked great, but this weekend I went in with all the artillary. I washed, clayed, scratchX, polich, and then wax. I'm telling you, you can see and feel the difference. Of course it rained the day after I finished , but for that one day, my car was the beautiful. It never looked so good.

I would at least recommend using a polish of some kind before waxing, even if you don't have many swirl marks.



Oh yeah, beautiful Mustang. Nice!

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by 00SOHCV8
Do I still need a paint cleaner after using the Clay?

Paint cleaners clean the paint below the surface and clay bars remove bonded contaminants that are sticking on top of the surface. If you've never used a paint cleaner on your car and it's a daily driver, then you might consider it. Here's an article that talks about how paint gets dirty but often times your eyes cannot see this dirt build up on colors versus white paint.

A Lesson From White Paint

I've never tried ColorX; my car has surprisingly few swirl marks in it, so I've never really considered a polish. The few swirls I could see, NXT seemed to hide really well. What's the "mildest" polish available from Meg's?

I think you're talking about two different things and might not understand? There are paint cleaners, cleaner/polishes and pure polishes.

Read through this thread,

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

The mildest paint cleaner Meguiar's offers in our Consumer Line would be Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner.

The mildest cleaner/polish we offer would be #9 Swirl Remover 2.0 in our Professional Line.

If you want to start all over on your car at the beginning and redo it, then you could use either of the above product after washing and claying, and before applying wax. If you like, you could also use a pure polish like Deep Crystal Polish after the cleaning step and before the waxing step. Read through the 5-Step Paint Care Cycle and this will all make sense.

[Murr1525]

Well, when working by hand, it is the Meguiars paint cleaners that will remove swirls and defects. The polishes will simply nourish the paint, and add that gloss and wet look under your wax.

Claying will remove above surface defects. A mild cleaner will also remove surface defects, like some oxidation, etc. A stronger paint cleaner will start to remove things like swirls, scratches, etc.

Deep Crystal Step 1 is a very mild chemical cleaner.

An easy to use polish would be the Deep Crystal Step 2, although the #7 is also quite good.

ColorX is stonger than DC#1, and has some diminishing abrasives, so it is able to remove light swirls if worked in well. As my car is new, and swirl free (mostly), I apply it a bit more gently when I use it.

BTW, what are your wheels made of? You can wax them as well to seal in the shine.....

[RamAirV1]

Those wheels look like American Racing TT IIs. They are polished aluminum IIRC. Lots of polishing to keep them looking nice.

If you want to try a cleaner polish I would go with the #80. You will get some cleaning action, better than you will from the DC#! cleaner or #9. Plus, you will get the benefit of the rich polishing oils in the #80. It is the perfect product to use right before the NXT.

Also, you don't need to rewash the car after claying it. The clay has already cleaned the paint.

RamAirV1

[00SOHCV8]

Thanks guys, that really helps.

Those wheels look like American Racing TT IIs. They are polished aluminum IIRC. Lots of polishing to keep them looking nice.

The wheels are OEM Ford from the 2001 Bullitt Mustang GT. They are clear-coated and shine up great. They have also been protected with NXT paste.

An easy to use polish would be the Deep Crystal Step 2, although the #7 is also quite good.

Sounds like some DC2 may be in my future!

Oh yeah, beautiful Mustang. Nice!

Thanks, man! Keep the faith.

I'll let you all know the results of the next show. I'll also try to get some better pics of the paint finish. I've also got some incredible pics of my wife's 1998 Windstar that's been detailed exclusively with Meg's products and topped with NXT. I'll post soon!

[RamAirV1]

I definitely prefer the clearcoated rims. I have enough detailing to do without polishing my rims every week or two.

How often do you apply the NXT paste to them? Right now the NXT Paste is my go to wax, with Spray Booster Wax when weather permits.

RamAirV1

[00SOHCV8]

I've been applying NXT to the wheels about once a month. The 'stang has been a weekend-only driver for about two years now, so the wheels stay fairly clean. I use NXT QD to wipe off the brake dust after each outing.
I also completely remove the wheels every 6 weeks so I can detail the wheel wells, wipe down the suspension pieces, wipe off the painted brake calipers, and clean the backside of the wheels. I've been using my leftover back-of-the-shelf waxes for the back sides of the wheels. While the wheels are off, I use that opportunity to apply NXT Insane Shine to the outside of the tires and then I apply Endurance on the backside of the tires.
Nuthin' says lovin' like shinin' tires on both sides!

(The wife thinks I'm crazy.)

[Wayfarerwalk]

Love the shaker hood, that always makes a Mustang complete.

[rusty bumper]

If you're that particular about your car, then I would think about getting a G-100 DA polisher. It beats anything you can do by hand IMO.



Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a weekend warrior who wants show quality, swirl-free results, this is the tool for you. Meguiar’s Dual Action Polisher greatly reduces the amount of time it takes to apply paint cleaners, polishes and protection products and produces results far superior to applying these products by hand. And because of its dual action - rotation and orbit, you never have to worry about burning the paint. Once you try this machine, you will join the many thousands of Meguiar’s enthusiasts who will never go back to applying products by hand. Comes with W64DA Backing Plate and one W8006 Soft Foam Polishing Pad.

[00SOHCV8]

The DA polisher is probably a good idea. That may be my next purchase.

Love the shaker hood, that always makes a Mustang complete.

Wait 'til you see the shaker on the '05+ stangs; it's hot!

There will be a new Shelby, a new Bullitt, and a new Mach 1 in the coming years. So many sweet rides, so few dollars to buy them with . . .

[00SOHCV8]

Show in Michigan 8/14/05




Check out those reflections!





Everybody's tire tread got filthy due to all the rain over the weekend.