1986 Ford Bronco II - Extreme Makeover

[Tim Lingor]

Originally posted by Mike Phillips
I'll try to upload and create the write-up this week. Lately I've been kind of busy and it takes a while to go through about 300 plus pictures and pick out the ones that tell the best story.

Mike

I am sure it will be worth the wait!


Tim

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by Scottwax
Wow! How did I miss this thread?

BTW, just a tip for those who use it by hand on oxidized paint using a terry cloth towel...make sure you refold the towel for each section or dried product and removed oxidation will build up and mar the finish. Use as many towels as it takes.

Scottwax makes a good point.

When working on older, neglected paint, you need to change your application material often because of how much oxidized paint and other gunk it will accumulate into itself.

What I like to do is to find a quality old towel and then cut it up into small pieces about 7" by 2.5" square and then fold it over to make an applicator pad about 3.5" by 2.5". This gives me plenty of material to work with and an applicator pad I can fold over to get 4 working sides.

Mike

[99GrandTouring]

Why did some of the coloring come off onto the applicator? or is green teh color of colorX??

Is that finish not a clear coated one? just single stage?
Thanks!

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by 99GrandTouring
Why did some of the coloring come off onto the applicator? or is green teh color of colorX??

Is that finish not a clear coated one? just single stage?
Thanks!

The answer is both.

ColorX is blue in color and this particular paint is a single stage.

I used the terry cloth over foam to give the ColorX a little more bite.

Mike

[Andrew]

white paint

I have a 2002 chey impala with white paint, I have not waxed the car yet, I am currently using NXT car wash and quick clay sys. I just picked up a bottle of #1 deep crystal paint cleaner but after reading the thread I wonder if I need to use Colorx instead? can you tell me which is best? I wash and clay the car weekly I am very anal about keeping my car very clean but have not waxed yet due to not wanting to do it incorrectly, also after I clay the car do I need to use anything else before moving to step #1 paint cleaner or colorx?(to remove the quick detailer from clay sys.)
-
another question I have is about Plastix- can I use on the tail lights? clear red tinted plastic?
any suggestions would help.
thanks,

[Mike Phillips]

Re: white paint

Hi Andrew,

Seeing this is your first post, Welcome to Meguiar's Online!

Originally posted by Andrew
I have a 2002 Chevy impala with white paint, I have not waxed the car yet, I am currently using NXT car wash and quick clay sys. I just picked up a bottle of #1 deep crystal paint cleaner but after reading the thread I wonder if I need to use ColorX instead? can you tell me which is best? I wash and clay the car weekly I am very anal about keeping my car very clean but have not waxed yet due to not wanting to do it incorrectly, also after I clay the car do I need to use anything else before moving to step #1 paint cleaner or ColorX?(to remove the quick detailer from clay sys.)

Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner is a very gentle and mild paint cleaner, it's perfect for cleaning paint in excellent condition to start out with a fresh base, or to remove previous coats of wax, or very light cleaning.

You say your wash and clay the car often, when you look at the finish in bright light, how does it look? Swirls, dull and hazy?

If not then Deep Crystal should be fine for a paint cleaner, if your car's finish doesn't have the same high gloss, clear looking finish it did when new then you should probably use either a more aggressive paint cleaner like ScratchX or a strong cleaner/wax like ColorX. Both will do a great job of cleaning the paint, the ScratchX is more effective at removing swirls and scratches by hand. If you use the ScratchX, you'll have to apply a wax afterwards as ScratchX is not a wax or paint protectant but a paint cleaner. If you use the ColorX you can stop after this step or top with a wax like NXT Tech Wax.

Another question I have is about Plastix- can I use on the tail lights? clear red tinted plastic?
any suggestions would help.
thanks,

PlastX is safe on all plastic surfaces but just to be sure, you should alway test this product when working on an unknown surface in a small, inconspicuous area.

Check out these two threads...

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7122

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5185

[Andrew]

thank you for the welcome and the fast reply, I bought the car used and to me it seems dull or hazy, no swirl marks, I can see my reflection but not clearly so am going to try step #1 first, also what about the residue left from quick clay? do you apply paint clearner immediately after or do I need to wash the car again? Or do I need another product before using #1?

[Mike Phillips]

Whoops! I forgot to answer that last question...

Here's what you do, keep a microfiber or soft cotton towel nearby and wipe of the Quik Detailer spray and any clay residue as you move around the car, don't let the Quik Detailer or any clay residue dry. If you miss a little here or there it's okay as the paint cleaner will loosen and remove this.

Best of luck with your car detailing project...

[Jbirk]

Question ScratchX is a cleaner right?

So I could

Wash, Clay, ScratchX, then Wax?

Would that work well? Is ScratchX as strong as ColorX?

Also, is ScratchX a polish? I am still a bit confused here.

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by Jbirk
Question ScratchX is a cleaner right?

So I could,

Wash, Clay, ScratchX, then Wax?
Would that work well?

Yes.

Is ScratchX as strong as ColorX?

Yes. ScratchX is a dedicated paint cleaner and more effective at removing defects than ColorX a strong Cleaner/Wax. They are both very good at removing oxidation, but when it come to actually removing scratches out of the finish, ScratchX is more effective.

Also, is ScratchX a polish? I am still a bit confused here.

No, not like our pure polishes. Read this,

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

[Jbirk]

I am confused as to what I am missing now.

Wash
Clay

Then ScratchX and Wax?


So, I am missing a polish? What other product do I need to be complete?


Thanks.

[Detalnewb]

WOW what a great thread! I have a friend with almost this exact vehicle he's interested in me helping him with. I'd prefer to do this by PC, but since ColorX is formulated for hand application, would I switch to something like #83 for a heavily swirled surface and #80 for a lighter swirled surface?

Thanks and GREAT job Mike!

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by Detalnewb
I'd prefer to do this by PC, but since ColorX is formulated for hand application, would I switch to something like #83 for a heavily swirled surface and #80 for a lighter swirled surface?

#83 would work better for a heavily swirled surface, but you can use ColorX with the PC too for lighter jobs.

[fei]

Hey Mike, firstly sorry to reopen this thread but i was really curious as i read in one of the post that the yellow applicator pad should be damp or misted before applying ColorX on it, what would i use to damp or mist the pads? Can i apply colorX on a dry foam applicator? Thanks for your advice!

[sneek]

Originally posted by fei
Hey Mike, firstly sorry to reopen this thread but i was really curious as i read in one of the post that the yellow applicator pad should be damp or misted before applying ColorX on it, what would i use to damp or mist the pads? Can i apply colorX on a dry foam applicator? Thanks for your advice!

I wouldn't mist the pads as ColourX is a cleaner wax, which means that it contains a wax. I don't think there are any advatages to misting a applicator pad if you are applying something by hand