1994 Dodge Stealth

[Caress Detailing]

Re: 1994 Dodge Stealth

Thanks for the advice. Yes, I use the DC2 Polish. Now that I think about it, I did put the wax on thicker than usual so I assume that caused the residue issue.

I get what you mean with the Swirl-X though because after doing 2 passes of Ultimate Compound, there was a slight haze on certain areas which I had to use DC1 Paint Cleaner to get rid of. Is this a good substitute for Swirl-X or would you recommend using Swirl-X?

As for the Dawn soap, I figured that since the car needs to be washed before detailing anyway, I might as well use something that gets rid of the old wax beforehand as this might mean less passes with a stripping compound. Just my thinking

One last question, I realize that more layers of polish give no extra benefits, but would extra layers of wax (more than 2) give extra protection?

Technically wax cant layer either. It sits on top of the paint and doesn't really bond with it. So you really couldn't layer wax on top of wax. The only thing you could really do is ensure uniform coverage and to make sure you covered spots that you might have missed with the first coat.

To put it simple, 2 coats is all you'll need.

As for the dawn soap, yes it is good at stripping wax but keep in mind it's also stripping any oils or protection from your trim, headlights, other plastics it touches.

As for Swirl-X, yes I suggest it over DC1 paint cleaner. DC1 is more of a chemical cleaner and isn't going to tackle the holograms or light marring by UC.

As for M205, it's an excellent polish. But I have to say I've never used it by hand and always by a DA or Rotary. It finishes beautifully and LSP ready. And it's much more expensive than Swirl-X though.

But for the sake of your personal details, I'd do this for the next time.

1. Wash with regular soap
2. Swirl-X
3. DC2 Polish
4. 2x Wax

Also keep in mind Swirl-X uses SMAT, so you can work it for a long time until you get the results you desire.

Good luck man!

[Simon777]

Re: 1994 Dodge Stealth

Because SwirlX is more aggressive than M205, it may work more efficiently at removing the defects (such as marring, holograms, spiderwebbing) created by Ultimate Compound. That is especially true if you are working by hand.

However, M205 gives a noticeably deeper gloss than SwirlX. M205 is also twice the cost of SwirlX per ounce.

Sorry to keep bothering you with questions, but I really want my next detail job to give me the best results possible with my paint.

M205 is a polish correct? Meaning this can replace DC2 Polish as a better alternative?

Because this is what I was thinking for my next detail job:

Step 1: Wash car with car soap and NOT dawn(thanks Caress Detailing)
Step 2: Clay Car
Step 3: Ultimate Compound(maybe 2 passes or so)
Step 4: Swirl-X(i'm guessing just 1 pass should do)
Step 5: M205(again, you all say polish doesn't layer so i'd do 1 pass)
Step 6: Gold Class Wax(2 passes with this)

[Simon777]

Re: 1994 Dodge Stealth

Just a general question to everyone, I was reading up on Meguiar's NXT 2.0 Tech Wax and was wondering if anyone would strongly recommend this over Meguiar's Gold Class Wax as a better and more efficient product? Does it last longer than Gold Class Wax? Also, does it give you better protection?

[Caress Detailing]

Re: 1994 Dodge Stealth

Just a general question to everyone, I was reading up on Meguiar's NXT 2.0 Tech Wax and was wondering if anyone would strongly recommend this over Meguiar's Gold Class Wax as a better and more efficient product? Does it last longer than Gold Class Wax? Also, does it give you better protection?

Yes NXT 2.0 lasts probably twice as long as GC or even longer.

But from personal experience, I find that I like the look of GC better because of the darkening abilities on Black.

But NXT 2.0 is an extremely popular product because it does leave a great shine, hides fine swirls, has excellent protection (in terms of UV rays, bird droppings and repelling bugs) and brings out metallic flakes.

Also, M205 is a polish but it is an abrasive polish. You still will get good results with DC2 because DC2 is almost a pure polish with no abrasives, that enriches the paint with oils.

As for your steps:

"Step 1: Wash car with car soap and NOT dawn(thanks Caress Detailing)
Step 2: Clay Car
Step 3: Ultimate Compound(maybe 2 passes or so)
Step 4: Swirl-X(i'm guessing just 1 pass should do)
Step 5: M205(again, you all say polish doesn't layer so i'd do 1 pass)
Step 6: Gold Class Wax(2 passes with this) "

Inspect the car first if you even need to do UC again. You might not even need it. Otherwise, you've nailed it. M205 will refine Swirl-X even more. But if you really have time you could even do DC2 polish after M205 before the Wax.

Like racing, it's all testing and tuning and dialing in what you need for the process. Though I suggested to do DC2 after M205, in some cases it's not even necessary.

Now go and try it out, and report back with pictures.

[Simon777]

Re: 1994 Dodge Stealth

Yes NXT 2.0 lasts probably twice as long as GC or even longer.

But from personal experience, I find that I like the look of GC better because of the darkening abilities on Black.

But NXT 2.0 is an extremely popular product because it does leave a great shine, hides fine swirls, has excellent protection (in terms of UV rays, bird droppings and repelling bugs) and brings out metallic flakes.

Also, M205 is a polish but it is an abrasive polish. You still will get good results with DC2 because DC2 is almost a pure polish with no abrasives, that enriches the paint with oils.

As for your steps:

"Step 1: Wash car with car soap and NOT dawn(thanks Caress Detailing)
Step 2: Clay Car
Step 3: Ultimate Compound(maybe 2 passes or so)
Step 4: Swirl-X(i'm guessing just 1 pass should do)
Step 5: M205(again, you all say polish doesn't layer so i'd do 1 pass)
Step 6: Gold Class Wax(2 passes with this) "

Inspect the car first if you even need to do UC again. You might not even need it. Otherwise, you've nailed it. M205 will refine Swirl-X even more. But if you really have time you could even do DC2 polish after M205 before the Wax.

Like racing, it's all testing and tuning and dialing in what you need for the process. Though I suggested to do DC2 after M205, in some cases it's not even necessary.

Now go and try it out, and report back with pictures.

Thank you so much for the help! I'll make sure to show you all the results of my next detail and let you know how it turns out. This detail I just did wasn't bad, but I know I can do better with the right combination of products.

[Simon777]

Re: 1994 Dodge Stealth

Yes NXT 2.0 lasts probably twice as long as GC or even longer.

But from personal experience, I find that I like the look of GC better because of the darkening abilities on Black.

But NXT 2.0 is an extremely popular product because it does leave a great shine, hides fine swirls, has excellent protection (in terms of UV rays, bird droppings and repelling bugs) and brings out metallic flakes.

Also, M205 is a polish but it is an abrasive polish. You still will get good results with DC2 because DC2 is almost a pure polish with no abrasives, that enriches the paint with oils.

As for your steps:

"Step 1: Wash car with car soap and NOT dawn(thanks Caress Detailing)
Step 2: Clay Car
Step 3: Ultimate Compound(maybe 2 passes or so)
Step 4: Swirl-X(i'm guessing just 1 pass should do)
Step 5: M205(again, you all say polish doesn't layer so i'd do 1 pass)
Step 6: Gold Class Wax(2 passes with this) "

Inspect the car first if you even need to do UC again. You might not even need it. Otherwise, you've nailed it. M205 will refine Swirl-X even more. But if you really have time you could even do DC2 polish after M205 before the Wax.

Like racing, it's all testing and tuning and dialing in what you need for the process. Though I suggested to do DC2 after M205, in some cases it's not even necessary.

Now go and try it out, and report back with pictures.

I've decided to go with the NXT 2.0 Wax for my next detail. 2 layers of this would be best correct? I assume anymore would diminish the wax.

[the_invisible]

Re: 1994 Dodge Stealth

At the current state, I think your car looks brilliant. Are you sure you want to polish it more anytime soon?
At least wait til you have more defects and swirls on your car.

[Caress Detailing]

Re: 1994 Dodge Stealth

I've decided to go with the NXT 2.0 Wax for my next detail. 2 layers of this would be best correct? I assume anymore would diminish the wax.

Yup two coats. Then give it 12-24 hour to cure and you'll find the shine gets better, that's the next day "Wowee" factor of NXT 2.0 hehe

[Simon777]

Re: 1994 Dodge Stealth

At the current state, I think your car looks brilliant. Are you sure you want to polish it more anytime soon?
At least wait til you have more defects and swirls on your car.

Oh no, I won't be detailing my car until next summer. After spending 2 days on it recently, I'm not really in the mood to do it again anytime soon. I just like to plan ahead. I think what I did was good, but want to surpass it next time