NXT and light colored cars

[thptrek]

I have a new 2005 Mustand, Windveil Blue. This is sort of baby blue color. I have clayed, ColorX, and then topped with NXT liquid wax. After washes I use the NXT quick detailer to freshen up the gloss.

For a light colored car like this, should I top the NXT wax with another product?

As an aside, I was reluctant to try a clay bar but what a difference it makes even on a brand new car. It is so easy to use and you can't hurt your finish with it.

[BJClarke001]

thptrek,

Let me ask this: Are you not satisfied with just the NXT? I also have a Ford ('05Focus that is Arizona Tan) that is a light color. I do like the the shine I get from the NXT. I at one time was swapping back and forth (like every week) between Gold Class and NXT. But, found that I was happier with the NXT results. Of course, the question is; what is concidered topping when there is a week span in between waxing? I also need to add that I wax with a PC/DA machine. And that is why I could wax so often. I don't think I could do it by hand everyweek. Also, I find the results better applying it with the PC. I remove by hand but some day will use the bonnet to remove the dried wax. I hope I hit your question. If not, let us know.

[Murr1525]

On a lighter color car, you often cant get the same depth (depending on color) as you can on a darker car, and so sort of have to go for gloss. I think yellow is often like this.

Nxt Wax, and I believe #21, will give a great gloss, and good endurance. You can also use the Nxt Spray Wax, since it will add back a little protection with the gloss.

I have a steel blue kind of colo, daily driverr, and I use ColorX and Nxt wax more often than other products.

And claying is definately the best.

[mirrorfinishman]

Re: NXT and light colored cars

[i]For a light colored car like this, should I top the NXT wax with another product?
[/B]

If you top the NXT with another product you could gain added durability, however since it's a relatively light color you may not see much increase in depth of gloss.

Two coats of NXT will also give you an added measure of protection and improve the slickness of the surface.

[Jeff Smith]

Since having been bitten by the detailing bug back in June/July, I have played with every Meguiar's wax except for Color-X. On my white Honda Ridgeline. All of them offered their own unique qualties. I can;t say out of all of them there was even one that I did not like.

But, there are some I liked more then others. #20, #21 and NXT. The NXT is what I feel a high maintenance wax in that in order to kkep it looking it's absolute best you reallyneed to follow a good wash routine.

I settled on using 2 coats of #21 as my favorite, Gives me great gloss and reflection. With white I can't go for depth. I apply this with the PC. But I am ging to start hand applying and removing a topper of NXT over this though. I think this will prove best for me.

As far as you're asking "Should" you top this? Thats a loaded question here. You are likely going to get folks recommend not topping it and topping it. Some might recommend a Carnuba and some a Synthetic. The main thing it will come down to is what will you like the best.

Here is a thread regarding your question that might help you out.

[thptrek]

I have been satisified with the NXT. I think I will layer on additional coats. I was just wondering if another product layered over it will give more "pop" realizing that it is a light colored car.

It does seem that while the NXT polymers provide a good deal of protection it does require a good amount of maintenance to keep it up. By this I mean, using speed wax or detailer after washes. Using the speed detailer is so easy and fast that it really is not a big issue for me though.

[Jeff Smith]

Originally posted by thptrek
I have been satisified with the NXT. I think I will layer on additional coats. I was just wondering if another product layered over it will give more "pop" realizing that it is a light colored car.

It does seem that while the NXT polymers provide a good deal of protection it does require a good amount of maintenance to keep it up. By this I mean, using speed wax or detailer after washes. Using the speed detailer is so easy and fast that it really is not a big issue for me though.

Yes, NXT is high maintenance. Putting anything over it might help/might not. Always worth a try. I had Gold Class over mine there for a while. Seemed to add a bit wetter look to it.

[saturn2]

I never used NXT, but I do have agree with Jeff about the Gold Class. Since I topped 20 with GC it did make it wetter. And My Saturn is just as white as Jeff's Honda.

[tguil]

Sorry to disagree guys.

I've been using NXT since it came out. No toppers. Usually two coats of NXT within a week of each other. I've used it on silver, white and black trucks. I find it to be an extremely *low maintenance* product.

Tom

[Jeff Smith]

Originally posted by tguil
Sorry to disagree guys.

I've been using NXT since it came out. No toppers. Usually two coats of NXT within a week of each other. I've used it on silver, white and black trucks. I find it to be an extremely *low maintenance* product.

Tom

I guess I should clarify what I mean as high maintenance. It seems to me that NXT always looks great but after a couple of weeks it looses some of it's original appearance. Not the protection but the appearance seems o degrade just a tad as compared to it's original condition. So for my purposes, on my ungaraged daily driver, it's high maintenace to me as compared to some of the other Meguiar's waxes. I find I heav to keep on top of it in order to keep it the way I like as compared to say Gold Class with seems to be a litle easier to keep up on.

By my calling it high maintence I don;twant to sound like I don;t care for it. I have tried just about every Meguiar's Wax on my truck and I still am going to use the NXT. I just applied a oat of it yesterday over 2 coats of #21.

I think alot of it comes down to what an individual expects. NXT to me appears to build up dust a tad quicker as compared to some of the others. I like to keep the dust off of it so I dust and QD daily, sometimes 2x a day. To me, that falls under high maintenance.

[Jeff Smith]

Originally posted by saturn2
I never used NXT, but I do have agree with Jeff about the Gold Class. Since I topped 20 with GC it did make it wetter. And My Saturn is just as white as Jeff's Honda.

Yep, I tried GC over it. I liked the wetter look but it "seemed" I was getting a little better reflective qualties out of 2 coats of #21 topped with 1 coat of NXT. After 4-5 months of trying numerous Meguiar's waxes on my truck, I have settled on this paring as my normal routine. I did all my trial applications looking at appearance only. Fortunately for me it turned out that the waxes I chose for appearance purposes turned out to be some of the prducts which others report as being good, durable products as well.

[MTBPATH]

I also have a light colored SUV.
unlike the dark color such as black or blue.
I guess I don't get that depth look that some refer too.
I currently use the NXT line.
what else can I use to increase a greater look to it. such as increase in shine or is it even possible to have that depth look like darker colors.
what about using hi-tech yellow? would it be safe to add it along with NXT?
is there any special rule I must follow when applying yellow?
thanks.

[saturn2]

Isn't gold class one part carnuba one part polymer. Anyway I just got 21 for my b-day and I can't wait to try it. Like I said before I havn't tried NXT yet. But I am thinking about it I'm just about out of 26 cake wax and I'm debating if I should buy another can or NXT cake wax. my local PBE doesn't carry NXT and didn't know about 21 until I told them.

[Jeff Smith]

Originally posted by MTBPATH
I also have a light colored SUV.
unlike the dark color such as black or blue.
I guess I don't get that depth look that some refer too.
I currently use the NXT line.
what else can I use to increase a greater look to it. such as increase in shine or is it even possible to have that depth look like darker colors.
what about using hi-tech yellow? would it be safe to add it along with NXT?
is there any special rule I must follow when applying yellow?
thanks.

As far as applying "any" meguiar's wax over "any" other Meguiar's wax, and it being safe, the answer to that is yes as it is commonly stated numerous times within these forums that all Meguiar's products are compatible.

As far as any special rule in applying the #26. When I applied it I applied it just like I do any other wax. I think the set up time was longer as compared to NXT but thats likely dependant on your weather conditions.

If I had 2 coats of NXT and wanted to top it, personnaly if I wanted looks I would go with GC. But that what looked good in my eyes.

There are several threads Mike has put together that come into play when considering what we are discussing, I'll post them here for those that may not be aware of them now or in the furture.

What's the Deal with "Layering"?

Synthetic Polymer/Sealant vs. Wax

A Lesson From White Paint

Which LSP is Best for Light Colors

What are the Differences Between Meguiar's Waxes

[Jeff Smith]

Originally posted by saturn2
Isn't gold class one part carnuba one part polymer. Anyway I just got 21 for my b-day and I can't wait to try it. Like I said before I havn't tried NXT yet. But I am thinking about it I'm just about out of 26 cake wax and I'm debating if I should buy another can or NXT cake wax. my local PBE doesn't carry NXT and didn't know about 21 until I told them.

Yep, That debating what to do with Meguiar's waxes can really have you running in circles. I figured that out pretty fast when I got into detailing. Over a 3-4 month time period I tried ALL if the following waxes on my brand new truck in various combinations

NEW NXT Generation Tech Wax Paste

NXT Generation Tech Wax

Deep Crystal System Carnauba Wax

Gold Class Clear Coat Car Wax

Meguiar's Cleaner/Wax

#20 Polymer Sealant

#21 Synthetic Sealant

#26 Hi Tech Yellow Wax

As a result of my experimenting with them I finally came to the decision that I wanted to go with 2 coats of #21 topped with NXT. This is what I liked the best for appearance, upkeep, and it looks like it should prove to be a durable combination.

The next person is likely to come up with something different.