How to get the Ultimate shine

[99BlackStangMan]

Hey everyone, im new here as you can see. I recently got my car painted with a Saleen body kit on. Car looks great, but now I want her to shine! I used to just use regular car wash soap and #26. I'v been reading great things about the new NXT stuff. T

The products I have so far are, clay magic bar, #26, and #7. If the #7 and the clay magic bar arent up to date or if the NXT products are better, I can take them back.

Should I go out and buy the NXT car wash, tech wax, spray wax and tech protectant? If I already have the #26 I guess I wouldnt need the Tech wax huh? Sorry I know this has probably been posted before.

If you guys could make a list of products that have served you well I'd greatly appreciate it.

[gb387]

Just one opinion here.... Go with the #7 as your polish and pick up some NXT Wax. Everyone says NXT works well alone with no polish, but I think a polish adds just a little more to the shine. I have been very impressed with the NXT line I have all but the soap. The booster wax, protectant and wax all work well for me. Going by your user name, you have a black mustang? The NXT wax looks awsome on black give her two coats if you have time, I have #26 as well but I like the NXT better. Oh and pick up either some NXT Soap or some Gold Class Soap.

[99BlackStangMan]

I dont really know if the NXT is worth the extra 15 bucks. I think if I just use the clay bar, the #7 and then the 26 it will look pretty good. Am i missing any steps? Im new to the detailing thing!

[gb387]

Originally posted by 99BlackStangMan
I dont really know if the NXT is worth the extra 15 bucks. I think if I just use the clay bar, the #7 and then the 26 it will look pretty good. Am i missing any steps? Im new to the detailing thing!

You know the #26 is a great wax as well, if you already have it use it and see what it does for you I am sure you won't be disappointed. Now on the clay... feel the surface of your car once it is thoroughly washed, if it feels like there are small bumps mainly on the hood/trunk/roof, I would clay. If the surface feels smooth as glass you should be able to skip the clay step and go to #7 then your #26. Has the entire car been painted?

I am sure someone else can jump in here.

[99BlackStangMan]

Yes....the entire car has been painted. There are some pieces of tar from trees that are basically all over the car. Its only noticeable when I was it, but to remove all of these i'd have to use the Clay bar, correct? I'v been researching alot of differnt waxes, and I would like to stick with Meguiars products. The NXT has really found my attention. Im soon going to purchase the Tech Wax and the NXT car wash. Have any of you put the #7 on before waxing? I saw gb387 thinks its a good idea, any other suggestions?

BTW gb, you have one badass truck!

[Deanski]

Ultimate Shine

After washing and drying, you really need to clay a finish prior to any polish application. You do not want to "grind" any surface dust/dirt into the finish and clay will resolve that. It now should feel like glass! I use rubber gloves with clay to avoid any cross contamination.

Depending on the level of the finish, most start with Meguiars DACP with the PC to remove as much swirls/cobwebs prior.

Then, I've followed with one of several products (depends on level of finish if DACP dulls it slightly) Meg's SFP or/and Megs Hand Polish,(Hand Polish with a finish pad is a killer glaze!) or 3M Perfect-It III, or Menzerna FP. Pads run from cut if really bad, but mostly a polish pad (yellow) will do with final high gloss polish with a finish pad. I like the "finger" pads for cleaning and a concave pad or flat for finish work. All towels are micro-fiber and DF Towels.

As in all the pics from Mike, they have applied NXT with the yellow pad. Results speak for themselves.

Interesting thought I had, I wonder if prior to NXT sealant, spray the finish with the booster first, then wipe off and mist some as well on the pad before NXT is applied.

For those of you who've used Zaino, this was one step prior to applying Zaino.... Mist, wipe, mist pad, then apply Zaino...

As soon as I have some good weather, the Lexus SC430 will get the NXT application. It's the Absolutly Red with Ecru interior.

Wonder what the temp NXT works best at.

Take your time and good luck!

Regards,
Deanski

[99BlackStangMan]

What is DACP? Sorry, im new to this! How about the #7, would that work well with the NXT wax? Where are good places to get quality pads to wash the car with? Any specific brands to get?

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by 99BlackStangMan
What is DACP? Sorry, im new to this! How about the #7, would that work well with the NXT wax?

Hi 99BlackStangMan,

DACP stands for #83 Dual Action Cleaner Polish. This is a product intended for use by machine to remove fine defects and produce a totally flat, swirl-free finish.

Mike

[99BlackStangMan]

What kind of machine are we talking about here Mike??

Is the 83 really necessaaary?

[Airborne Ranger]

Hey 99Blackstangman,

Welcome to Meguiarsonline,

basically what Mike Phillips said before. But just to add, if you do use it have no fear. It's a forgiving product and the diminishing abrasives breaks down as you work DACP into the finish, so you don't remove too much and produce high gloss shine!

DACP IMO, is best used with a machine. I've tried to use it by habd several times and I've had good results but achevied better by machine. I love DACP and use it in almost every detail if necessary.


As far As #7 and NXT. I can't comment on NXT thus I've never tried it

What machine are we talking about here is the best one, IMO is a Porter Cable Dual Action Polisher. Very safe tool and easy to learn on. IT cannot produce enough heat on the surface of a paint to scratch unless your pads are dirty. You can buy one at Lowe's for $109. This is where I bought mine, I had my objections and reservations about it but man, I fell in love with it the first few times I used it.

#7. I love it, great shine, smells good, and if your technique is right, it's easy to use. There's a thread over on autopia forums that gives the best way to use #7. Mike Phillips is the author but DavidB posted the thread. Here is a link to the thread

http://www.autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=23740

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by 99BlackStangMan
What kind of machine are we talking about here Mike??

Is the 83 really necessaaary?

Hi 99BlackStangMan,

You ask two questions.

The first one,

Originally posted by 99BlackStangMan
What kind of machine are we talking about here Mike??

Either the porter cable dual action polisher or the rotary buffer, either is suited for deriving the maximum benefits of the #83 DACP when properly applied.

The second one,

Originally posted by 99BlackStangMan
Is the 83 really necessaaary?

This is easy to verify. Apply the NXT Tech wax by either hand, or machine and remove. Next, pull your vehicle into the direct sun and inspect the results. If the results area a show car shine, then you're done. If you still see some cobweb scratches and swrirls, then use the #83 first, (with the PC/W-8006), and then apply the NXT Tech Wax, and then inspect.

Mike

[99BlackStangMan]

Thanks guys! I'll post pics when im finished, which wont be for a few weeks!