Best course of action for '09 Silver Tacoma

[rbb1305]

Hey everyone! First post but have been reading for a few.

So I just bought a 2009 silver Tacoma. Paint had a good look and feel right from the dealership. Yet, seeing that I am a fanatic, I wanted to give it a wax. Seeing the seasons are changing here in NE, my waxing window to time is closing in on me. I purchased some NXT 1.0 (didnt realize they had a 2.0) I have put on 1 coat so far it and the paint looks and feels great. Still smooth after 1 week. Beading is fantastic still. However, I was wondering a few things.

1) Is claying really needed on a brand new car? And when I do it, can it be done after a plain wash with GC wash? Or will the NXT have to be removed?

2) Would the NXT or the GC give a better look on silver? I had a '97 black Tacoma and the GC looked tremdous when done the right way. The NXT gave me great shine on the '09. I was just wondering what woule be my best course of action to give me the best/deepest looking silver I can get? I'm not just wondering about the LSP, I mean the whole deal. Start to finish. It will all be done by hand if that matters.

3) What would be the best product to protect the interior? It is just a little leather and whatever the other stuff is, some sort of plastic-type material I think. I am not into greasy interior dressing. Looking for a great look and great protection from the sun.

Thanks!

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Best course of action for '09 Silver Tacoma

I purchased some NXT 1.0 (didn't realize they had a 2.0) I have put on 1 coat so far it and the paint looks and feels great. Still smooth after 1 week. Beading is fantastic still. However, I was wondering a few things.

1) Is claying really needed on a brand new car? And when I do it, can it be done after a plain wash with GC wash? Or will the NXT have to be removed?

If the paint feels smooth and glassy then you don't need to clay. Claying removes wax so if and when you do clay the wax will come off when you clay.

2) Would the NXT or the GC give a better look on silver? I had a '97 black Tacoma and the GC looked tremdous when done the right way. The NXT gave me great shine on the '09. I was just wondering what woule be my best course of action to give me the best/deepest looking silver I can get? I'm not just wondering about the LSP, I mean the whole deal. Start to finish. It will all be done by hand if that matters.

Personal choice... remember you're working on a clear coat paint, so any wax that makes a clear coated black paint look good will make any paint look good.

3) What would be the best product to protect the interior? It is just a little leather and whatever the other stuff is, some sort of plastic-type material I think. I am not into greasy interior dressing. Looking for a great look and great protection from the sun.

Thanks!

See this thread and the recommendation in it...

New leather care

Note you can use leather care products on both leather and vinyl...

[rbb1305]

Re: Best course of action for '09 Silver Tacoma

Thanks for the reply. The claying can wait as the surface feels very nice. As for the interior protectant, was it the one you referenced (GC Spray) or the D-180 one of the first posters had mentioned?

Also, would a polish be needed so early? And when I do, am I correct in assuming that I should be working on a 'clean slate'? If that is true, I would imagine I would have to clay first. Then polish, then wax. Is that correct? Or can a polish be used after a wax has been applied?

Thanks!

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Best course of action for '09 Silver Tacoma

I posted about the spray, the other product is good to but keep in mind it's in our Professional Detailer Line and that means the smallest container it comes in is a gallon jug.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Best course of action for '09 Silver Tacoma

Hello and welcome to mol.

Enjoy your new Tacoma.

[jima]

Re: Best course of action for '09 Silver Tacoma

I have a silver car and nxt 2.0 made the paint look more like gray. I was definitely darker and the flakes were muted. I know that Mike does not believe that this can happen, but I'm sorry it does. Maybe the polymer is not perfectly clear so that it can still shine but darkens the color. I don't know, but I tried it twice compared to the product I used before and there is no doubt that the paint did not look as "silver" with the nxt.

[3Fitty]

Re: Best course of action for '09 Silver Tacoma

Jima,

I don't mean to dispute your findings, but I tend to agree with Mike on this issue.

Look at these pics... there are 9 different LSP's on the hood. Can you see a difference?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Best course of action for '09 Silver Tacoma

I have a silver car and nxt 2.0 made the paint look more like gray. I was definitely darker and the flakes were muted. I know that Mike does not believe that this can happen, but I'm sorry it does. Maybe the polymer is not perfectly clear so that it can still shine but darkens the color. I don't know, but I tried it twice compared to the product I used before and there is no doubt that the paint did not look as "silver" with the nxt.

A wax either leaves a clear finish or it doesn't. If it does, and you're working on a clear coast paint job then I'm not sure how any product can change the underlying basecoat color.


There's always someone on some forum saying such and such a wax looks better on red paint while such and such a wax looks better on silver or fill in the blank paint.

But if everyone is working on a clear coat finish, how can something you're applying topically, that is on the surface, effect the basecoat under the clear coat.

To that end I wrote this article a few years ago... it's in the Hot Topics forum

Which LSP is better for light colors?


At the end of the day everyone can use what they like and I'm not going to argue or dispute what you're seeing on your paint with your eyes but NXT nor do any of Meguiar's waxes leave a clear coat less clear and thus they are not changing or muting the metallic flake in any metallic paint job.

And no one has ever posted proof of this or described in written word in detail how to duplicate any kind of related test for others to verify.

[BlueZero]

Re: Best course of action for '09 Silver Tacoma

Welcome to MOL!

I set you up with an avatar.

I just test drove a 2009 Tacoma last night. 4x4 Sport Double Cab. Loved it! How do you like yours?

I was set to buy it until they gave me a trade in price on my Jeep. Gas prices really lowered it's value.

[jima]

Re: Best course of action for '09 Silver Tacoma

Fitty, I agree that you would never see the difference with those small patches. I have many Meguiars products - I respect them and have been using them for years. Having said that, I, and others I have asked, have verified what I observed - along with others who have posted on this forum in the past. I respect your opinions Mike, but on this subject we will have to agree to disagree. I do not feel it is necessary to "prove" what I observe, but am only attempting to respond to the ojriginal poster inquiry as to whether nxt would be a good choice for silver. (if I had not seen this other product in comparison I would not stick to my guns so firmly) My input - I hope I haven't offended anyone.

[rbb1305]

Re: Best course of action for '09 Silver Tacoma

Thanks for the avatar! I love my '09. I went with the Access Cab and the Off-Road package. I felt that the ride was less bumpy. With the Sport, I felt every little thing in the road. Perhaps it is the Sport supsn. or perhaps it was just me! lol. I live in RI, and a flat road is non-existent. I had a '97 Taco that got recalled and I made out pretty good. The Taco's really have come a long way since my old one. The ride is great compared to the '97.

[rbb1305]

Re: Best course of action for '09 Silver Tacoma

Well, here is an update. I just finished doing my wife's car. It is a silver 2003 Acura TL that didn't have a good cleaning in a year+. I used the clay, #7 polish and NXT.

The car really does glow. More so than I can remember, even after she paid to have it detailed. The silver really does pop. Putting it next to my '09 Taco, it gleems almost as good. I feel the Acura silver is a tad brighter than Toyota silver. But the car looks amazing. I feel the polish, as many here have said, made the difference. And the clay went easier than I had expected. Simple yet great process.

@ Mike, tried the spray you linked. Very nice. Thanks!

As for the clay, I noticed onthe box that it came with a sampler of cleaner wax, yet I had no sample in the box and it was taped closed. Any input on what to do? Not that big of a deal, but always good to have samlpes kicking around.