Using ColorX, NXT

[prescott]

I was reading on this borad and realized that NXT is a very slight cleaner + polymer and ColorX is a Mid-Strength cleaner + Polymer+ Cabuna Mix. However, where would be a polish part if I only use ColorX 1st then the NXT. Also, what about ScratchX? Is that product use as a polish or cleaner? Should I start with ScratchX 1st, ColorX 2nd, and NXT last? And if so, do I still have to use a polish piror to NXT? I am using a PC, is ColorX/ScratchX a better choice or should I go with another line before NXT?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Using ColorX, NXT

Originally posted by prescott
I was reading on this board and realized that NXT is a very slight cleaner + polymer and ColorX is a Mid-Strength cleaner + Polymer+ Carnauba Mix. However, where would be a polish part if I only use ColorX 1st then the NXT. Also, what about ScratchX? Is that product use as a polish or cleaner? Should I start with ScratchX 1st, ColorX 2nd, and NXT last? And if so, do I still have to use a polish prior to NXT? I am using a PC, is ColorX/ScratchX a better choice or should I go with another line before NXT?

Hi prescott,

ColorX contains some polishing oils so it's like three products in one, a strong paint cleaner, a pure polish and a blended wax, so it cleans, polish and protects in one step. You would get more polish benefits from using a dedicated pure polish such as the Deep Crystal Polish or #81 Hand Polish, or #7 Show Car Glaze.

As to your ScratchX questions, ScratchX is formulated for hand application only, it is not for use with PC. ColorX is formulated for both hand and machine application, and is quite effective at cleaning when applied by machine.

Here are a couple of recommendations for working with the PC,

ColorX/Deep Crystal Polish/NXT Tech Wax

#83 or #80 Speed Glaze in our Professional Line, followed by a pure polish either from our Professional Line, or Deep Crystal Polish in our Consumer Line, followed by NXT Tech Wax

What are you working on, and what condition is the paint?

Mike

[prescott]

I am working on a 03 BMW Z4 Paint condition still in near perfect condition, but then I get a little "anal" when I look at my paint under halogen light and there are slight "marring" What can I do to remove them? Also, how are those #83 or #80 Speed Glaze (are they cleaner?) in Professional line and the Professional line polish differ from say ColorX and Deep Crystal Polish? in terms of the outcome? I am quite sure it will be different outcome since there have to be a reason why the same company makes few different products..

[Mosca]

ColorX is odd man out on that job.

I'm a HUGE ColorX fan. Here's how I use it:

On my wife's car. On my dad's car. When someone asks me to help them wax their car. ColorX is also good to use mid-season, to help control swirl buildup from washing.

I feel confident that I will get great results, even on poor surfaces. ColorX is the best one-step I've ever used.

HOWEVER. There's a flip side to that statement. Just because it's the best one step DOES NOT mean that it is better than a dedicated product. If you're working by hand, use ScratchX to remove the marring. If you're working by machine, either of the products you mentioned, #80 or #83, will work. Try #80 first, then if that doesn't work try the #83.

On my own car, I like to use dedicated products. The Z4 is small, and you don't have to do the top. ScratchX that son of a gun. One thing about SX; use lots of it, because it breaks down quickly. It's not like a compound, that holds its grit as long as you rub. The most common mistake when using SX is not using enough, then blaming the product. SX works by volume, not time.

SX, then a good polish, the Deep Crystal is nice, then NXT or, if your car is red, #26.


Tom

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by prescott
I am working on a 03 BMW Z4 Paint condition still in near perfect condition, but then I get a little "anal" when I look at my paint under halogen light and there are slight "marring" What can I do to remove them? Also, how are those #83 or #80 Speed Glaze (are they cleaner?) in Professional line and the Professional line polish differ from say ColorX and Deep Crystal Polish? in terms of the outcome? I am quite sure it will be different outcome since there have to be a reason why the same company makes few different products..

Hi prescott,

If you really want a swirl and scratch free flawless finish, then you really ought to look at investing into a G-100 dual action polisher. If you don't already own one, Meguiar's is offer a special promotion price this month on our G-100, you can get more information by checking out the main Meguiar's Online home page.

ColorX contains a diminishing abrasive, but it's not near as an aggressive product as something like a dedicated cleaner/polish.

The cleaner/polishes you reference are products developed from Meguiar's involvement at the car manufacturing level and in the re-finishing industry. They are specialized formula's that contain a specific to the product diminishing abrasive, embodied in a rich, lubricating oil film which enables the diminishing abrasives to abrade the paint without scouring the finish.

It sounds like a good product for your car's finish would be a very mild cleaner/polish like the #9 Swirl Remover 2.0 with a W-8006 foam polishing pad on about the 4.0 to 5.0 setting on the G-100

After going over the entire car and then removing the product, you could then apply a couple of coats of your favorite wax.

Mosca pointed out you could use Meguiar's ScratchX by hand, which you can, and then follow this product with a pure polish and wax.

Here's a how-to article on using ScratchX by hand,

How to remove a defect by hand with ScratchX

While this article addresses removing a more serious defect in the paint, the same idea applies to working the product over the entire finish, that is to apply it by working it in, not merely wiping it on.

Hope this helps...

Mike

[prescott]

Thankx! I will give it a try.. BTW, so the DACP is a polish as well? So I can basically skip the polish step? Or is better if I go with stright cleaner then stright polish route?

[ktlimq]

ColorX/Deep Crystal Polish/NXT Tech Wax

If Deep Crystal Polish is applied over a wax (e.g. ColorX), does the polishing oil penetrate into the paint? Or does it not penetrate into the paint due to wax barrier?

[Erik Mejia]

ColorX followed by NXT should be a winning combo IMHO.

[Murr1525]

Well, it is possible that the polish will remove the wax below, but I think you will get more benefit out of putting the polish directly on the paint.

Besides, if you are going to do all 3 steps anyway, then using COlorX kind of defeats the purpose. ColorX is great on its own, or when topped with #21/Nxt, since it cuts down the number of steps.