another noob question

[dude2k]

hey guys
i just bought my self a few meguiars products.
a ntx 2.0 soap,scratch x 2.0 , ultimate compound, ntx 2.0 wax in a jar, clay bar set and a deep cristal polish.
i understand that for best effects
1.wash soap
2.clay bar
3.polish
4.wax
5.maintain

in the polish step , i use scratch x 2.0 , ultimate compound and the deep cristal polish?
and i was wandering in witch order?
and in witch catagory will paint cleaner fit?
i got a old bmw e30 witch is "blackish" and i whant to fix up the paint on my own and see how it works

in hope of good answers
-FGaur the wax noob =] (sorry for my bad english)

[Murr1525]

Re: another noob question

1. Wash - Nxt Soap
2. Clay
3. Clean - Ultimate Compound for removing a lot of defects. You will want SwirlX for regulat cleaning.
4. Polish - DC Polish
5. Wax - Nxt 2.0
6. Wax - Nxt 2.0

[pmcjr]

Re: another noob question

In my opinion, claying the car before a wax is over rated as a necessary step. If the car's paint is routinely maintained with a good wash and wax, ie, washed at least weekly and waxed at least every 4-6 weeks with a quality wax, the finish should be protected enough that claying only adds unnecessary time to the process. With this always shown as step #2 in the Meg's process, it gives the impression it must always be done in sequence with the wash and wax. Like most things, it depends on the circumstances.

[Murr1525]

Re: another noob question

Yes, after the first time, you would only have to clay as needed.

[Bill Davidson]

Re: another noob question

In my opinion, claying the car before a wax is over rated as a necessary step.

Maybe not, if you live in Iceland, where Eyjafjallajökull has been sending large plumes of ash and smoke in the air for the past few months.

dude2k, any comments on the effects of Eyjafjallajökull on your vehicles paint?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: another noob question

In my opinion, claying the car before a wax is over rated as a necessary step. If the car's paint is routinely maintained with a good wash and wax, ie, washed at least weekly and waxed at least every 4-6 weeks with a quality wax, the finish should be protected enough that claying only adds unnecessary time to the process. With this always shown as step #2 in the Meg's process, it gives the impression it must always be done in sequence with the wash and wax. Like most things, it depends on the circumstances.

Most people are probably recommending clay as the second step when someone is coming onto MOL and asking what to do for their car the first time around. In this case, dude2k states "i got a old bmw e30 witch is "blackish" and i whant to fix up the paint on my own and see how it works" so odds are it will benefit from claying.

But your last comment, "Like most things, it depends on the circumstances." is 100% spot on. A car either needs to be clayed or it doesn't. It either needs to have swirls removed or it doesn't. We can point out what processes should be done in what order, but it's up to the car owner to evaluate the finish and determine which of those steps are really needed.

[dude2k]

Re: another noob question

hey guy´s , and thanx for the answers =]

i did clay the car and it needid it, much smoother after the claying. and i did the steps i told you above, and i liked it very much did a grate job =] .

and Bill Davidson for the volcano ash from eyjafjarðarjökull, the ash was not that much where i live,
but sometimes my car could get a litle dirty from it i did just depend on the wind direction =P
but the ash is not healthy for car paint i can tell you that , other people here in iceland had it much worse then me,
with up to 1-2inch of ash just over night. i would not like to wash my car every day with the all the ash on my car =D

cheers guys! and thanx for the reply´s like it very much

[indhoy]

Re: another noob question

1. Wash - Nxt Soap
2. Clay
3. Clean - Ultimate Compound for removing a lot of defects. You will want SwirlX for regulat cleaning.
4. Polish - DC Polish
5. Wax - Nxt 2.0
6. Wax - Nxt 2.0

So do i put Paint Cleaner after or before SwirlX? Is paint cleaner necessary (e.g. as important as claying)?

[Murr1525]

Re: another noob question

SwirlX and Ultimate Compound are paint cleaners. It is just a matter of how strong you need. Or you can go milder with a cleaner/wax like ColorX.

It is certainly an important step, to have some sort of cleaning.

Perhaps you can tell us more of what you are working on.