CorvetteForum at Meguiar's - Round 2!

[Mike Phillips]

After removing the pure polish, the finish is now perfectly prepared for an application of protective wax. For this demonstration we chose to apply the brand new NXT Generation Tech Wax Paste.





A pre-softened wax like Meguiar's Meguiar's Cleaner/Wax can be scooped out of the can and worked in to the paint because of the type of wax it is and it's consistency.



A wax like the NXT Tech Wax Paste however should not be scooped out, but instead, take your applicator pad, (round pads work best), and briskly spin it on top of the wax in a circular motion. The small amount of agitation and friction will tend to liquefy the wax so that it will saturate into your applicator pad. Once this has happened, you're ready to apply the wax to the surface. When starting out with a brand new can of wax you usually have to break the can in, after the initial removal of wax it will become easier to spin your pad and liquefy the wax.



Spread the wax out over the surface using gentle, overlapping motions working the wax thoroughly into the paint.

[Mike Phillips]

Meguiar's recommends waiting for 10 to 15 minutes or until a wax dries to a haze before removing it. Time varies depending upon temperature and humidity. A more accurate indicator is to use what Meguiar's teaches called, The Swipe Test.


How to tell when a Meguiar's wax is ready to remove

A good rule of thumb for knowing when a Meguiar?s wax is ready to remove, is to wait until the wax dries to a haze and swipes clear using the Swipe Test. In most cases, in most climates, this should be approximately 10 to 15 minutes after application. In warmer climates, it will hedge towards the 10 minute range, and in colder, wet climates, it will take longer and hedge towards the 15 and even 20 to 25 minute range. Other factors include how thick of a coat you applied, relative humidity and air flow.

Another way to test if the wax has set-up long enough besides measuring with time, is to perform the Swipe Test.

"Swipe Test"

The swipe test is where you take your clean finger, and swipe it briskly across the finish with the wax on it. If the paint is clear, without residue where your finger made the swipe, the wax is ready to wipe-off. If the area you have swiped is smudgy, or streaky, or there is noticeable wax in the swipe area, then the wax has not set-up long enough and you should allow more time for the wax to set-up before your remove it.

If you remove it before it has set-up, you will risk removing too much of the wax from the surface and thus leave less than engineered to remain behind on the finish.

Once enough time has passed and your coating of wax swipes clear, remove the wax using a clean, soft premium microfiber polishing cloth.

Just by coincidence, lunch arrived so we took our lunch break to eat some Pizza and talk shop while the wax dries...

[Mike Phillips]

After lunch, we performed the Swipe Test and the wax was ready to wipe off, so we wiped it off, then backed the Corvette out of the garage to inspect, but because the sun wasn't around to help highlight the differences, we pulled the Corvette back into the garage as many of the members were eager to see the Meguiar's G-100 Dual Action Polisher in action and then try their hand at it.



First we covered his wiper arms and blades with a couple of clean microfiber polishing cloths to prevent any splatter from landing on them.



Note: Avoid running the buffer into and over emblems, especially these types as its possible to wear off the black outer coating to expose an unsightly whitish plastic underneath



After a discussing the proper techniques for removing swirls with the G100, John the owner was first to volunteer to give it a spin, (no pun intended), after some hands-on training he was polishing just like a pro!

[Mike Phillips]

Because swirls in the paint are the number one complaint by car owners, many people are hesitant, even wary of using any kind of machine on their car's finish. However, the G100 is completely safe when used with the right products and correct techniques.

At Meguiar's Saturday Detailing classes, we offer serious enthusiasts hands-on training



And when we say hands-on, we mean it!



There is no better substitute for real life, hands-on training. We show you how much pressure to apply, which direction to move the polisher, how fast your arm speed needs to be, and the correct OPM setting for each of the different processes involving cleaning, polishing and applying a wax using the G100 Dual Action Polisher. With just a little hands-on demonstration for the above items, you'll be on your own, polishing like a pro in a few minutes!

[Mike Phillips]

John was kind enough to let anyone who wanted to try out the G100 to step up to the plate and give their hand a try...



First we went over the entire hood using Meguiar's #80 Speed Glaze with a W-8006 foam polishing pad on the 5.0 setting.



After everyone had a chance to help polish out the hood and remove the swirls, scratches and water spot etchings, we remove the excess product by hand using Meguiar's Ultimate Wipes, a premium quality microfiber polishing cloth. When you half a dozen people joining in the fun, it doesn't take long to reveal clear, smooth brilliant high gloss finish!




Just like a paint cleaner, or a pure polish, Meguiar's cleaner/polishes like the #80 Speed Glaze do not need to dry after you have applied and worked them in.

[rsnyder]

No problems now

Mike,
Thank you for your time,tips and treats last Saturday. I now have the confidence to use the G-100 polisher on my car's surface.
I look forward to an advance class or a motorcycle day.
Rick

[Mike Phillips]

Hi Rick,

On behalf of Meguiar's, you're very welcome! It was a genuine pleasure meeting and working with everyone that spent their day at Meguiar's for this class!



Mike

[Mike Phillips]

After removing the #Speed Glaze, we then switched to a Meguiar's W-9006 foam finishing pad , turned our variable speed adjuster to the 3.0 setting and applied a thin, uniform application of Meguiar's NXT Generation Tech Wax



The combination of the soft foam finishing pad, the slower setting, just a little more than the weight of the machine enables you to lay down a nice, thin, uniform layer of wax over the finish.






Thin coats produce just as good results as a sloppily applied thick coat and removal is a breeze!

[Mike Phillips]

While the wax is drying, we discuss how paint cleaners, cleaner/polishes and pure polishes can be removed immediately after applying and working in and why Meguiar's waxes need to dry before removing and how to check using the Swipe Test.



We have applied a microfiber bonnet over a dry buffing pad and then discuss the correct speed setting for removing wax with a bonnet as well as how much pressure to apply to the head of the polisher. For removing wax we recommend the 5.0 setting with 4-5 pounds of downward pressure on the face of the pad.



If you've applied a thin coat you can move the polisher fairly quickly across the finish.



The question comes up, "What do you do when the face of the bonnet begins to fill up with removed wax?" One thing you can do on the fly is to draw your fingernails across the face of the pad while the polisher is turned on. This will act to lift and separate the fibers of the bonnet and also loosen and release built-up wax. You can also reverse the bonnet and use the other side.



The technique for doing the above is to carefully lift the pad of the surface and onto your fingertips so that there is always constant pressure pushing against the face of the pad. Otherwise the pad and the bonnet will simply go flying across the room. Then after you have lightly cleaned the face of the bonnet for a few moments, bring the polisher back down to the panel and transfer the pad from your hand to the surface in one continuous motion so that the pad always has pressure against it.

[malkam]

Mike/Tim,

Thanks for a great hands on clinic! I was amazed at the results of claying the car. What a difference. I can't wait to try it on my own car this weekend.

I highly recommend this clinic to anyone who has the chance to attend. Pretty simple, easy to follow process to bring a car back to a show room finish.

Great products, great instruction. You both made the members of the corvette forum feel welcomed and your enthusiasm and love of cars showed through out the day.

Thanks again,
Mal

[Mike Phillips]

After a few demonstrations on correct technique, it was time for members to try their hand at removing the wax by machine!









The G100 equipped with a M9920 Ultimate Bonnet takes all the work out of removing the wax and produces a streak-free, brilliant, high gloss finish that will blow most people away!

[Mike Phillips]

After the wax had been removed there was time for some further questions and answers over products and process,



and some close inspection under the florescent lights,



But then it was time to pull the Corvette out and see what the results looked like in outdoor light...





I very nice, deep, reflective glassy look

[Mike Phillips]

CorvetteForum at Meguiar's!

[FNC80]

Looks like another very successful clinic, Mike! Great job as always. I need to come in to take a look at some of these new products.

[bmwgsa]

Hi Mike & Tim -

Had a great time and learned a bunch!! Looking forward to a bike clinic soon.

Thanks Again,

Brian a.k.a BMWGSA