New to Jeff's Werkstatt Products: How many coats of each

MRM1 · 09-19-09, 09:00

After doing a lot of reading - I almost went for the Klasse Twins, but finally decided to give JW products a try. The JW Twins seemed to be pretty easy to use from what I have read - or at least easier than KSG.

I have a Merlot Nissan Murano. Plan to do the following:
1. Clean and Clay
2. Megs Ultimate Compound - LC Orange Pad (got some cat scratches on top - may go so far as Megs #105 for these)
3. JW Prime - LC White Pad
4. AJT
5. Finish with Carnauba Jett (due to the dark red color of the Merlot)
6. Maintain/QD with Carnauba Gloss

Does this sound like a good plan? Please be gentle on a newb detailer.

I have read AJT looks great on Silvers, but Dark Reds need a Carnauba, so I chose Carnauba Jett as a LSP - will I regret this choice?

Questions:
1. How many coats of AJT should I apply for a nice wet/deep shine? How long to cure between coats.
2. How many coats of CJ? How long between coats?

Thanks for the Help, App Tips and Feedback on above.

Mike

Scottwax · 09-19-09, 10:07

Don't worry about layering, I don't think it makes enough difference (if any) to be worth the extra time and product. 2 thin coats to ensure even coverage works fine. You can do AJT back to back since the main goal is to make sure you don't miss any areas. Next time you wash the car, do the same with Carnauba Jett.

Too many people get caught up with layering/topping, etc. Focus on getting the paint as swirl and defect free as possible, that is really where a heavy time investment pays off. When it comes to LSPs, two applications to ensure full coverage will protect your hard work.

MRM1 · 09-20-09, 10:45

Thanks for your response ScottWax.

My paint is swirl Free and looks pretty well. I have some baked in FL bugs from the previous owner and some cat scratches on top to try and buff out, but basically in good shape.

It looks pretty good now with NXT 2.0 on it. But looking for a product that may last a bit longer and add a touch more protection.

So you are saying just 2 light coats of AJT and then use the Carnauba Jett as an LSP correct?

Mike

MRM1 · 09-20-09, 10:48

deleted: Duplicate Post

wfedwar · 09-20-09, 01:33

I would not rely on prime to clean up holograms/swirls from Ultimate Compound/orange pad, especially on a dark color. You need a real finishing polish, like 106FF or similar, then apply the Prime on a finishing or wax application pad (gold, black, red, blue...).

I'd do one layer of Prime, then one layer of AJT. I don't know that there's much to be gained by more layers, since the AJT is already the 2nd layer. If you then switch to Carnauba Jett, I'd do two of those to ensure good coverage. I'm very interested to hear if you see a difference after the CJ, please post back on this.

Since you're new to JW, my tip is to use very little product and buff it until it's totally gone. I use three drops of Prime Strong on a black 7.5" pad for a 2x2 area. More just leads to fouling up the pad, more dust, and residue on the paint that has to be buffed off. When you use the right amount and work it long enough, there's hardly anything to buff back off the paint. When using AJT, I've found it's better to spray one spray on the MF towel (shorter nap is good) and buff a panel until the MF towel is hardly damp anymore. This is longer than you might think, but seems to give a better gloss and makes sure you don't get sealant holograms. Same thing for AG and CG. CG has a lot of wax in it and really does a decent job of boosting the base coat.

I'm interested to see what you think of the Carnauba products. I use Werkstat acrylic products a lot, but have relatively little experience with Carnauba (never used CJ, but have Prime Carnauba and CG).

Gen2 · 09-20-09, 06:50

When you are using the Carnauba Jett, try to use a lightly damp microfiber applicator/towel to apply. Try not to work on too big an area at one go, half the door size will be good.
Spread CJ evenly with the damp MF towel, than buff out the residue with a dry MF towel immediately. Do not let the residue to dry fully otherwise you will have a hard time buffing them out and in case the residue dries fully, use the same damp MF towel goes over the area again and buff off immediately. Hope it helps

MRM1 · 09-21-09, 06:08

Thanks for all the feed back.

Even though I did a detailed search before posting this thread, I found what seemed to be the "How-To" thread on JW after I posted this thread at the bottopm in the "Similar Threads" section. Sorry for the duplicate Questions.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wfedwar

I would not rely on prime to clean up holograms/swirls from Ultimate Compound/orange pad, especially on a dark color. You need a real finishing polish, like 106FF or similar, then apply the Prime on a finishing or wax application pad (gold, black, red, blue...).

wfedwar, I see now that I am missing a "middle" process in between UC and Prime. Would Megs #205 or PBWs Black Hole Show Glaze for Dark Vehicles be about the same thing to use before Prime?

ScottWax, Saw in the JW How to Thread that 4 years ago you suggested cutting Carnauba Jett 50/50 with OCW. Is that similar to what Werkstatt has done with the creation of Carnauba Gloss (From the JW site: "Equal parts car wash and spray wax")?

Thanks for the Feed back. Hope to start this project next week when all prduct arrive. Just did the Murano with UC / Megs Cleaner polish / NXT 2.0 2 weeks ago. So needing to wait until that "wears off" a bit

MRM1 · 09-21-09, 07:40

wfedwar, you mentioned 106FF. Would any of these products suffice instead? Possible Best Choice for a dark Merlot Metallic color?

- PBW's Black Hole Show Car Glaze for Dark Vehicles
- PBW's Pro Polish
- OP II
- FK 303
- Megs #205
- Zymol Cleaner Wax (I have this one hand)
- Perhaps some recommended OTC finish polish I can get my hands on quickly

Thanks for the feed back.

Mike

DJBAILEY · 09-22-09, 12:18

OP II or Megs 205 would work good as middle polishing step

wfedwar · 09-22-09, 03:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJBAILEY

OP II or Megs 205 would work good as middle polishing step

Yeah, what he said.

MRM1 · 09-22-09, 11:35

Got my order of JW Acrylic Kit and extras today. Trying it out on a friends van hood.

Did the Carnauba Jett and Gloss over Prime on my daughters dark green trunk. This trunk Lid had been covered in cat straches when we bought the car last year.

What I did:
1. Wet sand with 1000 grit
2. Wet sand with 2000 grit
3. Polish with UC
4. Clean/Polish with Prime

Had some light scratching/swirling from the UC. As noted, prime did NOT repair this even with mulltiple apps. Will be ordering Optimum Polish II to correct and polish. But went ahead and apply AJT and Carnauba Jett.

Here are my observations:
1. AJT -went on easly. No problem
2. CJ - same easy app. Dark green got darker/richer/deeper. (but maybe it was an illusion brought on by the allure of the Carnauba sent ... very nice)
3. Used Carnauba Gloss as a finish

All products gave me no problem. Easy on / Easy off - WO/WO products.

Now She wants me to do the whole car.

MRM1 · 09-26-09, 05:25

Got a chance to do my daughters Dark green 1996 Saturn today. Only got as far at the top sections before it went dark. Will finish on Monday.

But some things I noticed:
1. applying prime with a foam pad by hand - no problem. Buffed of nicely
2. Applied 2 spray of AJT for 1/2 the hood ... BUT it seemed like it was dry before I got 1/2 the hood covered.

Is it just going on very thin, OR should I see a haze of AJT until I buff off a 1/2 hood size section. Seems 2 sprays was just not enough to cover good.

What am I doing wrong?