Help a newb use his products.

[Tispho]

I have a few products that are available for me to use. I am not sure If I am using them properly though.



Here are the products available for me to use.

From Left to Right



-Meguiars Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo and Conditioner

-Meguiars NXT speed detailer

-Mothers Instant Show quick detailer

-Mothers Carnauba Cleaner Wax

-Meguiars ScratchX

-Meguiars Gold Class Paste Car Wax

-Meguiars NXT Techwax

-Meguiars Deep Crystal Polish



Two weeks ago, I washed the truck, Used Deep Crystal Polish, Then Finished off with Meguiars Gold Class Paste Car Wax.



Today I washed the truck and got these results after removing the water spots with NXT speed detailer.

I was planning to Wax it again using NXT techwax, but my neighbor said I would be over waxing it. (Ive been waxing almost once every three weeks.)



How often Should I Wax a Black Car? Last two weeks ago I used deep crystal polish to remove Swirls, and I did not see them. Today I see swirls again.



How should I use my products?



I am thinking for the second week of April

1. Wash

2. Clay Bar? (Should I purchase a Clay Kit?)

3. ScratchX? (When Do I use this?) (substitute for Deep Polish?)

4. Carnauba Cleaner Wax

5. Then Finally Meguiars Gold Class Paste Wax?



overdoing it? Help please

 

[firegate]

First off, Welcome to Autopia!



You can pretty much wax as often as you'd like. If you're looking to restore shine though, a good QD would be a much easier option.



As far as the products and your process, the reason why your swirls have reappeared is that DC-2 is not actually a Polish. It's a filler glaze - it uses oils to fill in the swirl marks, but it eventually wears off. ScratchX is capable of removing swirls, but using it is a lot of work, especially on a vehicle that large. You'd really need a machine polisher to go about removing them completely.



As far as the process I'd recommend you use with your current products, Wash -> Clay -> 2 coats NXT (to ensure full coverage) should look great and last a while. NXT contains its own fillers and should be about as effective as DC-2 was for you. You could also put on a coat of DC-2 before the NXT if you'd like. Maintain after washes with the speed detailer.

 

[BigJimZ28]

two weeks ago I used deep crystal polish to remove Swirls, and I did not see them. Today I see swirls again.

NO two weeks ago you used deep crystal polish to hide swirls and that why you see them again.



and that is an ok thing with a black truck that size

because you will go crazy if you try and keep it swirl free





and yes get a clay kit you can find clay magic at autozone for about $11

and it is a good kit

 

[Tispho]

Thanks For the Replies.



So Deep Crystal Polish, isn't actually a polish? And it only Hides the Swirls? No wonder.



However ScratchX is a polish and will remove the swirls?



If I needed to use ScratchX what process would I use?



Wash, Clay Bar, ScratchX, Techwax(x2)?





A few Questions



When Do I use the cleaner wax?

When Should I use the Paste Wax?

If I wanted to use a natural carnauba wax, Should I apply this before or after a synthetic wax?

 

[BlueLibby04]

DC 2 is a polish, its just cannot remove swirls/scratches.



Scratch-x is basically a paint cleaner that has diminishing abrasives in it. Youve really got to work that stuff in and would probably need to do it around 2 times. It would be deadly to try and remove swirls on a truck that size by hand. I look at scratch-x as a spot cleaner. Its good for small scratches and such. Scratch-x would need to be followed by a polish.



NXT has some mild cleaners in it, so its best to top it with a wax instead of topping a wax with it.

 

[firegate]

When Do I use the cleaner wax?

When Should I use the Paste Wax?

If I wanted to use a natural carnauba wax, Should I apply this before or after a synthetic wax?

All 3 of the waxes you have are actually cleaner waxes, so you can't really use more than one of them as it would just remove whatever wax was underneath it. If you did get a pure carnauba, you could top the NXT with it after letting the NXT cure for 24 hours.

 

[Accumulator]

Tispho- Welcome to Autopia!



Meguiar's uses words in...uhm, "inventive" ways. Their "pure polishes" like Deep Crystal step #2 are *nonabrasive* and that lack of abrasives is the significant thing here. You need abrasives to smooth the paint to truly remove the marring.



Scratch-X is a mildly abrasive product but IMO you'd go nuts trying to use it on a vehicle that size.



I'd use the cleanerwax for areas like doorjambs. Don't get it on black plastic trim as it'll most likely stain it white. Actually I doubt I'd use it at all for this application.



If you want to use both natural and synthetic waxes, put the synthetic on first and let it cure for a day or so (or until the next wash).



What I'd do: wash, clay, polish with polishes from 1Z (I get mine from Aloha & Welcome to Our Oasis for All Your Auto Detailing Supplies & Accessories ) and then apply the wax of your choice, but *not* a cleaner wax.



The 1Z polishes are the best compromise of effectiveness and user-friendliness, absolutely my choice if working by hand.



Sorry to give "buy this other product" type advice, but there's no way I'd want to try keeping a big black truck looking nice with the products you currently have. IMO you need something (something very user-friendly) that'll both do a little mild abrading and also a little concealing. For me that's 1Z.



While I'm trying to spend your money I'd look into Collinite brand waxes. Used over the 1z polishes they'll last months instead of weeks. I wouldn't want to wax that beast any more than I had to so I'd use a very durable wax. I don't consider NXT or Gold Class to be durable, at least not in the sense that Collinite is. No, you can't overdo waxing, but I wouldn't want to do it more than necessary.

 

[PRB]

Thanks For the Replies.



So Deep Crystal Polish, isn't actually a polish? And it only Hides the Swirls? No wonder.

It IS a polish in Meguiar's terminology. They're one of the companies that has non-abrasive polish. Deep Crystal is a component of their 3 part paint care system from their over-the-counter (OTC) line.

A few Questions



When Do I use the cleaner wax?

Cleaner wax is good for a finish that is in nice shape, but might benefit from slight correction. If a finish has already been cleaned and polished (Deep Crystal or otherwise) do not use a cleaner-wax since it will remove the prior layer of polish or wax that had been applied. Cleaner-wax is a "one step" product. It's more of what people are used to using when they just "wax" their car.

When Should I use the Paste Wax?

Paste itself isn't as important as the contents. If it's a "pure" wax (no cleaners or abrasive) then it can be used on top of other products. If a paste or liquid wax has cleaners or abrasives, then you would NOT want to use it after already applying another wax or Meguiar's "pure" polish, since it will remove those products.

If I wanted to use a natural carnauba wax, Should I apply this before or after a synthetic wax?

Carnauba is best applied after polymer synthetics, such as the NXT. Most manufacturers of said products recommend it be done this way due to bonding issues with the polymer.

 

[Tispho]

All 3 of the waxes you have are actually cleaner waxes, so you can't really use more than one of them as it would just remove whatever wax was underneath it. If you did get a pure carnauba, you could top the NXT with it after letting the NXT cure for 24 hours.

Thanks. Is there a carnuba wax that you recommend for a black vehicle? I will be doing this by hand. Since I do not have a buffer.



NXT tech wax should hide the swirls right? If I let the NXT techwax cure for 24 hours won't it get dusty the very next day? Should I QD or wash it again? California Duster maybe?



BTW. How well Did I do? Does the Truck look faded at all in the pictures?



Also, You mentioned that all the Waxes I have are cleaner waxes. How do I tell the difference if its not labeled?

 

[firegate]

Thanks. Is there a carnuba wax that you recommend for a black vehicle? I will be doing this by hand. Since I do not have a buffer.



NXT tech wax should hide the swirls right? If I let the NXT techwax cure for 24 hours won't it get dusty the very next day? Should I QD or wash it again? California Duster maybe?



BTW. How well Did I do? Does the Truck look faded at all in the pictures?



Also, You mentioned that all the Waxes I have are cleaner waxes. How do I tell the difference if its not labeled?

Pretty much everything sold over the counter is a cleaner wax these days. The only exceptions I can think of are Mother's CA Gold Step 3 and Meguiar's #26.



NXT does have some filling ability, although it probably won't be able to hide everything. Accumulator's recommendation of 1Z polishes might be worth a look, although doing a vehicle of that size by hand would be a huge PITA in my opinion. I'd try the NXT and see if you're satisfied with the look it gives you.



As far as pure carnaubas that look good on black, I'd take a look at Poorboy's Natty's Blue, Clearkote Carnauba Moose Wax and Meguiar's #26 paste.



Definitely wash the car again before applying a topper. Won't do any harm to the NXT.