Topping Meg #7 Glaze with GC or #26

C

C5-Deb

New member
Any recommendations on exactly which process I should use here.



1. Start with Deep Crystal Cleaner -or- Cleaner Wax

2. Follow with Deep Crystal Polish -or- #7 Glaze

3. Finish with NXT, Gold Glass -or- #26 Yellow Wax



This is going on a 2001 Metallic Navy Blue Vette. Paint does have minor swirl marks, but otherwise in pretty good condition. I do live in Arizona - so UV rays are a concern.



Thank you!



;)
 
I'm sure that any of the three would give you great results. I'm actually a fan of Gold Class and get outstanding gloss and depth on dark cars. And you can't beat the price.
 
I know the cleaners are probably negligable but, both Gold Class and NXT have cleaners in them whereas #26 does not. Keep that in mind if you are planning on layering them on top of something like #7. Gold Class, NXT and #26 will give you a very similar look in that they darken the paint a bit and give a very wet look. Personally I like the look of #26 over NXT by just a hair as NXT is a bit more reflective than it is wet looking. It is really hard to put something as subjective as a look into words. If it were me I would do the #7,#26 route.



My Mustang with Meguiars #7 topped with #26

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Bob - thank you very much for the recommendation. I have heard that the GC and NXT have cleaners in them. But then have also heard (from Meguiar's) that the NXT doesn't have cleaners it. Gets very confusing on what to believe. I know I don't want to apply something on top of the #7 - that's going to pull it up. And I do know that #26 Yellow - is strictly a wax with no cleaning agents. BTW - I had that exact same style Mustang GT prior to buying my Corvette! Same color exterior - tan leather interior (mine was a 2001). Looks awesome!!!!!!
 
Hi C5-Deb,



The amount of cleaners in Tech Wax are so negligible. I see people posting as though Tech Wax is a rubbing compound on other forums. That's ridiculous. Most of them have not even tried it yet.



Have you tried it yet? Do you have a bottle of Tech Wax? If you do, shake it up and then pour a little into your hand and feel it between your fingers... does it feel slippery and lotion like?



As far as any Meguiar’s wax removing the #7, how could you tell? The oils in the #7 are going to penetrate into the microscopic surface imperfections and will basically be sandwiched in by the Tech Wax. The result will be a mile-deep reflective shine.



A wax will no more remove a coating of #7 Show Car Glaze than will a good wipe with a microfiber polishing cloth. When you wipe #7, or any product off the surface, except for a microscopic thin layer, you are in essence removing most of what is laying on top of the surface. Especially with microfiber. If you want to leave more polish or more wax behind on the finish, use 100% cotton toweling. The fibers in a 100% cotton towels are much larger and thus unable to remove films as thoroughly as the microscopic fibers typical of a microfiber.



That's why microfiber is so good for removing smears and streaks, compared to a normal towel.



Polish your Corvette, then apply two coats of Tech Wax and inspect, especially in the sun.



Mike
 
I don't really think the cleaners in NXT are enough to remove #7 but, just the fact that it has cleaners is something to keep in mind when using it on top of another product. I used NXT like a one-step in that I didn't apply anything beneath it and I really liked the look of it that way.
 
Mike - thank you for the info. Especially the recommendation on using a cotton towel to remove the glaze. I will keep the microfiber strictly for the wax removal. What's your take on the Gold Class. I have a bottle of the liquid - but haven't opened it yet. Should I return and just stick with #7 Glaze and NXT?
 
I wouldn't get rid of the Gold Class. Give it a try on your paint. Finding just the right look for your paint takes some experimenting. You may have to try several combinations before you find just the right look. I have been using the #7,#26 combo for 2 years now but I still tinker with other products mostly from Meguiars but, other companies too. I still haven't found anything I like better although NXT is a very close second. The search for the perfect shine is a never ending struggle that keeps us all coming to boards like this :D
 
Bob - I agree - I will probably just keep the Gold Glass. I do have a pic posted of my Vette - if you want to get an idea of the color - and current paint condition. Check out the Gallery - Beautiful Cars. I just bought the Vette about 2 months ago. I want to get the paint taken care of fairly soon - not knowing what has been done prior. Also - I don't want to wait until the temps here are at 110! :)
 
Hi C5-Deb,



Like rjstaaf,



Finding just the right look for your paint takes some experimenting. You may have to try several combinations before you find just the right look.
Click to expand...



Gold Class Liquid Wax is very good at creating a very deep, dark, wet-looking finish. I don't think from my testing, that it fills in the cobweb-effect as well as the Tech Wax.



The Tech Wax look is hard to beat in my book for a last step product. I guess when I get finished detailing a car; I find it pretty hard to apply anything over the last coat of Tech Wax because I can't imagine it looking any better.



That's why I haven't been topping it like others on Autopia. Your mileage may vary. One thing for sure, before your switch waxes, or top with anything, apply a test coating to a small area and then inspect in both bright artificial lights and direct sunlight so you can see the true results in all lights.



If your car were mine, I would apply the #7, and follow with two coats of Tech Wax, 12 hours apart if possible, if not try for an hour a part.



After that, maintain with a quick detailer, or NXT Spray Wax, and only wash with what I know to be a very high quality wash, either the Gold Class Car Wash, or the NXT Tech Wash.



Out in the parking garage are 4 very black cars the finishes look completely flawless. For years they have had Gold class used on them, now at least one of them has switched to Tech Wax.



I can't tell the difference, they all look like the paint is freshly sprayed.



Good luck...



Mike
 
I have all three (GC, #26, and NXT).



I LOVE the look of #26 and NXT. Now I'm very curious to see for myself what #26 on top of NXT would look like! :D
 
Mike - thanks for more info. I do currently use the GC Car wash, and the Final Detail for in-between cleaning. I really like both of those products. I was using the Quick Detail and getting a little bit of a haze / streaking. I am not getting that at all with the Final Detail.
 
Any other recommendations for the minor swirls - before I start the process? Like I mentioned, I have the Deep Crystal Polish and the Cleaner Wax.
 
The Deep Crystal Polish is a glaze and will not remove the swirls but rather fill them somewhat. You could use the cleaner wax but, if you want something readily available at the auto parts store try the Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner (Step 1 of the Deep Crystal System). That should do the trick on the swirls. Otherwise my preference would be for Meguiars #9 swirl mark remover or #82 swirl free polish but, both of those are going to be a bit hard to find locally.
 
Bob - Sorry, I did mean the Deep Crystal Cleaner (not the polish). I also have the 3M Swirl Remover for dark colors, but think it's a better idea to stay within the same product line for the whole process. And you are right, I was at paint supply store which had quite a few of the Meguiar's products - but don't remember seeing the #9 or #82.
 
Hi C5-Deb,



If you have swirls and scratches in your Corvette's finish, and you truly want to remove them, then you're going to want to invest in a porter cable dual action polisher. You hand, with its 4 digits, pushing down on a foam applicator pad, or a piece of terry cloth towel is very limited as to what it can accomplish in the way of removing swirls and scratches from a hard clear coat paint like your Corvette probably has.



If you don't own a PC, I would whole heartedly recommend investing in one as I have never met a single person that has regretted purchasing and using the PC to take their car's paint to it's maximum potential.



Just a note: If you're doing all your work by hand, then the Deep Crystal Step 2 Paint Cleaner is a chemical cleaner only, (very gentle, non-abrasive), and will probably more likely fill your scratches and swirls in before you with your hand, working with an applicator pad will be able to remove small particles of paint in an effort to level, or flatten out the surface and thus remove the swirls and scratches. It will help to remove light swirls and scratches however. Deep Crystal Step 1 Cleaner is more intended for removing surface contamination, like dirt build up, staining, etc.



Mike
 
Mike has a point, I am not familiar with Corvette paint. I have had Fords for quite a while and they have all had relatively soft paint that I have had good success working by hand. I do use a PC now because it is just plain easier.



I have had a PC for 2 years now I guess it has been. Best investment I ever made. I still enjoy applying glazes and waxes by hand but, I use the PC for surface prep. It just makes life so much easier. I got mine from Meguiars but, since then it has become very popular and is available everywhere like Lowes, Coastal Tool and Classic Motoring Accessories. The main differences in pricing is due to different accessories that come with the unit. Meguiars also offers a lifetime warranty whereas everyone else offers that standard 1 year warranty.



There is a good video of how to use the PC at Meguiars website and more information at Classic Motoring Accessories.
 
Mike Phillips said:




Just a note: If you're doing all your work by hand, then the Deep Crystal Step 2 Paint Cleaner is a chemical cleaner only, (very gentle, non-abrasive), and will probably more likely fill your scratches and swirls in before you with your hand, working with an applicator pad will be able to remove small particles of paint in an effort to level, or flatten out the surface and thus remove the swirls and scratches. It will help to remove light swirls and scratches however. Deep Crystal Step 1 Cleaner is more intended for removing surface contamination, like dirt build up, staining, etc.



Mike
Click to expand...



Isn't the Deep Crystal Polish "Step 2" the Polish as in "glaze"? From the Meguiars web site, the back of the bottles and my own use of the product I found it to be all oils. I have had some luck removing very light swirls using the Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner "Step 1". Again my paint is relatively soft so Deb may need something more agressive. Just a little confused as you refer to "Step 2" as a Paint Cleaner??
 
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