Mother of all detailing threads...Warning 56K!

[NitrousG35]

Originally Posted by inyong1988

sup bro, My car is almost getting done with details.
heres my one last question, Rasky told me it would be pointless to use NXT tech wax after my wolfgang sealant. so I'm kinda stuck on what to do. I got done with everything (wash, wax, paint cleaner, polish, sealant) and paint seems really nice and smooth.
so heres my question, What do you think I should do? should I just go ahead and put wax top of sealant or just leave it as it is? btw. Thank you so much for the DIY. It really helped me and car look brand new now

I agree with Rasky that putting one synthetic product on top of another has little benefit. When I use a sealant, I follow up with a good, quality, carnauba wax. The carnauba brings out the shine in an even greater way.

Check out this thread by VQ Power and his mini detail he did using Meguiar's NXT 2.0. The car really turned out well. Mini spring detail!

[Gone]

Originally Posted by NitrousG35

Congrats on your purchase of the Porter Cable. You will love it. The thing I like about it is you can get a professional level shine w/o worrying about damaging the paint. You will enjoy the Lake Country pads too. I have quite a few in different colors-abrasiveness, and they do a tremendous job in polishing and waxing.

The products you recommended sound great for the swirls. I am not familiar with XMT, but I am sure it is a good company. The Pinnacle and Zaino should really make your paint pop. When you get done, post some pics. Also, could you post pics of your products so that others can have a look-see?

Oh, I'm sorry, XMT is actually a Pinnacle product, forgot to add that.

[Johnold]

Ever use STONER's stuff?. Good stuff. Their MORE SHINE is longass lasting tire shine....no lie.

My car looks that good too after I detail it...Maybe I should take some pix next time.

[NitrousG35]

Originally Posted by Johnold

Ever use STONER's stuff?. Good stuff. Their MORE SHINE is longass lasting tire shine....no lie.

My car looks that good too after I detail it...Maybe I should take some pix next time.

Stoner's has the absolute best window cleaner I have ever used. I would imagine their tire shine would be the same.

[Chris157]

So is the NXT 2.0 considered a wax or a sealant? Seems like it is a little of both. How long does it typically last?

[NitrousG35]

Originally Posted by Chris157

So is the NXT 2.0 considered a wax or a sealant? Seems like it is a little of both. How long does it typically last?

NXT 2.0 is technically a wax with sealant qualities. It has hydrophobic polymer technology and is synthetic based. If you want a one thing does all kind of wax, use NXT 2.0. The results can be quite spectacular.

If you want a longer lasting, more durable finish, I would use a separate sealant, followed up by a carnauba wax which will give greater depth, gloss and shine to the paint. I use NXT 2.0 more as a "quicky" than for a serious detailing job.

[RaskyR1]

Originally Posted by Chris157

So is the NXT 2.0 considered a wax or a sealant? Seems like it is a little of both. How long does it typically last?

Answers to this question will vary.

Straight from Meguiars...

Originally Posted by JLTSX07

Is NXT 2.0 a wax, or a sealant? What does Meguiars recommend as far as how often you have to re-apply the product?

It's in the bigger category of "Paint Protectant" which includes any product whose purpose is to protect the paint.

NXT contains all synthetic ingredients, most people categorize a product like this as a sealant and anything with Carnauba wax as a wax.

We chose to use the word "Wax" on the label because most of the world when they walk into a store to buy a car wax are going to look for a product with the word "Wax" on the label. when you start using terms like "Paint Sealant", you can confuse people. Marketing Rule #1, don't confuse your market.

As far as when to re-apply?

Meguiar's teaches people to "Evaluate the condition of your paint" and use the results from your evaluation to choose the appropriate product to achieve your goal.

What are you working on?
What are you trying to accomplish?
__________________
Mike Phillips
Meguiar's Online Administrator
Cell: 949-533-0225
mphillips@meguiars.com


"Find something you like and use it often"

If you like it, then you obviously like how it applies and removes and it looks good in your eyes, if you use it often your car's paint will always look new because it's only when paint is neglected that it goes down hill

[JeShUa]

Just bought some new cleaner, polish.. some 5050 wax and some jetseal. Any tips so I dont make a simple mistake thats common

I also have paint chips up front.. I hope they dont fill in looking way too dark :'[ (I'm going to touch up before I detail.)

[NitrousG35]

Originally Posted by JeShUa

Just bought some new cleaner, polish.. some 5050 wax and some jetseal. Any tips so I dont make a simple mistake thats common

Polish first, then seal, then wax. I don't know what kind of polish you are going to use, nor whether you are going to do it by hand or by buffer, but I would go easy on the abrasiveness.

I have never used polish on my paint as it hasn't needed it. VQ Power is going to do a complete detailing on our Si, starting with clay, mild polish done with our random orbital buffer, Meguiar's #7 Show Car Glaze, Jet Seal, Natty's Blue carnauba paste wax and finally, Mother's Reflection's Top Coat.

We did all of this on a friend's black WRX and the results were absolutely stunning. Right now, VQ Power is doing our black G35, so he will work his magic on it first, then our Si.

[JeShUa]

Actually I got two types of polish. My LX's finish isnt as lusterous as it once was which is why I decided to go all out with some nice "gear". After clay I'm going to use EXTREME SHINE EZ~CREME GLAZE w/ACRYLIC SHINE II, then PRO-POLISH ACRYLIC + HIGH GLOSS FINAL STEP POLISH, seal then wax. Should be fairly simple, but what you're saying is not to apply a lot of pressure. I also made sure of ordering microfiber applicator pads.

[Chris157]

Thanks for the quick answers guys. Pretty much confirms what I was thinking. My car is new (08 Habi Red Si), so the plan will be to put a durable, long lasting sealant on, and then wax with carnauba periodically. So the steps would be:

Wash & Dry
Clay Bar (still not sure this is necessary for a new car)
Scratch X (on a very few small scratches I've found already)
Glaze (Meguiars #7)
Sealant (Not sure what kind to get yet)
Wax

I don't think polishing the whole car will be necessary since there are no scratches or swirl marks on the paint currently.

Thanks again for the help guys, this forum is great.

[JeShUa]

Why not polish the who car? Make the paint brilliant ;].

[Chris157]

I dunno... I guess I'm of the opinion that polishing shouldn't be done too often, because you are taking away a little of the clear coat every time you do it. With the paint being new and blemish free right now I'm mainly thinking of just wanting to protect it as much as possible, and save the polishing for when it's really needed.

I could be wrong, though. Opinions from the Gurus are always welcome!

[djdisturbed]

Originally Posted by Chris157

I dunno... I guess I'm of the opinion that polishing shouldn't be done too often, because you are taking away a little of the clear coat every time you do it. With the paint being new and blemish free right now I'm mainly thinking of just wanting to protect it as much as possible, and save the polishing for when it's really needed.

I could be wrong, though. Opinions from the Gurus are always welcome!

the Meguiars #7 IS a polish, I think you mean to not use the cleaner wax.

[Chris157]

I'm still in the process of learning this stuff but from what I can tell, the definition of glaze seems to vary. Meguiars classifies it as a polish, but according to autogeek.net: "A glaze is a shine-enhancing product that goes on after polishing but before the wax or sealant. It is made with oils and wetting agents that amplify your paint’s shine and improve the clarity. A glaze is not a polish or wax. It is strictly a shine-enhancing agent that will produce a dramatic wet look on your paint." Autogeek

So the glaze has some very mild polishing qualities, but would not be the same as Meguiars Step 2 or one of their polishing compounds. This would seem to make it the perfect choice for what I'm trying to do. The main thing I'm after with the glaze is the oils and wetting agents. Am I right?

[NitrousG35]

Originally Posted by Chris157

Thanks for the quick answers guys. Pretty much confirms what I was thinking. My car is new (08 Habi Red Si), so the plan will be to put a durable, long lasting sealant on, and then wax with carnauba periodically. So the steps would be:

Wash & Dry
Clay Bar (still not sure this is necessary for a new car)
Scratch X (on a very few small scratches I've found already)
Glaze (Meguiars #7)
Sealant (Not sure what kind to get yet)
Wax

I don't think polishing the whole car will be necessary since there are no scratches or swirl marks on the paint currently.

Thanks again for the help guys, this forum is great.

You have a good plan. I totally agree with you on the polishing. You don't need to polish a new car unless for some strange reason, it was full of swirls and light scratches.

The Mugen that is languishing at the my dealership has had so many people's butts rub up against it, in that case, I would polish, but in your case, it is not necessary.

For a car that is new and shiny, just go ahead and clay, glaze, seal and wax. You will so happy that you did and the results will speak for themselves. You will also have great protection on your paint. Please post pics when you are done. Everyone here loves to see shiny cars.

[RaskyR1]

Originally Posted by Chris157

I'm still in the process of learning this stuff but from what I can tell, the definition of glaze seems to vary. Meguiars classifies it as a polish, but according to autogeek.net: "A glaze is a shine-enhancing product that goes on after polishing but before the wax or sealant. It is made with oils and wetting agents that amplify your paint’s shine and improve the clarity. A glaze is not a polish or wax. It is strictly a shine-enhancing agent that will produce a dramatic wet look on your paint." Autogeek

So the glaze has some very mild polishing qualities, but would not be the same as Meguiars Step 2 or one of their polishing compounds. This would seem to make it the perfect choice for what I'm trying to do. The main thing I'm after with the glaze is the oils and wetting agents. Am I right?

Glaze = Meguiars "pure polish"
polish = Meguiars "cleaner polish"

Meguiars Step 2 is a pure polish, Step 1 is the cleaner polish. I know it can be confusing since every manufacture uses the terms differently.

I would seriously consider claying a new car. You would be surprised at the amount of surface defect that are on new paint.

[Chris157]

Will-do. Thanks again for the help.

[NitrousG35]

Originally Posted by Chris157

I'm still in the process of learning this stuff but from what I can tell, the definition of glaze seems to vary. Meguiars classifies it as a polish, but according to autogeek.net: "A glaze is a shine-enhancing product that goes on after polishing but before the wax or sealant. It is made with oils and wetting agents that amplify your paint’s shine and improve the clarity. A glaze is not a polish or wax. It is strictly a shine-enhancing agent that will produce a dramatic wet look on your paint." Autogeek

So the glaze has some very mild polishing qualities, but would not be the same as Meguiars Step 2 or one of their polishing compounds. This would seem to make it the perfect choice for what I'm trying to do. The main thing I'm after with the glaze is the oils and wetting agents. Am I right?

Well said my friend.