A bit of confusion for a first timer...

[Redem]

All of my products were meg beside the scratch/swirl remover, which is basically polish..? When using a polish should you do the whole car or just the spots? For instance, I only have one scratch to remove so I only used the polish on that one spot. The paint on the rest of the car has no problems at all.



Anyways, I used the meg liquid nxt tech wax. Would this be considered a wax or sealant and why? Are synthetic waxes sealants? Another question I have is about detailing spray. Seems to work decent but how often should I actually use the spray? Can I use it whenever I want? If the car is dusty is it still ok to use? How often can I use synthetic waxes,sealants, clay, polish?

 

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All of my products were meg beside the scratch/swirl remover, which is basically polish..? When using a polish should you do the whole car or just the spots? For instance, I only have one scratch to remove so I only used the polish on that one spot. The paint on the rest of the car has no problems at all...

Gotta watch getting caught up in the product names, they can be deceiving. But yeah, a scratch/swirl remover should be a mildly abrasive polish.



I'd try doing just the marred areas. If they *really* stand out as different from the unpolished areas then you probably oughta do the whole car. Do one of the scratched up areas and see how things look before proceeding any farther.

Anyways, I used the meg liquid nxt tech wax. Would this be considered a wax or sealant and why? Are synthetic waxes sealants?

I'd call it a synthetic wax, others might say it's a sealant. I don't honestly know if there's a true definition of "sealant" as opposed to "wax" and IMO it doesn't matter anyhow because a rose by any other name..etc.

Another question I have is about detailing spray. Seems to work decent but how often should I actually use the spray? Can I use it whenever I want? If the car is dusty is it still ok to use?

I only use those after the wash. Using them to "dry clean" a dirty car always results in marring when I do it, but others say it works great for them so :nixweiss

How often can I use synthetic waxes,sealants, clay, polish?

Waxes (synthetic or not) and sealants can be used as often as you like but at some point you'll need to clean the paint and start over.



Very mild clay like Sonus green can be used quite often without stripping wax, but other, more aggressive clays can take off the LSP. I'd only clay if you need to- when the paint is contaminated (do the "baggie test").



Abrasive polishes should only be used when you have marring to correct, which shouldn't be very often. I seldom polish even once a year, other than spot-corrections of RIDS (Random Deep Isolated Scratches).

 

[Redem]

So I should not have to clay/polish more than twice or so a year, if even that. To maintain all the work I did over the weekend, assuming I do not need to clay/polish, would my steps simply be wash/dry? I take it there is no need to wax every week with a sythetic wax? What type of products should I be looking for to keep the car fresh between waxing and full out clay/polishing?





When I do feel the need to rewax which should be before clay/polish/yadda yadda, is it ok to wax over some light contamination or should the wax keep this from happening?

 

[cole]

All of the above. Also, use only a non-detergent car wash soap and sheepskin or microfiber mitts. Stay away from chamois, they are notorious for pulling and stretching the protective coating. Instead, use 100% cotton terry or 70/30 Microfiber waffle weave for drying the finish, the later is the best of the two.

Generally good advice except for the comment on detergents. Almost all "soaps" today are detergents with specific design for the task at hand. Select a detergent designed for automobile surfaces. Like all products, you will find some that seem better for the procedure and most of us have an opinion. OTC, I found Meguire's to be pretty good, although my favorite is Zaino.

 

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So I should not have to clay/polish more than twice or so a year, if even that. To maintain all the work I did over the weekend, assuming I do not need to clay/polish, would my steps simply be wash/dry? I take it there is no need to wax every week with a sythetic wax? What type of products should I be looking for to keep the car fresh between waxing and full out clay/polishing?

I spot-clay as needed at *every* wash with Sonus green Ultra-Fine Clay, but that's just me. This clay is so mild that it won't even take off the LSP.



No, you won't need to refresh the LSP all that often, even the most short-lived ones (e.g., Souveran) will last through a few washes.



Generally, yeah, I just wash/dry but I'll often give it a quick going-over with a QD afterwards for a little added something. That final, post-wash QDing might be just what you're after for that "keep it fresh" step. Use a "leaves-something-behind QD" (e.g., Meguiar's new Ultimate Detailer, FK425, or Griot's SpeedShine), not a "clean" QD (e.g., Meguiar's #34).

When I do feel the need to rewax which should be before clay/polish/yadda yadda, is it ok to wax over some light contamination or should the wax keep this from happening?

Waxing over contamination isn't good, and can lead to marring if the was affects a solvent-action on the contamination (even non-cleaner waxes can do this). I give the paint a quick/gentle claying with the Sonus green before I refresh my LSP.



That's basically all I do on a regular basis: wash/dry/QD when it's dirty, Sonus green/rewax when any LSP characteristic (beading, slickness, looks, etc.) diminishes.

 

[Redem]

LSP is? So, it is actually ok to clay as often as I like as long as I use something such as sonus green?





Would a spray wax be a good idea after regular washes? I take it that it would be ok to do this as long as the car is clean and free of contamination? The detailer I have used with decent results is the detail spray that comes in the clay bar kit. The regular quick detail spray you see in your local auto stores.



I can not figure out how you come up with the numbers on the meg products, what do they mean? finally, where can i find megs professional line and some of the more popular stuff such as aqua spray wax and clay that is mild enough to use weekly?

 

[Accumulator]

LSP is?

LSP= Last Step Product (i.e., "wax")

So, it is actually ok to clay as often as I like as long as I use something such as sonus green?

Yeah, I repeat, I spot-clay at *every* wash and have done this for well over a decade without problems. It takes a *LOT* of claying with Sonus green to have any effect on the wax *IF* you clay nice and gently. But if you're not really gentle about it you'll have to refresh the LSP where you clayed (no biggie, just takes a moment).

Would a spray wax be a good idea after regular washes? I take it that it would be ok to do this as long as the car is clean and free of contamination? The detailer I have used with decent results is the detail spray that comes in the clay bar kit. The regular quick detail spray you see in your local auto stores.

Sure, though I can't speak from first-hand experience, never tried a spray wax.



Some QDs leave more stuff behind than others so it's hard to generalize about them.

I can not figure out how you come up with the numbers on the meg products, what do they mean? finally, where can i find megs professional line and some of the more popular stuff such as aqua spray wax and clay that is mild enough to use weekly?

There's an acronym/abbreviation decoder somewhere on this website...it's called the "secret decoder ring" or something like that. Not sure where to find it but it shouldn't be all that hard, check the Autopia home page.



The numbers are clearly marked on the Meguiar's Professional Line products (the ones for the consumer line stuff are a little less obvious so I seldom refer to those). I memorized them ages ago, but I originally go them from some product literature I had them they send me. But the decoder ring link should have all the common ones listed. There's little ryhme or reason the the numbering, except that the lower number products are generally older, and the 80-series ones are primarily newer ones that were developed for clearcoat paints.



You can get Meg's pro-line stuff at autobody/paint supply stores, I've been buying it that way since I was a kid. Or check out the Meguiar's website (it's maybe "Meguiar'sonline.com" or something similar).



Not sure where to buy Aqua Wax, I'd google DuraGloss and check out the distributor info section of their website, or buy it direct.



The Sonus green clay is available from a number of vendors here; check the "site sponsors" links on the home page.

 

[Redem]

Thanks, you've been a great help.





After cleaning my car, i wanted more, and I am now interested in trying higher end products. So far I have...



Nxt liquid tech wax - Seemed to do a good job but now I lack that just waxed shine?

Megs gold class car wash - have yet to try

Megs ultimate quick detailer - have yet to try

Stoners invis glass - same

Megs quick interior detail - really love this stuff, seems to do a great job.





Things I am looking for are vinyl/plastic protectant and a polish that will hopefully add shine and gloss before waxing. Since the paint is new I am looking for a non abrassive polish. I often see things such as glaze and gloss, I take it these are basically non abrassive polishes? Any suggestions?

 

[Accumulator]

After cleaning my car, i wanted more, and I am now interested in trying higher end products. So far I have...



Nxt liquid tech wax - Seemed to do a good job but now I lack that just waxed shine?..



Things I am looking for are vinyl/plastic protectant and a polish that will hopefully add shine and gloss before waxing. Since the paint is new I am looking for a non abrassive polish. I often see things such as glaze and gloss, I take it these are basically non abrassive polishes? Any suggestions?

Gotta admit I'm not a huge fan of NXT in any form, but hey, that's just me. You might try S100 wax (see local Harley dealer) or one of the innumerable waxes people here rave about (I just use either Collinite or the discontinued Meg's #16 most of the time). The other products you got are good.



For protection, just pick a brand of vinyl dressing and see if you like it. Maybe try 303.



For the polish, don't worry about *mild* abrasives; you could use them every time you wax and never have any problems. I'd get some 1Z Metallic Polish with Wax or their WaxPolishSoft. I can't overstate how much I like the polishes from 1Z.



IME most truly nonabrasive glazes (e.g., the ones from Meguiar's) don't do much for clearcoated paint that's in great condition. Others feel differently though, so sometimes you just have to experiment.

 

[Redem]

So something like megs paint cleaner would basically be a non abrassive polish? Car makeup as you said earlier in another post?

 

[Accumulator]

So something like megs paint cleaner would basically be a non abrassive polish? Car makeup as you said earlier in another post?

Not quite...and I sympathize with the confusion as IMO Meguiar's is just awful about their product names/descriptions/etc.



The Meg's Deep Crystal Step #1 Cleaner cleans primarily via chemical action. It has some *VERY* mild abrasives but they're so gentle as to be of no consequence at all. The Color-X is similar except it also contains wax.



Megia'rs non-abrasive polishes are what they call "pure polishes" and they don't do any significant cleaning. These products include #3/#5/#7/#81/Deep Crystal Step #2 Polish. These are in the "car makeup" category.



If you want to try something OTC/commonly available, the Meg's Deep Crystal Steps #1 and #2 aren't a bad way to start out with this stuff. But I'd use something/anything other than the Deep Crystal wax. You could consider Meg's #26, or Gold Class, or Mother's California Gold (I think that's what it's called).



Or use Color-X and then top it with one of those waxes.

 

[Redem]

Another concern I have is that I do everything by hand. I take it waxing is ok by hand, but what about polishing? I would think gloss/glaze type products are fine by hand as you really are not looking to work the product in. What, if anything, can I do about more abrassive polishes?

 

[Accumulator]

Another concern I have is that I do everything by hand. I take it waxing is ok by hand, but what about polishing? I would think gloss/glaze type products are fine by hand as you really are not looking to work the product in. What, if anything, can I do about more abrassive polishes?

1Z polishes work fine by hand, just takes a lot longer. Their Ultra/Extra polish is what I use for tight spots I can't reach by machine, it's pretty aggressive stuff that leaves micromarring, but it breaks down fine by hand. I get 1Z stuff here: Welcome to Exceldetail.com! or Aloha & Welcome to Our Oasis for All Your Auto Detailing Supplies & Accessories .

 

[Redem]

Tonite, under certin lighting I noticed I had extremely minor scratches/swirls/whatever in the paint. It was dark and I noticed it off of a street light reflection quite a ways away. The street night was also going out and dull.



I take it these are probably from my amature washing and cheap washmits/drying towels. To correct this, all I need to do it simply use some sort of light polish, the type of polish I can use everyweek with no problems?



I also have 2 chips in my paint that are pretty small. Would the best method of repair be the usual touch up/wetsand/buff? How bad would this hurt my clearcoat? Another thing I am working on fixing are some minor hairline type scratches. The only thing I have is nu doctor scratch remover and this stuff is working, but they always come back. What do I need to eliminate these small scratches?



I will have picture of this stuff sometime tomorrow, thanks for all the help so far, it has really paid off.





Edit - Are these decent products from excel detail? Pure Australian Medium Sheepskin Washmit and riptide ww drying towels? I plan on trying out the collinites 845 Liquid Insulator Wax when I am done with this bottle of nxt. Is this a wax or a sealant? Can I use as much as I want? weekly? Would 1Z Einszett High Gloss Polish be fine for my light scratches, and is this a polish that I can use weekly? What about 1Z Einszett Metallic Polish 1000 ml ?





Sorry for all the questions, I guess what I am looking for here is somethign that will take away these extremely minor scratches without using abrassives if that is possible. They do not really bother me. What I see as a near perfect finish is not exactly what many people here see as a perfect finish. Maybe something simple like megs deep crystal polish would be better for me? From what I understand, it is a pure polish with no abrassives and it sort of covers up minor scratches/swirls like the ones I have. Would layering 2 coats of nxt/collinite over this keep the scratches from coming back? I understand the scratches will come back as I am just covering them up, but will it last the duration of the wax since the wax would be layer over it?

 

[Accumulator]

Tonite, under certin lighting I noticed I had extremely minor scratches/swirls/whatever in the paint. It was dark and I noticed it off of a street light reflection quite a ways away. The street night was also going out and dull.



I take it these are probably from my amature washing and cheap washmits/drying towels. To correct this, all I need to do it simply use some sort of light polish, the type of polish I can use everyweek with no problems?

Most vehicles have marring that'll show in that kind of light. It may/may not be shallow and easily corrected, no way to tell until you try to fix it.



No polish that does significant correction will be safe to use all the time. The idea is to get it flawless and then keep it that way for months at a time. Or else get it *better* and then try not to make it *worse*.



The polishes that are *VERY* gentle won't do much for marring you can clearly see, they're so mild they don't do much correction.

I also have 2 chips in my paint that are pretty small. Would the best method of repair be the usual touch up/wetsand/buff? How bad would this hurt my clearcoat?

I usually just fill them with touchup paint and then let 'em go. I seldom bother doing the whole wetsand/compound/polish, but hey, that's just me. I'll only do that if I'm doing a full detail where I'll be using the rotary. Otherwise I'd rather not open that can of worms. For that matter, I seldom even use the touchup paint, chips are something I usually just live with, even on my good cars.

Another thing I am working on fixing are some minor hairline type scratches. The only thing I have is nu doctor scratch remover and this stuff is working, but they always come back. What do I need to eliminate these small scratches?

A more aggressive polish, at least something like 1Z Paint Polish (green can).

Edit - Are these decent products from excel detail? Pure Australian Medium Sheepskin Washmit and riptide ww drying towels? I plan on trying out the collinites 845 Liquid Insulator Wax when I am done with this bottle of nxt. Is this a wax or a sealant? Can I use as much as I want? weekly? Would 1Z Einszett High Gloss Polish be fine for my light scratches, and is this a polish that I can use weekly? What about 1Z Einszett Metallic Polish 1000 ml ?

Both Excel/Patrick and Pakshak/Ranney are reputable vendors who sell good stuff.



The 1Z Pro-Line Metallic Polish is very good but probably too mild for what you're dealing with. I only use it on a previously-corrected finish (basically perfect) where I want a little added gloss. In your case, I'd recommend you use the Paint Polish (green can) and the *consumer line* Metallic Polish with Wax (red rectangular can, *not* the 1-liter round one). Then top with wax. Repeat with the Metallic and wax topper as needed to keep things hidden.

I guess what I am looking for here is somethign that will take away these extremely minor scratches without using abrassives if that is possible. They do not really bother me. What I see as a near perfect finish is not exactly what many people here see as a perfect finish. Maybe something simple like megs deep crystal polish would be better for me? From what I understand, it is a pure polish with no abrassives and it sort of covers up minor scratches/swirls like the ones I have. Would layering 2 coats of nxt/collinite over this keep the scratches from coming back? I understand the scratches will come back as I am just covering them up, but will it last the duration of the wax since the wax would be layer over it?

You oughta use some medium abrasives to improve them and then try to keep from inducing more. I wouldn't bother with the Meg's DC Polish, I'd use 1Z stuff instead. Correct what you can, let the 1Z and your wax fill the rest. The 1Z will work at least as well as the DC stuff, almost certainly better and easier. Having wax over top of it will help it last a long time, esepecially if you use Collinite.



Plenty of people do very well with the 1Z MP/Collinite combo.

 

[Redem]

Ok, I will be ordering some z1 polish and collinite wax tonite. I am worried about the whole abrassive thing. My paint is pretty soft and I would like to keep my car around for awhile. Is it ok to pull out the abrassive polish for hairline type scratches every now and then without worry? It seems like I would be better off simply covering them up as long as they last until the next waxing.



I am not sure how often I can use an abrassive polish without any ill effects and I have no idea what nu doctor might have done to my finish. So, with that being said, I want a polish that is not abrassive that simply adds shine and helps cover up scratches before I wax. I also need a polish that will remove my current scratches which are light clearcoat scratches.





I figured I would polish/wax every 3 months. Collinite can be used as much as I like correct? It should also last 3 months? I take it the z1 polish you reccommended is the same way. I can use this polish 4 or so times a year without any worry, even more often if I feel the need as it seems more like a car makeup polish? I know some of these have been asked, but this is a lot of info to take it. I just want to make sure I am taking the best route.



Overview! -



> Z1 green can polish to remove the light scratches I have now. How often can i actually use this stuff on the same spot? I take it that this is a light abrassive product?



> z1 red can polish - This stuff is like a pure polish, car makeup with wax? Is the wax in the product safe for me to use often, is this product abrassive? How often can I use?



> collinite wax, Can I use this wax weekly with no ill effects? I believe it is a pure wax so is it safe to use whenever I feel the need?

 

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> Z1 green can polish to remove the light scratches I have now. How often can i actually use this stuff on the same spot? I take it that this is a light abrassive product?

Yeah, it's a medium abrasive. Use it until the scratch is gone/diminished to your satsifaction. You shouldn't get scratches/marring very often and I wouldn't want to polish all *that much, once/twice a year oughta be plenty.

> z1 red can polish - This stuff is like a pure polish, car makeup with wax? Is the wax in the product safe for me to use often, is this product abrassive? How often can I use?

It's so mildly abrasive that I wouldn't hesitate to use it as often as you like.

> collinite wax, Can I use this wax weekly with no ill effects? I believe it is a pure wax so is it safe to use whenever I feel the need?

You can use it as much as you like (nonabrasive) but it lasts for months so there's no need to apply often.



Hope this was of some help, I'll be offline for a few days and thus unable to respond further.