My car shines but I want it to POP!

[CV_Soccer]

I have a 06 TR VW GTI that has always had a layer of protection so it does shine but I want it to POP! I have looked at Mother’s and Meguiar’s and a few others but the more I look the more confused I get. The question is what brands should I consider and how should it be applied.



I know that Santa will be bringing me a PC 7424 but I have to do the rest. Here are the facts and this is what I know.



1) My car is parked outside and is driven everyday to work, 55 miles round trip.

2) My car gets a wash every week, and then every two I use a detail spray

3) I am presently using Meguiar’s NXT

4) I do everything by hand.

5) My car is 9 month old and shines like a red car should

6) I wash using a two bucket system, and

7) While I have not had the need to clay my car I do have the materials.



I know that a good recommendation can not be given without examining the car, but it has been raining the past few days so I after it’s next wash I post some pictures.



The bottom line is that there to many choices and I don’t know what to do?



I want a protective and durable coating on my car that can be applied with a buffer, and that will last 2-3 months. I want a deep rich look to my red finish and one that shines so brightly that it can be seen in the next ZIP code. Am I asking for the moon or is this possible?



HELP !

 

[Glossequation]

Heavy Swirling - 3M Fine Cut Rubbing Compound with Orange Pad

Moderate Swirling or to clean up Fine Cut Hazing - 3M Perfect It III Machine Glaze with white pad

NXT to top (I top that with a pure carnauba for durability...for your red, I like #26)



Call me classic, but I like the basic, OTC 3M stuff, it is no frills but very effective. The above plan is a nice, 3 step process that will get you great results.

 

[imported_j3ffff]

If you want your car to POP, use a carnuba based LSP.

 

[ManiZ]

ClearKote's Red Moose Machine Glaze

ClearKote's Carnauba Moose Wax OR

Natty's Blue

Maintained with Optimum Car Wax OR either of the above two LSPs.



The above regimen makes my 06 Redline 350Z pop with tremendous shimmer (see avatar and below). I stand back and stare in awe each time...

 

[Pennypacker]

Hi CV_Soccer,



I have a 2004 TR Golf and I agree that a glaze beneath a carnauba lsp would be a good way to go. RMG or Danase Speed Glaze, then NB will look great. If you're willing to shell out the simoleans, then go with Pinnacle Souveran, which is excellent on dark colors.



Tread lightly on that VW clear. It's really hard and therefore a total pain to bust swirlies out even with a pc. That's why I like glazes--fill, fill, fill!

 

[JB_TSX]

heres my recommendation: Prime Strong + AJT x2

 

[JB_TSX]

one more

 

[imported_themightytimmah]

If you just want maximum "pop", Zaino Z5Pro or Duragloss 105 will give you a kick that you're not going to find in a carnuba, and slightly better durability.



However, if you go with a good carnuba like Chemical Guy's 50-50 or S100, you'll get a warmth that you're not going to find in a sealant.



Personally, I've tried quite a few combinations, and for "wow" factor, you're not going to beat the Chemical Guy's acrylic glaze topped with their 50-50 carnuba paste wax. Polish with your polish of choice first (Optimum is a great choice for someone new to machine polishing), glaze via PC and finishing pad, wax via PC and finishing pad, and repeat as desired.

 

[Dan]

Use a good polish like the often recommended Optimum, or my personal favorite Zaino ZPC.

It will make the factory paint that much smoother. Does the car have any orange peel?



Zaino Z2 or Z5 will give you lots of POP but I wouldn't say more than NXT. If you want the glowy warm look, carnauba will do that, Meguiars #26 is great for that but doesn't really last. Another great carnauba that lasts is Collinite 845 IW, cheap too.

 

[autobahn]

P21s is also an excellent carnauba for some good ol "wow" factor.



Won't last long but goes on sooooo easy

 

[xtahoex]

jb_tsx do you have full shots of that car? It looks amazing!!!

 

[JB_TSX]

^thanks.... another amazing thing about the ajt is the ease of use... here's a full shot..

 

[joshtpa]

NXT topped with #26 or FMJ

 

[Cooter]

Optimum polish and Natty Blue.



JB, that Mercedes is unreal.

 

[FidoAUTO]

CVSoccer if I was you I'd go for durability. You drive a lot and your car is parked outside. You need a chemical sealant not a Carnuba based wax. Carnuba eventually washes or evaporates away.



4-5 coats of Zaino Z5p and a sprits of Z8 once a week and your vehicle will "POP" for even longer.

 

[imported_mburnickas]

Optimum polish and Natty Blue.



JB, that Mercedes is unreal.

I still think Nattys Blue is ok; I do not rave over it as you can tell. I will take

JW Acrylic prime and AJT over Natty's. NOW, that being stated I am doing a complete detail on my Lexus tomorrow and will see how CG 5050 does over AJT.

 

[sspeer]

The real trick to pop is the polish step. I'd get some Menzerna 106FF (or FPII if you're on a budget) and then a nice LSP...AJT, Megs #21, Megs #26....

 

[imported_rydawg1]

prep is the key to a great pop. 106ff final polish is the way to go for gloss and pop and then you can go sealant or carnuba of your choice.

 

[sneek]

what kind of tire dressing is that?

 

[SDLexus]

Werkstatt Prime Acrylic/AJT combo and the upcoming RDF are my faves ATM.