One step above 1,2,3 for newbie?

W

waxacura

New member
Hi, Had my car 2 months now, in TX, 2003 Acura CL anthracite (dark gray metallic). Previous owner never waxed!! but washed regularly and created quite a bit of microscratches probably because there was no wax on the paint!

I clayed the top surfaces once, not needed much, and for starters, I've been washing with Meg car wash, cotton mitt, mf drying and NXT'ing, which has visibly reduced scratches about 75%.



But now I want to step up a little. I can live with the minor webbing (for now), but I want to at least try a cleaner, polish, and glaze before a sealant and/or wax. I'm considering the Meg 1-2-(but not the 3 wax) steps and then NXT and /or #16 or S100.

Is there any other Meg polish and wax that would be good by hand for a newbie but a little better than the maroon bottle Meg 1-2-3steps? I'd like to stick with Meg cause they are easier to get and compatible. What polish and glaze would you recommend as a step up from a 1-2-3? orm for nowm should I just go 1-2-3wax.

thanks.
 
Meguires #9 swirl remover. May get out a little more of the swirls. (machine works better if you have one)



Meg.#7 show car glaze



Top with a nice wax of your choice.



NXT or meg.# 26 Hi Tec wax is good.
 
How's it going Waxacura?



Has it been 2 months since you got your TL-S?. . . Man, time flies. Hope you're enjoying your new ride.



Just a thought...if you're staying in the Meguiars camp then I would suggest Body Scrub if you want more cleaning capabilities than #1. You can use it by hand or with a PC.



Also. . .regarding a wax:



I've recently been using Megs #16. It's an "oldie but goodie". Very nice product. Gives a nice shine without deeping the color. Brings out the metal flake which is a must for colors like yours and mine, ( I have the Aegean Blue). May be difficult to find however. None of the auto supply chains seem to carry it. I think it's worth trying if you can get it.
 
Thanks all. Many of those items I can't find locally, but I'll order some from Autopia. I do see #26 here, but I wanted to try #16, as I thought it was easier to use? thanks.

and Russ, I have the CL, 2 door coupe.



03anthr2.jpg
 
waxacura . . . I've found #26 easier to use. Well, I should say the liquid version is easier. #s 26 and 16 paste waxes go on like most paste waxes but #16 seems to be harder to remove if left on too long. Temperature & humidity certainly are factors effecting to ease of use. Maybe that's one of the reasons why P21S/S100 are so popular. They give a great look and are very easy to use.



I've found that if you treat #16 like S100 you'll have no problems removing it. Apply it to one section at a time and immediately start to remove it with a MF towel.





Waxacura - very ncie looking CL!
 
I thought a paste wax was better and purer and has no solvents etc like the liquid. I know it's all trial and error to see what works for us. I left my NXT wax out of town so I need to get some new wax anyway. I'll keep reading, but the wax I'm less concerned about, the cleaner/polish/glaze steps is what I'm wanting to add now.



I guess I'll try-

Meg#9 swirl remover,

Meg.#7 show car glaze

and a wax tbd.

These work ok by hand?



thanks again Russ. This is my 2nd 03 CLS. The first one was white and I never was satisfied with that color so after a year I sold it and got this one, with Navi and half the mileage.
 
You also might want to try ColorX, which is a more aggressive one step that is designed to work by hand. Top it with Tech Wax and you should get an improved finish. Mostly chemical cleaners though. #9/#7 and a wax/sealant would also work.
 
Thanks, I'm aware of Colorx and most comments I see on it are positive. Seems like a good place for me to start. I wonder if a glaze would be beneficial too?

I liked NXT, very easy to use, smelled good, no dust, but it lost slickness pretty quickly IMO.

Like in a week or two I saw a definite difference is slickness, at least more than I was expecting. May be because my paint is not as clean as it could be.

Tempted to try a carnauba or a paste on top too.
 
Try using NXT topped with #16 or #26 (use the paste version of #26 to top a sealant). See if that works better for you.
 
waxacura- If it were mine, I'd precede the #16 with some #80 Speed Glaze. Mild abrasives that break down well by hand, quite user-friendly.
 
Oh boy, is ignorance bliss?

I think I'm gonna go mad... I mean Meg #9, then Meg #7, then Meg #16 paste. Maybe some NXT before the 16.



Accumulator mentions # 80 speed glaze too as easier, but I think it also cleans and polishes?

By hand, how much better are these than the 1-2-3 Meg punch?

price is really not an issue, but if there is only so much that can be achieved by hand is it worth getting the more premium products for hand use?

I want to clean it as best I can by hand, and I want depth but not darkening of the already dark gray metallic. Is that contradictory?

I'd actually like to lighten the look, bring out the metallic.

Thanks again I know it's a lot of questions. I don't mind trying different products, would almost be nicer if they offered smaller sizes. Didn't I read that there is a swap products service around here?
 
waxacura said:
By hand, how much better are these than the 1-2-3 Meg punch?
Click to expand...



Much better, IMO. I just stepped up from the 1-2-GC Meg combo this spring and was very impressed with my results by hand. I expect to be more impressed by the results when I get a PC.



I used a combo of #80 Speed Glaze, #81 Hand Polish, #16 Pro Paste Wax. I started a thread and posted some pics a couple weeks back too...
 
Well, been busy and had some damage to my bumper to deal with (uninsured motorist), anyway due to time limits etc decided to take half a step in paint prep and try Megs ColorX and NXT this weekend. Should I wait a day between ColorX and NXT?

Is there a reason to use 2 coats of ColorX, and should I also wait a day between these?

thanks for all the advice.
 
I did NXT wash, claybar, ColorX, NXT, and S100. Waited a day between the NXT and S100. Could not tell any difference using the ColorX and S100. The NXT panel is actually slicker than the S100. Car looks good enough. I'm very happy with the NXT, mainly wanted good protection and some shine. Most of the web scratches are hidden too. I just did half the hood with the S100 so I may just do the whole car. I actually think another layer of NXT would have offered more than the S100. Thanks for the help.
 
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