OTC Prewax

M

Malachi71

New member
I'm looking for recommendations for a good otc prewax. Perhaps something from Mothers, Megs, Collinite, etc. I've got the polish (Scratch X) and wax (Collinite) from other's recommendations here but I forgot to ask which otc prewax would suit the polish and wax listed above. Input would be appreciated.
 
Any of the prewax cleaners you've mentioned are fine before your wax. If you use ScratchX, you won't need a prewax cleaner as the ScratchX has just cleaned and polished the surface. If you follow with a cleaner, you'll remove the glaze ScratchX leaves behind.
 
I used to think detailing my car was using Turtle Wax cleaner wax a couple times a year (removed with an old t-shirt) and cleaning the cracks out with a toothbrush. Squirt all the windows with Windex, the dash with Armor-All and I was good to go.



When I stepped up my regimen, the first multi-step product I used was Meguiar's Deep Crystal 3-step system. The step 1 is a chemical cleaner - great for removing crud on the paint, but will not take out scratches or swirls. Step 2 polish is full of oils and does a good job of bringing up the gloss - easy to use, wipe on / wipe off. Step 3 is a carnuba without any cleaning properties. I'd do all 3 steps twice a year, polish / wax every 3 months or so and then wax about once a month or so. Best part is each step is only $5 or $6. I then bought a PC and made even quicker work of the 3 steps.



I still use Step 1 for getting rid of paint transfer, bug splatter, and environmental contaminants, sometimes before claying if the finish is pretty bad. I use Meg's #7 instead of the DC#2, a bit more tricky to apply, need to go over the car a few times. I've tried a million waxes and sealants, these are a matter of personal preference. I live in south Florida so I don't mind waxing once a month, durability is not a big issue for me.



You might try DC#1 to clean the finish, then Scratch-X to remove swirls and imperfections, then DC#2 as a glaze and then the Collinite wax. Make sure you use new applicators for each step and different microfibers to remove each product or you might end up with some streaking.
 
Alfisti said:
ScratchX combines DC 1&2.
Click to expand...



Not the case (and not try to pick a fight). I spend a fair bit of time over on Meg's forum and I use many of their products, so I feel semi-qualified to respond. The DC#1 is a chemical cleaner with no abrasive qualities, DC#2 is a polish consisting of mostly oils with minimal abrasive qualities. In the order of least abrasive cleaner to most DC#1 is the least, followed by Body Scrub A10, then Medallion Paint Cleaner #97, and finally Scratch-X.



DC#1 and #2 definitely do not do the work of Scratch-X. If I'm trying to remove paint transfer, a bird dropping stain or other environmental contamination I will first try DC#1. If it fails, I'll move to Scratch-X. Many times Scratch-X will remove in 10 seconds of rubbing that DC#1 will not remove in 2 minutes. Just my experience in the field and from what I read on Meg's site. http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/
 
Don't worry, I don't take disagreement with my views as picking a fight. :D I'm happy for anyone to express their knowledge and experiences freely. That's what Autopia is all about, as is MOL, which I also visit regularly.



I should've been more clear in my post. Let me see if I can clarify. When I said ScratchX combines DC 1&2, I didn't mean it achieved exactly the same results in the same way. ScratchX is far more aggressive than DC 1, as you stated.



What I meant is that since DC 1 is a cleaner and DC 2 is a glaze, ScratchX is likewise a cleaner (a very abrasive one) and a glaze in one.



I was simply responding to your first suggestion to preceed ScratchX with DC 1, with my suggestion that since both are cleaners it would be a duplication of the cleaning step - especially since you'll be following a mild cleaner (DC 1) with an aggressive cleaner (ScratchX).



It was also a response to your second suggestion to follow ScratchX with a glaze, with my suggestion that ScratchX is rich in polishing oils and fillers (a glaze) and to use a glaze is, again, a duplication of the task.



You were right in saying that "DC#1 and #2 definitely do not do the work of Scratch-X". ScratchX does more IMHO.



In essence, I wasn't saying your suggestion was wrong, just a duplication of the same tasks - which one can do if one feels it'll produce better results.



I apologize if I seemed contrary. :bigups
 
No apologies needed, I didn't want to come across as a know-it-all a**. I've seen lots of posts where folks do a whole car with Scratch-X by hand - it works, but slowly. I find that doing a whole car with DC#1 with my PC is pretty quick and eliminates a fair bit of things that I would otherwise go back by hand and remove with Scratch-X.



Using the principle of using the least aggressive product first is why I use DC#1, touch up spots as needed with Scratch-X and then DC#2 over the whole car before my LSP.



Back to Malachi's thread, don't be afraid to try different products and vary techniques to suit your own needs, there is no one right way to do all this, but hundreds of very good ways. Some stuff works, others do not - I have a whole shelf of partially used products reserved for this purpose. Well, time to go outside and put another coat of Eagle One Wet Polish and Wax on the kid's playground slide...
 
Meg's ColorX would do nicely, though probably not needed after ScratchX (as Alfisti and Louie said). It is a good chemical pre-wax cleaner and leaves a bit of polymer protection.
 
Alfisti said:
Any of the prewax cleaners you've mentioned are fine before your wax. If you use ScratchX, you won't need a prewax cleaner as the ScratchX has just cleaned and polished the surface. If you follow with a cleaner, you'll remove the glaze ScratchX leaves behind.
Click to expand...

I like the fact that Scratch X is a cleaner and a polish in one, but is it safe to use on clear coat a couple of times a year or will it remove too much clear coat?



I'm basically looking for something to use every so often under Collinite 476s to clean and remove scratches and swirl marks but I don't have the time or desire to do multi-steps on my vehicle which is mainly used for work not for show.



I'm looking to keep it's paint protected and in good shape. Therefore, two steps for me would be ideal, say twice a year, but mainly I'm planning to use only Collinite and every so often when needed, clay and polish.



So would Scratch X be the best product to use in my situation? If so, I'm thinking about doing the following procedure (keep in mind nice "work" truck not nice "show" truck):



(Twice a year)

1. Wash vehicle

2. Clay

3. Scratch X

4. Collinite



(To maintain finish in between)

1. Wash vehicle

2. Collinite (if needed)
 
Malachi71 said:
I like the fact that Scratch X is a cleaner and a polish in one, but is it safe to use on clear coat a couple of times a year or will it remove too much clear coat?



I'm basically looking for something to use every so often under Collinite 476s to clean and remove scratches and swirl marks but I don't have the time or desire to do multi-steps on my vehicle which is mainly used for work not for show.



I'm looking to keep it's paint protected and in good shape. Therefore, two steps for me would be ideal, say twice a year, but mainly I'm planning to use only Collinite and every so often when needed, clay and polish.



So would Scratch X be the best product to use in my situation? If so, I'm thinking about doing the following procedure (keep in mind nice "work" truck not nice "show" truck):



(Twice a year)

1. Wash vehicle

2. Clay

3. Scratch X

4. Collinite



(To maintain finish in between)

1. Wash vehicle

2. Collinite (if needed)
Click to expand...

Isn't ScratchX a little aggressive to use as a regular "cleaner/polish?" Wouldn't AIO be a better choice? Maybe followed by SG or Collinite?
 
Another vote for ColorX here. It's more of a chemical cleaner and polish than ScratchX but it will lay down some protection and a nice base to whatever LSP. It's comparable to AIO except the price.

Won't correct any major defects but that's what ScratchX is for. It's a lot of work to apply ScratchX over an entire car so just use it for the spots it's needed and then go over the car with ColorX which will correct up light swirls and defects.
 
Mad iX said:
Another vote for ColorX here. It's more of a chemical cleaner and polish than ScratchX but it will lay down some protection and a nice base to whatever LSP. It's comparable to AIO except the price.

Won't correct any major defects but that's what ScratchX is for. It's a lot of work to apply ScratchX over an entire car so just use it for the spots it's needed and then go over the car with ColorX which will correct up light swirls and defects.
Click to expand...



So you are saying ColorX and AIO function about the same in that they both clean, remove light swirls, and add protection?



If I were to buy ColorX and use it before Collinite, would that be considered a quality two step?



Would I need to use any other products before, during, or after application of these two?
 
Malachi71 said:
So you are saying ColorX and AIO function about the same in that they both clean, remove light swirls, and add protection?



If I were to buy ColorX and use it before Collinite, would that be considered a quality two step?



Would I need to use any other products before, during, or after application of these two?
Click to expand...



Yes, ColorX and AIO are interchangable, but neither will really put a dent into swirls. ScratchX could be your spot scratch/swirl removing polish and ColorX would be a chemical cleaner that could be used more often. ColorX+Collinite sounds good to me!
 
I'm no expert, but from what I read there probably needs to be a 3 or 4-step process:



1. Wash well

2. Clay w/ lubercant like Quick Detail--unless the finish is perfectly smooth already

3. Cleaner/polish like AIO, etc.

4. Wax or sealant like Collinit or SG



I maintain my car's fininish between washings by using a Quick Detail product



This stuff is more of a personal choice than it is any kind of science, so try a few things and see how you like them.
 
ramp said:
I'm no expert, but from what I read there probably needs to be a 3 or 4-step process:



1. Wash well

2. Clay w/ lubercant like Quick Detail--unless the finish is perfectly smooth already

3. Cleaner/polish like AIO, etc.

4. Wax or sealant like Collinit or SG



I maintain my car's fininish between washings by using a Quick Detail product



This stuff is more of a personal choice than it is any kind of science, so try a few things and see how you like them.
Click to expand...

When I say two-step process I am referring to just the two detailing products used (in this case ColorX and Collinite). On page 1 of this thread I made mention of me using the following process:



(Twice a year)

1. Wash vehicle

2. Clay

3. ColorX

4. Collinite



(To maintain finish in between)

1. Wash vehicle

2. Collinite (if needed) or WAUD



So actually there are 4 steps mentioned first.
 
Sherman8r44 said:
Yes, ColorX and AIO are interchangable, but neither will really put a dent into swirls. ScratchX could be your spot scratch/swirl removing polish and ColorX would be a chemical cleaner that could be used more often. ColorX+Collinite sounds good to me!
Click to expand...

I'm not sure how often I will need to rewax with Collinite. I've read here that some have gotten 4 months or better with Collinite before needing to wax again.



When the time comes to wax again, should I use ColorX to remove the Collinite before reapplying it or should I use something else to remove the wax, like Dawn and skip the ColorX?



Does Collinite need something under it?
 
Malachi71 said:
I'm not sure how often I will need to rewax with Collinite. I've read here that some have gotten 4 months or better with Collinite before needing to wax again.



When the time comes to wax again, should I use ColorX to remove the Collinite before reapplying it or should I use something else to remove the wax, like Dawn and skip the ColorX?



Does Collinite need something under it?
Click to expand...



Dawn will tickle the Collinite. :har: It won't strip it.



Paint cleaner all the way.
 
sorry for bringing this back from the dead, but i was trying to learn more about polishes and prewax cleaners tonight, and have a few Q's. can chemical cleaners like aio be used often enough that it wouldnt harm the clear coat or paint? like used pretty much monthly? polishes can be used as cleaners as well, in the sense that it can remove old wax/sealants and other crud, but it will thin the clear coat and or paint right? so i should use chemical cleaners instead to keep the clear coat and paint intact.



is dc#1 a strong enough cleaner to prep the car for a full scale detail? the car has been ignored for more than a year, and hasnt been waxed for a long time. i would like to get aio, but i doubt it would get to me before the end of this week.
 
If you have a Harley Davidson nearby they sell S100 SEPC (assuming you are using a PC). :)



I don't know how it would work w/ Collinite, ColorX or ScratchX though. Just thought I'd mention it to give you another option.



Good luck.



Peace.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top