Should I be getting a better shine than this

[BrentTaylor]

Its a new car. And with the advice of the very helpful people on this board. I washed it with NXT and used the NXT Quick Detailer. What should I do next to get an even better shine? Should it be Clayed? Or Speed Glazed?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Should I be getting a better shine than this

Looks pretty dang shiny to me!!

I don't see any swirl marks but then your angles are such that they'd probably not show in these pictures even if they existed. But all you did was wash and quick detail it? You need wax on it, and fast!! Don't start your new cars life without proper protection from the elements, and that only comes from wax and/or sealant. The NXT Tech Wax is great stuff (it's actually a sealant but the terms wax & sealant are practically interchangeable these days!) Adding two nice, thin coats of NXT Tech Wax will bring that shine up a notch.

As for claying and/or speed glaze (polishing) that's something only you can determine. I will say this though: almost all new cars have either been transported by rail or truck and have spent some time sitting on a dealer lot. That means rail dust, road grime and other fallout that can bond to the paint. A clay bar is what you use to remove these bonded contaminants. Rub your clean hand over a clean surface on the car - it should feel as smooth as a mirror, literally. If not you need to clay.

Swirls and other below surface defects are removed by polishing with something like M80 Speed Glaze. It's a tough proposition to do this by hand, and your new car may or may not need it. Again, that's up to you to determine with a close inspection.

But these first two steps, claying and polishing, lay the foundation for the wax and ultimately determine the gloss. I'd say for your first go-round you've done a great job (wax that car NOW though, don't wait!!).

[JoesSHO]

Re: Should I be getting a better shine than this

Well, there is some orange peel, so you won't get full shine, but aside from wetsanding it, you won't get rid of that. I think if you detail well, claybar, maybe throw a polish on first, then NXT wax- instead of detailer, you may see a bit more shine. But that's just my opinion... Black... MMMMM...

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Should I be getting a better shine than this

Just to note...

after you add a picture... hit the enter key once or twice to force the next picture below it.

[Murr1525]

Re: Should I be getting a better shine than this

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle

Step 1 Wash

Step 2 Clean

Step 3 Polish

Step 4 Protect

Step 5 Maintain

Suggested Products for Taking Care of a New Car

[BrentTaylor]

Re: Should I be getting a better shine than this

Here are a couple of better pics. You said NXT Tech Wax should do it?

[kellyinkc]

Re: Should I be getting a better shine than this

Looks shiny to me!! Might try some # 7 Show car polish to add some zing.

[JG_Detailing]

Re: Should I be getting a better shine than this

That shine looks great! Here is the shine on my car. I used NXT wash and Quik Wax. The car already has a good wax base on it but I like to touch it up with a boost of Quik Wax. The wax I used on the car is Gold Class. It gives the car a great shine.




Here is my girlfriends car with the GC on it to.

[acsuppa]

Re: Should I be getting a better shine than this

I agree that it looks good. Also, a coat of #7 and either NXT Wax or Maybe #26 or even Gold Class make that black paint pop. There's nothing like a well polished black vehicel.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Should I be getting a better shine than this

Here are a couple of better pics. You said NXT Tech Wax should do it?

In all honesty, whether or not you even see a difference when adding NXT Tech Wax or not, you need to wax the car to protect the paint. Period. Others have commented on using #7 or #26, and both are great products. But you must keep in mind that #7 is a pure polish and as such does nothing more than add beauty. It offers no protection whatsoever and will wash off rather quickly. It's an optional, somewhat specialty product. Nothing at all wrong with that (I use it too) but you need to be aware of it. #26 is a carnauba wax and can be substituted for the NXT if you prefer the look of carnauba to a synthetic. Or go real crazy and apply the NXT, let it haze and buff it off, and then add a coat of #26!!

Either way you go, and I know I sound like a broken record, it's important that you wax the car!!