Advice on polishing & waxing

[mk2r32]

Hi guys, i used to use the Meguiars Gold Class Wax, then moved on to the NXT 2.0, both were good.

I started to use the the Meguiars Deep Crystal Polish and then apply Meguiars No26 Hi-Tech Wax, i found using the 2 stages the finish and last to be a lot better then the Gold and NXT.

Should i stick with these 2 products or is there any other products for the Polish and Wax that i should use/you recommend that are better...?

[sleepy]

Re: Advice on polishing & waxing

Hi guys, i used to use the Meguiars Gold Class Wax, then moved on to the NXT 2.0, both were good.

I started to use the the Meguiars Deep Crystal Polish and then apply Meguiars No26 Hi-Tech Wax, i found using the 2 stages the finish and last to be a lot better then the Gold and NXT.

Should i stick with these 2 products or is there any other products for the Polish and Wax that i should use/you recommend that are better...?

On here you will find that a lot of people will give you different answers and they are all good ones. It depends on what color of car you have and how old your car is. I have a white '99 caddi, that putting a polish on really does nothing for it, in my opinion. But I also have a '64 belair that is a single stage that using #7 polish and gold class wax does a great job, and it lasts for several weeks because it does not get out much. I also have a '08 Taurus that I use #7 polish with NXT2 I really like the pop it has. I will this spring be buying some #26 wax which is almost pure Carnuba on top of NXT2 to see how it comes out. If it does come out like people on here says it will, then I will be using that combination on my customers cars as well. Remember the beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Hope this helps out some.

Just my 2 cents.

[Murr1525]

Re: Advice on polishing & waxing

I would look at something like this as well:

1. Wash
2. Clay - Smooth Surface Clay Kit
3. Clean - SwirlX
4. Polish - Optional, but can still use DC Polish
5. Wax - Nxt 2.0

Or:

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. ColorX
4. Wax - Nxt 2.0

[searle]

Re: Advice on polishing & waxing

...I started to use the the Meguiars Deep Crystal Polish and then apply Meguiars No26 Hi-Tech Wax, i found using the 2 stages the finish and last to be a lot better then the Gold and NXT...

One interesting thing many folks are not aware of is that Meguiars polish/glaze is not just for increasing that wet-look depth, but Meguiars polish/glaze also helps with the bonding of subsequent wax. This may help explain longer lasting wax after polish/glaze than if the wax alone is used.

I and many others like the polish/glaze on dark or red cars, and like the Carnuba (especially #26) as the top wax. That said, many of us do the polish and then insert a synthetic sealant (NXT) to seal it in and provide durability, and THEN top with the carnuba.

Professional #07 showcar glaze is extremely similar to consumer DeepCrystal-2 (both are "pure-polish"), same as Professional #26 Carnuba is extremely similar to consumer DeepCrystal-3 (both are "pure-carnuba", although that does not mean exactly like it sounds). Many of the other Meguiars carnuba waxes (CG, ColorX, etc) contain, by design, more than just wax (some polish, and/or some cleaner, etc ...)

Dont forget that the most wonderful shine require great preparation in addition to good wax, so as others have said be sure to do a good wash+clay+cleaner first, at least two times per year. Every 1-2 months you can get away with just a re-wax.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Advice on polishing & waxing

As sleepy alludes to, you'll get as many different opinions as there are waxes from which to choose. Many hear swear by NXT, others prefer Gold Class. What you've discovered by using a dedicated pure polish and premium carnauba based wax is a new preference..... for you.

You did not mention any sort of prep work prior to the application of the polish and wax, and Murr points out both claying and paint cleaning. These two vital steps will remove bonded contaminants (claying) and below surface defects such as fine swirls, etching, stains, etc (paint cleaner). This prep work will reveal the true beauty and depth of the paint, and then your application of a pure polish and wax will only enhance that further. Not to mention the fact that they will be easier to apply and last longer as well.

That's probably the missing piece to your puzzle.

[mk2r32]

Re: Advice on polishing & waxing

Great help thanx for that guys.

Yes i do use the clay 2-3 times a year, ive got a Mk2 VW Golf in Oak Green. I myself would say the car is in mint condition, it came 2nd in the show&shine competion at GTi International, i bin told europes biggest VW show.

The car is metalic, so its got laquer on it. Do i still need to/would you recommend that i need to use a paint cleaner on it after the clay (as its got laquer on it i didnt think so, so didnt use it)...? If so which one?

I was told the Gold Class and NXT was a mixture of polish and wax, thats why i decided to go for the 2 individual stages of Deep Crystal Polish and #26 Wax... I was under the assumption that the DC Polish is for the shine and the #26 Wax is the sealent? Is this correct?

[sleepy]

Re: Advice on polishing & waxing

Great help thanx for that guys.

Yes i do use the clay 2-3 times a year, ive got a Mk2 VW Golf in Oak Green. I myself would say the car is in mint condition, it came 2nd in the show&shine competion at GTi International, i bin told europes biggest VW show.

The car is metalic, so its got laquer on it. Do i still need to/would you recommend that i need to use a paint cleaner on it after the clay (as its got laquer on it i didnt think so, so didnt use it)...? If so which one?

I was told the Gold Class and NXT was a mixture of polish and wax, thats why i decided to go for the 2 individual stages of Deep Crystal Polish and #26 Wax... I was under the assumption that the DC Polish is for the shine and the #26 Wax is the sealent? Is this correct?

Congrads by the way on winning 2nd, would really like to see some pictures of your car. Both DC polish and #26 wax will give you some great shine. DC is just that a polish while #26 wax is almost pure carnuba, which, appears I have only seen it on some awesome looking cars on here, to work very well on dark colored cars. #26 is a wax so it seals also.

[sleepy]

Re: Advice on polishing & waxing

The car is metalic, so its got laquer on it. Do i still need to/would you recommend that i need to use a paint cleaner on it after the clay (as its got laquer on it i didnt think so, so didnt use it)...? If so which one?

Sorry, did not answer the first part of your question. Yes using a lite cleaner is a good recommendation. Something like 205 or M80 which is a light paint cleaner, one maybe twice a year is recommended. ColorX like Murr said also another good option. As Searle said as a final option by putting NXT2 on and then # 26 wax on is a very popular option on here. Your #26 wax will not last as long as your NXT2 wax, but if you are like me, I do not mind waxing my car everytime I can.

[mk2r32]

Re: Advice on polishing & waxing

May sound silly but 'IF' the NXT is a polish and wax in 1, (although i prefer, now, using the DC and #26), whats the point of using DC before and the #26 after...? If itl make my finish look and shine alot better then i definatly dont mind doin it...

Whats is the 205 and M80?
And which one is most recommended out of the 205, M80, ColorX, SwirlX, ScratchX, Ultimate Compound, DC Paint Cleaner, Cleaner Wax etc... as a cleaner?

p.s everything is done by hand, not yet invested in the G220 as i dont think itl benefit me much just yet

[mk2r32]

Re: Advice on polishing & waxing

Congrads by the way on winning 2nd, would really like to see some pictures of your car.

thanx, loads of people bin askin me to upload pix on different forums, will defo get pix up, just waitin for my BIG ICE instal to finish it all off...

[Murr1525]

Re: Advice on polishing & waxing

May sound silly but 'IF' the NXT is a polish and wax in 1, (although i prefer, now, using the DC and #26), whats the point of using DC before and the #26 after...? If itl make my finish look and shine alot better then i definatly dont mind doin it...

The Nxt wax has some polishing oils in it, but a product that is a pure polish will of course have more, and so can give you a nicer look, esp on older paint or darker colors.

In the steps I mentioned before, you can certainly use any wax you choose, not just Nxt 2.0.

Some people like the look of 2 coats of one wax, others like the look of say a carnuba over a synthetic wax. All up to you, nothing wrong either way, just try a panel of each and see if you notice anything.

Whats is the 205 and M80?
And which one is most recommended out of the 205, M80, ColorX, SwirlX, ScratchX, Ultimate Compound, DC Paint Cleaner, Cleaner Wax etc... as a cleaner?

#80 and #205 are cleaner/polishes, as is SwirlX. All of those are about the same strength. ScratcHX and UC would be stronger, for removing scratches, swirls, etc. Hopefully wont need those.

Since you mentioned working by hand, I would look at SwirlX and ColorX, as I listed before. The ColorX is a cleaner/wax, so it contains cleaner, polishing oils, and wax. It will be a bit milder than the SwirlX, but makes for a nice quick detail, cutting out some steps.

Then SwirlX will be a little stronger (of course it depends on how strongly you work the product in, it will be milder if you work it in mildly), and contains cleaner and polishing oils. Using the DC Polish after would be optional, but could add some extra good looks, just something to try as well.

But if you have those two products, you can do a 'full detail' or a 'quick detail', whichever you feel like.

[sleepy]

Re: Advice on polishing & waxing

May sound silly but 'IF' the NXT is a polish and wax in 1, (although i prefer, now, using the DC and #26), whats the point of using DC before and the #26 after...? If itl make my finish look and shine alot better then i definatly dont mind doin it...

Whats is the 205 and M80?
And which one is most recommended out of the 205, M80, ColorX, SwirlX, ScratchX, Ultimate Compound, DC Paint Cleaner, Cleaner Wax etc... as a cleaner?

p.s everything is done by hand, not yet invested in the G220 as i dont think itl benefit me much just yet

NXT2 is not a polish it is strictly a wax, nor does it have any cutting ability. 205 has SMAT technology which works well on clearcoats it also is the newer version of M80. Both are a cleaner polish. Both are very easy to apply by hand. Meaning they have some "cutting" abilities or cleaning the paint abilities. Both are very lite in their cleaning abilities versus say Ultimate Compund which has quite a bit of cutting abilities. I know there is a thread that talks about which of Meg's products have more or less cutting abilities. I coppied the thread for personal use but can not find it.

The Cleaner Wax is just that a cleaner and a wax. When you buy a Meg's clay bar kit you get a bottle of cleaner wax in it. It is a good product but if you have used 205 or ColorX, you could use the cleaner wax if you wanted to, but since you have found the polish and wax that works it may be a wast of time. Lots of information on this website, and a lot of really good people to help you out if you get stuck. Good luck!

[sleepy]

Re: Advice on polishing & waxing

Murr, I was posting the same time you were. That is why our answers look somewhat the same.

[mk2r32]

Re: Advice on polishing & waxing

Only reason im asking about the 'cleaner' is because it was mentioned before, as i have never used it, if it means using it a few times along with the clay, then i will give it a go if itl make the finish look better...

As this is a first for me using the cleaner, which is recommended/has more 'cleaner' in it - the ColorX or SwirlX? Should i consider the #80/#205 as it says can be used by hand and the DC Paint Cleaner or stick with the Color/Swirl?

so if i was to sum it up by...

1. wash
2. clay
3. ColorX/SwirlX
4. DC Polish
5. #26 Wax

would this be ok...? or do i need to add or take a stage out...?

[Murr1525]

Re: Advice on polishing & waxing

Murr, I was posting the same time you were. That is why our answers look somewhat the same.

I assumed you were copying....