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Meguiars Detail Center - What to do?

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  • Meguiars Detail Center - What to do?

    I just recently got my vehicle detailed from one of the Meguiars Detail Centers. The vehicle looks great and feels great.

    I never really got a clear answer as how to maintain it. Basically I took it to the detail center so they do the detail the first time. I am now looking to do the details from here on out. The vehicle is outside 24/7 however at work it's in a covered garage unless there's not a good spot to park. I was thinking that every 2 months a clay and wax would be correct but I see there's supposed to be a polish step after the clay. I'm not too familiar with polishing. Does this require an electric buffer or can this be done by hand? I also see there are different types of polish's out there and am unsure which I would need specifically. I suppose I also have a question about the wax. I bought the NXT wax but after reading some posts on here it looks like the NXT wax is actually more of a cleaner type wax so I should be putting a professional grade or gold class wax on top of the NXT. I think I should let you all know that the vehicle is also brand new so the paint is perfect especially now that it's got it's first detail.


    Weekly wash's consist of GC shampoo, nxt glass cleaner, hot rims wheel cleaner and hotshine on the tires. Truck always looks great after washing. I think my wash's are ok unless someone thinks I should be utilizing the professional grade wash's. This is really the first time I'll be doing the details on my own since I've always given others money to detail my vehicle.



    So that's it for my first post, there's so much info on this site I'm just trying to take it all in through searches. TIA!!!
    I like to gather information.

  • #2
    Hi Herb,

    As this is your first post, Welcome to Meguiar's Online!



    Originally posted by herb
    I just recently got my vehicle detailed from one of the Meguiar's Detail Centers. The vehicle looks great and feels great.

    I never really got a clear answer as how to maintain it. Basically I took it to the detail center so they do the detail the first time. I am now looking to do the details from here on out. The vehicle is outside 24/7 however at work it's in a covered garage unless there's not a good spot to park.


    I was thinking that every 2 months a clay and wax would be correct but I see there's supposed to be a polish step after the clay.
    While you can clay as often as you like, instead of going by a time schedule, what Meguiar's teaches is to evaluate the condition of the finish and let the results of your evaluation be your guide.

    In your scenario, you would wash your car and then draw the palm of your clean hand, as well as your finger tips over the horizontal surfaces and feel for little bumps on the surface. If you can feel little tiny bumps on the surface that washing did not remove, then you need to clay your car, if you cannot feel anything on the surface and your paint feels as smooth as brand new glass, then you don't' have above surface bonded contaminants and you don't need to clay your car.


    I'm not too familiar with polishing. Does this require an electric buffer or can this be done by hand?
    The answer is both. Meguiar's offers polishes that produce stellar results either way.

    I also see there are different types of polishes out there and am unsure which I would need specifically.
    From our FAQ, scan down to Step 3 Polishing...


    ~~~~~~~~~~~

    Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle
    (Posted in the The Information Station)

    What's the difference between polish and wax?
    (Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle)

    There is a lot of confusion about the difference between a polish, and a wax. Many companies are marketing waxes and paint protectants as polishes and glazes and the terms have become almost interchangeable.

    Professionals know there is a big difference.

    Meguiar's is a true polish manufacture. That is, unlike many of our competitors that can only offer you a few products for cars with cured paint, Meguiar's product range runs from the highest quality finishing papers in the industry, to state-of-the-art pure synthetic paint protectants, to everything in-between.

    Example: Most companies only offer the following products:

    * Car wash
    * Pre-wax cleaner
    * One or two waxes (usually some type of natural wax or polymer/silicone synthetic protectant)
    * Multi-surface vinyl protectant

    And sometimes one or more of the following:

    * Some type of wheel cleaner, leather treatment, or tire dressing.


    Because they offer such a limited selection, and often times don't even manufacture the products themselves, they really have no expertise when it comes to formulating complex products that professionals require as an intricate part of performing their job duties as skilled craftsman. This is why frequently you will see a product whose purpose is to protect the paint labeled as a polish.

    Instead of merely defining the difference between a polish and a wax, below you will find the Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle and the products and procedures for each of the 5 steps.

    Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle


    The 5-step paint care cycle outlines the 5 basic but important procedures and the accompanying products that enable you to restore and maintain a show car shine on your car's finish.

    Below are the 5 categories of products including pure polishes and cleaner/polishes as they are placed in the 5-step paint care cycle.

    The 5-Step Paint Care Cycle includes:

    Step-1 Washing


    Washing removes loose surface dirt and loose contaminants that have not yet bonded to the surface. All Meguiar's wash products are specially formulated to clean well without stripping wax protection or dulling and drying out all paint types. All Meguiar's washes also contain special conditioning agents that leave behind a slick, high gloss surface.

    Because most people wash their car more than any other procedure, it's important to use a car wash solution that is specifically formulated for the unique chemistry used to make modern clear coats. Above all, avoid using common dish washing detergents because these products are extremely harsh and tend to dull the finish down with each use. Dish soaps are also hard on other materials and components such as rubber, vinyl and plastics, remember, when you wash your car with dish soap everything is subjected to the dulling and drying effects high alkaline soaps cause to your vehicle.



    Step-2 Cleaning or Surface Prep


    Surface Prep includes both paint cleaning (not to be confused with the washing step), and claying the finish (with a clay bar). To help you accomplish these two steps, Meguiar's offers a number of safe but effective paint cleaners and an easy to use clay bar kit that includes everything you need to clay your car's finish.

    Paint Cleaners
    This includes highly specialized Compounds and Paint Cleaners, which utilize both microscopic and macroscopic diminishing abrasives? technology. Meguiar's has pioneered and led the industry in diminishing abrasive technology since 1901. Over the course of these many years, Meguiar's has developed more formulas than any other company for performing the delicate procedure of removing a defect in the paint, while at the same time, removing as little paint as humanly possible during the process.

    Meguiar's diminishing abrasive technology is one of Meguiar's most guarded secrets that is so highly sought after by our competitors and which completely separates us from the rest of the competition when you look at the results with your own two eyes. Our abrasive products, correctly used, leave the surface looking as though it were just polished, not as though it were just scoured with a compounded.

    Out of all the procedures in the 5-step paint care cycle, cleaning is the most important procedure because the results from your cleaning step will determine the end result for the polishing and protecting steps.

    "A surface won't go clear until it comes clean"

    It is vitally important that all bonded contaminants, surface imperfections, oxidation, pore-embedding stains, and built-up road grime, etc. first be removed in order to bring the finish to it's highest potential for clarity, gloss, depth and shine.

    Applying a wax, whether it's synthetic, natural or a blend of both, to a neglected surface that has not been properly cleaned and then polished, will merely act to seal or lock the contaminants to the finish, and will do nothing to improve, or remove the other defects and in most cases will only marginally improve gloss, shine and reflectivity.


    Clay Bar Technology
    Clay bar technology evolved as a natural reaction to the need that arose for a way to safely remove bonded contaminants from clear coat paints without resorting to traditional rubbing or polishing compounds and the resulting scratches caused by the sharp, hard abrasive typically used in these formulas.

    In the old days, if you found overspray or any type of unwanted substance on the hood, roof or deck lid of your car that washing didn't remove, you could simply go to the garage and grab any old compound, and together with a rag, you could quickly remove the offending contaminants. After that you could simply apply just about any companies wax and presto-chango, the problem was gone.

    Not so simple anymore.

    If your were to perform that same procedure to a modern clear coat today, you would see a horrible looking scratched-up mess everywhere you applied the compound, and the wax would do nothing to cover the scratches up.


    Enter the Clay bar
    Clay bars are non-abrasive bars of synthetic clay called Polyclay. They are somewhat like a high-tech version of Play-Doh?. They work in three easy steps:

    1) - First you mold the clay bar into a pancake-looking flat wafer
    2) - Second you lubricate the finish with a spray lubricant like Meguiar's Quik Detailer
    3) - Third you then rub the clay bar back and forth across the paint (somewhat like a bar of soap against your arm)

    That's it! You are now claying your car's finish. As you're doing this, the clay bar will grab onto, lift, and pullout the contaminants that have bonded to the surface of your finish.

    Generally speaking for most cars, only the horizontal surfaces need to be clayed, as it is the horizontal surfaces that contaminants tend to land on and if not removed within a reasonable period of time will then bond tightly to the surface. For extremely neglected vehicles, you can always evaluate the vertical surfaces and if need be, clay them too.

    One important thing to keep in mind, if a vehicle's finish has bonded contaminants, it is highly likely that it also has below surface defects, for example, pore-embedding stains. For this reason, Meguiar's recommends for best possible results, always use a paint cleaner after claying to insure the finish is clean both on top of the surface as well as below the surface.



    Step-3 Polishing



    Meguiar's offers two types of polishes, Cleaner Polishes and Pure Polishes. Cleaner Polishes are for removing very light or fine defects while restoring a crystal clear, smooth high gloss surface. Pure polishes are for finishes already in excellent condition and are for the purpose or creating brilliant high gloss with deep dark reflections.

    If you look in Webster's Dictionary under the word polish, one of the definitions they include reads like this:

    "A preparation that is used to produce gloss, and often color for the protection and decoration of a surface."

    This definition best describes Meguiar's Pure Polishes. Meguiar's pure polishes are designed to create brilliant high gloss while preparing the surface for the application of a protective coating. Meguiar's pure polishes accomplish this without the use of abrasives.


    Another definition found in Webster's Dictionary for polish is,

    "To make smooth and glossy by friction."

    This definition best describes Meguiar's Cleaner/Polishes. Meguiar's cleaner polishes are formulated to very gently abrade the surface with Meguiar's Diminishing Abrasive TM and Buffered Abrasive TM technology to remove the finest defects and create a perfectly smooth, high gloss finish.

    Depending on what type of paint you're working on, traditional paints like lacquers and enamels, or catalyzed clear coats, Meguiar's has the products specifically designed to work on both types of paints, not to mention many other surfaces such as plastics and polyester resins (Fiberglas Gel-coats).


    Meguiar's Trade Secret Polishing Oils
    The trade secret oils Meguiar's uses in both types of polishes are unique to the industry and to this day have never been surpassed for creating deep, dark reflections and brilliant high gloss by any of our competitors in over 100 years.

    The oils Meguiar's uses are also important in maintaining the original condition of the paint by filling in the naturally occurring microscopic pores and surface imperfections thus preventing detrimental substances and elements as simple as water, or worse, acid-rain, from entering into these pores and microscopic surface imperfections thus causing oxidation and chemical etching. These oils act to replace the original resins as they wear away through natural processes.

    When paint is new, it is the most impermeable it will ever be, this means it is a very smooth non-porous, continuous film. With age, exposure to the environment and micro-scratching caused by day-in, day-out wear and tear, your paint develops micro-fissures in the surface along with other defects. These micro-fissures and other defects act to make the continuous film or coating of paint more porous. As this happens, your car's finish becomes more vulnerable to corrosive elements that will attack and degrade your finish.


    Remember, waxes, synthetic or otherwise, are meant to be Sacrificial Barriers with the intended purpose sealing the surface, while blocking those things that would attack your paint, from coming into direct contact with the paint.

    "Waxes protect your finish by sacrificing themselves so that your paint doesn't have to"

    An analogy is your skin. In the same way you can clean, polish and protect your skin, you can clean, polish and protect your car's finish. Soap can be used to clean your skin and remove dirt from the pores. Skin lotions can be used to moisturize your skin, conditioning it and making it more clear and beautiful. Protection products like lotions used to protect hands from exposure to chemicals and UV protectants can be applied to help protect your skin from the things that would attack your skin if these harmful things could come into direct contact with your skin.

    While human skin and automotive paint are very different, the analogy is very similar. With Meguiar's, you can:

    * Wash your car's finish to remove unwanted and accumulated dirt contaminants
    * Clean your paint with our special paint cleaners and cleaner/polishes
    * Polish your paint with our pure polishes to create unequaled beauty
    * Protect your paint with our advanced paint protection products
    * Maintain your car's finish using our fast and easy to use maintenance products.


    The unique thing about Meguiar's highly specialized trade secret oils is their ability to restore and maintain the Optical Clarity of both single stage and clear coat paints in a way that waxes alone cannot match, (both natural and synthetic), the results of which are demonstrated in side-by-side comparisons.


    Step-4 Protecting


    Paint protection products (waxes by any other name), whether they are based on natural ingredients or synthetic ingredients (or a blend of both) provide a protective film, or Sacrificial Barrier (as mentioned above) against Mother Nature and other detrimental or corrosive substances. Without this sacrificial barrier, your finish is susceptible to attack at any time, as harmful or corrosive substances come into direct contact with the surface.

    This brings up the topic of Water Beading. While most people use the visual indicator of water beading on the surface to mean their finish is protected... it is actually only an indicator of High Surface Tension.

    High Surface Tension does not automatically mean the coating that has been applied is actually providing any real or meaningful protective characteristics.

    Meguiar's R & D department has decades of expertise in creating the most advanced polymer-based formula's made from state-of-the-art engineered synthetic polymers, which are able to evenly cross-link very tightly to the surface and offer real protection on a multitude of surfaces against a multitude of attacks. Our products can also achieve optimal cross-linking within 15 to 20 minutes after application allowing the excess product to be removed shortly thereafter.

    Some of Meguiar's polymer-based waxes include:

    Meguiar's NXT Generation Tech Wax
    #20 Polymer Sealant
    Medallion Premium Paint Protection
    Gold Class Clear Coat Car Wax
    Meguiar's Cleaner/Wax
    Marine Flagship


    Even our Spray Waxes contain high performance, engineered synthetic polymers, as do some of our Car Wash products.

    Besides acting as sacrificial barriers to protect the underlying surface, a premium wax can also increase the visual appearance of a finish. Many of Meguiar's waxes will not only provide better protection than the competition, but will also:

    * Increase optical clarity and distinction of image (D.O.I.)
    * Enhance and increase the reflective characteristics of medium to dark color finishes
    * Add shine and slickness
    * Create wet-looking gloss
    * Fill-in and hide swirls and scratches
    * Provide the most UV protection available
    * Offer water sheeting action, or water beading action (depending on the wax)


    Choosing the right wax for your finish and your unique circumstances is something our Surface Care Experts would love to help you determine. Just call our Customer Care Hotline and talk to a knowledgeable technician to help you make the right choice.



    Step-5 Maintaining


    Maintenance products, like our Quik Detailer, and our Quik Wax, allow you quickly clean your car and restore that just waxed look in just a matter of minutes... practically anywhere.



    Meguiar's Quik Detailer removes fresh contaminants before they have a chance to bond or etch into the surface.

    Meguiar's Quik Wax quickly and easily boosts your already existing wax protection while turning your finish dramatically darker and increasing shine and gloss.



    Meguiar's actually invented the concept of a mist and wipe product for consumers back in the early-80's with the introduction of their mist & wipe product called "Trigger Wash"

    As leaders and experts in the surface care industry, we have a history of creating new products, such as mist & wipe products like our Quik Detailer and M-34 Final Inspection to help our customers maintain and beautify their vehicles.

    In keeping with that history, we have just introduced a brand new spray wax that produces similar results as Meguiar's Quik Wax. It's actually a part of Meguiar's NXT Generation line of products based upon Meguiar's ESP Technology (Engineered Synthetic Polymers) and is a companion product to Meguiar's new NXT Tech Wax it's called NXT Spray Wax.






    Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle clearly demonstrates there are 5 basic steps to professional and intelligent car care.

    Using the correct Meguiar's products and the right technique, you can remove scratches and swirls that have accumulated from years of neglect to successfully restore a flawless, show car finish as demonstrated here on a 1991 BMW E34 M5. The left side is untouched, while the right side has been professionally restored using all Meguiar's products.




    The 5-Step Paint Care Cycle enables you to understand exactly what a product is not just by the name on the label, but by the results the product accomplishes according to the 5 different groups of procedures outlined in the 5-Step Paint Care Cycle.

    If a product is labeled a polish, but in fact is used to protect the paint, then you know it's a wax or a paint protectant and not an actual polish in the true sense of the definition of the word.

    Here at Meguiar's we manufacture some very complex products, of which polishes and waxes are only a small portion of our complete line.

    ~~~~~~~~~

    I suppose I also have a question about the wax. I bought the NXT wax but after reading some posts on here it looks like the NXT wax is actually more of a cleaner type wax so I should be putting a professional grade or gold class wax on top of the NXT. I think I should let you all know that the vehicle is also brand new so the paint is perfect especially now that it's got it's first detail.
    NXT Tech wax has a sleight amount of specialized cleaners in it, the amount is so small it cannot rightfully be classified a cleaner/wax and can be used where you would normally use a pure wax. If you want a wax without any cleaners at all, then Deep Crystal Carnauba Wax, or M26 Hi Tech Yellow Wax, or M1611 Professional Paste wax are three pure wax options offered by Meguiar's

    Weekly wash's consist of GC shampoo, NXT glass cleaner, hot rims wheel cleaner and Hotshine on the tires. Truck always looks great after washing. I think my washes are ok unless someone thinks I should be utilizing the professional grade washes.
    Gold Class Car Wash is a top shelf product, you can't go wrong using this product, it will clean well, while adding gloss and slickness.

    This is really the first time I'll be doing the details on my own since I've always given others money to detail my vehicle. So that's it for my first post, there's so much info on this site I'm just trying to take it all in through searches. TIA!!!
    If you follow these three guidelines,
    • *Evaluate the surface
      *Choose the right product
      *Use good technique


    You'll produce consistent, professional results you can be proud of!
    Mike Phillips
    760-515-0444
    showcargarage@gmail.com

    "Find something you like and use it often"

    Comment


    • #3
      Thank you Mike for the time to get me all of that information.


      After reading this I for sure know what steps to take now when I need to detail the truck when the time comes.

      I'm going to list the steps and products I'll be using to accomplish the detail, please anyone recommend if I should be using a different megiuars product if it looks like I should. I also do have the professional line available from purchase from where I got the truck detailed so I can use those if those are suggested.

      Now this will all be done by hand so I believe I have picked out the correct products.

      Truck is Dark Grey:

      Step 1: Wash
      Gold Class Car Wash
      Wash the truck with this as this is what I currently use.
      Rinse the truck, apply the soap wash, rinse off.

      Step 2: Clay
      Quick Clay Detailing System
      Apply more soap wash in small areas and use the clay to remove the top contaminants. Do this to the entire truck. Re-Wash the entire truck and then dry.

      Step 3: Polish
      Deep Crystal System Polish
      Apply the above polish in small areas then remove. Do this to the entire truck.

      Step 4: Wax
      NXT Generation Tech Wax
      Apply the above wax all over the truck. Let sit for 10-30 minutes depending on weather conditions then remove. Once that is complete re-wax with either Gold Class Clear Coat Wax or M26 / Hi Tech Yellow Wax Following the same steps as waxing with the tech wax.

      Step 5: Maintain
      Quik Detailer or NXT Generation Speed Detailer

      Those would be the steps and products that I would probably use unless there are some other suggestions I should go with.

      Is there a big difference between the Gold Class Clear Coat Wax and the M26? How about the Quik Detailer vs NXT Speed Detailer?

      I own all the products above except the nxt speed detailer, gold class clear coat wax and m26.

      Is there a large benefit of buying the professional grade products as opposed to the consumer aside from price / quantity?

      I forgot to ask in my original post something to use on the plastic mirrors, handles, fender wells and tires. I'm thinking that certain diluted solutions of the Hyper-Dressing would be the way to go I just don't want a greasy feeling on any of the plastic items.

      Sorry for the long reply, I'm just trying to get the steps down and make sure I'm using the correct products for my application. This kind of goes in line with "*Choose the right product"

      TIA
      I like to gather information.

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by herb
        Thank you Mike for the time to get me all of that information.
        No problem

        After reading this I for sure know what steps to take now when I need to detail the truck when the time comes.

        I'm going to list the steps and products I'll be using to accomplish the detail, please anyone recommend if I should be using a different Meguiar's product if it looks like I should. I also do have the professional line available from purchase from where I got the truck detailed so I can use those if those are suggested.

        Now this will all be done by hand so I believe I have picked out the correct products.

        Truck is Dark Grey:

        Step 1: Wash
        Gold Class Car Wash
        Wash the truck with this as this is what I currently use.
        Rinse the truck, apply the soap wash, rinse off.
        Purchase a 2-3 of these, Water Magnet Drying Towel



        Step 2: Clay
        Quick Clay Detailing System
        Apply more soap wash in small areas and use the clay to remove the top contaminants. Do this to the entire truck. Re-Wash the entire truck and then dry.
        This will work.

        Step 3: Polish
        Deep Crystal System Polish
        Apply the above polish in small areas then remove. Do this to the entire truck.
        This is perfect.

        Step 4: Wax
        NXT Generation Tech Wax
        Apply the above wax all over the truck. Let sit for 10-30 minutes depending on weather conditions then remove. Once that is complete re-wax with either Gold Class Clear Coat Wax or M26 / Hi Tech Yellow Wax Following the same steps as waxing with the tech wax.
        Either wax will leave your truck's paint looking better than new.

        Add this,

        Using Meguiar's Even Coat Applicator to apply NXT Spray Wax

        Those would be the steps and products that I would probably use unless there are some other suggestions I should go with.
        All those products and steps will produce consistent, professional results. You can experiment with different products over time, but in the end, you're going to get great results as long as you use good technique.

        Is there a big difference between the Gold Class Clear Coat Wax and the M26?
        Yes. The Gold Class Wax is a polish/wax, the M26 is a pure wax. See this thread...

        What are the differences between Meguiar's waxes?

        How about the Quik Detailer vs NXT Speed Detailer?
        Speed Detailer adds more gloss, slickness and on darker colors, more richness.

        I own all the products above except the NXT speed detailer, gold class clear coat wax and M26.

        Is there a large benefit of buying the professional grade products as opposed to the consumer aside from price / quantity?
        Yes. Professional grade products are formulated for people with higher skill levels because they tend to do detailing work for a living while most enthusiasts are weekend warriors. That's not to say an enthusiasts cannot use a product from our Professional Line and obtain professional results as they can, it's just to say that there are differences. In most cases, you will not see a visual difference between similar products in different lines, and this is a testimony to the skill and craftsmanship of our chemist here at Meguiar's, but one major difference is that the products in our Consumer Line are formulated for ease-of-use by the average person.

        In most cases, in order to know if you will like one product over another product, you will have to purchase, try and then compare and come to you own conclusions for your special set of circumstances.

        I forgot to ask in my original post something to use on the plastic mirrors, handles, fender wells and tires. I'm thinking that certain diluted solutions of the Hyper-Dressing would be the way to go I just don't want a greasy feeling on any of the plastic items.
        Hyper-Dressing is an awesome product that I think you would appreciate. You can purchase it in smaller quantities at www.autodetailingsolutions.com

        Sorry for the long reply, I'm just trying to get the steps down and make sure I'm using the correct products for my application. This kind of goes in line with "*Choose the right product"

        TIA
        No problemo
        Mike Phillips
        760-515-0444
        showcargarage@gmail.com

        "Find something you like and use it often"

        Comment


        • #5
          Just awesome, I need to get into one of those detailing clinics that you put on. You have gone to great lengths to answer my questions and it is very much appreciated. I've been on the site the whole day and I think my eye's hurt lol


          One question I forgot to ask when applying the wax and polish was side to side not circles right? or does that really matter? I haven't been able to find that through a search to a diffinitive answer.


          thanks again!!!
          Last edited by herb; Jun 9, 2005, 02:17 PM.
          I like to gather information.

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by herb
            I've been on the site the whole day and I think my eye's hurt LOL!
            I resemble that statement!

            Mike Phillips
            760-515-0444
            showcargarage@gmail.com

            "Find something you like and use it often"

            Comment


            • #7
              Circles or Straight Lines?

              Originally posted by MattN03
              I attempted a search because I'm sure this has been covered, but I couldn't find anything. When applying Speed Glaze, then DC#2, and finally NXT, how should I apply these products by hand?

              I'm using Meguiar’s foam applicators and will remove with a quality MF. How does everyone rub the products on?
              • * Do you rub in straight lines?
                * Do you rub in circle motions?


              In my younger (less educated) days, I would just put some wax on a pad & rub it on in a swirling motion, but now I'm wondering if that’s the best way to do it. I just want to improve my technique! Thanks everyone.
              Hi MattNO3,

              Thank your for your questions. Meguiar’s official response to this question is this,

              If you’re using a non-abrasive product with a high quality, clean, soft foam applicator pad, and you’re working on a clean surface, then it shouldn't’t matter which direction you move the applicator pad over the finish because nothing you’re using will be instilling any scratches or swirls into the finish.

              The above being true, then some panels lend themselves better to straight line motions, while other panels lend themselves better to circular motions.

              Examples:

              Circular Motions
              Most people find it’s easier to apply products in circular motions to large panels like the hood of a car. The reason for this is because circular motions act to help you spread your product out over large areas for more even, and thorough coverage. Some people also feel that circular motions help you to better work products into the finish. One thing for sure, moving your applicator pad in a circular motion tends to feel natural, and appears to come natural to most people. (Hand a wax applicator to 10 people and ask them to apply some wax to the hood of a car and stand back and watch how they apply the wax).

              Straight Line Motions
              Without good technique, applying products using straight-line motions is more difficult on larger panels. Straight-line motions are just as easy to use as circular motions, (and sometimes easier), on small panels and panels or sections that are longer in one direction while narrow in the other direction. Some times the panel itself will determine which direction you will apply your product.

              An example would be the painted pillar on the side of the windshield on my Blazer.



              Common sense tells you, (as well as the actual application of a product), that it will be easier and more efficient to use straight-line motions versus circular motions to apply a polish or wax to this thin, narrow painted section, than it will be to use circular motions.

              The key thing to remember is this, if you’re applying non-abrasive products, i.e. products that do not scratch or scour the finish, and your applying them with a soft, clean applicator and using good technique, then you should not be instilling any scratches or swirls no matter what direction you’re moving your hand.

              Hope this helps…

              Mike
              Mike Phillips
              760-515-0444
              showcargarage@gmail.com

              "Find something you like and use it often"

              Comment


              • #8
                Thanks for the answer in regards to the wax applying.
                I like to gather information.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by herb
                  Thanks for the answer in regards to the wax applying.
                  You're very welcome. Have fun! It's what it's all about!
                  Mike Phillips
                  760-515-0444
                  showcargarage@gmail.com

                  "Find something you like and use it often"

                  Comment

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