Complete newbie

[intmd8r]

Hi there! I just bought a brand new '03 Mustang Mach 1 a week ago and I'm a total newbie to detailing. I've always taken care of the paint on my cars, but regular washing and waxing is it.

Obviously, the paint on the Mach 1 is in great shape, but it is a brand new '03, so it did sit on the lot for like a year (and in the Arizona sun, no less).

Last weekend I waxed the car with Gold Class. Here's what it looked like after that:



After doing that, I started seeing posts about the NXT Tech Wax on the internet and I was floored at the deep shine. I bought some and want to give the Mach the treatment.

Can I wax it right over the newly applied Gold Class or should I give it a Dawn wash to strip it first?

How often can I/should I wax my car?

Is there anything else I should be doing to keep this car looking its absolute best and protected from the harsh Arizona summer sun that's coming?

I've seen a lot of posts about a lot of products that I've never used so I don't know anything about them.

Thanks in advance for your help and tips!

[Bri9801]

You should be able to apply NXT right over the GC

[rdarwa]

I have 4 coats of NXT on my 4runner...no build up at all. I am in Las Vegas so I know come summer I wont be applying wax in the 115 degree weather. I applied the NXT over the Gold Class. I would make sure the paint is a smooth as glass after washing. If not I would highly recommend claying it first. I then used the Deep Crystal Polish and the went with NXT.


The NXT made my silver paint POP as far as the matallic flakes go.

I also applied NXT to my painted rims. They almost look like they are chrome they are so shiny.

[n1976jmk]

Do not use DAWN to wash your car

[CHzo6]

Dawn does ****. A guy down the road from me washes his black car with it every week and he has turned it gray in a little over 3 months.

[Lynn Matthews]

Just wanted to jump in and say welcome to Meguiar's On-line!

We are glad to have you as a member and hope you enjoy the information shared on the forum.

Sounds like the other members have you pointed in the right direction.

Lynn

[intmd8r]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the help and the welcomes!

I never wash my car with dish soap, but I remember someone saying it stripped the wax. Not sure, though, which is why I asked.

At any rate, I'm going to go ahead and just wax right over the Gold Class this weekend - I can't wait to see how it turns out.

As for claying the car, I've never done that and know nothing about it. The paint was pretty smooth after the wax last weekend, so I wouldn't think it was needed, but you never know.

What is the purpose of claying? To remove paint contaminants? And you can tell if it needs to be done because the paint isn't smooth as glass?

[rdarwa]

This is what Mike had to say...

Step-2 Evaluate your car’s finish both visually with your eyes, and with the palm of your clean dry hand. Determine whether or not you have bonded contaminants. If you do, your finish will feel rough, as though it has little bumpy dots on it. This is a good indicator that you need to clay your car. If you determine that your finish has bonded contaminants, then you need to first clay your car’s finish before any other paint cleaning, or polishing procedures. Remember when you clay your car to use plenty of spray lubricant, to lubricate the surface while claying. Here's the product for the claying procedure, (Quik Clay System)

I never used the clay system until Feb. it is so easy to do. Just takes time! It will make the NXT wax look a whole lot better if you do this step...if needed.

[rdarwa]

Mike said the quote part...

The rest is my personal experience.

[65Z01]

Hi, though not a newbie to Mequiar's products I am to this forum.

Zaino recommends using Dawn to strip old wax but NOT on a regular basis. I haven't used it yet.

I just tried NXT on my '88 35th Anniversary Corvette and am quite impressed with the depth on a cream white paint job.

If you feel any grit when running your hand over the clean paint clay bar it, wiping off the liquid once the worked area is smooth as glass. I used Instant Detailer as the lube for my clay bar.

Then apply a thin layer of NXT and let it cure at least 1/2hr (I used 1hr), then buff it off with a cotton towel.

I then wiped on a thin coat of booster wax and buffed it almost immediately. This procedure gave an even deeper shine and much slipprier feel than just NXT.

Your red Stang should realy glow after this treatment.

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by intmd8r
[BAs for claying the car, I've never done that and know nothing about it. The paint was pretty smooth after the wax last weekend, so I wouldn't think it was needed, but you never know.

What is the purpose of claying? To remove paint contaminants? And you can tell if it needs to be done because the paint isn't smooth as glass? [/B]

Hi Angela,

I just started using clay a few days ago, and it was easier to use than I thought.

This is what I used.

Claying the paint will remove bonded contaminates, ie..tree sap, industrial fallout, etc. Basically, anything that bonds to the paint surface.

It makes the paint smooth as glass.

BTW, welcome to MOL...

[gb387]

First nice looking car!

Here is one more suggestion... Apply a second coat of NXT 12 hours or so after the first has been buffed off. By waiting it allows the first coat to setup then the second coat really adds to the depth. I always seem to get more depth to the paint by doing that second coat.


There is tons of good info on here just start searching around.

[intmd8r]

Thanks everyone! I can't find the Clay system in any of the stores around here, so I'll probably just buy it off the site.

I have been sick all weekend, so my hubby applied the first treatment of NXT to the car for me yesterday. I did manage to take a look at it in the garage and it looked gorgeous, but haven't seen it in the sun yet.

But the reflection of things in the garage looked really good - can't wait to get this car out in the sun later today.

If I were feeling better, I'd add another coat today, but that just isn't going to happen with me hacking my lungs out.

Thanks again, everyone!

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by intmd8r

If I were feeling better, I'd add another coat today, but that just isn't going to happen with me hacking my lungs out.

Thanks again, everyone!

Sounds Nasty...Hope you feel better soon.