DC #1 and #2, Cleaner Wax or ColorX

[BJClarke001]

Hey All,

I plan on going up to Rochester, NY this weekend and Detail my fathers Black 2003 4Runner. He stated to me that he has never waxed it but washes it at least once a week. In the winter, he takes it thru the Automatic Car Wash where the Wax application it squirts does not count as "A Waxing". My first plan was to use the Clay, DC #1 and #2, followed by Gold Crystal Wax ( I already own this stuff). But, now since he told me the fact of never waxing, I would expext a very dull paint. With that, should I use what I already own or should I go for the Cleaner Wax or ColorX? BTW: This is all being done by hand. My DA is still on my Wish List.

[Murr1525]

Well, DC#1 isnt going to remove any swirls, and the consumer cleaner wax wont do much more. ColorX has the ability to remove some at least. You may also want to work it in really well with a terry cloth, as opposed to the foam applicator, for some extra bite.

I use clay, ColorX, And Nxt on my new car every so often as it is a daily driver, and get great results. I only apply ColorX mildly of course. You should work it in more.

Apparently the pro-line cleaner wax is stronger than the ColorX, so that may be an option as well. Either way they lay down one coat of wax, so it just needs topped with one layer of Nxt, or Crystal, or whatnot.

[djlockdown]

Actually i think the Deep Crystal 1.2.3 would be a good idea, along with some claying before hand... color x sounds good too... i would top dc 3 with some nxt.. other than that u sound like u got the idea down

EDIT: i noticed this paint is also barely 3 years old, so i dont think u should be too aggressive with it... as always, start with the mildest stuff and then work ur way up

[rusty bumper]

MPPC is a good choice (if you can find it), or maybe #2........Course, you could always try ScratchX too.

Any of the above choices are going to be about the strongest thing that you can apply by hand.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: DC #1 and #2, Cleaner Wax or ColorX

Originally posted by BJClarke001
In the winter, he takes it thru the Automatic Car

Without seeing it, but knowing what I know about clear coats and swirls and scratches, I would opt of claying followed by ScratchX, then if you like go right to any wax, or if you want to invest the time, apply a polish and then go to wax.

[BJClarke001]

Well, thanks all. Sorry to be so vague but I have not seen the vehicle in a few months and when I did see it, I really didn't take note. I plan on taking the DC 1-2-3, GC and last night I bought Colorx (they were out of ScratchX ). However, I will try to get some up there this weekend. At a minimum, I will clay and perform tests starting with the DC systems. I guess I should take before and after shots and post them. If I get in a pinch while doing it though, look for a panic posting from me on Saturday .

I just hope it is good weather. Rochester, NY's weather is so un-predictable.

Thanks for your help thus far and you'll be hearing from me.

[rusty bumper]

I used some ColorX to take out some water spots today......By hand.

Good stuff.

[BJClarke001]

This is just a follow-up to this thread. I like to put closure to a thread that I opened (Started). Sometimes on here, there is a lot of good advice (Theory) but never find out if it worked as suggested (Lab).

So, here is the skinny.

First of all, the weather was not cooperating for me to do the work I originally planed on performing on my Fathers 4Runner..

I looked at the hood and was horrified at what I saw. I could see he washed it using one of those brushes with a long handle on it. I think this brush had a connection for a garden hose for it too. Anyways, I could see swirls as expected but also, I saw Cross Hatched scratches too! When you look at them closely, it looked like 1000’s of Tic-Tac-Toe grids. I could see that some days, he washed in straight lines with the car and on other times, across the car. And BTW: This is Black Paint.

So, as I said already, I had to scrub the full detail plans cuz of Rain. But I did manage a test using the ColorX and the DC 1-2 System. Sorry gang, I didn’t try the ScratchX and now I know it really needs this stuff and will do it another time.

To sum up my test, both products worked pretty good but I felt the ColorX seamed to clean more then the DC System on this finish. Remember now, this SUV has not been waxed in years so we are dealing with a slightly neglected finish (was only oxidized slightly). After I determined that the ColorX was my best method, I did the whole hood with it. I used the Megs Evan Coat Applicator which I happen to love. After the Colorx, I used Gold Crystal (GC) Wax on it as also suggested in an above thread. It must have been the humidity that slowed the drying process out on it because I had some problems removing it. It was leaving smudge marks behind and I had to do a lot of buffing with the microfiber towel to get it all off. I use GC on my own vehicles and never had an issue with it. Then again, I was working with Black Paint for the first time and so, maybe it made a slight difference. In the end, the hood looked great. The black paint almost looked like chrome when you looked at it straight on. There is no doubt in my mind that this finish needs ScratchX and also using the DA Polisher. I need to wait to get the polisher to tackle this beast.

[Murr1525]

Sounds like a good start... Good luck with the rest of the vehicle.

Depending on how long until you get a PC, I'd definately ColorX until then. No way i want to ScratchX a 4Runner by hand....

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by BJClarke001
This is just a follow-up to this thread. I like to put closure to a thread that I opened (Started). Sometimes on here, there is a lot of good advice (Theory) but never find out if it worked as suggested (Lab).

You are wise grasshopper...

A lot of questions are asked, a lot of help is offered, but often times there is no follow up as to the results, so we really do appreciate the feedback as to whether the help you received here on our forum did indeed help see you through to success.