Scratch /swirl and wax ????? im joe

[joelabear]

have 2004 S500 black few swirl/scratch marks put on color x and nxt by hand would like better results should i use swirl X and if so should i wait for color X and nxt to wear off or anything else i should do any suggestions would help thank you

[Murr1525]

Re: Scratch /swirl and wax ????? im joe

When you feel like tackling it is up to you.

1. Wash - 2 buckets, quality soap, quality towels, etc.
2. Clay - Smooth Surface Clay Kit
3. Clean - SwirlX will be stronger than ColorX. But you will have to do a test spot to see if it is strong enough.
4. Polish - Optional, but DC2 is a good polish.
5. Wax - Nxt 2.0 is a good choice. 2 thin coats is best.

What you can do is just wash a small area of the car, or QD it real good. Then do a test spot with SwirlX, worked in well with some passion. Then get in a good light and see if one or two applications of SwirlX was enough. If not, you may need to do something stronger. So do you test area first, and get it looking good. Then do the whole car.

[joelabear]

Re: Scratch /swirl and wax ????? im joe

so i would have to wash off the color X and wax first hu

[Murr1525]

Re: Scratch /swirl and wax ????? im joe

Not really wash off the previous products.

But you do need to wash and clean where you will be working, so there is no dirt, etc to drag around.

The clay and SwirlX or stronger products will remove the previous wax.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Scratch /swirl and wax ????? im joe

TEST SPOT

Doing A Test-Spot

Before going over the entire car, see if you can make just one small section look good, that is apply the product you're planning on using over the entire car to just one small section about a foot squared or so. Work it in and then wipe it off, then apply the polish, work it in but not as much as the compound because now you're not trying to remove paint, just spread the product out, then immediately wipe it off, then apply the wax and let it fully dry and then wipe it off.

Now inspect our results. Make sure you can make one small section look GREAT before going over then entire car. If you can't make one small section look GREAT you won't be able to make the entire car look GREAT.

Make sense?

It should look like this,




And if you're having any problems, the post back here after the test section and we'll help you tweak your technique to insure you get it right.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Scratch /swirl and wax ????? im joe

The best thing to do is to test a few products out, for example SwirlX and Ultimate Compound, see which one is working the best, of course this means investing in a bottle of each.

Personal testimony, I've been doing this a long time and these new SMAT products really work good, they're worth having in your garage if you're going to take working on your car's paint seriously, that is take ownership of the car care maintenance.

Pick up extra foam applicator pads so you always have plenty on hand for working with paint care products.

Just be sure to dial-in your process to a small area first and make sure you're getting GREAT results before going over the rest of the car.

Here's something from Hot Topics forum.

Which products need to dry before removing?

[joelabear]

Re: Scratch /swirl and wax ????? im joe

never put the clay on a cor is it similar application as wax or what and should i use clay then swirl X and i just got som 20' chrome rims do u think i should put nxt on them for esay cleaning if it was your car what is the list and order that u would use if just one or would u try seperate test spot with diff products and pick the best

[Murr1525]

Re: Scratch /swirl and wax ????? im joe

No, clay is real easy. The kit comes with 2 pieces.

Its like a piece of playdough, and you cut it in half and flatten into a pancake. Then you use Quick Detailer to lubricate the clay and the surface, and just wipe it across with slight pressure. When it looks dirty, you fold the dirt into the middle, and reflattten.

Just DO NOT drop it on the ground, or you have to toss it. I actualy got a piece of carboard to work over at first when doing the vertical panels.

For the test spots, first you want SwirlX, since it is mildest. Then yeah, I might move to a different spot to try the Ultimate Compound. Then you could use the second test spot to follow up with SwirLX if needed.

As for the rims, you can certainly wax them.

[joelabear]

Re: Scratch /swirl and wax ????? im joe

you have been much help thank u murrr smart with the cardboard lol must have had few drops but the order is spot one clay, swirl X, then nxt 2 coats spot 2 clay, ultimate compound, then possibly swirlX, and 2 coats nxt
and thank u also mike phillips

[Murr1525]

Re: Scratch /swirl and wax ????? im joe

You can really save the clay till you are ready to do the entire car, the test spots dont nessicerily need it, but thats up to you.

You want to check for swirls after the cleaning (SwirlX/UC) to see when you are happy. The wax can fill in and hide swirls.

And the clay will be reusable, so you can just put it all in a zip-lok with a squirt of QD for the future.