Shopping list - new car (black)

[Vader]

New 2009 GTI, Black Magic in color (metallic black).

I am strongly considering ordering the Meguiar's DA polisher. I am trying to follow the 5 step process, but am unsure about which products may be best

Wash - already have product

Clean - car has light swirls and a couple of very light, yet long scratches (old wash mitt, I think). From what I have read, I may need either SwirlX, ScratchX or the deep crystal cleaner stuff in the dark red bottle. I would like to use one of these w/ the DA to save time - I have limited access to an indoor detailing area where I work and cannot spend very long doing ScratchX or similiar by hand.

Polish - deep crystal polish

Wax - I have been reading about the whole NXT 2.0 vs. Gold Class thing, but have not been able to decide as of yet. I should probably try both and just see which I prefer. Since my car is black metallic, I am not sure if I will get the really deep black look that Gold Class provides.

Thoughts? Ideas? Am I on the right track? I know that there are threads on a few of these topics already, but I wanted to see if any other black car owners have different tricks beyond this.

[Murr1525]

Re: Shopping list - new car (black)

Of course using the DA would change things, but that list looks good for now by hand. And the wash, cleaners, wax, you will likely still want around even with a DA.

You would want a stronger type of cleaner to work faster. The ScratchX or Ultimate Compound would fit that bill. Then use a milder cleaner like the DC1 or SwirlX in the future.

I would go Nxt 2.0 for wax, plus the UQD and/or UQW. Its just hard to beat that new technology.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Shopping list - new car (black)

If you really want to keep your car's finish looking show room new swirl-free then you really need to get a DA Polisher like our G110

The human hand just cannot produce the same results a DA Polisher can due to even pressure over a buffing pad when applying products and unlike the human it never gets tired. You never really know how aggressive a product you'll need to remove swirls and scratches out of each different car you work on because the polishability, that is the hardness or softness of different paint systems vary to greatly.

Meguiar's teaches the philosophy of,

"Use the least aggressive product to get the job done"


By doing this you can dial in a procedure that meets your expectations while leaving the most paint on the car.

In keeping with this practice, it would be appropriate to start with SwirlX on one of our yellow foam polishing pads on the G110 on the 5.0 Speed Setting. You would have to get the different product and then do a test spot on your car and inspect the results and based upon your inspection you could continue with this process or substitute a more aggressive product if your first product of choice isn't getting the defects out effectively or quickly enough.

Beside removing defects you want to really dial-in your washing and drying process as anything that touches the paint has the potential to instill swirls and scratches if it's not a quality product to start with.

[3Fitty]

Re: Shopping list - new car (black)

Vader,

You're on the right track but let me offer you MY opinion. If I were just starting out on a new black car with minor swirling, here is what I would get...

1. G110 DA Polisher. As far as I'm concerned, if you really want to get the best out of your car, without stepping up to the level of a master, like some of the guys here then you MUST get one. I've had mine for about 9 months and it is the BEST product I've bought, period!

2. NXT Car Wash (I prefer it over GC - although I think GC probably has a bigger following). To me, it feels like it has greater lubricity than GC - again, that is just my opinion. Don't forget 2 buckets + 2 Grit Guards.

3. Meg's Clay Kit. I think clay offers the most tangible evidence of quality work, quickly. I remember when I was really young going to car shows and wondering, "how do they keep the cars so smooth all the time".... then I found clay.

4. M80 + M83 or M205 + M105. I don't know if you only wanted OTC stuff, but I think an order at ADS is certainly worth it and they have some nice packages including a G110 and these polishes. I've never used M205, but I've used the other 3 and a product like M80 is just amazing (M205 is getting raves as well). Not only can you do minor corrections using M80, but it finishes down so nice, you won't believe your eyes. Again, I guarantee (3Fitty's personal guarantee - not Meguiars) you will NOT be disappointed with the results.

5. #7 - Show car glaze. If you use this product wisely, it'll last an eternity, here's why: #7 is the optional step to really "pump up" your shine. So... going out on a Friday night and just want your car to have the extra "kick"... use #7. Hot date... break out #7. Taking the car to the drag strip... leave #7 on the self!

6. NXT 2.0 or #21 2.0 - Very similar products and although GC looks amazing (I use it as well), NXT lasts significantly longer and is IMHO worth it. I think NXT looks every bit as good, with more durability.

7. Water Magnet for drying.

8. UQD. Great stuff for maintining the clean look and boosting protection.

In my opinion, those are the "must haves". Here are some optional items I'll also recommend:

1. Hyperdressing. One of my personal favorites.

2. APC. Meg's APC is heads and shoulders better than any other I've tried.

3. ASD. Durable multi-use product

4. Lots of good quality MF towels. I have about 80, which is a decent amount for a hobbyist.

5. APC+.

[Tuck91]

Re: Shopping list - new car (black)

When you really think about it, there is so many products you need on hand to keep a car in good condition.

I think NXT car wash is the best car wash to have at your disposal, epecially if you have hard water.

If your going to work by hand for a whille then Swirl X, Scratch X 2.0 or UC are good products for cleaning a ability, even #9 and #80 work nicely by hand for mild cleaning ability or if ou want a cleaner and a polish in one step, which reminds me: Color X is a good AIO if that interests you

for a polish, i really like #81 or #7

IMHO, NXT Tech Wax 2.0 is best for protecting your cars paint, like Murr said, its hard to beat the technology.

For maintaining: the Ultimate Quik Wax and Ultimate Quik Detailer are a good tag team, this will increase the life of your base coat of wax as well.

I would also get a Meguiars Wash mitt, Supreme Shine Microfibers, 2 Water Magnets and maybe even some wheel and tire and interior products.

Meguiars offers a variety of products whether its for your tires or for your interior. You have a lot of decisions to make when selecting these products, Good Luck and have fun with it

[Murr1525]

Re: Shopping list - new car (black)

Oh yeah, definately all the glass cleaners, APC, dressings, interior detailers, metal polishes as well....

[Vader]

Re: Shopping list - new car (black)

Vader,

You're on the right track but let me offer you MY opinion. If I were just starting out on a new black car with minor swirling, here is what I would get...

1. G110 DA Polisher. As far as I'm concerned, if you really want to get the best out of your car, without stepping up to the level of a master, like some of the guys here then you MUST get one. I've had mine for about 9 months and it is the BEST product I've bought, period!

2. NXT Car Wash (I prefer it over GC - although I think GC probably has a bigger following). To me, it feels like it has greater lubricity than GC - again, that is just my opinion. Don't forget 2 buckets + 2 Grit Guards.

3. Meg's Clay Kit. I think clay offers the most tangible evidence of quality work, quickly. I remember when I was really young going to car shows and wondering, "how do they keep the cars so smooth all the time".... then I found clay.

4. M80 + M83 or M205 + M105. I don't know if you only wanted OTC stuff, but I think an order at ADS is certainly worth it and they have some nice packages including a G110 and these polishes. I've never used M205, but I've used the other 3 and a product like M80 is just amazing (M205 is getting raves as well). Not only can you do minor corrections using M80, but it finishes down so nice, you won't believe your eyes. Again, I guarantee (3Fitty's personal guarantee - not Meguiars) you will NOT be disappointed with the results.

5. #7 - Show car glaze. If you use this product wisely, it'll last an eternity, here's why: #7 is the optional step to really "pump up" your shine. So... going out on a Friday night and just want your car to have the extra "kick"... use #7. Hot date... break out #7. Taking the car to the drag strip... leave #7 on the self!

6. NXT 2.0 or #21 2.0 - Very similar products and although GC looks amazing (I use it as well), NXT lasts significantly longer and is IMHO worth it. I think NXT looks every bit as good, with more durability.

7. Water Magnet for drying.

8. UQD. Great stuff for maintining the clean look and boosting protection.

In my opinion, those are the "must haves". Here are some optional items I'll also recommend:

1. Hyperdressing. One of my personal favorites.

2. APC. Meg's APC is heads and shoulders better than any other I've tried.

3. ASD. Durable multi-use product

4. Lots of good quality MF towels. I have about 80, which is a decent amount for a hobbyist.

5. APC+.

Stormtrooper, I envy your white finish... I am not completely familiar with some of the references you made to the various Meg products... Like M80 + M83, etc... Are these OTC or by by prescription only? Where to get? I am also interseted in the grit guards you mentioned... I have one bucket at present time (ace hardware red bucket), and want to know where you can get these grit guards. Do you need a certain size or brand of bucket to utililze these guards? Also, thanks to everyone's advice and comments so far... I hope to have photos soon of the progress.

[Tuck91]

Re: Shopping list - new car (black)

M80 - Speed Glaze
M83- Dual Action Cleaner polish

M80 and M83 are usually only available online through different websites or at your local PBE store. The Grit Guards are sold at autodetailingsolutions.com and fit into any 5 gallon bucket i believe.

[3Fitty]

Re: Shopping list - new car (black)

Stormtrooper, I envy your white finish... I am not completely familiar with some of the references you made to the various Meg products... Like M80 + M83, etc... Are these OTC or by by prescription only? Where to get? I am also interseted in the grit guards you mentioned... I have one bucket at present time (ace hardware red bucket), and want to know where you can get these grit guards. Do you need a certain size or brand of bucket to utililze these guards? Also, thanks to everyone's advice and comments so far... I hope to have photos soon of the progress.

Like Tuck91 said, M80 and M83 or M205/M105 are "must haves" in the realm of paint correction or M80 as a paint cleaner.

Start at http://www.autodetailingsolutions.net/index.html and carefully go through their website, even give them a call and they will bend over backwards to explain everything.

With respect to Grit Guards and buckets, it is exactly as Tuck said. Grit Guards fit any 5 gallon bucket and you can get a bucket at Home Depot or Lowe's for about 4 bucks.

When I gave you my opinion on stuff, understand that I was giving you the "keep your ride in better shape than your girlfriend" standard. A G110 is not a "must", but I know I couldn't live without mine. Everything can be done by hand, it is just very time consuming and often not as precise.

Here is a direct linke to the Mirror Glaze Line at ADS.

http://www.autodetailingsolutions.net/mirror-glaze-line.html

[Tuck91]

Re: Shopping list - new car (black)

Just to note: the grit guards come into play once you have your car swirl free and all polished up because you obviously do not want to re swirl your car again and then do the correction work all over again so by using the grit guards, good quality washing and drying tools and using the two bucket method you will be greatly reducing the risk of instilling a swirl or scratch in your car. I like the way Mike Phillips explains it in his Car Washing video, if you havent seen it then take 20 minutes out of your day to watch it, I watched it multiple times to soak up every it of information. Good Luck with your car and choosing products