Looking for recommendations

[VIIVapors]

I recently purchased a new F150 and am looking for some input on which products to use to maintain it. I plan to wash/wax this weekend but with all the products
Meguiars offers, it can be a little confusing to figure out which one you need. Choices are never a bad thing, but the number or products for maintaining your vehicle sure has grown!

Anyway, I am posting a pic to show color in case that makes a difference on which products you would choose:

[Bill Davidson]

Re: Looking for recommendations

First of all... nice truck! "Nowhere" sure looks like a nice place, the grass is beautiful.

Basics:
Wash: Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner
Clean: Smooth Surface Clay kit
Protect: NXT Tech Wax 2.0
Top with M26 Yellow wax if you want a "wet" look. (I think it would look awesome on that color, BTW love the color).
Maintain: just use the rest of the Quik Detailer that comes with your clay kit, if there is any left. The truck should be pretty clean, but there is still a lot of surface to lubricate.

I'm sure others will chime in, but this is what I would start with.

Bill

[Murr1525]

Re: Looking for recommendations

Assuming there are no swirls/imperfections, I like this:

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. ColorX
4. Wax - Nxt 2.0
5. Maintain - UQW is nice after future washes.

[Bill Davidson]

Re: Looking for recommendations

Assuming there are no swirls/imperfections, I like this:

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. ColorX
4. Wax - Nxt 2.0
5. Maintain - UQW is nice after future washes.

Murr can you explain, why you recommend ColorX and how often you would use it? Thanks in advance.

[JonH]

Re: Looking for recommendations

Looks like a 2009. If it is new and in good shape, I see no reason to clay bar it or anything else other than a good wash and a good coat of NXT wax and enjoy. Down the road you can do more during maintainance.

[FRS]

Re: Looking for recommendations

Looks like a 2009. If it is new and in good shape, I see no reason to clay bar it or anything else other than a good wash and a good coat of NXT wax and enjoy. Down the road you can do more during maintainance.

If you clay this car you would be surprised ..

clay is:

[Murr1525]

Re: Looking for recommendations

Well, think of it this way, if we are going to clay the car because it may be dirty, there is probably dirt in the pores/imperfections as well. So that would need some kind of proper cleaner.

So your basic choices for cleaning with no defect removal needed are SwirlX (#205, #80), Cleaner/Wax, and ColorX.

SwirlX or the other cleaner polishes would be fine of course. Then do your 2 coats of wax.

But on a new car, light colored, probably a daily driver, the OP may not want to spend loads of time. So a cleaner/wax type product saves a step.

The Cleaner/Wax would be fine, but the little sample size wont last too long, so going to need to buy something else.

Now, a daily driver will get a little extra grime on it, so using ColorX since it is a little stronger makes sense to me. Also goes on/off easy, and looks good.

It is still milder than SwirlX, and the strength depends on how hard you work it in. I would say I apply it mildly, and would be perfectly safe every month. But topping with Nxt 2.0 etc, and using UQW after washes, I think you will get 2-3 months in the more moderate climates.

Then if there are no defects next time, can just clay if needed, ColorX, and wax again. Another nice quick detail with all the steps covered.

[Bill Davidson]

Re: Looking for recommendations

Well, think of it this way, if we are going to clay the car because it may be dirty, there is probably dirt in the pores/imperfections as well. So that would need some kind of proper cleaner.

So you are saying clay on it's own doesn't really get into the pores and low spots. hmm I assumed it did. Thanks.

[Murr1525]

Re: Looking for recommendations

No, just the high spots and stuck on stuff.

[Blueline]

Re: Looking for recommendations

I do not always clay, but it is always ColorX and #16 on top. Maybe just me, but without ColorX, "it just ain't the same".

[nick98338]

Re: Looking for recommendations

I think the best advise that I can give an owner of a new vehicle is to find what works best for you and what you like the best. I asked pretty much the same newbie questions. I got pretty much the same answers. Lots of recommendations for certain products. I hated what was suggested. Took a couple of months, but I found the stuff I like.

[FinalTouchDetail]

Re: Looking for recommendations

Murr can you explain, why you recommend ColorX and how often you would use it? Thanks in advance.

It is generally good practice to use at least a light polish after claybarring to remove any possible marring that was caused from the clay hitting a "dry spot".

[Murr1525]

Re: Looking for recommendations

It is generally good practice to use at least a light polish after claybarring to remove any possible marring that was caused from the clay hitting a "dry spot".

Or just extra clay/QD smudges....

[VIIVapors]

Re: Looking for recommendations

Thanks to everyone for the ideas. I'll post when I get finished with the job this weekend.

[fordf150]

Re: Looking for recommendations

I was in his spot almost a year ago exactly, here is what I did on my new Ford.

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35423