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I've been detailing for years (I believe I use proper technique, with proper high quality products & towels), but still probably only advanced beginner on knowledge compared to you all. I'd very much appreciate some advice on my strategy for this spring.
Context:
- I do everything by hand, and that's how it will stay for now. I realize this will limit what I can achieve.
- Car is a 2014 metallic black BMW, with some light spiderweb like scratches in the clearcoat, from when I bought the car (used). Garaged daily driver.
- I live in an incredibly mild climate, central CA, so when you read "daily driver", it's nothing like the environmental stress many of you experience. E.g., it's likely the car will NOT see a single day of rain from April to October.
What I"ve been doing for the past 2 years, with fantastic results. Car remains shiny and water beads very tightly the entire time:
- Every six months, April 1 and October 1, I wash the car with gold class car wash, clay if needed, NXT 2 Tech Wax, let cure, Fast Finish (been doing this since FF came out)
- In between, I do whatever maintenance and topping is needed: two bucket wash (rarely, when needed), waterless or rinseless wash, or sometimes just a detailer spray, etc. I like UQD for detailer. Waterless is about the only product where I don't use Meguiars, I love the results from UWWA but the smell makes me dizzy (I'm using Trifecta as a waterless and rinseless instead)
Why I might try something a little different this April 1:
- I imagine that when I do my 6-month maintenance, there is always old NXT/FF on the paint, that I haven't been removing. I'm thinking I should remove it.
- Opportunistically, if it's possible to get some mild correction of those spider swirls in the clearcoat
So, what would you recommend for this April 1, given what I'd like to accomplish? Among the options I'm thinking:
1. Wash car, use Ultimate Polishing Wax (instead of NXT 2) ... I know UPW is recommended for use by hand, but can I really get any correction of those little spiderweb scratches by hand? Then, should I let it cure and top with Fast Finish, given I'd like this base coat to last 6 months until October? I'm thinking the only reason to switch to Ultimate Polishing Wax is if I can get some correction from it
2. Or, different option if I can't get any correction with UPW used by hand, then this time, after washing the car, I'll use something like Paint Prep to try to strip off the old NXT and FF, before re-applying... although I read mixed opinions on whether these paint prep sprays or citrus washes can really strip sealants (they seem to work well on waxes)
Any other recommendations, given that a rotary or D/A isn't in the cards?
Much appreciated!!
Context:
- I do everything by hand, and that's how it will stay for now. I realize this will limit what I can achieve.
- Car is a 2014 metallic black BMW, with some light spiderweb like scratches in the clearcoat, from when I bought the car (used). Garaged daily driver.
- I live in an incredibly mild climate, central CA, so when you read "daily driver", it's nothing like the environmental stress many of you experience. E.g., it's likely the car will NOT see a single day of rain from April to October.
What I"ve been doing for the past 2 years, with fantastic results. Car remains shiny and water beads very tightly the entire time:
- Every six months, April 1 and October 1, I wash the car with gold class car wash, clay if needed, NXT 2 Tech Wax, let cure, Fast Finish (been doing this since FF came out)
- In between, I do whatever maintenance and topping is needed: two bucket wash (rarely, when needed), waterless or rinseless wash, or sometimes just a detailer spray, etc. I like UQD for detailer. Waterless is about the only product where I don't use Meguiars, I love the results from UWWA but the smell makes me dizzy (I'm using Trifecta as a waterless and rinseless instead)
Why I might try something a little different this April 1:
- I imagine that when I do my 6-month maintenance, there is always old NXT/FF on the paint, that I haven't been removing. I'm thinking I should remove it.
- Opportunistically, if it's possible to get some mild correction of those spider swirls in the clearcoat
So, what would you recommend for this April 1, given what I'd like to accomplish? Among the options I'm thinking:
1. Wash car, use Ultimate Polishing Wax (instead of NXT 2) ... I know UPW is recommended for use by hand, but can I really get any correction of those little spiderweb scratches by hand? Then, should I let it cure and top with Fast Finish, given I'd like this base coat to last 6 months until October? I'm thinking the only reason to switch to Ultimate Polishing Wax is if I can get some correction from it
2. Or, different option if I can't get any correction with UPW used by hand, then this time, after washing the car, I'll use something like Paint Prep to try to strip off the old NXT and FF, before re-applying... although I read mixed opinions on whether these paint prep sprays or citrus washes can really strip sealants (they seem to work well on waxes)
Any other recommendations, given that a rotary or D/A isn't in the cards?
Much appreciated!!
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