The Meguiars Kit is finished.

[b2tf]

Well,for now at least. After a good road test of all the products i have I think I have got pretty much everything I need to deal with the normal carwash routine.

What I ended up with was:

ScratchX
NXT Generation Car Wash
Vinyl/Rubber Protectant
Quick Wax
2x Applicator Pads (comes in pack of 2 so i have 4)
Meguiars Chamois
Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner

That was about $100 or so's worth, which is rather expensive for carwash I know, but honestly, Im sold on this stuff - never seen such a good product or such good results.

All these products Ive tested out on my car (Ink Blue Ford Focus) already, and they do work very well - i can reccomend them to any sceptics out there (because i was one before i tried it).

I'm still working out the best routine but what I'm doing is (in order)

* Hose down the car with water and remove basic stains with high pressure washer (not too high pressure and not directly at paint as it may chip it)

* Wash it using the NXT Generation wash

* Chamois it down

* ScratchX over any obvious scratches, then run a but of water over them after using that, again dry.

* Then Quick Wax and wipe excess off.

That's getting good results but if there's a better methd Im open to suggestions.

So there you have it, for all those who were wanted to know what the kit ended up having in it, thats what it's got. Obviously there's heaps more stuff it could have in there but I find I have all the right stuff for the regular washing routine, if the car was excessively dirty Id look at some more products to use but for now these do the job really well.

[Bucknaked]

Something I've found out too is get the car into an undercover car park, maybe a basement park, but something with some natural light and fluro's and it really highlights all those swirl marks and paint fades. Gives you a fair idea on what area's of the paint that need attention.

After my break, going to get down to the parts store and stock up on the meguires products. Some good idea's here Austin.

[gtfpv]

i can back up Austins compliments i think they are great as well.

[b2tf]

Yeah thats the hardest part for me Bucky - getting it into an area big enough to work in but shady enough to do the job well. I dont think doing it in the sun would matter THAT much but im not going to try it especially when using the wax.

Still, its great stuff and provided you put the effort in you'll reap the reward of a fantastic looking car.

[WizBang]

How would you get dust from under your paint out

[b2tf]

The deep crystal paint cleaner is really good for that sort of stuff.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Hmmm a few tips I have for getting your car really shinny.

1. Use a clay bar rather then the paint cleaner, as the paint cleaner is abrasive and leaves swirl marks.

2. If you have swirls dont use scratch x, as it won't fix them and nor will anything else if you don't have a proper orbital buff. (Doing them by hand wont get the same result but can be used after the use of a buff just to fine them right out).

3. Use 3M "Finish it" for the above job, if you have a deepish scratch, get some of the 3M "Finish it Rubbing Compound". 3M waffle pads are the only ones to use aswell!

4. When drying the car, give the car a final rinse with the nozzle off your hose, this way most of the water will run off making it alot quicker to chamios off.

5. Use Meguires NXT Generation wax, as it is better then the yellow stuff (I have both and swear by the NXT one) Yellow wax is ok for say a white car, but if your doing a dark coloured car and want reflection then thats the way.

6. For Buffing off Wax etc try some of Bowdens Own polishing clothes. They are easy to use and seem to do a much better job then the meguires stuff.

7. For Tyre shine use a shine that you can apply with hand pads, rather then spraying on. This stops spray from going all over the car (especially on a windy day) and also keeps it off the wheels where brake dust will stick to it etc. ALso dont use wheel cleaner on wheels as most of them are acid based and will do damage over time, esspecially to plastic centre caps etc.

8. For Glass get a special glass cloth from Autobarn, I think they are made by Kenco, they are blue and have glass written on one of the corners. Use one of these with Windex, beats all the other crap I've used.

9. Finally once you have done the car you might have some parts were you still have wax left along with water marks. Give these a quick rub over with Bowdens Own quick detailer along with one of their clothes, that will give you a little more Wax protection and shine, along with removing and left overs on the paint.

10. For interior, just vacuum and have a second chamois to do door sills etc. Dont bother spraying anything in the interior as it just seems to attract dust.

If you are feeling really energetic repeat the washing process 1 more time after applying waxes etc, this will remove any excess wax you have around the vehicle and just give it that extra bit of shine.

Just a few things id be adding to your list.

- NXT generation wax - put this on straight away... will make looking after the car 100 times easier. Quick wax isnt worth shit in the long run, and wont protect the paint like a proper wax job will.

- 3M Finish it Glaze - use this to remove your swirls once a year, even if you do it by hand you should notice results, then follow with the above product.

[b2tf]

I'm glad someone dug this one up as i forgot to add one thing - tyre shine. Will be getting some tomorrow hopefully as its the one thing ive forgotten.

Shockwave,

some good tips there however i should clarify:

* I only use ScratchX for scratches, i havent noticed any swirl marks yet (maybe im just not looking hard enough) so it's all good on that front.

* Clay bar wasnt available when i bought this stuff and I have heard others say the Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner is great stuff. From what I have seen so far I agree with this so there's not really much need to switch to a clay bar IMHO.

*Not quite sure what you're referring to wax-wise, I use the Meguiars Quick Wax product as I really am not interested in sitting there for hours doing it over and over. I find its a quick and easy to use wax which works well even when the user has no idea how to properly wax a car (like me). I also dont buff it, i just wipe off the excess with a terry cloth which is what it suggests to do. Has worked well so far.

* You're right about interior stuff attracting dust but for a really good shine that makes the plastics look like new (obviously it'll show more on an older car), the Meguiars stuff works a treat. I used it in the AUII and was really impressed with the results - looks and feels like a new car on the inside.

[RSgerry]

i just polished my new(ish) car yesterday with the scratch x and the result is stunning. i have to say though, i am glad it was a Mini and not a Falcon i was polishing. i spent 4 hours on a car that is 10 feet long.....

[Panda]

Originally Posted by RSgerry

...i spent 4 hours on a car that is 10 feet long.....

Yeah, when I'm going to give the car a good clean, I drop the kids off to school at 8:30 then get into the cleaning. If I'm quick, the car will be finished just in time for me to pick them up at 3:00.

It's worth it though

Panda

[MNM96]

I'll say Panda, Your car gleams when it cops an all dayer. Think if I dropped mine over one day with a box of xxxx stubby's you might mix them up, and polish mine instead?

Cheers,
Mike

[Panda]

Originally Posted by MNM96

Think if I dropped mine over one day with a box of xxxx stubby's you might mix them up, and polish mine instead?

Box of stubby's, I'd probably mix a whole lot of things up

Panda

Good kit, I bought the gold class wet look sealent instead of the nxt wax, and it also does a great job...

[Kev_BLNXR8_Ute]

I find that Mr sheen is great for the interior. And you can go past your Mum's house and umm borrow it.....

[deesun]

Can you tell us what ScratchX is and how it works, I got the bar once it came with something else but I was afraid to use it I have a black car so am a bit paranoid.

[b2tf]

ScratchX is basically made to use when you find scratches in your paint. If you apply a little bit (and be sparing with it) to an applicator, and work it over the area of the scratch, it'll remove it. If you do find youve left a few marks from doing it, try using the Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner, i was impressed at how good that stuff works.

Someone please do correct me if im doing it wrong but thats what ive done a few times now, very gently, and it does work very well.

The Quick Wax is fantastic stuff too, in about 20 minutes the car was like a mirror on one side which I had done, and you could see the difference. It's fantastic. Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner is great too, I used it today and the paint has never been so sparkly and clean.

I think the secret with this stuff is 'less is more'. The first few times I did it i tended to put too much of each product on and you could tell - it was a lot of work to get rid of the excess, so only use it in small amounts and just keep adding bits as you need them, especially with the wax.

On a bad note the paint became so clean I found a nasty little dint near my wheel well, so its off to the PDR's to get fixed soon.

[deesun]

Thanks for that I also have Quick wax but haven't used it yet.

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by deesun

Thanks for that I also have Quick wax but haven't used it yet.

Go for the quick wax after youve given it a really thorough wash, about 4/5 sprays along the side of the car will be more than enough.

Then its just a lot of polishing and rubbing with a Terry towel, but i assure you the result is worth it.

[Jimbo OZ]

Originally Posted by back2thefutura

ScratchX is basically made to use when you find scratches in your paint. If you apply a little bit (and be sparing with it) to an applicator, and work it over the area of the scratch, it'll remove it.

I know this is an old thread but it seems to cover some questions I have. However, I would like to ask one stupid question regarding ScratchX. Exactly when do you use the elbow grease on the scratch - is it when you apply the liquid or when it is dry? :

[MRJUCY]

When you apply the liquid.

You're basically trying to rub the paint back so it is flat with the scratch which requires lots of rubbing until the product goes pretty much clear then wipe it off & reapply several times & when it's done seal it with your favorite wax.

Note Scratch X is chock full of fillers so there is still a good chance the scratch will reappear once they've washed out & also remember everytime you use it you're removing paint so don't over use it only when necessary

[MITCHAY]

How long does all that stuff last? You guys really love your cars lol. Mine's lucky if it gets $5 at the local 24hr car wash every month or so.

[sfr rob]

hhehe, i just spent $100 at supercheap too, got heaps of crao to put on my new car!
cant wait for the weekend!

I give my car a good wash, then i use the mcguirs clay bar with the quick detail spray that comes with it, rinse, then dry again, then wax it with mcguirs gold class, and i swear, the paint looks BRAND NEW!
best stuff ever that clay bar!
i still want to get some good light scratch remover stuff, so you guys say scratch X is good stuff?

as i said, cant wait to try it on the new car!

[b2tf]

Funny this thread has come up again.

Since I wrote it Ive added a few little items, so now the Megs product range I have looks something like this:

*ScratchX (2 tubes)
*Gold Class Wash
*Speed Detailer
*Quick Wax
*Nxt Gen Wash
*Polishing Towels
*Little Applicator Thingys (about 100 i think : )
*Chamois
*Microfibre Towel - which is actually proving to be pretty crappy.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Just got a quick question b2tf, you have quick wax but no proper wax??

Why dont you apply some proper wax to protect your paint, quick wax just shines it, it hardly protects it from the elements.. Just a thought thats all.

[ESP 81]

Please help me i can't seem to get water spots & swirl marks out of my black duco,i used meguires nxt generation wax but it didn't seem to work.

[DOC]

Originally Posted by GTP 869

Please help me i can't seem to get water spots & swirl marks out of my black duco,i used meguires nxt generation wax but it didn't seem to work.

I will post some pics of a black Clubby im doing some work on next weekend for you, but you could try the 3 step, process from megs clean, polish, wax. ScratchX will also help these water spots and swirls but as Mr Juicy has said take it easy with it.

I would also recomend using all MF products on your paint to reduce any possible further swirls.

With your water marks ( or any quick job ), keep a few first aid products in your boot.

A plain quick detail like final inpection would be fine.
Window Clnr
2 MF cloths

With these few items you can first aid most problems on the road and with the water marks the sooner you can hit them with some quick detail the better, its when you leave them sit that they cause problems.

B2TF re MF towell, i suppose it depends on what you have but i can highly recomend the MF Chamy from Megs and dont have a problem with it.

Mitchay. How long it lasts is a bit like how longs a bit of string, but if buying good gear and used properly you will get miles out of your product, if the car needs a bit to bring it back to good condition you may use a little more but once sorted it works out well for your $.

Pete

[MITCHAY]

Originally Posted by DOC

Mitchay. How long it lasts is a bit like how longs a bit of string, but if buying good gear and used properly you will get miles out of your product, if the car needs a bit to bring it back to good condition you may use a little more but once sorted it works out well for your $.

Pete

Well a lot of my clear coat has come off my car. I don't want to invest money on a respray but is there anything that would polish the paint up make it shiney once all the clear coat has come off? I used normal polish on it once and it just made it dirty which I thought was weird so I just ended up washing it off.

[MRJUCY]

Originally Posted by sfr rob

i still want to get some good light scratch remover stuff, so you guys say scratch X is good stuff?

I only like to use it for spot work, they're is better stuff to do a whole car but then again I work with a machine & many of the products I use are designed for use with machines.

As for Microfibres Megs only sells the one in most stores which is a good cloth but it's not plush enough for some tasks & too plush for others so I have a variety of cloths for different purposes

[SSBUB]

if your serious about it read this (i printed a copy) - Rick (Willwaxu) is one of the best detailers in oz imo.

http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=40605