NickHodgson Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 I'm new to this detailing lark, previously it had been soapy water, a sponge (so last season ) and some auto-glym polish twice a year. However after reading through the cleaning forum and checking out Detailing World I've decided that I should catch up with the rest of you! So, I've bought a lambswool wash mit, a waffle towel, but I'm unsure as to what polish / wax to get. There's loads of posts I know, but I'm still puzzled so wondered if someone could help. It looks like Meguiars is decent stuff and affordable, but they seem to have Gold Class, NXT and Stages 1 - 3 products. Can anyone give a brief summary of each one please? Also is there any major difference between the Gold Class and NXT ranges? Thanks Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skanky Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 [ QUOTE ] It looks like Meguiars is decent stuff and affordable, but they seem to have Gold Class, NXT and Stages 1 - 3 products. Can anyone give a brief summary of each one please? Also is there any major difference between the Gold Class and NXT ranges? [/ QUOTE ] actually i'd like to know this too info anyone can shed some light on it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelwind101 Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 Hi!! Gold Class is nice wax that doesnt last too long and produces a nice shiney finish. It has a some cleaning properties some, glazing properties and waxing properties. NXT is there newest wax. It is a 100% polymer finish. It can easily last about 6 weeks, however the finish starts to become diminished after about 3 weeks. It looks very nice and is by the best 1 step product on the market, atleast OTC. Again, cleaning abilties are next to nothing and it has lots of glazing oils and a nice finish to it. Step one and step 2 are both worth having even if you get Gold Class or NXT. Its important that any surface you apply a wax to is 1) clean which is where step 1 comes in. And 2) has a good layer of glaze laid down. Applying Step 2 before NXT for example will give an even deeper look!! Step 3 is wax, it says its a carnuba but it isnt really. Its a blend of natural wax and synthetic polymers. It is by far the cheapest OTC wax they offer but is really lacks depth and overs a shiney finish. You would want to consider the claybar if you havent used one in the last 12 months on your cars finish. Then a good paint cleaner and glaze like Step 2 polish. Even thought NXT and Gold Class include a small amount of cleaners these are really only for seating purposes to allow the product to bond to what it is below it. NXT is the most loved of all and Gold Class doesnt really have as many followers. UH!! Ok enjoy!! Geoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skanky Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 would i need to use the "step 1 deep crystal paint cleaner" if i were to use NXT wash followed by NXT tech wax or NXT spray wax? dont tell me i have to add something else to my megs collection now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelwind101 Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 It would be to your advantage to increase the bonding process of the NXT wax to your cars paint. You could get away with out using though. Its just one of those crazy things i supose, you want to improve everything!! For best result 2 coats of NXT 24hrs apart. Though of course you can apply them once a week for 2 weeks. That would look the best and reduces the chances of missed areas!! Geoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpsmith Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 I would suggest you Clay Bar it before you start with all of the above products. It is really worthwhile and makes sure you dont lock in contaminents with the wax! Also, it really makes it easy to apply and remove products once all shiny and smooth like glass! I would suggest buying the Meg's Clay Kit, perhaps taking advantage of the Halfrauds 3 for 2 offer? The rest of the info above is spot on if you are after a quality finish with OTC products for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skanky Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 any guide to how to use it (clay bar) correctly? clay before washing? or wash, clay, wash? what should i be trying to remove with it and what cant it remove? tree sap, bird crap? is it safe to use on glass? ..and wont it take absolutely ages to go around the car with a lump of clay?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpsmith Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 1 Wash Car. 2 Spray Quik Detailer onto area about a foot square making sure plenty of lubrication. 3 Rub clay lightly across the lubricated area to remove contaminents from the surface that are stuck in the clearkote. Helps if the clay bar is also sprayed with detailer aswell. 4 Move over a panel at a time keeping lubricated at all times otherwise you will marr the paint. Then dry with a clean MicroFibre cloth. 5 Some say wash car again bfore continuing but I just buff off with MF cloth and start the next stages. After car is washed, clayed, then optionally washed again, you are ready to use the vast range of cleaners, polishes and waxes, etc, as discussed above. I guarantee you will feel a massive difference in the smoothness of the paint just by claying, let alone the products that follow. No point spending time and money on all the rest without a beautifully prepped area to start with. Try out the Meg's Quik Clay pack from Halfrauds and take advantage of the 3 for 2 offer? Or go direct to one of the many online stores that you see mentioned here. I have only used Motorgeek online and highly recommend them for excellent service by Ron. The others are also very good I am told as true enthusiasts aswell as being in the business! There are some discounts to be had I believe too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petsy Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/guides_clean.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skanky Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 lots of reading guides to do tomorrow at work thanks guys. edit: reading the instructions for the NXT spray wax, it says to spray wax on, spread evenly then allow wax to haze before buffing off.. how will i know that its "hazed"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpsmith Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 It will go white, mikly looking and dry rather than transparent and wet looking. Just do it and you will know it when you see it! ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelwind101 Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Thin coats it the key!! Feel free to leave NXT on the car and go around and put your tyre gel on etc. to ensure the product dries to a haze. Check out the Megs. UK Forum too as there is lots of chat about it. Can i say that?? Geoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickHodgson Posted September 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 [ QUOTE ] actually i'd like to know this too info anyone can shed some light on it? [/ QUOTE ] Hey, who's hijacking my thread ? .... glad someone else is as confused. Thanks for all the info guys, I'll take a look and hopefully make sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickHodgson Posted September 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Cheers for your response steelwind101 Am I correct in interpreting your advice....? 1) Wash Car 2) Meg's claybar and detailer 3) Step one Megs 4) Step two Megs 5) NXT Tech Wax 6) Wait 24 hours 7) NXT Tech Wax Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelwind101 Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 AudiMini that is the way to go!! Both step one and step two are wipe on-wipe off. Apply them one panel at a time and try not to let them dry. If they become a problem to get of squirt a little QD from the Quik Clay kit on the area and rub the with MF cloth and you should be sound!! Your car will look great afterwards, post some pics!! Geoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickHodgson Posted September 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Will do. Not sure when I'll get chance as I'm about to be a dad any day now, but it might be a nice escape from changing nappies !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickHodgson Posted September 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Just a thought.... I have some AutoGlym Super Resin Polish. Could I use this or Mer instead of the Stage 2? Would be daft getting Stage 2 if either of these will do. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelwind101 Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Hi Stage 2 basically lays down a layer of glazing product that produces a deep shine. Mer and Super Resin Polish, clean and then protect the surface. If you want to skip the Step 2 pure polish (i know its confusing b/c meguiars use that term mean glaze) then you can as NXT has lots of glazing oils in it. It just wont look as deep. I wouldent bother using MER and Super Resin Polish if you intend to use the dedicated cleaner like Step 1. MER i wouldent use with the Megs. products, purely b/c its strange with its bonding properties. SRP will leave a finish that is fine as far as bonding will go but will alter the other otherwise pure look of using 3 dedicated steps to achive the end results. Geoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpsmith Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Will do. Not sure when I'll get chance as I'm about to be a dad any day now, but it might be a nice escape from changing nappies !! [/ QUOTE ] Someone else in exactly the same position as me it seems! Our new born baby boy has just arrived, after ebing over a week overdue, and really wanted to get our A2 done before he came. Have got no time for anything like this now but will hopefully get it done before the Winter comes for keeps. Dont get me wrong, mind you, finishing the detailing does not compare in the slightest with having the Boy around! Bet you cant wait!?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickHodgson Posted September 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Congratulations You're right I can't wait and it'll be slightly more important than a bit of detailing, but when it's older it'll appreciate being driven around in a shiny set of wheels whilst it's mates are in fairy liquid dull ones! I'll let you know what it is, but if it's a boy it'll be taught not to drop the wash mit from an early age Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickHodgson Posted September 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Hi Stage 2 basically lays down a layer of glazing product that produces a deep shine. Mer and Super Resin Polish, clean and then protect the surface. If you want to skip the Step 2 pure polish (i know its confusing b/c meguiars use that term mean glaze) then you can as NXT has lots of glazing oils in it. It just wont look as deep. I wouldent bother using MER and Super Resin Polish if you intend to use the dedicated cleaner like Step 1. MER i wouldent use with the Megs. products, purely b/c its strange with its bonding properties. SRP will leave a finish that is fine as far as bonding will go but will alter the other otherwise pure look of using 3 dedicated steps to achive the end results. Geoff [/ QUOTE ] cheers Geoff, sounds like if I want the maximum benefit then stick with megs and use the SRP on the wheels! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Just to add to what has been said already. NXT is good in the way that it looks it just doesn't last too well. I've been using Zaino Z2 Pro and it lasts an incredibly long time. Perfect to put on in the next few months and no need to update until spring comes. It lasts months and months ands still beeds and protects the same the day after its applied. Pre is the same as for NXT. It doesn't have the sparkly of NXT but it does last far far longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P_G Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 I use AG EGP on top of Gold Class which gives longer shine and still retains the depth of shine of Gold Class. Seems to work and no reaction between the substances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skanky Posted September 18, 2006 Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Cheers for your response steelwind101 Am I correct in interpreting your advice....? 1) Wash Car 2) Meg's claybar and detailer 3) Step one Megs 4) Step two Megs 5) NXT Tech Wax 6) Wait 24 hours 7) NXT Tech Wax Thanks [/ QUOTE ] for step6/7, would i need to wash the car prior to the second coat of NXT wax (step 7)? i did my car at the weekend (pretty much as above minus the claybar) but when i waxed it, i applied a thin coat of tech wax to a panel at a time using the applicator so the wax was nicely applied, but i pretty much wiped/buff'd the residue off within about a minute of finishing that particular panel (with a clean terry towel of course!) for maximum benefit, how long should i be leaving the wax before buffing off? admittedly, it looks great at the moment but have i not put enough wax on by buffing it off so soon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelwind101 Posted September 18, 2006 Report Share Posted September 18, 2006 Hi The less time you wait the better really as you are not standing about for ever!! The reason Megs. say 20 mins etc. is b/c in some conditions it can take longer to haze then in others and people end up with smears or issues taking it off. You can leave it at one coat if you plan to wash next week you can just leave it. Again the 2 coats is more of Megs. thing. It ensures even coats and bit better look but its not always convinant. If you were to do 2 coats you could wipe it down with a quick detailer if it isnt too dirty. But i find it can be a little impractical if you have a job and less then perfect weather!! Geoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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