I've only ever washed & waxed my car (waxed with Turtle's Black Wax) But have read several past posts on using a clay bar (did the plastic wrap test & could feel some little itty bitty particles) & some items to use to get rid of a lot of minor swirl marks (looks like from washing & drying) I was thinking of doing the following and would like some input. I've priced the following & will be coming in at about $115 tx inc. (Cdn $) so I want to make sure it's an allright plan or if a step could be skipped. I'm a newbie at this car stuff & also have a silly question-is there a clear coat on the '84 Z28's?

-Wash
-Meguiar's Quik Caly Detailing
-Wash
-Meguiar's Scratch Remover
-Meguiar's Step 1 (Deep Crystal Cleaner)
-Meguiar's Step 2 (Deep Crystal Polish)
-Meguiar's NXT

Thanks for tolerating any of my silly questions

 

Avoid the Meguiars clay bar like the damn plague. Get a Mothers, Clay Magic or Zaino instead.

 

dont wash between clay bar and scratch remover. otherwise sounds fine. you could probably also skip the Meguiars step 2 if you are using the NXT....I doubt it will make any more difference.

 

Whats the current condition of your finish?

 

I'm sorry, but I'm not quite too sure what you mean by the condition of my paint. It looks great to me When I'm parked in parking lots, I am quite often one of the shinest cars there, even with black paint. I wasn't even really thinking of doing anything until I saw some of the cars on this site & what their car care routine was. I've got very fine swirl marks & I'd like to bring a little bit of life back into the nose of the car (mainly that flat part in front of the headlights) Don't get me wrong, I totally think my car already looks awesome, but I just want to make jaws drop.

 

lol .. it is amazing how much personal preference plays into all of this. I would rather use sandpaper on my finish than a Clay Magic Bar, and have never had problems with Meguiar's or Mother's .. not arguing here .. just making an observation ..


85 T/A WS6 asked the magic question. what is the current condition of your paint?

does it have any swirls or light scratches?
any oxidation?
how is the shine?
any surface issues like overspray/tar/tree sap. etc?


I think your plan is fine, and agree that you could skip the DC #2, if you wanted to.

what are you referring to when you say scratch remover? ScratchX ? if so .. us it only where you have visible scratches.

if you are talking abuot light scratches/swirlies, try ColorX instead, if you are applying by hand.

also .. do two coats of NXT, not one.

 

does it have any swirls or light scratches?
any oxidation?
how is the shine?
any surface issues like overspray/tar/tree sap. etc?


-There are some light swirls that are only visable on a very bright sunny day
-Looks very shiny to me
-Has the original paint & there is no tar or tree sap on it

Wow, thanx for the input & speedy repliest-you guys must spend a lot of time and $ keeping your cars cleaned

BTW back to my silly question part II: is the '84 clear coated?

 

the flat parts in front of the head lights are not suposed to be shinny, this is true on all Z28 and IROC models

 

oooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhh That can explain a WWHHOOOLLEEE lot That has made my afternoon I have another post complaining about the lack of shine in my nose and after looking at my nose, it was the part infront of the lights that was bugging me the most. Thank you, Smurfin Z28!!!!!

 

I'm curious why you wouldn't wash after claybarring, FlyinLow89. I always end up with a film on the car after claying that I wash off.

 

I have always felt that washing again after the clay wasn't necessary if I was claying a small area, to work on a specific problem. I will almost always rewash if I am claying the whole car, especially if I am working outside, to make sure that there is nothing on the car before I start polishing it. (also helps keep it cool)

If you are using a good spray detailer as lube for the clay, and you use double wipe with a micro fiber, there is no need to rewash. imo.

but I always fell better washing again if I am working the whole car, it makes sure it is clean, and gives me one last look at things before I start polishing.

 

ya...the next stage of wax removes that film. Washing the could just dirty it again. believe it or not. Im not saying dont do it....just saying you dont have to. I never do and my car always looks great after. just a thought

 

Skip the scratch remover. It can cause more problems than it fixes.

I like the Meguiar's Deep Crystal System. You can get out alot of fine scratches with the polish.

If your paint is decent but needs some help. I would ....

(1) Wash with dawn dishwashing detergent. Dry.
(2) Meguiar's Cleaner.
(3) Meguiar's Polish.
(4) Meguiar's Polish (again).
(5) Meguiar's Polish (again, if needed).
(6) Meguiar's Wax.

Use plenty of clean 100% cotton terrycloth towels.

 

Instead of the Scratch Remover I've picked up some of hte ColorX stuff. Hoping to do it up this weekend. (we've just got our first full nice day on Tues in 24 days-it's been raining/cold/gross for 24 bleepin days straight) This weekend is supposed to be nice & warm but cloudy-perfect for this project.

 

If you checkout Meguirs website you can fill out a survey on your car and the paint condition, and what you want it to look like. The site then responds with the recommended products and application including what it will do for you. Pretty neat information and no purchase necessary.

 

HEY, Thanks A LOT! Stupid me, I didn't even think of going to Meguiar's website. A very informative website! I actually just called them to double check what I was going to do and the guy was very helpful. My new plan is now

-Wash
-Clay bar (not necessary to wash afterwards)
-Step 1
-#9 Swirl Remover-if step 1 does not remove all swirl marks
-Step 2
-NXT

YEA! I'm really looking forward to the results