[a_k]

I have a claymagic clay bar and some nxt wax. I also have the gold class. I was thinking of going out and buying the first two steps , the cleaner, then polish, then using the nxt wax for the last coat. Has anyone done this/know how it turns out? Thanks

[Black2001GT]

Originally Posted by a_k

I have a claymagic clay bar and some nxt wax. I also have the gold class. I was thinking of going out and buying the first two steps , the cleaner, then polish, then using the nxt wax for the last coat. Has anyone done this/know how it turns out? Thanks

I did the Meguires 3 step years ago on my pick up. I worked great.

If I were you instead of waisting time with the 3 step, I would wash my car with dawn or some other dish washing liquid to remove the old wax/polish, Clay the car in the rough spots, spots where baked on bugs and other road grime are, then I would use whatever polish or wax.

I use Zaino Z2, then Zaino Z5. My 01 GT has about 91,000 high miles, mostly highway miles. My hood and bumper take a beating from bugs and rocks.

[wytstang]

Originally Posted by Black2001GT

If I were you instead of waisting time with the 3 step, I would wash my car with dawn or some other dish washing liquid to remove the old wax/polish, .

DO NOT follow that advise dish washing liquid is harsh on the paint. Use car wash soap it designed to "safetly" lift and remove dirt not cut through grease, and fat. You can buy Klasse all-in-one which is designed to clean off old waxes anmd polishes while get this polish at the same time. Then you can apply a wax or paint sealent like NXT for added protection. The only draw back to Klasse AIO is you can only order it though on-line detailing stores like www.autogeek.net or www.autopia-carcare.com. If you want to buy local then go for the Megs system will work. A well prepped paint WILL give you better results period.

[WhiteHeat306]

if you do the clay step you kina elinimate the need for the cleaner wax.

[wytstang]

The cleaner will remove what the clay missed. The clay will get most but it's still a good idea to go over it with a cleaner. Kinda like retighning bolts you know you already did but do it again to make sure.

[WhiteHeat306]

Originally Posted by wytstang

The cleaner will remove what the clay missed. The clay will get most but it's still a good idea to go over it with a cleaner. Kinda like retighning bolts you know you already did but do it again to make sure.

true, but if you use the clay correctly you shouldn't need the cleaner wax. not like it will do any harm to do the cleaner wax step but just wasting time IMO.

[Kerpal]

I would:
wash with car wash soap
clay entire car
use a cleaner if you need it (if you have scratches or oxidation)
polish to add shine & remove fine swirls (something like Meguiar's Speed Glaze would be ideal)
top with NXT wax.

If you have scratches or oxidation you're going to need a cleaner whether you clay or not. The clay is more for removing embedded contaminants in your paint, stuff that cleaner doesn't always remove. Using a polish is definately worth the extra step as it will add major gloss and depth to your paint. NXT is supposed to be awesome but your results are only going to be as good as the prep work you do first.

I wouldn't bother with the Gold Class wax. In my experience it does shine great but doesn't last more than a couple weeks. I guess it would be good for someone that wanted to wax their car twice a month...

[a_k]

thanks everyone im going to do the cleaner since it cant hurt, polish then nxt next weekend day I have free

[MGSTANG]

I just washed, clayed w/ lubricant and waxed w/ gold class. Car looked great (until it got rained on).

[oohsoobad2]

Ive always used dish soap before I wax, it removes all the old wax and hasnt caused any problems for me. Once a year I wash my car with Dawn, clay bar then do thier 3 step process adding a second coat of wax. I personally think my car looks great and I get alot of compliments....

[droptopford 5 0]

i have Meg's clay bar, Meg's cleaner wax, and Meg's gold class, i dont mind spending a lot of time waxing, so w/e on the wax, all im wondering is what polishing compound i can use/ should use as the middle step to rid me of those halo swirls in my black paint... any suggestions please? is the "three step" polishing compound any good? also i want to do it by hand instead of buying a porter cable...

[MGSTANG]

They are gonna be there either way man, hate to tell ya. My crimson red paint looks awful from it. But what can you do. Glaze helps a little bit. But after a few washes, it's gone. So you have to keep doing it. But that helped mine look a little bit better.

[wytstang]

Originally Posted by droptopford 5 0

i have Meg's clay bar, Meg's cleaner wax, and Meg's gold class, i dont mind spending a lot of time waxing, so w/e on the wax, all im wondering is what polishing compound i can use/ should use as the middle step to rid me of those halo swirls in my black paint... any suggestions please? is the "three step" polishing compound any good? also i want to do it by hand instead of buying a porter cable...

I've read meg's scrachX works pretty well it preety cheap and you can get it local. You can also try Clearkotes Vanilla moose hand glaze Here

[hoamskilet]

Originally Posted by droptopford 5 0

i have Meg's clay bar, Meg's cleaner wax, and Meg's gold class, i dont mind spending a lot of time waxing, so w/e on the wax, all im wondering is what polishing compound i can use/ should use as the middle step to rid me of those halo swirls in my black paint... any suggestions please? is the "three step" polishing compound any good? also i want to do it by hand instead of buying a porter cable...

Without investing in a PC/good polish, the best you can do is cover or hide the swirls for a couple weeks at a time with some kind of glaze. If you were to get a PC and a polish with some cut in it, you can actually get rid of the swirls without having to hide em.

[droptopford 5 0]

Originally Posted by hoamskilet

Without investing in a PC/good polish, the best you can do is cover or hide the swirls for a couple weeks at a time with some kind of glaze. If you were to get a PC and a polish with some cut in it, you can actually get rid of the swirls without having to hide em.

if i just buffed the hell out of it by hand theres no way i could use the polish compund to rid those swirls?... i mean, i'd be willing to spend like a whole day between wash, claybar, polish, wax... if thats enough...or is the polishing step impossible without a p/c?

[CobraG]

How about taking it to a professional place to have washed and waxed at least once during the summer? Or are they bad? Someplace like Waterworks

[a_k]

when i've done that they always miss spots and they never turn out as good as doing it yourself. I'm not syaing it's bad but doing it yourself is alot better