3M hand glaze & Rain Dance versus other waxes

I think a better test would be to do 1/2 of a body panel with one system and the other 1/2 with the other system, then you can truely compare side-by-side.

But good to know. I'd rather keep the number of steps down as much as possible

 

The condition of your paint finish has a lot to do with with the final outcome of the detail, and which products you should use in the process.
Meguiar's and 3M both make great products to remove the oxidation from your car's finish, from compounds to polishes to glazes.
I have had great results using Meguiar's #7 Show Car Glaze, and #3 Machine Polish, as well as 3M's Imperial Hand Glaze.
Remember these products are glazes, and if they will not remove swirls and such then you should start with a product that has a little more cut to it like a polish such as 3M's Swirl Mark Remover, or Meguiar's #9 Swirl Remover, or even more aggressive would be 3M's Finesse-It II Machine Polish.
Always start by washing the car, and then claying the finish.
I use a high speed circular polisher with the appropriate foam pad to remove scratches, swirls, paint defects, and oxidation.
Then I switch to a PC 7336 DA polisher to finish off with a glaze.
To protect the rich deep shine I like to use a coat of Meguiar's nxt generation Tech Wax paste, then I put a second coat on the following day.
If the car in question is going to a show, then 3 coats of carnauba wax will also be applied to give the finish incredible depth.

 

Oh brother here we go again.

 

What does claying the finish mean?
Thanks

 

Automotive detailing clay. Use it to remove contaminants. www.autopia.org everything you need to know about detailing.

 

Joe -

How does the 2000 grit work? I usually use clay (which is probably about 50,000 grit). Is this like wet sanding? Can in be done by hand? Sorry for the rookie questions... sometimes I just get into a groove with my NXT and forget about other techniques.


-Daniel

 

Anybody else use the p21s wax or polish?? I find the wax goes on really easily and it doesn't seem to stain the black plastics like some others. For the North Jersey guys, I go directly to carcareonline.com 's showroom in Lodi.

http://www.carcareonline.com/detail.asp?product_id=10450

I use this kit.....

 

Quick... where is the portable defibrillator??

 

I bought some, but have not yet tried it...the P21S is very highly rated by several chatters and other boards. BTW, you can get the exact same product at Harley Davidson dealers, it is called "S100", and sells for between $14.95 to $15.95. Half the price of P21S!

 

Mothers products all the way!!!

-A

 

Go to your favorite store and purchase an inexpensive plastic spray bottle or two to keep with your detailing supplies.
They are great for spraying water, water/alcohol mix, soft water, distilled water, or a number of other liquids.

 

"It took off what looked like a mark a shopping cart would leave, who the hell parks a Ferrari at a supermarket?"

I do.

3M Trizact system is the easiest system I have come across for clearcoat paints. It has 4 steps, but you can eliminate some depending on the condition of the paint you are working with.

I just did my car after a fresh respray. I wetsanded the whole car with a block and 2000 grit to remove any blemishes and orange peel. Then I went over the whole car again with 3000 grit sandpaper using a DA and wetting the panels. This removes all the sanding scratches from the 2000 grit and makes polishing a snap. Compounded with 3M, followed up with 3000 Swirl Mark remover, both with a foam pad, them hand glazed.

I have to admit, I spent A LOT of time on it, but it has the black mirror, dripping wet look I was after and has held up well. Bugs wash right off.
I love carnouba, but it builds up on the clear coated surfaces and has a tendancy to get grime and bugs imbedded in it. Wax free polish is probably the best bet for newer finishes that are clear coated, but to each his own.

Details, details.....

John