Ran to Advance this morning...picked up the Mother's clay bar kit and Meguire's NXT wax I've read so many great things about. Guess the rest of the day is shot, will post pics if the results warrant it. Here's to a "mirror truck"!



shane

 

no polish?

 

so your just going to clay it then put a coat of wax on it? your better off putting some polish in between, people find a misconception that wax creates the shine but it is polish

 

Polish? Clay bar instructions:

1. Wash and Dry
2. Wet with Showtime detailer
3. Directions on using clay bar
4. Wipe excess
5. Repeat
6. Apply Wax

No mention of polish. Is there something unwritten I need to know? When I was looking aat the shelf trying to find the NXT I dont remember seeing anything labled as "Polish" only different waxes.


EDIT: another thing...if polish puts the shine in (and not the wax) then why does the NXT box go on and on about the "Darker, richer, clearer gloss"?? Nn where on the wax bottle does it say "This wont shine your car, precede this with a polish"...not trying to be a smart ****, just unlear. If I'm going to put the next few hours into this thing I want it right.
shane

 

76Ford...check out the miscellaneous forums section for "apperance and dress-up", look for the one titled "new truck finish care" or something like that. It has a link on how to clay bar your truck in one of the posts.

Good luck! I'd be a little nervous doing such a thing on my 6-month old Baby!

 

Thanks DonsFx4, following your direction I found a great web site that explains it all very well. Apparantly what Meguires calls a Pre-wax cleaner is a polish...I guess the retailers are avoiding that word for some reason since I couldnt find anything on the shelf labeled polish. Started to rain about 2:30 today so I didnt get to do it after all...so I have a week to get some good polish now that I have a better understanding of what I need(ed) to do. Thanks guys for pointing out the polish thing, from what I've read I would have been dissapointed in the result just by claying and waxing. This is why I like this place so much!

thanks,
shane

 

Shane, what was the web site?

Thanks,
SgtFred

 

its Click here . A very good site with several tips and tricks on detailing your ride. Cover all the bases, from wash to wax.


shane

 

Using the clay bar is totally safe on the finish. In fact, it will *save* your finish from damage due to sediments and crap getting in the paint. About every six months is a good idea.

 

Mother's and McGwire's both make polishes. As do a bunch of other brands. You would not have been disappointed had you not polished, you will just be happier if you do. The amazing thing about the claybar is the *feel* after you've finished. You can run your fingers across the paint and feel it's amazingly smooth and slick. Feels very soft. Try it on a car you've had longer and the difference becomes almost astounding. I used it on a 10 year-old car that had been treated well but the claybar made the paintjob seem like it was just put on yesterday. :-)