It finally warmed up here in Chicago, so I spent a couple hours washing (DP 4-in-1 rinseless) and "waxing" my 06 CR/W MCS.

I purchased an Ultimate Detailing Machine (basically a PC with a little more torque) a few weeks ago, but haven't had an opportunity to try it out. I considered using my pro-grade Meguiar's stuff, but I decided I didn't want to try any paint corrections yet. Instead, I decided to use the UDM as an applicator rather than a polisher.

Anyway, I picked up a few killer deals at Target during February, so I thought I'd try them out.

First up - Meguiar's ColorX cleaner wax ($1.99 on 75%-off clearance at Target)- This is a cleaning wax (synthetic) which uses solvents rather than abrasives for its cleaning action. I believe it also has some fillers. Applied a thin coat with the UDM using a white polishing pad. Didn't take long at all to apply, and it came off really easily with a Target grey microfiber polishing cloth (the very densely woven one).

Second step - Meguiar's NXT 2.0 paste ($3.98 on 75%-off clearance at Target)- I applied this with a blue CCS pad. It was ever-so-slightly more difficult to remove than the ColorX, but I figure that was partly because of paste vs. liquid. Still, it was about 300% easier to take off than in the old days when I used Meguiar's Gold Class Liquid Wax (though I might have been using too much when I applied by hand back in the day).

I was very impressed with how quickly these went on with a good R/O buffer. What a time saver. I was quite impressed with the results too. It's the best my MINI has looked (granted, I've only had it for five months, but still...).

I may sound like a Meguiar's shill, but I'm mostly just impressed at how well these OTC products (which I got for a song) performed. I'll probably top them with Hydro to keep the shine looking good, as NXT may not be as durable as some finishes.

Finally, I applied RainX to the windows with my wimpy Black and Decker R/O buffer. This worked quite well, though it shredded the edges of the blue foam bonnet I used in its application. I may be able to get one more set of windows out the bonnet before I need to replace it.

To buff out the RainX, I used a Mother's Powerball attached to my 14.4v power drill. This worked brilliantly and took just a few short minutes). By the way, I wouldn't try to use the powerball to APPLY RainX, as the solvent in it made the red color in the Powerball bleed (glad I did a test beforehand).

Oh yeah - I can't believe how much more powerful the UDM is than the Black and Decker. The UDM is leagues better than the B&D. In retrospect, I wish I hadn't waited for years to get a real machine.

 

hey looks good. i think nxt2.0 removal was hard because of the
temps. typically those paste type waxes do not dry well unless
it's atleast 65F or so. how long did you let it haze on the paint?
did it dry completely?

 

Thanks, Ken


I didn't think about the way temperature might affect it. I applied it very thinly, but it may not have been completely dry. Still, as I removed it, it didn't smear or anything - it just came off cleanly.

I get confused with all of the different LSPs nowadays. Some you're supposed to let dry, while others you wipe on/wipe off. The only one I can be sure about is Hydro!

 

[quote=bonmot;209968 The only one I can be sure about is Hydro![/quote]

Because Hydro ROCKS

Mark

 

i use SprayOn wax from Griots as LSP and it's a quick wipeon/off like
Hydro.

Hydro works great too...but that's my PRIMARY wax on my dd's.

did you guys know i SprayOn wax over HYDRO?

 

Not surprised, NXT was good so I would expect version 2 to be even better.
I would be happy with NXT if I had not started using Prima, mostly wanting the Epic to work well with Hydro.

 

So you use two spray on "waxes" during the same detailing session? I'm intrigued by this approach. Also, when did Hydro stop being your go to LSP?

 

I've been using Meguiar's for years and have showed how they look on MINI's. Good stuff for sure and the NXT line which came out in '03 has been their most popular and fastest selling line.

Funny you mentioned about the UDM. I just pulled mine off the shelf after it sat for nearly 5 months of non use. I use it with my OneGrip and it works great with Prima Swirl. I have the early version with the lousy switch that turns on too easily and the short power cord, but otherwise it's a decent machine.

Richard

 

actually Hydro was never my LSP. it started off as my Epic reinforcer
only to find out later that Hydro alone can provide the level of protection
I need on my daily drivers. these cars are outside 24/7.

the Griot's SprayOn wax would go on after Hydro has been applied and
fully cured (after 24hrs). i don't QD my car because, as mentioned, it
is outdoors 24/7 and prone to dust and grit all the time. but when i
need the extra sparkle on my daily drivers to show off to friends ,
i SprayOn wax it the following day.

SprayOn wax has super lubricants which help prevent swirling while
it is being applied, even more so than QD....it also slippery and cleans
off a lot of airborne contaminants while it is being applied. plus the
nice gloss it leaves behind.

it does not last long like Hydro, but looks good and helps prevent bugs,
tar, and grit from sticking onto the paint.

 

Richard,

I was wondering whether your onegrip worked on the UDM as well as the PC. That answers my question. I think my version has the improved switch.

 

Yep, OneGrip works great (The PC Guard is too small though--the UDM housing is about an inch larger in circumference and it's taller than the PC). My UDM was from the first batch released. They had some mod kits available to update older UDMs but I never did.

Anyways, a UDM Guard will be available very soon. =)

Richard