I know you're trying different products, but 3 months is a long time for NXT if you're QDing weekly. Anytime you touch the paint, you risk wearing down the microscopic layer of wax. If it rains often or you wash frequently that further deterioriates the wax protection. Ideally you should be using NXT Spray Wax as a booster once a month. Just spray it on a MF towel, and wipe it down. Let dry, then wipe off.

Personally, I wash then wax with M21, then go for months before waxing again. I apply it with a PC (can do same for NXT). I use the Swipe Test to ensure the wax is dry before wiping it off. Once you've done that, you can't get the car wet for atleast 24 hours. Especially don't QD the car after you've waxed it, and don't rub the wax more than you need to wipe off the dried wax.

But it's important to apply an even coat over the entire car. Two coats is recommended to ensure eveneness.

I've been washing my MINI with ProtectAlls QEW--quick wash in my garage that's a bit safer than just spraying QD. But I'm noticing some light swirls that need to be buffed out with my PC. I'll do it when I have time, and will add another coat of wax when I do it.

Richard

 

i hve been using NXT for a couple of years. I get nothing but great comments when the car is out and about. I think it's the best. Works for me...

 

MCS-WA, BRGPA, slate, OctaneGuy - with your inputs and advise, i put in
a $600+ order for detailing goodies last night. hehehe, i'll be
busy this weekend.... hope it comes in soon! thanks for your help.

 

Have fun!

 

enjoy the weather

 

If you don't mind me asking, what did your shopping list look like and from whom?

I've only reached the 250 dollar mark, but I still havn't got nearly everything I need. To stay on topic, NXT has alot of cost savings over the more expensive waxes on the market. Without knowing what the "Top" rated wax was, I am not sure a 500 dollar wax is worth its weight when compared to a shine that NXT gives you. Its what I use now and with Octanes tips, he is dead on, its all in preparation. Maybe the durability isn't there, but with any wax, you will have wear with many washes, acid rain, and simple driving abuse. On the flip side, I wouldn't dare argue with a Zaino nut. I am sure they are right. Unfortuanatly, Zaino doesn't ship overseas so I live without until I am back home in good ole USofA

 

i got my stuff today less the wax removal bonnet which was on back order.

Rudy- i basically just bought everything from washing supplies to all wax
and polishing stuff less interior stuff which i will get next and any
tire/rubber related as im pretty satisified with wat i have been using.

bought from Griots Garage. Im going to get some more stuff down the
road, but first i need to watch their DVD to study.

 

i ordered some more little stuff today.

im going to be busy this weekend. the instructional DVD that it came with
is pretty good. will try out the MCS this weekend. he's been over due
for a wax.

 

After using NXT since it came out, I decided, against my better judgment, to try Turtle Wax' ICE. (Turtle Wax? Really? You're seriously gonna put that on your MINI?!?)

All I can say is I'm VERY impressed. Goes on and comes off easy and looks shiiiny! Hopefully it'll last decently.

I still want to try M21 after seeing the pictures of Richard's results, but the ICE is just SO easy to use, I may be hooked.

- Nick

 

i removed all NXT from my MCS using paint-prep (Griot's) and claybar'ed.
also polished using their orbital. my first time. this thing is
great! i just got to get use to it a litte more, but the DVD that came
with it gave me a good starting point.

gonna do the Best of Show wax tomorrow first thing. it's looking 100%
great already...removed most of the swirls i had and the slight hazing.
can't wait for the wax.

im going to stop using t-shirts to remove wax, BradB...im going to use
their 100% terry's and MF's from now on..

 

I've been using Meguiar's #26 forever and will continue to do so--it's easy to use and takes the track rubber off the paint nicely.

 

It's amazing how choosing a system under proper guidance (DVD) can make such a huge difference in your results!

It's why I went with the Meguiar's system 3 years ago, and haven't looked back. If it works for you, gives the results you want and expect, then that's great!

The PC can be mastered in 10 minutes. It's easy and safe to use, and you can use it to apply and remove waxes. It's not strong enough to remove paint cleaners though.

Applying waxes and removing with the PC is the fastest step of any car I work on--much faster than claying, taping, or paint polishing.

Check out these pictures--sorry they aren't MINIs, but they are cars I worked on in the past two days

FROM THE INSIDE




FROM THE OUTSIDE



ONE MORE



For me, Meguiar's rocks. It continues to work for me everyday on every car I work on. I get the deep, wet, glossy look and all swirl free. As my customers say, it looks better than new. That's what counts, not some magazine review.

 

This could be a dumb question for Octane Guy, but what are you using to make that engine bay look so nice? Or was the trick less of what you used and more of the time you spent on it? My parents have an old Jag that I would love to transform like that. Although I am a rookie when it comes to the art of detailing.

 

Well most engine details only take me around 30 minutes to do. The one on the Jeep was more complicated, and I spent maybe 40 minutes.

For the Jag, I used Meguiar's APC (All Purpose Cleaner) and a brush. Once it was alll cleaned, and rinsed off, then I dried it. Then followed with the magic stuff. Meguiar's Hyperdressing which makes it black again.

Things to note:

1.) You don't want to be blasting the engine area with water. I use a 1/2 gallon inspect sprayer. Yep, that's all the water I need for the engine bay.
2.) Cover up anything electrical--like the alternator, ECU, etc.. Don't use foil or anything that conducts electricity
3.) Work slowly
4.) Have a good variety of brushes to work with. Soft ones with flagged ends sold for washing the paint are good. So are smaller nylon ones. I use the same ones that I use for my wheels. I have around 5 or 6 different brushes.
5.) Once everything is cleaned off, then you need to dress it. Don't use a dressing with a low flash point that might cause problems once things heat up. I'd stay away from Meguiars All Season Dressing for that reason.

Good luck!

 

I'll give it a try when I get the oppertunity. Also maybe if I spend the money so I can clean up their cars they won't think of it as money wasted.

Thanks again though

 

octaneguy- i don't question the products you are using. they have
great results and obviously you know how to bring the best out of
them!!!

The meguiar's stuff ive been using the last many years has been the
low-end consumer stuff i bought at Autozone and Target and such...so
not comparable to their professional line that you use.

I finished detailing my MCS this morning and WOW it looks great!
the biggest difference is before it was clean and shiny. now it's
got a deep luster. my neighbors came down and all
looked at the car like this

I need to practice applying the wax with the orbital on the
smaller sections. is there a trick to this?

 

The Griot's MF towels has a long loop on one side and short on the other. I used the long side for removing the wax, but did I use the 'wrong' side?

 

wow, got some hard-core peeps here. i got done this morning washing/claying/waxing the MCS...i'm a complete noob and do it by hand using off the Autozone shelf stuff. i've only really used 3 waxes so far (Zymol, Meguiars GC, and now NXT). of these I've really been pleased with the NXT product, next the Meguiars, and last the Zymol. maybe next year, i'll switch to the griot's/zaino stuff. I've heard many good things about them although it sounds like Griot's is the way to go...I'll know more when I see ken's car tomorrow

chili red with nxt wax

 

kenchan - make sure you post the pics when you are done. I did my dad's Z4 last weekend for a birthday present and it looked better than new. Griot's interior cleaner does a really nice job on convertible tops as well. One of the things that I like about the best of show wax is the depth of shine. I have never really cared for the wet look. I usually use the long loops for removing the wax but I don't think it really matters as I haven't noticed a difference when I have used the short side. I don't use the orbital for the smaller section and use this http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog....1005&SKU=10629

 

shukes24 and i took some nice picts this morning. well, actually he took the
picts, i just watched. coming soon.
good seeing you again Nirmit!

his CR with NXT looked real nice.


thanks for the input on the towel. i too tried both sides and it didn't
seem like it made a difference. shorter side seems to work better with
the SpeedShine when removing the wax. im sure your dad was
VERY pleased with your work.

i used those small pads too, those are great! one orange, one red.

 

thanks ken, although after seeing your car today i might have to pick up some supplies from you know where griot's some good shiz

pics coming shortly

 

can't wait for the picts!

i'll let you know next time before i start on my other cars so if you'd
like, you can swing by and try out the oribital yourself on my car. The
Legacy is next on the to-do list. That ObsidianBlack is going to look
REAL nice with that polish and wax...it's going to bring out all the colors.

As they advertise, it's a fail-safe system even for a newb like me... and
you saw how it turned out. (yeh, i kinda impressed myself).

 

here's picts shukes24 took of our cars today.
thanks again, Nirmit!

 

hey, i did PDR on his door! can anyone tell?

 

put a coat of zaino on my car, shine was amazing, i want to do another coat, but i borrowed the bottle from my buddy. good thing about zaino is that it doesnt leave white crap all in the seams.