Meguiar's Gold Class vs NTX
 

I'm still not having lots of luck finding Meguiar's M80 polishing compound (do they even SELL that stuff in brick-and-morter stores or only online?), but I did run across a bottle of the Gold Class liquid polish last night at Wal Mart... Sad that Wally World has one of the better automotive sections in my area...

But I digress...

How does the Gold Class stack up beside the NTX? They did have the solid NTX, but I've heard the liquid is easier to work with, so I went that way.

All I've done so far (yes... I was actually out in the garage, waxing after dark last night.. hehe) are the upper door sections - I usually put small magnet designs I have cut out there as an accent, and many of you have suggested waxing that spot regularly to protect the paint. I can certainly say that when I came out this morning and ran my hand across that spot, it was MUCH slicker than the area right beside it that was treated with just a detailing spray (Ice).

Also, it's so freaking humid where I am that even after about 5 minutes, the wax didn't seem to be filming or drying - is this normal for the Gold Class? I just polished it with a microfiber cloth after a few minutes and it SEEMs fine, but I wonder.

Can't wait to do the whole car and see how it turns out. based on other threads, it sounds like I should get some masking tape first, though, for the trim peices. Does anyone know if Ice gets wax off the trim in case I have a overflow situation? :)

Thanks!

i hate GoldClass wax. hard to remove by hand, static build up, etc. etc.
dust everywhere when you buff, white plastic, etc.

i thought i was in heaven when i started using NXT. so much easier to
apply and remove by hand. and lots of shine... minimal static. :)

its all the same to me... I used Gold on my black VW when it was a show car... it won me a few trophies.

I used NTX at the detail class thingy a couple of weeks a go onthe MINI and it made it nice and shinny

Get M21
 

I used Gold Class for years and was very happy.
Got NTX and am much happier. Easy to go on and better finish.
Based on Octain Guy's recommendation is why I moved to NTX, and he also said M21 is even better. I have some that just came in.
Take a couple of days and order M21.

Look in the phone book (or online) for an auto paint supply shop near you. Many times they will carry it in stock - if you call one and they don't, ask them if they know of a detailing supply shop in town.

:thumbsup:

The Meguiar's web site has a locater. Click on Professional Products. Or just call Meguiar's at 1 800 347 5700. With your zip code, they'll be able to help you locate a store stocking M80.

If you live in NJ, I can send you to one in Lodi that has the stuff.

Order it online from www.autodetailingsolutions.com . Or, contact me via PM if you want a sample. I have a gallon of the stuff :) .

5 minutes is not sufficient. You need to wait for wax to dry on the paint before buffing it off. On the Meguiars Web Forum, they tell people to use something called the "swipe test". Apply the wax, wait atleast 10minutes, then take your clean finger, and swipe it across the waxed surface. After doing so, if the paint is crystal clear with no smudges, then it is a good time to start buffing off the wax. Otherwise, keep waiting. It could take quite a long time for it to dry if you are in a humid environment. Don't buff it off if it is not dry - if you do, you are really just wasting your time, as the wax likely has not properly set on the paint.

Masking tape works good. However, if you do not feel like using masking tape, and accidently get some wax residue on the plastic trim, simply get some peanut butter or peanut oil out of your pantry, and wipe it on the trim which has wax residue. It will remove it :razz:. I know this sounds ridiculous, but it really works - I swear! :thumbsup:

Well, I polished the car today... WOW... Now I just need to wax it to seal in the shine... thanks, guys!

I used the Griot's stuff today, and I was VERY impressed... User Scurves graciously allowed me to use his gear. He might have made another convert. :)

You guys DO understand it's Meguiar's NXT Tech Wax and not NTX. NXT for NeXT Generation Wax.

As for waiting 5 minutes, I've waited 1.5 hours to 2 hours for Meguiar's waxes to dry in extremely humid environments. It can take longer, but you need to use the Swipe Test as Skitelluride said. That's the ONLY way you an tell if the wax is ready to be wiped off.

I'm not a big fan of Gold Class Car Waxes except for their Clear Coat Wax. In many situations, that product works fantastic.

The M80 product is from the Mirror Glaze line. I told you that in the PMs we've exchanged. The Mirror Glaze are professional products and can only be purchased from PBE stores, or online such as ADS or directly from Meguiar's.com

Glad you found success in Griot's product. Note that polisher you used wasn't custom made for Griots. It's a load of marketing BS. That tool is a sander. You notice the plastic surround around the buffer? That's for attaching a bag to hold the dust. I believe Griots tries to say they designed it to cool the pad or something silly like that.

There have been head to head tests between the Griots polisher and the PC, and by one very well known pro detailer who ran a series of tests over 6 weeks, he returned the Griots after finding that the PC was much more effective. He initially liked and favored the Griots polisher, but he found that the PC did more work in less time.

the hell Octaneguy, did Griots grab your nuts or something? :lol: lol!!!

no one asked about PC vs Griots competition. you seem so sensitive
to other people's opininons, especially Griots... why? i personally
tried Griots and it's a great product. Im planning to try out Meguiars
(per your advertisement campaign) pro stuff probably next year.

and the duct does actually blow out hot air from the motor mechanism
(man this doesn't sound convincing! lol)

keep an open mind, Octaneguy! you're beginning to sound like my
dad when i was a teen many years ago wanting
to try something on my own. :grin:

Hmm, I think you're misreading me...LOL But I do think I've hit a nerve since you're a recent Griots convert.

I have nothing against Griots. I think the "attitude" comes from hanging over on Meguiarsonline too much. There was much controversy over this polisher over the past year. I think many of us had hoped it would replace the PC. We're always looking for something faster and better. There's a guy named Joe, his business is Superior Shine and he has coordinated detailing of like 35 school buses, large airplanes, and all kinds of crazy stuff, and since he's been doing it for over 25 years, people on the detailing forums consider him one of the best (I agree with that!). Anyway, my point is when Griots came out with there polisher, Joe performed the tests and 6 weeks later came to the conclusion it wasn't as effective as the PC.

I do find your own post interesting, as it shows your passionate devotion to Griots which is great!

re: advertising campaign
Hmm, that I take offense too. I like Meguiar's, and I use it. And IMO, it's not about Meguiar's versus the world. It's Meguiar's vs Zaino. Read or bash Zaino and be prepared for the on slaught of posts from Zaino users like it's the best thing since sliced bread. Bash Meguiar's or Griots and you'll get a few responses. If you've read any of my recent posts, it's all been about Prep anyways. People should use whatever is easiest for them be it Griots, Meguiar's, or Zaino. I've never told anyone that their product is inferior.

re: Sensitive and open minded
As for for Meguiar's sensitivity. Hmmm, I'm playing with Sonus and other wax manufacturers too right now....so not sure about that comment.


re: Meguiar's vs Griots
I saw ImagoX post on him thanking his friend about the Griots polisher test. I didn't feel it was appropriate to post my opinions about the PC there. ImagoX and I've have been PMing a LOT about Meguiar's and detailing questions in general. I didn't think it was inappropriate to voice my opinions on a public subject.

Richard

honestly, im just a car hobbiest. i'll try something new and see for myself
if it works or not. i am not brand oriented (unless it's for accessories or
something just for fun. :grin: ).

im not a "Griots convert" either. i still use NXT on my G35C and found that
with SpeedShine i can preserve NXT much better than the cheepo detailer
sprays ive been using from Meguiar's (the red bottle and the NXT detailer,
both only soso good). I want to try Meguiar's professional line polishes and
waxes but not this year. i spent enough dough on detailing goods already
this year for a weekend detailer and there's still other things i want to
buy this Fall which are not related to detailing. :razz:

im a convert from hand polishers and waxing to orbital though! :razz:

According to S Curves (who, apparantly has attended some Griot's-sponsored events), the polisher does have some sort of fan inside thart blows air across the rear of the pad, reducing heat. I really wasn't "pushing" that hard, but I did feel warm air flowing out of that vent. It may have been warm air from the internal motor, though, I have no idea.

Honestly, the thing got the moisture mark out of my stripe, which I had sort of resigned myself to seeing until I finally surrendered and ponied up $60 for a replacement from Aesthetic Creations, and the shine on the car speaks for itself, so...

Obviously, Griot's knows what's out there and has created a detailing package that's meant to be competitive with what's out on the market elsewhere - at the $200 price point, I've seen kits from both Autodetailingsolutions and Griot's direct containing pads, polish, clay bar, wax and whatnot,as well as the polisher unit. I'm still leaning towards the Meguiar's simply because their kit has the duffle bag (when you order from autodetailingsolutions) and I use so many other Meguiar's products. But hey, you never know. At this rate, it looks like I'll have to wait for Xmas to get my kit... I have so many other things I need to buy.

Thanks, guys! This is really starting tio make sense to me now, thanks to everyone here. I had no idea this was all so complex, but it really does seem like it's worth the effort to learn.

Matt I am glad to hear you are happy with how your car turned out. I too was amazed at how good it looked.

Re the polisher, I find it works better for me. I am not sure it does any better job, but I personally notice it is quieter(that could be due to age) and smoother. I also find it easier to hold. I took the handle off my PC first day I had it. I invisioned myself scraching the paint with it. (I dont have the best luck some times, right Matt? :roll: ) But my hand would get hot holding on top of the polisher. Maybe some more power would be nice, but I am satisfied. :nod: