Just finished watching OG's dvd and had a few questions (actually wrote them down in the process of watching it ).

1. In the dvd, Mike layers 2 applications of the NXT tech wax. With Prima Epic, I've heard not to touch it for 24 hours. Can i layer it to make it pop?

2. After Mike layered the NXT, he applied the #7 showcar glaze. Is there a Prima equivalent that will give the car the real deep look, or will a coat (or multiple coats) of Epic take care of it?

3. When polishing the car out using Swirl/ other polishes, should I do the whole car, then wipe with an MF, or wipe it off after each panel. I realized that it's dumb to wipe it off after each small section, but is a panel alright?

There will be others as I watch it again tonight. I would highly recommend this DVD to anyone who wants to begin a detailing business or jsut wants to get showcar results on their daily driver.

 

He doesn't actually "layer" the wax. Two coats are applied to provide an even and complete coat in case you missed any areas during the first application. I always apply two coats of Epic on my customers cars to ensure evenness. For synthetic polymer finishes, optimally you want to apply one coat, let it dry 24 hours and apply another coat. But when I'm working on a car, I don't have that luxury, so applying 2 coats for best coverage is the compromise.

#7 ShowCarGlaze was included on the DVD to demonstrate how to use the product, just like the portion on using Spray Wax. It didn't have to be applied though it can often help. Amigo is the closest thing to #7 though it offers much more since #7 is only a pure polish--offers no protection, filling, or cleaning ability.

It's not dumb to wipe off the polish after each section. You really don't want the polish to dry after it's been worked in, it will only take more effort to remove it. Of course, you really don't know if a single pass is enough to make the area you are working on "complete". Maybe it needs another pass. How will you know if you haven't wiped it off??? Work on a panel or "spot" if you will--whatever it takes to ensure you have made the area look good before moving on.

Thanks for the nice comments!


Richard

 

Sounds good. I know i have more questions, but I'm off to do donuts in my church parking lot in the snow.

 

Haha, be careful!!! Don't want to do anything you can't buff out! LOL

Btw, you can also ask questions over at www.ShowCarGarage.com where you might get more diverse answers than just myself. =) Of course, most people are Prima newbies there that I've been trying to get them switched over, but the techniques are the same.

Richard

 

haha. don't worry. my brother and i made it make in one piece, and learned a few things while there:
1. how to stop understeer
2. how to create oversteer( )
3. and that we need new tires on our jeep

 

ooo another quick set of questions

1. Wax on chrome? I thought this was a no-no.

2. Speaking of Chrome, whats the best way to clean up and polish old, foggy chrome?

 

O and these aren't just for OG, so if anyone wants to add, please do!

 

Wax on chrome? Depends what kind of chrome we are talking about. The thin chrome plated plastic on our MINI's???

I just use the non abrasive NXT All Metal Polysh which has some mild cleaners. If the metal is foggy but not pitted or too deterioriated, then NXT AMP works great.

 

I got the P21S chrome cleaner which helped, but didn't finish the job. I will try the Nxt.

And its real chrome, like the chrome in the dvd, so i think it will be alright.

 

Just a quick point about Amigo. Yes, it's probably the closest thing to the ShowCarGlaze. However, it is not like a traditional glaze in an important aspect...

Amigo is only to be used prior to a wax, not afterwards. Most glazes are used on top of wax. Amigo does all the things of a traditional glaze but does so from underneath the wax. The advantage is that it will last as long as your wax- unlike traditional glazes which have very little durability and can only be used on top of a wax.

Just wanted to point that out to avoid any confusion!

-Heather

 

Good point. The Meguiar's Show Car Glaze is normally used on top as a quick way to make the finish look better for a day. It's not something that lasts, but it can also be used under a wax as well for extra durability.

Heather I was wondering if Hydro could be used in place of Amigo if a bit of extra gloss/shine/richness were desired? I know it's a spray wax type of product, but could it be used in that way as well?? In place of say Amigo--you go from Swirl to Hydro to Epic?

Richard

 

thanks alot, as i was about to put Amigo in top of Epic.

oh and Heather, I just received notification that the other package has been sent. Thanks alot!

 

I don't know the chemical makeup of Show Car Glaze, but most glazes will not allow a wax to bond properly. In other words, if you apply most glazes before a wax, you're wax will not last very long either. It will essentially wash off with your glaze. The wax's durability is determined by the glaze's durability when applied in that order. Is Show Car Glaze different in that aspect?

I should also note that some product names use the term "glaze" even though they are not a glaze at all. A classic example is Klasse Sealant Glaze. It isn't a glaze at all... it's a synthetic wax. Just a preemptive strike against potential confusion!


Technically, yes, you could go from Swirl to Hydro to Epic. However, you would get better total results from doing it Swirl to Epic to Hydro. Hydro was designed to be used on top of Epic (or by itself of course too), so it will yield the most optimal results. Yet, you could technically do it and it won't affect your Epic bonding.

-Heather

 

I'm not sure about the chemical makeup of Show Car Glaze. However Meguiar's recommends use of the product before or after wax depending on desired longevity--though I'm not saying that's true for any other glaze type product.

Richard

 

How much does the look differ between before vs. after application? Have you used it both ways? Curious...

-Heather

 

Maybe the #7 showcar glaze can be sealed under a coat of wax??? #7 chased with Epic???

 

I've used it both ways in my early days of polishing, but now that I've found a system that works for me, I rarely do it anymore. For some types of dark paints, #7 makes the paint look darker and richer. Meguiar's M80 actually contains polishing oils similar to #7. Some people consider M80 to be #7 with diminishing abrasives. So using #7 after M80 is really an extra step that doesn't offer much benefits.

I'll do that test though--once I'm situated in my new shop within the next two weeks, I've got a bunch of different tests planned to showcase the performance and effects of various products.

Richard

 

sounds good. good luck moving into your new shop... im still in the process of figuring out how to best use my home garage with lights and heating (for now at least).

i cannot wait for summer time.

 

I like it... "chased" with Epic! LOL.

-Heather

 

That would be interesting to know. Out here, I'm waiting for warmer temps to do any testing! Brrrrrrr!!!

-Heather

 

i know exactly what you mean. its 36 here (not too bad) but its supposed to snow for the next 5 days... i really can't wait for summer so i can detail cars and drive around with the windows down in a t-shirt. best feeling in the world, bar-none.

 

I almost did this the first time, too...

 

Ok so just to clarify...

1. Swirl
2. Finish (sometimes)
3. Amigo
4. Epic
after the salt on the road has ruined my beautiful work
5. Wash then dry with Hydro

 

Yup, that's it!
Here, I'll add the pad suggestions too, just for reference:

1. Swirl w/ white or orange
2. Finish w/ white or orange
3. Amigo w/ white (ideally) or black is ok too
4. Epic w/ black (ideally) or white is ok too

All pads referenced above are Lake Country pads.

I think you already know the pads though. You're good to go!

-Heather

 

Is Hydro safe on black trim and whatnots? About to wash the Jeep for the first time in about a month (awful, I know) and i plan to dry with Hydro because its freezing here and I have no time.