ok i know this topic has been hashed and rehashed but im really lost on the car care stuff so i would like to have someone tell me whats up. I did meguires 3 step about 3 weeks ago and the day after i was done it actually rained (a rarity in los angeles), i was somewhat inpressed with it but ive decided i want to try liquid glass. So it has wax on it right now, although very dirty. So let me see if this is right.

Couple teaspoons of dawn in a couple gallons of water go over whole truck, then use regular car wash and go over whole truck, then do a couple coats of liquid glass? The trucks black (crap) and has paint swirls all over which i would like to take out. Meguires didnt really get it done do i have some other options? I hear clay bar is great but i dont know if thats gonna help any.

Any help appreciated.

 

grinomyte.

Being that the Liquid Glass has cleaner in it, you could probably just do a regular wash, and then go right to the Liquid Glass. Problem is those swirl marks! The clay bar is great stuff, but it's not going to remove the scratches or swirl marks. You have a couple of options.

First, if you know how to use a rotary buffer, you can try a product like Meguar's DACP (Dual Action Cleaner/Polish), or maybe even a more abrasive poduct like their Fine Cut, or Medium Cut, or any number of good abrasive products designed to physicaly remove swirls and scratches. Sometimes the DACP can be used with an orbital buffer with good success, depending on the severity of the swirls.

Your second option, if you don't know how to use the rotary, is take it too a pro detailer, and let him get the swirl marks out. Then you can do your thing with the LG.

Your third option is to try and "hide" the swirl marks with a product like Meguiars #9 (Swirl Remover). Meguiars calls it a swirl "remover" but IMHO, it's mostly oils and fillers with a little abrasive stuff in there. If you have an orbital buffer, the #9 can work out pretty well, or can be applied by hand. Problem with this is: the LG will probably remove the oils and fillers. You might want to top the #9 with some #7 and then a carnauba wax like Meguiars #26 rather than the LG.

If you have anymore questions, you know where to find me!

 

Meguiar's #9 would would for light swirls but you might want to get some Meguiar's Dual-Action Cleaner Polish.

Liquid Glass has a paint cleaner but their wax (or as they call it polish) doesn't really have a big cleaner in it.

 

Hey BOSS_429 speaking of the whole clay bar thing i have a question about them. Are you suprised?
Will the Meguairs Medallion Premium Paint Cleaner take care of the same thing as the Clay when used with the PC? In other words will the Medallion remove all the same contaminates as the clay bar ? Or if there is heavy contaminets should you use the clay bar foirst then the cleaner?

Richard D.

 

Richard D,

Yes I'm shocked!

Here's how I look at the Clay bar thing! Generally speaking, a clay bar is used to remove contaminates "on top" of the paint surface. A clay bar will NOT remove oxidation, or light water stains and other stuff that is "in" the paint surface.............. you need a paint cleaner, or more to take care of that. The reason I like to use a clay bar, is to remove the stuff I can from the surface........... before I start rubbing or buffing a cleaner on the paint which can move that stuff around and cause swirls. On the other hand, there are those that think a clay bar is useless, unless you have paint overspray on the paint.

Anyhow, if you choose to use the clay bar, do it before using the paint cleaner.

 

OK that is kind of what I figured but I just wanted to make sure I was on the right track. So it is better to use the clay bar first prior to any cleaning as it removes the heavy particles. Now which Clay bar do you use and do you kno if th Meguiars comes witha botlle of the quick detailer like the Mothers comes with what ever they call there liquid?

Richard D.

 

Meguiars makes a clay that I use and love. It's part of the Mirror Glaze line and is called Profesional Body Shop Clay (I think). I got it at my local Meguiars/Mirror Glaze distributor. I just use my #34 Final Inspection along with it...

A++ results EVERY TIME.


The Medallion Paint Cleaner is a good product but, like Boss mentioned, it's more for the oxidation and such.

RP

 

RP,

The Meguiar's clay bar is a pretty good clay bar. However, IMHO, the Mothers clay is a tad better. It's a little more durable, and has a bit better "bite" to it. Then again, the Pinnacle Poly clay (I believe they make the Zaino bar) is even better (and larger) than both of the others. The 3M clay bar is an excellent, durable clay bar........ when you can find one. The Clay Magic bar is a very good clay, but I won't buy another one because of Clay Magic trying to stop all the others from selling clay or getting a kickback because of their claim to have "invented" the clay bar.......... or whatever the hell they are trying to do!