Well, the weather has not been cooperating, and my truck doesn't quite fit in the garage with my benches in the way, so all I was able to do was a wash and NXT wax (we're expecting snow, so I needed some protection).

Did this all by hand, tight circles on with foam applicators and long straight strokes off using a Meguiar's microfiber towel. I think I did OK, but I guess I'm still not sure how thin is thin (for each coat). I mean, is a nickel size enough to do each section (i.e. door / quarter panel / hood)? Should it be the very lightest of hazes, or what? I experimented a bit, but every time I went for very thin, I got freaked out that I was going to scratch something .

Anyway, here are the pictures.... https://www.f150online.com/galleries....cfm?num=10265

 

Sure looks good as far as I can see!

 

With all the suggestions on here and how all the trucks look I am thinking of giving the NXT a try. I have been a loyal user of only regular carnauba waxing because I have been always been told for best clarity and protection to stick with the regular and always for the last 5 or so years stuck to Griots products but with everyting I see and here on here im thinking of trying this stuff on the truck. Who knowes have to see.

BTW Mike truck looks good

 

Thanks guys! I was planning on carnuba over the NXT, but as I said the weather is not cooperating with me. When I know it's going to stay nice for a bit I'm going to do the whole shebang - clay to wax. For now, I thought I'd give it some wax.

 

If you will be topping the NXT with a carnuba just make sure it's not a cleaner.

 

Nice truck! I don't see how you could possibly apply TOO much wax. I personally use a LOT more than a nickle size. I wax about 4 times a year and it still looks brand new( have people tell me this ) after 2 years and never been in a garage.
P.S. why go over the NXT w/ caranuba? I found NXT to be the best I've ever used.I'm not just saying that, I actually found the stuff long before coming onto this site.

 

Looks killer... Nice work!

As for the amount of product, this is one of those issues that has been talked about in great detail on some of the detailing forums. My personal opinion is that you'd rather use too much than too little... here's why.

The wax/sealant is acting as a lubrication media between the pad and the paint. A dry pad, inherently, can cause problems on paint. So, if you start to notice that the wax is getting thin as you apply, give yourself another quarter-sized squeeze (or whatever it takes). While NXT and most of the more recent synthetics on the market are VERY simple to remove, they can be a beast if too thick (and, in turn, you risk causing problems when removing a thick coat as you have to put more pressure on the paint which can cause scratching, swirling, and/or micro-marring (all the same thing in a sense I suppose). Look for a nice, even, consistent coat of wax. Thick isn't the way to go with ANY product that you're utilizing on your vehicles' paint. Prevention, in most people's opinion, is the easiest way to not have to fix the problem.

As for a carnauba topper -- many people, including myself, believe that the carnauba really adds a different character to a synthetically waxed vehicle. That's not to say that NXT is a bad product; quite the contrary -- I think it's a pretty good one -- but, the carnauba takes on different optical properties that typically will yield more depth, flare, and add a degree to any metallic paint that can't be matched by a synthetic.

Most carnauba waxes (again, like aforementioned -- not cleaner waxes) contain a minimal amount of cleaners to nearly no cleaners so, a topper on a synthetic will not yield a problem. #26 is a great choice to top any synthetic in my opinion -- especially dark vehicles with some metallic fleck.

Often times, you'll hear people talk about the Saran-wrapped look -- most times, they're looking at a synthetically waxed vehicle... you rarely hear someone make this type of comment when a nice carnauba topper is on the paint -- no matter the color.

Lastly, and obviously, the carnauba, when topped on a synthetic, will add an additional touch of protection -- albeit minimal.

I like two coats of a synthetic (typically NXT) followed by one coat of a nice carnauba-based wax... typically #16 for me.

BTW, I really like this pic... VERY clear reflection... you can almost count the rocks...




Nice work bud! Very nice...

RP

 

That is a nice job you did there. I might have to go over my NXT with some carnauba this weekend

 

RP,

How do you apply #16, by hand or PC? I applied it by hand but had a tough time getting it off. I am certain I put it on too thick. I have a PC and wonder if that is a better way to make sure it is not too thick. I prefer to apply wax by hand.

Kevin

 

I prefer last step products by hand... unless I'm doing a quickie job. A PC is great for getting a smooth, even, thin coat of whatever product you're using but, for last steps, I prefer hand...

The key with #16 is ULTRA-THIN..and I mean THIN... as you experienced, thick is a MONSTROSITY of a PITA with some of the old products (and most of the new ones too)... #7 thick is like concrete on the paint.

RP

 

Thank you!

The things that I kept running into: 1) The wax took a long time to haze - presumably because it was pretty cold outside. 2) Some areas were "streaked" (for lack of a better word) during removal - probably from an undried spot where there was a thicker coat. I was very impressed by the ease of application of the NXT. I also have Synwax that I may try at some point. I was planning on using the Synwax for this job and save the NXT for when I did the Meguiar's Step #1 and Step#2 prior to wax (to minimize product incompatibility). Brain fart I guess. Turned out nice either way.

This picture is a little bit of an optical illusion - it doesn't mean that my paint isn't in good condition, but it's not show car quality mirror finished... yet. But it is the right angle and a good wax job . When I get the#26 on it, I'll send more pictures. Hopefully this weekend, but it's going to be cold and I'm making beer on Saturday so we'll have to see when I have time.

I appreciate all the help I received here for sure and the nice comments on the truck!