OK this winter really put the hurt on my trucks paint. Road salt, Sand, and now the dealer "washed" (destroyed) my truck with those darn dirty brushes EVEN THOUGH I asked them NOT to wash it. Hello swirl marks. So I am back from G.I. Joes with a load of products. NXT Wash. Meguiars Paint cleaner, polish, and Scratch X with NXT wax for the shine. The wash and wax are a given but my question is should I do every step or can I skip say the polish or say the cleaner? Will I get great results from doing a full paint restoration? My truck is a Dark Copper 06'. I am not looking to skip steps if everyone thinks it pays off. Thanks.

 

If your truck is as bad as I think it is, you should not skip any steps. once you get it clean you will need to polish it to get the scratches out. a good rubbing compound that isn't to aggressive should do you pretty good. just be careful. In the wrong hands a rubbing compound can do more harm than good.

 

Tough call to make, sight unseen. Nothing you have there is going to change the world so, just shooting from the hip here -- I'd probably go with each of what you've described.

Probably in this order:

1. Wash (search for two-bucket method and follow that)
2. Clay (probably should go buy a clay kit -- it's really a good way to prep your paint - yes, I know it's an 06'... Clay is an advantage (trust me)).
3. Scratch-X on any 'problem spots'. Deeper scratches and such should be addressed here. Don't move to the next step until you have these scratches where you want them (within reason). Multiple applications (per the directions) are safe (within reason).
4. Cleaner - Again, go multiple times if needed. That's a pretty 'mundane' product so, again, it's a safe one to use several times.
5. Polish - Pure pop. Nothing more. I assume that you're referring to step 2 in the 3-step deep crystal system?
6. NXT X2 coats -- 12 hours apart.

That help?

 

Thanks for the advice. I was going to start today but it's about 35 outside. I did get some clay yesterday and will give it a go when it warms up. Any advice on how warm it needs to be outside for detail work? Thanks in advance.

 

45 to 50. Have a heater and a garage?