Today I was able to get to some places that carries Megs products, so I picked some up today...Still have a few questions though.

1. First off, I bought a DupliColor Pen/Brush chip thing to fix my paint chips. Can I just fill them in, a little over level, then sand with 2000 grit paper to make it smooth?

2. Second step will be the Clay Bar. I think I have this down so Im not to worried...only thing Im not sure about is if the clay bar will take off my touch up paint? If so, then I would need to clay, THEN fix the scratches?

3. Next up, I bought myself a tube of ScratchX. This will be aplied by hand. I plan to go over the whole truck with it due to scrathes from weeds, trees, etc, and also the swirl marks from washing and what not. What I am wondering though is if this will get rid of my water spots? Our water is horribly hard and leaves water spots everywhere. I cant wash my truck fast enough to get it dry without leaving spots. So, will my ScratchX remove these, or do I need to go with a paint cleaner of some sort?

4. Also, any tips on NOT getting water spots while Im washing, before I can get it dry? I try to run water over it numerous times while washing so water beads dont sit on the suface anywhere. I also do the method where you run the water over the panel and 'sweep' the water away (cant remember what you guys call this method). But...no luck. Do I just need to dry my truck AS I wash it? Thats about the only thing I can think of, aside from a 300 dollar filter.

5. Next up is the Deep System Crystal Polish. Ill probably do two coats of this, applied by hand. No real questions here.

6. And finally, I have Gold Class Paste Wax. I will use two coats of this, also applied by hand.
In my cabinets I have a bottle of Mother Carnuba Wax. I read that Carnuba stands up to the elements pretty well, so would it be of any benifit to put a layer or two of this over my other wax? Or would that be a bad idea, or worthless?

7. Can I use Megs Hi-Tech Aplicator pads for each product, or do I need specifit aplicators for different products? Or would it be better to go with a microfiber aplicator?

8. All products will be removed with Microfiber towels.


So, for a recap of what Im thinking...
Wash with Deep Crystal Car Wash
Clay
Wash with Deep Crystal Car Wash
Scratch X whole truck
Two coats of Polish
Two coats of GC Wax
Everything applied with Hi-Tech Aplicator pads and removed with MF towels.

Sounds like it will work?

One last thing. How often do I need to do something like this? I realize its different for each car...but does this stuff come off more and more with each wash, or can I just wash it and dry it..then wax it every month or so?
I have no idea how long anything like this last or how often it needs done.

THANK YOU

EDITED to add: The more I read around, I get the idea that ScratchX is an abraisive cleaner that makes my clearcoat level with the bottom of the scratches. Now what I get from this is that everytime you would use it, it will remove your clearcoat, small layers at a time... This sounds not so good to me. Am I missing something, or am I on the right track here? Makes me a little scared to use it if its going to be 'leveling' my clear by removing a little bit each time I use it.

 

Wow that is a lot to tackle and I've had a few drinks tonight...

I would clay then do your paint pen. (hope you got the right color), claying and using paint cleaners will remove what you put on over time.

As for the scratchX, I just tried some for myself, used a DA. Here is a before photo...note the white marks about 2 ft long


After


This was done with both ScratchX and Megs #80 and I didn't think I was real aggressive with it.

what I try and do is keep the truck wet while I am washing it until I am ready to dry. Sometimes I ask my wife to MIST the truck as I am doing other sections. Then dry quickly and go back over the "wet" spots. But if you are about to clay, don't beat yourself up over this...they will come out with the clay process. Or at least they should.

you have an 06 right? Not sure you will need multi coats...just check it as you go. You will be pretty impressed by the feel after you clay...to me it feels as if the paint has lotion on it...I use my hand as the guage, i run it over the surface, you will hear the parts that need more clay. Otherwise it will be very smooth.

Other than that, it looks like you got what you need. I know others with more experience will fill in the gaps for you.

Good luck.

JP

 

Rolling, thanks for the help. I figured the clay would help remove the water spots, but then I am worried about water spots after I wash it the second time to remove the clay residue. Or will the ScratchX do away with those spots then?

Thank you!

 

In my experience (limited) I don't see a need to wash after you clay. An alternative would be to QD (quick Detail mist) the truck after you clay. Then you are ready for polish and wax. You are going to be pretty jazzed after you clay. It gets better.....

My .03

BTW, 4K posts...ouch I have a long way to go.

 

It may take several applications of paint to get it right. Don't expect miracles plus, be VERY careful with the 2000 grit. I recently got into my color coat when fixing a severe rock chip on my hood.

You're thinking exactly correct. Don't clay that immediate area. The clay does pose a significant risk to your touch up work.

It may deal a tad with your water spots but, it's important to note that there are different degrees of severity when it comes to water spots and that there is NO silver bullet. Clay may remove some surficial mineral deposits but, odds are, you'll have a tad of etching into the paint along with that spot. My money is on needing a machine to remove them completely -- you're going to hate yourself after doing yoru truck with Scratch X if you do it the right way.

Wash one or two panels at a time and then dry. Also, try the 'flow' dry method frequently while you're washing. Don't wash in any type of direct sunlight (I actually like washing at dusk - immediately before dark - due to the way the sun pounds my driveway).

If you have existing water spots, odds are that you're still going to see those even after washing and, may even amplify the ones that are there. Your water sounds about as good as mine...

Yep. Nothing to add. One coat is ample as you're not going to achieve additional pop with multiple coats.

(continued in next post)

 

I'd snub the Gold Class paste. While it's an okay wax, the durability is lousy at best. The Mother's Carnauba would be a better choice between the two. Go with two coats of the Mother's -- or, I would if I were you. You might consider investing in a decent synthetic for more durability above and beyond the Mother's Carnauba. Some readily accessible 'mart-available' versions are Nanowax, NXT, or Mother's Synwax.

The foam and MF will have about an equal amount of cut. Personal preference here.... go with what you have or what is readily available. For cutting the water spots, you may consider a cotton-terry applicator as it will have more cut than either MF or foam.

Use good technique. Top to bottom with dedicated towels in potential hard grunge areas. Also, rotate the towel frequently and 'snap' it out frequently. The towel should be folded into quarters and, again, rotated frequently.

Yeah, it'll work. You're going to *HATE* using Scratch X (if used correctly) all over the truck. It will be a BEAST. One coat of polish. Snub the GC for the Mother's Carnauba.


No worries with Scratch X but, only use it when you need it. To answer the frequency question -- the simple answer is 'as needed'. You don't have to step through every step every time as you may be able to get away with a smack of polish and more wax rather than going after non-existant swirls or scratches with something abrasive.

Don't let the word 'abrasive' spook you here. While it does remove some clear to make the paint swirl/scratch-free, you're not removing nearly enough to cause a significant problem if used infrequently (infrequently = 4 times per year for SEVERAL years). That 2000 grit on the other hand, is VERY problematic in the wrong hands, FYI.

--RP--

 

...then don't wash the second time. Honestly, it's an unnecessary step for 99% of the vehicles that I see.

 

Thank you guys :bow:


I still need to order a bunch of MF towels and aplicatiors...while Im at would it make sense to order a bottle of Deep Crystal System Paint Cleaner, and use that over the whole truck instead of the ScratchX? Then just use the SX on certian areas...
If the SX is going to be a pain in the rear, I dont want to mess with it then, especially if its not going to be THAT benifical.



As far as a machine...a while back someone gave me some cheapy Rockford Polisher/buffer. Ive never used the thing before...a little scared to try it. Im not sure if its something I might kill my paint with more, or if its something that would be safe to use

 

IMHO, I would suggest searching out ways to prevent swirls and scratches on your truck in the future before I would go through the process of removing them from your truck. If you continue to do the things that caused the swirls and scratches to begin with, then I do not know if it is going to be befeficial to go through the necessary steps to remove them from your truck. You can never completely prevent swirls and scratches but with the proper techniques and care, you can limit the frequency and the amount of corrective action required in the future. A moment of prevention is greater than hours of correction.

 

Although I could be using a better wash mit, I do believe I do a pretty good job at reducing swirls, compared to what they could be. Doing one or less panel at a time, washing the mit before dipping it in my soap/water bucket etc. I probably get more dirt/mud/dust on my truck between washes than 96% of the people on here, so no matter what you do, Im convinced your going to end up dragging at least some of it accross your paint and causing some light swirls/scratches. I dunno

 

Hokie offers a great piece of advice from the standpoint of MAINTAINING your finish once you get it to par but, the fact of the matter is that you're going to reintroduce them at some point in time.

Lots of us do a lot of goofy things in an effort to reduce the potential items that cause these problems but, the fact of the matter is that none of us are perfect.

One can certainly reduce but, it's nearly impossible to eliminate.

 

I agree 10,000%. Well put!

 

Any input on that? Thank ya!

 

it would be more realistic than using SX. but if you read the description it is a paint cleaner and not very abrasive. It says on the megs site that it is non-abrasive. I would use it to prep the paint for polishing. If you are looking for something to use over the whole truck i think #80 would be recommended. possibly #83 if there are large problems.

 

being a 2006 truck, there is probably not a lot of benefit to using the Deep Crystal Ceaner over ScratchX. The DC would be easier to use over the whole vehicle, but it isn't going to do much of anything with scratches, etc.

It won't hurt to use it, but if you are going to, you would get more out of it by using both, as opposed to one over the other.