Car detailing - Clay and Meguiars 3 step any good?
Discussion
Hello all.
Now that the weather is due to improve in the next few months I'm going to get ready to clean my car.
I usually use Meguiars deep crystal 3 step system. Reviews are pretty good so I'll probably just continue with this.
Is it worth claying the car first?
As I don't want to be doing this every weekend come the summer, what is recommended to maintain a decent shine once this work has been done. Can I just apply a wax or do I have to do the whole 3 step system once again?
Now that the weather is due to improve in the next few months I'm going to get ready to clean my car.
I usually use Meguiars deep crystal 3 step system. Reviews are pretty good so I'll probably just continue with this.
Is it worth claying the car first?
As I don't want to be doing this every weekend come the summer, what is recommended to maintain a decent shine once this work has been done. Can I just apply a wax or do I have to do the whole 3 step system once again?
If you haven't got an orbital/rotary I'd personally stick to claying then using a polish like AG SRP followed by twin layers (leaving at least 24 hours between application) of something like Collinite 915. Top up with something like Dodo Juice Red Mist Tropical every few weeks after a wash.
The key is all in the preparation and much of the finish the eye see's is actually down to the polishing stage as opposed to the sealant/wax.
Two buckets, a washmit, MF cloths, applicator pads and a good drying towel are all vital.
The key is all in the preparation and much of the finish the eye see's is actually down to the polishing stage as opposed to the sealant/wax.
Two buckets, a washmit, MF cloths, applicator pads and a good drying towel are all vital.
Edited by Buzzkill on Sunday 21st February 18:53
Meguiars is a perfectly respectable brand and their products are very good. However there are some more 'industry' brands which will do a better job. Clay wise I would look at Sonus mild (Green) and Meguiars Last Touch lube. For a polish....depending upon your car I would look at Zaino Z-PC Fusion Dual Action Paint Cleaner Swirl Remover costing around 12 quid and to top off I would look closely at Dodo Juice or Finishkare re wax.
If you need any help just ask.
If you need any help just ask.
Decent wash, then clay (the bilt hamber stuff is good or sonos green), wash/rinse again.
I have used Megs in the past as well as the Sonus polishes. I picked up a DA Polisher last year and i'm currently using Menzerna polishes.
Topped off with a couple of coats of Megs #16 to give it some protection.
Megs Last Touch is useful for getting rid of dust etc after the polishing and wax stages.
I have used Megs in the past as well as the Sonus polishes. I picked up a DA Polisher last year and i'm currently using Menzerna polishes.
Topped off with a couple of coats of Megs #16 to give it some protection.
Megs Last Touch is useful for getting rid of dust etc after the polishing and wax stages.
Edited by pmanson on Monday 22 February 09:11
That is the exact set up I use. To be honest, unless you've got a particular cleaning fetish, then it should be more than enough.
The real benefit is when you come to wash your car, it makes it a lot easier just to give it a quick wash and it's all shiny again.
As mentioned above, two buckets, wash, clay, wash, dry polish etc.
The real benefit is when you come to wash your car, it makes it a lot easier just to give it a quick wash and it's all shiny again.
As mentioned above, two buckets, wash, clay, wash, dry polish etc.
Just don't drop the clay as you'll need to throw it away!
Meguairs is fine for the less anally obsessive, who just want to go to Halfords buy some stuff and then use it. I don't like AutoGlym Polish at all in comparisson. You end up with loads of "dust" afterwards. SAying that the Autoglym car shampoo stuff is better than the purple meguairs stuff.
Meguairs is fine for the less anally obsessive, who just want to go to Halfords buy some stuff and then use it. I don't like AutoGlym Polish at all in comparisson. You end up with loads of "dust" afterwards. SAying that the Autoglym car shampoo stuff is better than the purple meguairs stuff.
PeteG said:
Meg's stage 3, the wax, doesn't last particularly well. The bonus of the Collinite is it's only about 18 quid for a tin, but one application will last about 6 months.
What's collinite and what does it do? If I can find any wax that lasts that would be a bonus as I won't need to do it as often!mat59 said:
PeteG said:
Meg's stage 3, the wax, doesn't last particularly well. The bonus of the Collinite is it's only about 18 quid for a tin, but one application will last about 6 months.
What's collinite and what does it do? If I can find any wax that lasts that would be a bonus as I won't need to do it as often!www.collinite.com - 476 is the cheap hard-wearing stuff.
paddyhasneeds said:
mat59 said:
PeteG said:
Meg's stage 3, the wax, doesn't last particularly well. The bonus of the Collinite is it's only about 18 quid for a tin, but one application will last about 6 months.
What's collinite and what does it do? If I can find any wax that lasts that would be a bonus as I won't need to do it as often!www.collinite.com - 476 is the cheap hard-wearing stuff.
Comes in a proper old-school tin, thick paste rather than liquid in a bottle. If you go to Elite Car Care, they do a kit including applicators and cloths for about £20. Well worth it.
Thanks. I presume you just rub it in and buff it off like a normal wax?
Thinking of replacing the third step (wax) with this now if it lasts longer. To help with step one I've been thinking of replacing the paint cleaner with something that will effectively remove the light swirls. Is scratch X too abrasive?
Thinking of replacing the third step (wax) with this now if it lasts longer. To help with step one I've been thinking of replacing the paint cleaner with something that will effectively remove the light swirls. Is scratch X too abrasive?
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