what do you recommend?
what do you recommend? i have scratches all in my NBM finish. i know superbuick has recommended getting a dual action polisher and some menzerna, but after all is said and done, that's a lot of money to spend for a college student! and, not only that, but it's also a lot of trouble to go to for a car that doesn't even get garaged! the sunlight my car sits in will bring those spider webs back in no time i'm sure anyway, so i don't think i can justify spending that sort of money...
i was amazed with colorx and nxt and their ability to hide my swirls. ever since i started using that stuff about 2-3 months ago, there have been no signs of the swirls returning. however, in direct sunlight, or when using a body panel as a reflection of a street light at night, the spider webs and light scratches become very obvious and very hideous. i'd like to find something cheaper than menzerna that will have the same affects or close to. the polished look nxt provides makes me happy enough with the shine and depth in my paint; i'm looking for a product that only corrects scratches and spider webs, it doesn't need any sort of shine attribute to make me happy. the nxt will do all of that
and if there is nothing that will help hide/remove these scratches by just a hand, then i will bite the bullet and get a damn dual action polisher!
i've been toying around with the idea of the 3m swirl remover for dark cars, but not sure if that will do any more for my car. swirls are not my problem anyway - those hairline scratches and spider webs are the issues. thanks for suggestions and help.
i was amazed with colorx and nxt and their ability to hide my swirls. ever since i started using that stuff about 2-3 months ago, there have been no signs of the swirls returning. however, in direct sunlight, or when using a body panel as a reflection of a street light at night, the spider webs and light scratches become very obvious and very hideous. i'd like to find something cheaper than menzerna that will have the same affects or close to. the polished look nxt provides makes me happy enough with the shine and depth in my paint; i'm looking for a product that only corrects scratches and spider webs, it doesn't need any sort of shine attribute to make me happy. the nxt will do all of that
and if there is nothing that will help hide/remove these scratches by just a hand, then i will bite the bullet and get a damn dual action polisher!
i've been toying around with the idea of the 3m swirl remover for dark cars, but not sure if that will do any more for my car. swirls are not my problem anyway - those hairline scratches and spider webs are the issues. thanks for suggestions and help. 
Launching!
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
From: Pawcatuck, CT
The difference between the polisher/Menzerna and the NXT is that the Menzerna will remove the swirls for good, while the Meguiar's will just hide them (meaning they'll return in due time.)
Whichever route you choose, just be careful not to recreate the swirls later on. Make sure your towels are clean, you're never running dirt across the surface, etc.
Whichever route you choose, just be careful not to recreate the swirls later on. Make sure your towels are clean, you're never running dirt across the surface, etc.
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (10)
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,766
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville, Denton TX
Menzerna isnt that expensive, but like said it works best with a DA.
Going out on a limb, but some 39001 3M Medium Cut Rubbing compound should help get the harsher marks out by hand, then use the swirl remover for dark cars. Then a glaze over that will fill them, then nxt and a carnuba topper should hide them.
Simple step, but lots of rubbin: Medium cut then swirl remover for dark cars, then nxt.
This is just an idea, I'm sure there will be some other advice coming, from superbuick and ZaneO. I'll do some searching on autopia and post up. I too would like to know just for knowing.
Going out on a limb, but some 39001 3M Medium Cut Rubbing compound should help get the harsher marks out by hand, then use the swirl remover for dark cars. Then a glaze over that will fill them, then nxt and a carnuba topper should hide them.
Simple step, but lots of rubbin: Medium cut then swirl remover for dark cars, then nxt.
This is just an idea, I'm sure there will be some other advice coming, from superbuick and ZaneO. I'll do some searching on autopia and post up. I too would like to know just for knowing.
thanks for the replies thus far. to go ahead and clear this up, i understand car detailing to a pretty good degree. i do know that nxt is just a filler, and that menzerna actually cuts the scratches and swirls away. i am mostly just looking for a process or product to help hide the scratches even more, or to take them out. so tailwind, i am already a proud user of nxt thanks again, keep the comments comin'...
thanks again, keep the comments comin'... TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (10)
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,766
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville, Denton TX
tuffluck, from what I've read it seems the colorx removes/hides the scratchs and nxt is a non fillin sealant. Am I wrong? I personally have never used the stuff, but may try it on my dads truck or moms envoy...
back to autopia....
back to autopia....
actually, to my understanding, both products will fill and nxt is a sealant as well. the nxt is even a micro-abrasive product, which something like zaino is not, so it has the ability to hide swirls even better than something like zaino.
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (10)
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,766
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville, Denton TX
interesting. I'll be doing some reading on the nxt on autopia tomorrow (or later today... whatever)
this should help
http://www.autopia.org/forums/showth...threadid=14700
Lots of info there on abrasiveness and fillers etc.
fyi 39002 isnt as harsh at 39001.
this should help
http://www.autopia.org/forums/showth...threadid=14700
Lots of info there on abrasiveness and fillers etc.
fyi 39002 isnt as harsh at 39001.
Trending Topics
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (10)
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,766
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville, Denton TX
Originally Posted by Brandon
interesting. I'll be doing some reading on the nxt on autopia tomorrow (or later today... whatever)
this should help
http://www.autopia.org/forums/showth...threadid=14700
Lots of info there on abrasiveness and fillers etc.
fyi 39002 isnt as harsh at 39001.
this should help
http://www.autopia.org/forums/showth...threadid=14700
Lots of info there on abrasiveness and fillers etc.
fyi 39002 isnt as harsh at 39001.
I have more, but they will make you buy the PC.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
Originally Posted by Brandon
Just so show.... Menz Twins and 1 coat of wolfgang that (as I know now) was removed too quickly. I didn't use the 2step wolfgang that ZaneO does, as I didn't know to order it.
I have more, but they will make you buy the PC.
I have more, but they will make you buy the PC.
That looks cool as hell. Good Job!
PM sent!
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (10)
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,766
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville, Denton TX
use a waffle weave microfiber, I got mine from autogeek.net it is amazing
pakshak sells them aswell, but I haven't used mine yet, but considering the quality of the other MFs I've used I'll love it.
I'm really hesitant about using the water blade, if some dust or other foreign matter lands on the car and you dont see it, that equals a scratch.
I like the waffle because it holds a ton of water.
I'll try to get the link again.
pakshak sells them aswell, but I haven't used mine yet, but considering the quality of the other MFs I've used I'll love it.
I'm really hesitant about using the water blade, if some dust or other foreign matter lands on the car and you dont see it, that equals a scratch.
I like the waffle because it holds a ton of water.
I'll try to get the link again.
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (10)
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,766
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville, Denton TX
ok... goto autopia.org forums, then archives, then product review archive, then Relative abrasiveness of 3M SMR, cleaner wax, and FCRC
![6']['9's Avatar](https://ls1tech.com/forums/customavatars/avatar7527_3.gif){kind=avatar}
tuff luck PM sent.. if you want to go the da route you can but itll cost more then again itll always be there for you to use. the 3m thread above is a good guide if you plan on using 3m. most of the finishes you see guys are using menzerna which works best by machine. any how good luck i just posted a pic with menzerna and wolfgang inthis section check it out!
6t9, i'm awaiting the PM...
what about 3m rubbing compound - would anyone suggest that? whoever had the car before me just didn't know what the hell they were doing when they dried the car, i think that's all that can be said. lots of little scratches.
do you guys polish/wax in circle motions, or straight lines? i've heard so many different views out there that i don't know which to believe...
what about 3m rubbing compound - would anyone suggest that? whoever had the car before me just didn't know what the hell they were doing when they dried the car, i think that's all that can be said. lots of little scratches.
do you guys polish/wax in circle motions, or straight lines? i've heard so many different views out there that i don't know which to believe...
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (10)
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,766
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville, Denton TX
2002_TAWS6 I will a little later, I did send it to the email listed in your profile. I'm polishing on mine at the moment.
The 3M stuff was listed for the point of going by hand. It would take a bit of work with Menz by hand, but it could be done.
6']['9 brings up a good point on having a PC, you will always have it to use, and depending on how your friends cars are, or others, you can make your money back and then some by polishing their cars.
The 3M stuff was listed for the point of going by hand. It would take a bit of work with Menz by hand, but it could be done.
6']['9 brings up a good point on having a PC, you will always have it to use, and depending on how your friends cars are, or others, you can make your money back and then some by polishing their cars.
yes you can make your $ back a lot of it. ive been detailing about 7years im not an expert but i know more than enough. just make sure if you do others cars your careful... and you should be good remember "its not what you use its how you use it"
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
From: WY
If you want to do it by hand (the right way) tuffluck, get some Meguiars Dual-Action Cleaner/Polish and then talk to Scottwax over at autopia. He does most of his swirl removing by hand using thie product. It is very time and physically consuming as I understand it but it can be done.
Like 6']['9 says "its not what you use its how you use it"
-Tom
Like 6']['9 says "its not what you use its how you use it"
-Tom