Meguiars 3 Step

[EricVR4]

Yesterday worked called and said that business was too slow and I didn't need to come in, so I went to Pep Boys and bought a bunch of new car wash stuff since I was running out of a lot of it. I decided to get the Paint Cleaner and Polish from Meguiars and use the NXT wax for the third step instead of their Carnauba wax. I did a wash, claybar, wash, Step 1, Step 2, then the NXT and holy crap the paint is soft. Feels like silk and looks like it's still wet. I was rather impressed by it, but then again, I like Meguiars products. I have yet to try the Zymol or Zainos stuff, or even Tropicare cause I like Meguiars so much.

Anyone else a fan of the 3 step from them?

[stealthlude]

I have used it before. It's definitely a good product, but very time consuming. I do remember the paint cleaner being somewhat difficult to remove from the car once it dries. It may not show up as much on white cars, but on a black car, you kind of see residues from the paint cleaner step if you don't buff it off all the way. I found the best way to use this product was to get a small random orbital buffer to apply and remove the product instead of doing it by hand.

[Fury]

I've always done it by hand. Takes me a couple of hours but hey it's fun and the car is shinnyyyyy. Has that wet look and the mirror finish. Im concerned if i should use Zymol. It's a cleaner wax right? Is it suggested to use as the final step or what?

[3000gtwis2]

I LOVE that stuff. The other day i used the Meguiars Quick Clay Detailer after a wash, and didnt even need to wax(I did it anyway). You think your car is clean after washing it and then you use the clay. So much dirt came off on to the clay that i was actually embarassed. It takes a long time but when your done its all worth it.

[EricVR4]

Yeah, I love clay bars. I've used it on mine 2 or 3 times. Each time it did less and less, as expected, but after the first time, the car looke 10 times better.

[dabigv13]

Just did mine yesterday, all three steps with Meguiars. It's a bitch, but it does look nice when you're done (and so smoooooooth). One thing that I can't get off for the life of me, is on my side "scoops", there is this dirt next to each of the black plastic things, and at the very front of the dividing fin. It's on both sides, and no amount of rubbing can get it off. Annoying.

I had a very hard time getting off the polish step. The first step I was able to get off pretty good, but if there was any left over, i didn't really mind, figured the polish step would take it off. But I didn't want any of the the step 2 residue to be there after the wax, so instead of just a normal cloth, I had two cloths, one damp one (with filtered water to avoid water spots under my wax), and another dry one. I first rubbed with the damp towel, then immediately used the dry one, one in each hand. This really did the trick.

Next time I'll have to try the claybar. It just seems so scary!

[NOMIEZVR-4]

Oh yea, I love meguiars...its so great..the car is smoother than a baby's behind when im done with it.. The only thing that I haven't done yet is a claybar, does it make the car a lot cleaner? Do you guys claybar AND wax the car or what? What kinda claybar should I get? Thanks.

[EricVR4]

I've only found 3 different kinds of claybars and have tried all 2 of them. There's Clay Magic which you can get at Wal Mart, and then there's Meguiars and Mothers. I haven't used the Meguiars yet. The claybar just takes overspray/dirt/bugs/residue out of the clear coat to make it cleaner and better looking.

[3000gtwis2]

Originally Posted by NOMIEZVR-4

The only thing that I haven't done yet is a claybar, does it make the car a lot cleaner? Do you guys claybar AND wax the car or what? What kinda claybar should I get? Thanks.

The Meguiars Quick Clay Detailer is the BEST! It takes a long time to do, but if you take your time and follow the directions it is sooooo nice. ANY dirt, water spots, swirls, and tiny scratches are GONE when your done. You get a mirror shine and your paint feels like glass. When you do this, first wash the car really well...use the clay...and then wax. Some people like to wax and then use the clay because any left over wax will be picked up by the clay, but its all personal pref. The other brand to try is Zaino Brothers. They have an online store where you can get everything you want shipped to your door. They are more expensive, but the product is 2X better than any thing else out there. My uncle uses Zaino on his 4 year old truck, and it looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor.

[3Sfever]

I like the Mequiars 3-step also. (with the NXT as third step). I can not believe how well #1 works on dirty paint. To remove it after it drys, try one of the micro-fiber towels. Works great on the "oily" #2 step. Even the cheap 3for$5 ones are far better than any cotton towel I have used. There are more expensive ones that work even better.

One warning about Zaino, (at least in my experience), It does not "play well" with others. If you start using Zaino, and then try a Mequiars step for example, you will end up with a mess. I started using Zaino on my Durango, then needed to buff out some scratches. I used Mequiars Swirl remover. It looked great at first, but the next day it was a foggy mess after the sun cooked it. Took me months to get it to stop fogging when the sun heated it up. I only use Mequiars on it now, and it looks great.

I liked the Zaino also, but I am afraid to try it on anything else.