For the longest time I’ve wanted to do one of those multiple step cleanings on my car. But was always afraid of the time it would take, so the other day I decided to just do it. I opted to get the Meguiars Deep Crystal 3 Step process (Paint clean, polish, wax)

I did this two weeks ago, on one of the very few sunny days in our newly Seattle-like New England weather, and it took me bout 5/6 hrs including breaks for food and world cup. The paint clean and the polish are significantly less time consuming than the waxing process. So I took my time and went crazy, made me feel so good to do this for my car, the only thing I wish I did was claybar the car, but oh well. Ok enough of that crap, time for the results…

Ok after I was done I have to admit I wasn’t that impressed, the paint shined no better than a usual waxing, but the reflection was a bit crisper. I did not wash the car after, until today.

The car was filthy, and I could no longer stand looking at it so I cleaned it at night in zero light, only time I had all week. The water immediately beaded off. I cleaned it very thoroughly and tediously. WOW…the car was nearly as smooth as the day I waxed it, I was amazed the wax wasn’t gone. Usually it never beads like a week or two after, esp since getting so dirty, I thought that the dirt particle would have taken the smoothness of the wax away. So the car no longer has any swirl marks, the paint reflection is just as crisp/deep. I am so glad I did this. I definitely recommend this kit to everyone, you will be completely satisfied.

Cliffnotes: Used Meguiars Deep Crystal 1.Paint Cleaner 2.Polish 3.Wax, took 5/6 hrs w/breaks/ cleaned it two weeks later after getting extremely dirty, water still beads off like crazy, paint looks as clear as after initial wax….110% Satisfaction. TRY IT!!!!!

Oh ye and I don’t want any of these :needpics cuz there is a million waxed cosmos pics, they all look the same, im merely stating the longevity of this product….oh and it cost me like $25 for all 3 bottles.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g250/cosmos_m3_99/Meguiars1.gif
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g250/cosmos_m3_99/Meguiars2.gif
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g250/cosmos_m3_99/Meguiars3.gif

Congrats on your first detail

My only concern is that you stated the cleaning process took longer then the cleaning and polishing? Both DC1 and DC2 are WOWI products (Wipe One Work In) and the application of DC1, if done properly is very time consuming. DC1 contains micro dismishing abbrasives and chemical cleaners that remove very light swirling and deep cleaning residue out of the pours of the paint. This product should be applied with alittle passion behind it, with quick overlapping circles until the product begins to dry, then wiped clean.

DC2 is a pure polish that is completely non abbrasive, and is an oil based glaze. It will deepen the shine of your paint as well as fill in minor swirls. This doesn't require as much passion, but should be worked into the pours of the paint.

It sounds like you got the results you where after, so hopefully these pointers might help you the next time. Congrats...

Also, if you feel like adding to the process, you can always do the following (alittle more involved, but staying on the Meguiars product line)

Clay, followed by DC1, followed by DC2 (or Meguiars #7 which is tricker to use then DC2 but provides better results), follwed by NXT wax (which is actually a sythetic sealent that is oil rich and will further deepen the shine), followed by DC3 (or Meguiars' #26 Hi Tech YellowWax which is a higher quality version of DC3). You could just maintain the DC3(26) every month or two and keep your work looking fresh and locked in.

Congrats, again!!!