Hey all,
I just purchased my first ever brand new vehicle, a 2016 Ford Focus ST in Tangerine Scream. It is a tri-Coat paint that is very stunning in person. I have had some experience with detailing, working at various detail shops and doing my own vehicles (with MUCH help from this forum). I did a pretty extensive paint "rehab" on a 1999 Mustang GT I owned about 6 years ago:
Pretty bad swirling and general neglect
I actually got pretty decent results using Meguiars Ultimate Compound and a PC7424XP:
That car was pretty much THE car I took OCD care of. I've owned many vehicles since then and generally treated them to 2-bucket wash methods and claying/waxing but since I have a brand new car now, the level of neglect is completely up to me to determine. I live in southern Alberta, so it gets quite cold here in the winter and in the past with other vehicles, I have resorted to using do-it-yourself carwashes and their terrible soap brushes. I did not have any casualties as I was very careful with the brush, but I do want to try to do waterless/rinseless washes when possible in the winter.
This car had 50kms on it when I purchased it, and I haven't so much as washed it once since I got it as I am waiting on some detailing products to arrive so I can give it the attention it deserves.
I have ordered some Iron-X and purchased a proper Meguiars microfibre drying towel (I was using an ABSORBER rubber/chamois towel in the past and just recently realized how detrimental it can be for paint if it is not ABSOLUTELY immaculately clean).
Here is the car as it sits:
This colour is VERY hard to photograph properly
My process I'm thinking of doing is as follows:
1. 2-Bucket wash, using ONR as a lubricant as well as soap
2. Iron-X and possibly clay if needed
3. Pinnacle XMT 360 to clean, polish, and seal the paint using a PC7424XP to apply with polishing pad.
I also have some Klasse Sealant sitting around as well. Would that be a better option than the XMT 360? There are really no swirls except the occasional small area from the dealership's crappy wash jobs
I am wondering if that is a good start and if applying wax over this after my next wash is a good way of getting through the summer months. Brake dust is a MAJOR issue with these cars, so looking for good ways of getting that sh*t off the rims/tires as well. I have some Pinnacle APC that I am going to try. I was also thinking of sealing the rims with klasse.
I am basically looking for maximum protection/durability as the car is going to be sitting outside almost 100% of the time for the foreseeable future and I won't be able to spend every weekend touching it up. UV protection is also a priority
For a wax, I have Some Concours P21S that I have been using for years which I would like to layer on top of the sealant.
Thanks in advance for any help
I just purchased my first ever brand new vehicle, a 2016 Ford Focus ST in Tangerine Scream. It is a tri-Coat paint that is very stunning in person. I have had some experience with detailing, working at various detail shops and doing my own vehicles (with MUCH help from this forum). I did a pretty extensive paint "rehab" on a 1999 Mustang GT I owned about 6 years ago:
Pretty bad swirling and general neglect
I actually got pretty decent results using Meguiars Ultimate Compound and a PC7424XP:
That car was pretty much THE car I took OCD care of. I've owned many vehicles since then and generally treated them to 2-bucket wash methods and claying/waxing but since I have a brand new car now, the level of neglect is completely up to me to determine. I live in southern Alberta, so it gets quite cold here in the winter and in the past with other vehicles, I have resorted to using do-it-yourself carwashes and their terrible soap brushes. I did not have any casualties as I was very careful with the brush, but I do want to try to do waterless/rinseless washes when possible in the winter.
This car had 50kms on it when I purchased it, and I haven't so much as washed it once since I got it as I am waiting on some detailing products to arrive so I can give it the attention it deserves.
I have ordered some Iron-X and purchased a proper Meguiars microfibre drying towel (I was using an ABSORBER rubber/chamois towel in the past and just recently realized how detrimental it can be for paint if it is not ABSOLUTELY immaculately clean).
Here is the car as it sits:
This colour is VERY hard to photograph properly
My process I'm thinking of doing is as follows:
1. 2-Bucket wash, using ONR as a lubricant as well as soap
2. Iron-X and possibly clay if needed
3. Pinnacle XMT 360 to clean, polish, and seal the paint using a PC7424XP to apply with polishing pad.
I also have some Klasse Sealant sitting around as well. Would that be a better option than the XMT 360? There are really no swirls except the occasional small area from the dealership's crappy wash jobs
I am wondering if that is a good start and if applying wax over this after my next wash is a good way of getting through the summer months. Brake dust is a MAJOR issue with these cars, so looking for good ways of getting that sh*t off the rims/tires as well. I have some Pinnacle APC that I am going to try. I was also thinking of sealing the rims with klasse.
I am basically looking for maximum protection/durability as the car is going to be sitting outside almost 100% of the time for the foreseeable future and I won't be able to spend every weekend touching it up. UV protection is also a priority
For a wax, I have Some Concours P21S that I have been using for years which I would like to layer on top of the sealant.
Thanks in advance for any help
id say once the paint is to a swirl free condition you want be looking at getting a good coating on there gtechniq crystal light is ideal but can be abit tricky to apply you could always drop down to the c1 as its more user friendly.. as far as your wheels go its the same process again get them squeaky clean then a wheel coating again i would recommend looking at the gtechniq wheel armor infact gtechniq really do a product for every surface to keep that quality finish locked in after you spent hard man hours at work .. 
