Here is our starting point after washing and then drying with an absorbent microfiber towel: water spots, oxidation, scratches, and surface contaminants.
Step 4: Magic Time: Meguiar’s #7 Show Car Glaze soaking
Single-stage paint is permeable, unlike a two-stage clear-coat system where the paint is effectively sealed. For this reason, oils can leach out of single-stage paint over time, especially if the paint is poorly cared for.
According to Mike Phillips’ article, Meguiar’s #7 Show Car Glaze contains restorative feeder oils which can be drawn into a permeable paint surface via
capillary action, conditioning and rejuvenating the color.
He suggests a vigorous, liberal application of Meguiar’s #7 Show Glaze be left on the car for a period of 12-24 hours to feed important oils back into the paint.
I’ll admit I was somewhat dubious when I first read about this technique but I figured it sure could’t hurt and I set my expectations low.
I proceeded to apply a generous “wet and heavy” application of the glaze to the paint, soaking a microfiber towel completely in the glaze and rubbing it on with much more pressure than I’d used in previous steps. It seemed a little weird but I followed Mike’s suggestions and left a heavy layer of #7 on the paint to soak for 24 hours.
Post-clean and polish. Overnight Showcar Glaze soak.
The next morning I easily removed the glaze, which was still soft, and inspected the results.
Yes: It had a dramatic effect. The paint color was noticeably richer and deeper.
What initially was a pale yellow with sharp reflections had bloomed into something more complicated with hints of a warmer, more orange-ish yellow emerging. Of course these things are subjective and all of the effects of detailing are cumulative, but this phase made me a believer.
God bless capillary action and feeder oils.
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