Easy, long-lasting, good value detail

[AW82]

That's what I'm looking for. I've got two Hondas (a 2004 Accord sedan in Graphite Pearl and a 2009 CR-V in Alabaster Silver Metalic). I've generally ignored the exterior of the cars and have only been washing them a couple of times a year (oops!). The Accord is generally in good condition, though there are a few scratches and some clearcoat issues on the trunk lid.

I'm not looking to win the concours...I want to figure out a fairly simple and straightforward process to keep my cars looking good. They are both daily drivers and the Accord is parked outside (though I can move it to the garage temporarily). Here is what I am thinking, how does this sound?

Wash: Duragloss 901
Claybar: Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Kit (already purchased)
Polish & Protectant: The Klasse AIO/Glaze kit sold by Autogeek
Finish: Collonite #845
Tire Dressing: Some Eagle One that I already have in the garage.

What about Wheels/Tires? I had been thinking about P21s Wheel Gel, but both cars have wheelcovers, not alloys...so maybe just the cheaper 3M wheel cleaner?

Also, the CR-V has a lot of black plastic trim (bumpers, rocker panels, etc.). What do i use on these?

EDIT: Also, I plan to hand apply, not use a DA.

 

[dougaross]

Personally, I would apply 845 with a DA for an even thin coat. BTW if you don't have a flip top cap on the 845, it would a be a good add so you can minimize the product usage.

 

[Southern Stang]

What you have listed sounds great. Depending what kind of shape the trim is in I reccomend the following.
-Poorboys trim restorer (If neglected)
-Ultima Tire and trim guard
-303 aerospace protectant
All of the 3 above are great products. rops:

 

[Dr Oldz]

If it were me, I would skip the klasse and just use the P21S Gloss Enhancing Paintwork Cleanser(great results by hand). Then top with the 845! The money saved can be used for a all purpose cleaner(APC) in which you can find many uses for....wheels, tires, dashes ect..!

 

[AW82]

Personally, I would apply 845 with a DA for an even thin coat. BTW if you don't have a flip top cap on the 845, it would a be a good add so you can minimize the product usage.

I know that's the ideal, but I don't own a DA and can't justify the expense, really. Good call on the cap though, does the "12 oz bottle" cap that AG sells fit the 845 bottle?

What you have listed sounds great. Depending what kind of shape the trim is in I reccomend the following.
-Poorboys trim restorer (If neglected)
-Ultima Tire and trim guard
-303 aerospace protectant
All of the 3 above are great products. rops:

Thanks! See the pics below. Maybe a dumb question, but why wouldn't I just use ArmorAll?

If it were me, I would skip the klasse and just use the P21S Gloss Enhancing Paintwork Cleanser(great results by hand). Then top with the 845! The money saved can be used for a all purpose cleaner(APC) in which you can find many uses for....wheels, tires, dashes ect..!

Interesting. Would this offer similar longevity to the Klasse? The thing I like about having Klasse in the process is that if I forget to wash my car for 6 months, it would probably still have some protection. Oh, and can you recommend an APC? I've been using Simple Green.

Here are some pics of the cars. First the Accord, unwashed, filthy, ignored:

The spots on the hood are NOT oxidation. They are caked dirt from some leaves that sat on the car.

Here's one of my issues, on the very front of the hood. I imagine clay + polish will take care of it:

Have a scratch on the driver's door. I don't think it went through the clear coat:

And the clearcoat issues on the trunk lid. It looks like the clearcoat cracked and then contracted or something. This should be under warranty, so I might just need to have the trunk lid repainted (the car had major hail damage a couple of years ago and Service King did the repairs, for around $3500! [insurance paid for it all]).

And just so you don't think I'm abusive to both cars, here's the CR-V for comparison. It's a 2009 model and has only ever been washed at coin-op pressure washer places.

 

[Dr Oldz]

IME 845 last longer than Klasse. As far as a good APC... Megs works really wel and is priced nicelyl. OPC is supposed to be amazing and I just got some but haven't tried it yet. Simple green isn't too bad tho.

 

[Spicy McHaggis]

Zep citrus APC from home depot works awesome, and you can get a gallon for under $10 normally.

 

[bobble]

Be careful with the simple green on any aluminum. Tneds to discolor or haze some metals.

 

[AW82]

Thanks for the thoughts. There's no aluminum on either car, so I might just stick with Simple Green for now (the stuff is great, I use it for practically every household cleaning chore).

So here's what I'm thinking now:

Wheels: P21s Gel OR P21s Regular OR 3M
Wash: Duragloss 901
Claybar: Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Kit (already purchased)
Polish: Klasse AIO OR P21s Gloss Enhancing Paintwork Cleanser (skip the Klasse SG either way)
Wax: Collonite #845
Tire Dressing: Some Eagle One that I already have in the garage.

I've also added a wheel brush, applicators, and sponge to my cart. I already have some microfiber clothes and a drying towel (though they are Autozone, nothing fancy).

If I can figure out wheel cleaner and polish, I'll be good to go!

 

[AW82]

Ugh...This stuff is too confusing!

I think what I meant to say was:

Klasse Twins OR P21s GEPC + 845.

 

[dougaross]

I would use P21s+845 also P21s gel

 

[Shawn T.]

I would go Meguiars for most stuff man. No need to use more expensive stuff if not doing more expensive details. Meguiars is good, relatively cheap and readily available.

 

[AW82]

I would go Meguiars for most stuff man. No need to use more expensive stuff if not doing more expensive details. Meguiars is good, relatively cheap and readily available.

lol. I found this forum because I was trying to figure out which type of turtle wax I should buy and ended up getting sucked into the world of detailing :laughing:

Based on everyone's comments and some more research of my own, I ended up ordering this:

Wheels: P21s Gel
Wash: Duragloss 901
Claybar: Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Kit
Polish: P21s Gloss Enhancing Paintwork Cleanser
Wax: Collonite #845
Tire Dressing: Some Eagle One that I already have in the garage.
Free Sample: DP Krystal Vision Glass Cleaner

Everything arrived yesterday (along with a year's supply of styrofoam peanuts). Tomorrow morning I'm going to wash and clay (clay in the garage). If I get the clay done before my other saturday chores, I'll wash again. And if I really have enough time, I'll polish and wax the old gal.

I can post some before/after pics if anyone is interested.