Recommend Waxing And Headlight Protection...

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Reprise

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Well, I live in an apartment complex so I don't have a way to get a water hose to the car to wash it. So what's a good first step for waxing a new car (this is a 2013 Accord Sedan LX)? Just go to a car wash then come back to the apartment and hand wax it? Or are there other steps like something "claying" (???) or using something called Iron X?

And what about headlight protection? I don't have a lot of tools or knowledge. It looks like the corner of the headlights would be hard to get film around. Is there a better alternative? Basically, I hate the way headlights always get all corroded-looking after a few years. Or is it okay to just wax the headlights with the paint?

Thanks.
 
Without a doubt you'll need to at least clay it. Waxing on the paint will just wax over the embedded dirt.

Hard to tell what to do from there as we don't know if you'll be doing it all by hand or if you have a machine. Assuming doing it by hand. If at all possible, after claying you would do well to use a decent cleaner/wax or even Megs Ultimate Polish. Just get a pack of applicator sponges and use them ALL.

If you (like a lot of us) enjoy waxing and detailing your new car then taking the wax route will be most enjoyable. Topping the cleaner/polish with a synthetic sealant such as Megs M21, then either Ultimate Liquid Wax (which is synthetic) or M26 carnuba will give you a great finish that'll last for several months.

Other than that, after claying and cleaning you might try one of the 'coatings'. Both Opticoat and Techniq are great products and well respected. Durability will be greater with both of these than with a sealant then wax.

As for the headlights, I couldn't agree more with ya' on how bad they look just a couple of years later. Find someone in your area that does clear bras and have them done professionally. I'd suspect in the $75 range for the pair is a good price, no more than $100. Ask the installer how long he's been in business, how many cars he's done, what products he's used, or is currently using. Why perhaps did he drop a given product? You will NOT REGRET having your headlights covered! For that matter, you might not regret having the entire front end covered. In the grand scheme of things paying $500 for a good product with a great installation will solve a ton of headaches down the road. (Especially if you plan to sell the car say 4~5 years later you can just remove the film and the paint will look like new.) :)

Just my 2¢....
 
Welcome to AGO ! :) All you're answers are here. I recommend having a plan before you do anything. I think claying is a must for a new vehicle. You might be interested in a rinseless was like Optimum No Rinse. They are great for apartment residents.
 
Opticoat or Gtechniq might be nice options for apartment owners due to their durability.
 
cardaddy said:
Without a doubt you'll need to at least clay it. Waxing on the paint will just wax over the embedded dirt.
Click to expand...

Went ahead and clayed and ONRWW'd it. :dblthumb2:

mo542.jpg


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