Total Newbie Overwhelmed by Options!

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ValleyEquine

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Hello!
I am new to the forum, and new to the world of auto detailing. I'm a female young adult from PA , and this past Saturday I traded in my first car, a 1996 Geo Prism with 239,000 miles for a 2014 Chevy Sonic LTZ Turbo Hatchback with 12,000 miles. I certainly feel like I've moved up in the world!

For the time we had it my Prism was awesome...all we ever had to do was change a water pump...but it certainly wasn't a looker. Because it wasn't in pristine condition when we got it, I wasn't terribly concerned about upkeeping the paint. It occasionally got an exterior wash, though I would give the interior a thorough cleaning more regularly. But any car products used were just cheap things I could buy at Walmart.

My Sonic, on the other hand, is pretty! Especially by comparison. It came home beautifully clean and shiny from the dealership and I find myself cringing at the water spots that developed after it got rained on yesterday! If the Sonic is as reliable as the Prism, I hope to drive it till it has 200,000, and I want the paint to last that long.

But I am finding myself very overwhelmed with all the car care options! I'm hoping to get some advice on what cleaning and maintenance products to purchase from experienced car people.

So important info...
I live in PA
No space in the garage for my car
Color of car is red
Paint currently has very few imperfections that my very inexperienced eye can see
I need products that are easy to use and do not require power buffers or manly man muscle power to apply/remove
I will pay more for high quality products where warranted, but in situations where a cheaper product will work just as well that would be helpful on my wallet

My thought from the research I've done...

Every four to six months
Wash
Clay Bar
Light or Finishing Polish
Paint Sealant
Spray Wax, probably synthetic

In between as needed
Wash
Spray Wax

I also want an interior cleaner and interior protectant to coat my dash and other surfaces against UV rays.

Questions regarding this setup
How do I determine if I need a product like Iron X?
Do I need to use some sort of Pre Wax Cleaner between polishing and paint sealing?
How often does an interior protectant need to be applied?

I'm ready for the product suggestions!

Sorry for the long and scattered post. I have so many thoughts and questions...Thanks!
 
First, welcome to the forum!

Second, what part of PA? There's a good group of members in eastern PA, I think they are between Allentown and Philly. They have some regular meetups, and that can be a good way to get some help or try some different products.
 
Welcome.
I can promise you that you will use a lot less muscle using a DA than doing maintenance by hand. Even when claying using a DA with a nano skin auto scrub pad will be much easier than claying by hand. Polishing, waxing or sealing...trust me a DA is the way to go. The Porter Cable machine is very easy to operate.
 
I think that most people here clay twice a year. I clay and polish twice a year. As for the LSP, I just add layers or use a spray wax in between the polishings.
 
Most everything you're going to learn here regarding products is going to be by way of opinions ......... and lots of 'em!

Welcome! :props:
 
Im also new to machine detailing
purchased my first polisher GG G21 boss
its really smooth and can easily 1 hand it.
seems like its 6.5 pads are too large to do allot of areas..and dont think stepping down to a 5in backing plate with 5.5 or 5in pad will benefit

Im now planning to add a rupes mini to compliment the boss 21..
prior to this i was heavily looking into the cyclo pro 5 for its dual 4 inch heads

Id def look into the cyclo if you want 1 machine to do all of the car
PITTSBURGH PA here btw

As for polishes/wax/sealants
theyre all close i performance so really cant go wrong with anyone
the worst product is better then nothing

I also sell rivstar claybar, cleaner wax, show car finish liquid wax and instant detailer
i havent used my nano sponge yet but sure ill like it over a traditional claybar
 
I'm about 45 mins north of Harrisburg, PA.

Because I'm so new at this I'm having trouble with abbreviations. I know DA refers to the dual action polisher. What is "LSP"?

A DA polisher might be a future investment...maybe a good Christmas present! But at least for now I need products that are able to be applied by hand.

Opinions are fine! I need opinions because I have none of my own at this point!
 
ValleyEquine said:
I'm about 45 mins north of Harrisburg, PA.

Because I'm so new at this I'm having trouble with abbreviations. I know DA refers to the dual action polisher. What is "LSP"?

A DA polisher might be a future investment...maybe a good Christmas present! But at least for now I need products that are able to be applied by hand.

Opinions are fine! I need opinions because I have none of my own at this point!
Click to expand...

Welcome to AGO!

Last Step Product. The Wax, sealant, or coating.

If you car isn't all swirled up, you can get away without a DA for now. But without one, I'd be inclined to recommend using an all-in-one "wax."

As far as when to use Iron-X, the only way to know is to use it.
 
For iron x just get the iron x snow car wash
i got the trix version....says new scent..
the new scent smelled like skunk...hate to smell what the old scent was like!
 
I think you have a good sense of the product line options. Here is a basic starter video which gives a nice overview.

http://youtu.be/X0Sqi1lAj1A

At the end of the day - just make sure you are enjoying it!
 
Welcome to AG!

You can try to keep it simple then add steps as you go.

Wash: A grit guard, any good over the counter car wash. Meg's Gold Class, DuraGloss, Mothers, Griot's...then try out a rinse-less wash or a water-less wash in the future to see if you like it.

Clay: Clay substitutes; clay towel, mitt, sponge...are quicker and easier than traditional clay. Once in fall with winter prep, once in spring with winter cleanup. EagleOne has an OTC one called a "sufface prep mitt", AG has many others.

Polish: Either skip for now or get a light one and try on commonly scratched areas like around door handles and trunk. Meg's has many good OTC ones of various cutting capabilities. To many good ones on AG to list.

UPDATED 5/2015: Autopia Polish Comparison Chart

Paint Sealant: Choose one which is easy to use or just choose a good lasting wax that is easy to use.

Spray wax topper: debatable topic here. But, OTC options are Duragloss Aquawax, Lucas Slickmist, Meg's quick wax, and more. AG has many. I have Optimum Car Wax (spray), 3-5 months durability from a spray wax. Have heard Pinnacle's spray wax is nice, but haven't tried my sample yet.

Spray wax with maintainance wash. Debatable

You could also use a wash and wax product for maintaince washing. Debatable like above.

Interior cleaner: OTC, Griot's Garage Dye Free Interior Cleaner. Good safe cleaner, and I like to reuse their bottles. AG, once again, many options.

Interior/protector: OTC, Meg's QID and Dub Inertior Clean and Shine. Both are made by Meg's and are very similar. No shine, Dub has a berry smell, QID smells odd to me. Many others too. Maybe a month or so of protection out of your standard protectorents. Some maybe a little more some less. AG has many. I have Ultima Interior Gaurd Plus. I believe it's in the sealent catagory. Have heard 4-6 months of protection and has a nice tactile feel. Coatings claim longer protection.

IronX? Kinda don't know until you try unless you have obvious rail dust stuck to your car. Some may give me flack for this, but you could maybe test an area with Dub's Wheel cleaner to see if you get much reaction, then order some IronX if you feel you need it.

Pre Wax Cleaner: Depends on the products used and their compatiblity, although most all will say that it will not hurt. Some polishes may leave oils behind that may effect the bonding or curing of a sealent. A diluted IPA (alcohol) should work to remove these oils but check the recommendations for your particular polish and sealent.

How often does an interior protectant need to be applied? Depends on what you use and how much direct sun your car sees. I would say once a month for a standard dressing.
 
Welcome.

Some of the most user friendly products are from Meguiar's ultimate line. Ultimate compound, Ultimate Polish and Ultimate Wax are great products. Ultimate Quik Wax would be a maintenance spray wax. They fit what you are looking for.

Interior wise I like Meguiar's Quick Interior detailer. I will soemtimes follow up with Meguiar's Natural Shine.
 
trekkeruss said:
Welcome to AGO!

Last Step Product. The Wax, sealant, or coating.

If you car isn't all swirled up, you can get away without a DA for now. But without one, I'd be inclined to recommend using an all-in-one "wax."

As far as when to use Iron-X, the only way to know is to use it.
Click to expand...

I don't exactly understand all in one products. It doesn't make sense to me how you can combine the polish and seal/wax step. Polishes contain abrasives to remove contaminates and smooth out the surface of the paint...basically an exfoliater, right? So why would you want to seal all that stuff in? Where as the goal of a sealant is for as much product as possible to bond to the paint surface, creating a protective layer that hopefully shines. If an all in one product leaves enough of a coating on the car to give an effective seal, doesn't it also seal in all the contamination and junk that you are trying to polish away? In my thought process, the polish, along with all the abrasive and junk it polished off, needs to be totally wiped off, possibly washed off, before you apply a product that is supposed to protect and shine.

If my thinking is totally flawed here I'm happy to learn!
 
nothingface5384 said:
For iron x just get the iron x snow car wash
i got the trix version....says new scent..
the new scent smelled like skunk...hate to smell what the old scent was like!
Click to expand...

Is this wash safe to use as my "in between" wash? Will it strip the spray wax and sealant? Or would this be a good wash for my "every six month" process but I'd need a different one for the "in between"?
 
Anyone have experience applying Klasse Gloss Sealant or Collinite 845 by hand? These two products, either alone or in combination, seam to be a favorite in terms of looks and durability. But if I definitely need a DA for those then I'll have to put them on the future wish list.

I called Autogeek specifically to ask about sealants and coatings...what would be the easiest for a beginner to apply by hand while providing the longest lasting protection. They recommended Wolfgang Sealant.

Also, would you guys recommend diminishing polish, like "Griots Garage Fine Hand Polish" or a non diminishing polish, like "Meguiars Mirror Glaze #9 Swirl Remover 2.0" or "Meguiars Ultimate Polish"?
 
I used klasse by hand and I had no issues. The rule of thumb with it is apply very thin. It can be a bit finicky if applied to thick.

Auotgeek's house brands Wolfgang, Detailer's Pro, Blackfire and Pinnacle are all great products. Most sealants on the market are fairly user friendly.

From those polishes you listed I would go with Ultimate Polish. It's user friendly by hand or DA. It has newer abrasives compared to M9. M9 is diminishing abrasives.
 
ValleyEquine said:
I don't exactly understand all in one products.
Click to expand...

I only know they work; don't ask me how! But I assume that when you use an AIO, after you have worked it in, any abrasives and cleaner is taken up by the pad, and only the protection is left behind.

Anyway, I suggested using an AIO because without a machine, it's really difficult to use a dedicated polish with any effectiveness. If cost is an issue, Harbor Freight sells a DA for about $50-60 on sale. Just don't buy the HF pads; everyone says they are bad.
 
ValleyEquine said:
I don't exactly understand all in one products.
Click to expand...

I only know they work; don't ask me how! But I assume that when you use an AIO, after you have worked it in, any abrasives and cleaner is taken up by the pad, and only the protection is left behind.

Anyway, I suggested using an AIO because without a machine, it's really difficult to use a dedicated polish with any effectiveness, or at least it's very time consuming. If cost is an issue, Harbor Freight sells a DA for about $50-60 on sale. Just don't buy the HF pads; everyone says they are bad.
 
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