newb help with products and methodology

[Accumulator]

Are AIO products considered in the same category as colorX, meguiar's cleaner wax, or pre-wax products?
Descriptions are similar on what they do..

Yeah, they're all in the same "does everything but not too well" category (that's not intended as a criticism despite how it might sound).

I've decided to try:

Klasse ALL-IN-ONE Polish, topped off with Collinite Liquid Insulator Wax #845

That should work OK. The KAIO won't really do anything for marring (swirls/etc.) despite what the ad-copy says, so if/when you want to deal with that you'll need an abrasive product. But until then you'll like the AIO/845 combo just as DrGonzo does.

Heh heh, I'd *still* clay it though

[riceguy]

ill clay it just for u Accumulator

[riceguy]

can you recommend some cleaners for my wheels/trim/rims? APCs?dressings?


thanks

[Accumulator]

can you recommend some cleaners for my wheels/trim/rims? APCs?dressings?

I generally just use sorta-strong shampoo mix for wheels, but Griot's and P21s make good wheel cleaners.

I use EFHI for my APC, but mainly just use it for undercarriages and the wheelwells of the daily drivers.

I hardly ever use dressings except for Z16 on tires. I sometimes use Wurth Gummi Pfledge or Rubber Care on the door seals/etc.

And that claying really might save you some headaches if you take off any ferrous contamination, the kicker is that you won't know if it was necessary or not because if it's *not* necessary you wouldn't have the problem that it'll head off anyhow.

[riceguy]

i finally got some free time so i attempted my first detail today. I am currently gettin booted out of the garage becuz i share it with my dad. theres no space to move around with 2 cars inside

i did the followin today.

wash
claybar (TOOK VERY LONG!!)
applied kaio
-

will it be bad if i stop and apply my wax tomorrow (after a quick wash)? im really exhausted right now i duno how u guys do it

-if i need to ill leave the car in the garage and try a wax in the morning b4 work(will that work?)

-there is also some kaio residue left, i didnt get a chance to buff it all out, will that b bad to leave sittin on my paint? i was going to do a isop/water wipe b4 i waxed

[Accumulator]

riceguy- Quick reply, gotta catch a plane.

Wash it only if it got dusty.

Don't IPA the AIO, buff it off with some QD instead. OR try reapplying it and buffing it off the second the new AIO softens the old residue.

[CocheseUGA]

Good thread, good responses.

Even as someone who converted to self-caring for their vehicle several months ago, I'm still sometimes at a loss at what exactly does what, and what is considered to be in the same category to one another in terms of sealant, polish, etc. I bought DG105 thinking it was a polish, only to be told it's more of a sealant.

If there's already a discussion that concerns that, I'm sure the OP and I would appreciate it. If not, let's start one.

[riceguy]

thnx for postin b4 i had to go to work

finished up this morning, the aio was actually still soft but used QD anywayz, then applied a coating of collinite (was very easy to use, just wasn't sure if i used 2 much or too little)

after i wiped off the wax with a MF, i let it sit for a bit. came back and threw a cup of water on my trunk, the water beaded (that was awesome to watch! and felt good cuz i produced some results)

should i apply another coat of wax?
I'm gonna slap some on my rims and windows this weekend, just did the paint this time.

[Accumulator]

should i apply another coat of wax?
I'm gonna slap some on my rims and windows this weekend, just did the paint this time.

I'd wait until after the next wash myself.

[riceguy]

Ok after that,

How often should i:

Use Zaio? (every time i wax?)

Wax? (ive read every 2-3months? how bout when i stop seeing it bead)

Claybar? (ive read twice a year)

I plan to do a car wash at least 1 a month if not more along with interior vacuuming and wipe.

Just wanted to note: OMG i love the Claybar, my car paint is so silky smooth i didn't no that was possible. Even for a brand new car this one must have been on the lot a long time or collected a lot of rail dust becuz there is a huge difference, i have to resist feeling the paint every time i drive it .

[Accumulator]

How often should i:

Use Zaio? (every time i wax?)

Nah, I'd probably use it less often than that, like when you see some staining or something that needs a bit of oomph to get off.

Maybe twice a year, generally speaking.

Wax? (ive read every 2-3months? how bout when i stop seeing it bead)

Wax before it needs it. I'd do it as soon as some characteristic you can keep track of (beading and slickness come to mind) changes for the worse. If you do it before that happens that's even better; a quick coat of wax should be easy enough to do, maybe one or two panels after a wash, just doing the places where the wax starts to degrade first.

Claybar? (ive read twice a year)

Noting that is is a kinda crappy answer, do it when it needs doing. I spot-clay with Sonus green at every wash, but I only do a full (still gentle) claying when I'm gonna redo the wax, if then.

Sooner or later you'll notice some contamination and that's the time to clay. Then I'd refresh the wax, maybe doing the ZAIO too.

But if you wash more frequently you should be able to just keep refreshing the wax for quite a while.

I plan to do a car wash at least 1 a month if not more along with interior vacuuming and wipe..

I'm not a detail-all-the-time guy like many here, but I'd still do it more often than that. Every other week or maybe every third one, depending on what it goes through day-to-day.

Letting it go too long makes for a *big* job and I'd rather to more frequent (and yeah, thus more numerous) small, quick jobs. Let it go long enough and you'll be in for anothe marathon session that'll be hard to schedule (and thus easier to put off, making things worse ).