You said you plan on washing once a month? Here`s what I suggest:
1. Monthly maintenance wash, just do a standard 2 Bucket Method (2bm) wash. Look up the Mike Phillips articles, "How to wash your car KISS style!" and "How to wash your car using the two bucket method" to see what I`m talking about. Don`t forget wheels!
2. Every third month (4x a year) reapply your sealant. For this wash I would foam the car down with Surface Prep, pressure rinse it off, then continue with your normal 2bm wash. After you dry, apply your sealant. I`m assuming the sealant is a Wipe On Wipe Off (WOWO) type where you apply with a foam applicator, let it haze, then wipe it off Mr. Miyagi style. I`d apply the sealant to the whole car, work on cleaning the interior while the sealant hazes, then come back with a couple of clean microfiber towels to buff it off.
3. If you are disciplined in doing this, and wash and dry the car
gently, you should not have to have the car detailed every year. Every two years (or longer!) you take the car to a professional and have it decontaminated, machine polished, and re-sealed. You only have to do this if the swirls are to the point you can`t stand them anymore or you feel excessive bonded contamination on the paint (look up the "baggy test").
Do you already own the Foaming Surface Prep? If not, I think you could skip it and be fine. Maybe grab some Poorboy`s Bug Squash instead, which you dilute in a simple spray bottle and use it to spot-treat bug and bird bomb before you wash. I still think the pressure washer is a good investment by itself, but only if you are willing to set it up every wash.
I could think of a few other things to spend your money on but these are the basics IMO and should keep things simple. When you start running out of your Chem Guy`s stuff come back and we`ll give you suggestions for some upgrades
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