I feel very dumb .... need advice.

L

Ledge

New member
Like I said, after lurking around here for sometime, I have gained ..... a feeling of stupidity.
I can see there are many ways of keeping the paint on a car looking perdy, and many opinions.
I am having trouble sorting out what is best for me.
So I will ask a few direct questions, and sort thru the educated replies I will hopefully get.

I live in Wisconsin.
Very soon I will be receiving a new 2010 Toyota Prius II.
It will be Barcelona Red Metallic.
I will be driving it about 50 miles home and putting it into the garage until the paint has had proper protection.
I am not a wealthy man, nor a "wash it weekly" kind of guy.
But I do want to treat it right from the start, and give it some TLC in the future.

(1) What soap would you use to wash this new car with, to remove any residue, and fresh bugs on the new paint?

(2) I would like to clay it lightly, and then use a WOWA polymer sealer.
What clay product & lube would you use?
What sealer would you use?

I was going to get the "polymer paint protection package" from the dealer.
This was very pricey, and a local place would do it for much less.
I decided I would like to try it myself, as the WOWA polymer products sound very easy.

I now there is much wisdom and experience floating around this forum, and hope to be pointed in the right direction. ( probably several directions ... :) )

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I humbly thank you ....... :bow
 
Hi and welcome again, first I would like to say that we all were at one point just where you are. So please do not feel stupid. It can be a bit overwhelming to read all the experience here at DC. Ok you asked for oppinions and here is mine. It is my oppinion that nothing worthwhile comes without some level of sacrifice. Having said that I would suggest a pure sealant like Poorboys world EXP for the first application. There are many other good sealants that others will probably suggest. You can bet that anything that you order from detailcity.com or any of the sponsors of DC.org will be of the highest quality. I just have had very good experience with poorboys EXP. As for the clay I would get Claymagic blue clay, it comes with it's own spray bottle of lube that works very well. You can get that locally or from DC. Good luck.. keep on reading and asking questions as this is how most of us got our start into detailing...TD

Oh yeah the soap, I would go to auto zone and get my clay and grab some meguiars car wash with no wax in it as sealant will not bond to wax.
 
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You are right..there is a lot of info on here. There is a lot of how to do's as well.
Since the car is going to be new and you are not a weekly washer and waxer..
A good wash.
I suggest a fine clay bar ( I use a soapy water spray bottle for lube - you don't have to get fancy with that)
This is for prepping the car. You know rail dust, bugs and all the grime and the gunk it received on its route to you.
Then go right into a AIO (all in one) product.
Klasse AIO is very good.
You want a sealer (pure sealant like PB EX-P)
Stay away from carnauba waxes seeing these last for a weeks and not months.
And since you don't intend on waxing often etc,..A good sealer will go a long way for protection.

The car is new so don't go into compounds and different polishing pads.
If you are going to use or buy a PC unit..Get some white or grey polishing pads to apply these AIO products.
In a few years you will need to clean the paint and get some buffing done to it..some deeper cleaning - By then you'll have learned enough on here to know what to get..
The PB line up is superb and well priced..and the results are phenominal.

Good luck..HTH some what.
But there are many on here with lots of experience and a lot more knowledge than I..So read on and do lots of searches...

Take care be safe.
 
x-3 x-3 x-3 :yay

You can get clay and such at auto zone it should do the trick.. I would however invest in the sealer of your choice and also a 6 pack of plush microfiber towels from whoever you get the sealant from.:inspector:

Back to the sealer use the 2 coat method for FULL coverage on the new vehicle. First coat allow 1- hr minimum to cure and wipe off. the second application allow overnight bonding if possible then remove. You should be set for a while after that. When people say use a thin coat per application do what they say. Thinner is better and yes it will do what you want.:bigups

The only stupid question is the one you never ask...:yikes:


Good luck.:howdy
 
All very good advice and products and the best advise is about the towels. You can spend as much $ as you want on polishes, sealants ,and such but if you have not mastered the proper washing and drying techniques along with using the proper wash mitts, waffle weave towels, and micro fiber towels all your $ and time will be wasted. :wall
Most damage to your paint will come from bad washing habbits as far as what products to buy on a budget PB has a great line up.
Wisconsin winters suck hey?
 
Ok, looks like I'll study up a bit on washing first.
I gotta get my act together soon tho ....
The Prius will be here as early as this Friday, and you can only let a new car sit the garage for so long. :drool:

Wisconsin winters aren't so bad, except maybe for the cold .... and snow .... and wind .... and salt.
It's just natures way of getting rid of the mosquitoes.

Hey Glen22, what part of Wisc do you live?
I'm Near Fond du Lac, about 60 some miles North and a bit West from Milwaukee.
 
Ledge said:
Ok, looks like I'll study up a bit on washing first.
I gotta get my act together soon tho ....
The Prius will be here as early as this Friday, and you can only let a new car sit the garage for so long. :drool:

Wisconsin winters aren't so bad, except maybe for the cold .... and snow .... and wind .... and salt.
It's just natures way of getting rid of the mosquitoes.

Hey Glen22, what part of Wisc do you live?
I'm Near Fond du Lac, about 60 some miles North and a bit West from Milwaukee.
Click to expand...
I live in Kenosha about 5 minutes from Il. border.
Enjoy that new car I am sure you will make it look great.:bigups
 
Tarios said:
A good wash.
I suggest a fine clay bar ( I use a soapy water spray bottle for lube - you don't have to get fancy with that)
This is for prepping the car. You know rail dust, bugs and all the grime and the gunk it received on its route to you.
Then go right into a AIO (all in one) product.
Klasse AIO is very good.
You want a sealer (pure sealant like PB EX-P)
Click to expand...

I still have some confusion.
(1) I know I should use a fine clay bar suitable for paint on a new car.
I am preparing a purchase list from DC ( brownie points ) and need a recomendation.
Would Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay be a good choice.
(2) The above quote says I should use an AIO and then a sealer.
The Klasse AIO is described as a cleaner, waxer, sealer.
Am I sealing twice, with two different products that play well together?
Am I cleaning with the AIO, after I just washed and clayed the car, to 'clean up' after the claying?

Somebody please take me the hand ..... :help:
 
Ledge said:
I still have some confusion.
(1) I know I should use a fine clay bar suitable for paint on a new car.
I am preparing a purchase list from DC ( brownie points ) and need a recomendation.
Would Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay be a good choice.
(2) The above quote says I should use an AIO and then a sealer.
The Klasse AIO is described as a cleaner, waxer, sealer.
Am I sealing twice, with two different products that play well together?
Am I cleaning with the AIO, after I just washed and clayed the car, to 'clean up' after the claying?

I feel the all in one cleaner sealer is an approach for a faster time saving job but I would top that with a quality sealer myself.


Somebody please take me the hand ..... :help:
Click to expand...


I feel the all in one cleaner sealer is an approach for a faster time saving job but I would top that with a quality sealer myself.
 
I would like to thank the 4 people that have given me help.
It is very difficult to select the right products to use when you are a novice trying to do the right thing with a new car.

So I will continue to ask what I can not find out using the search feature and hours of reading and stumbling thru the endless acronyms.

I will likely try the PB products.

Poorboy's World Super Slick and Suds
Poorboy's World Polish with Sealant
Poorboy's World EX-P Pure Sealant

The instructions for application are not shown with the product descriptions.
I would apply by hand.
Could someone please recommend applicators and wipes for these products.
Links would be great if they are on this site.

I would order the Claymagic Blue from DC, but I can not find it here.
Could someone please provide a link?

I'm getting tired .....
 
Applicators would be easy, foam or microfiber for the pws, exp.

Apply, wipe off with a good microfiber cloth.

SSS, just use a good mitt.

All of the vendors have good quality products.

Enjoy and don't be so afraid. It's fun.
 
Ledge said:
I would like to thank the 4 people that have given me help.
It is very difficult to select the right products to use when you are a novice trying to do the right thing with a new car.

So I will continue to ask what I can not find out using the search feature and hours of reading and stumbling thru the endless acronyms.

I will likely try the PB products.

Poorboy's World Super Slick and Suds
Poorboy's World Polish with Sealant
Poorboy's World EX-P Pure Sealant

The instructions for application are not shown with the product descriptions.
I would apply by hand.
Could someone please recommend applicators and wipes for these products.
Links would be great if they are on this site.

I would order the Claymagic Blue from DC, but I can not find it here.
Could someone please provide a link?

I'm getting tired .....
Click to expand...
You are stressing way to much :wall...Here is what you do .... If you are going with PB then get your list of questions ready and ask away thats what they do help point people in the right direction. You have a good idea what you want now and the items like washing mitts,drying towels, micro fiber towels can all be purchased from PB. They will not sell you things you do not need and they will work with in your budget just give them a call. :bigups
Now lets get ready to clean that baby.:inspector:
 
glen22 said:
You are stressing way to much :wall...Here is what you do .... If you are going with PB then get your list of questions ready and ask away thats what they do help point people in the right direction. You have a good idea what you want now and the items like washing mitts,drying towels, micro fiber towels can all be purchased from PB. They will not sell you things you do not need and they will work with in your budget just give them a call. :bigups
Now lets get ready to clean that baby.:inspector:
Click to expand...

:exactly: Good post.
 
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