Mid-Winter Detail

[Acejam2k]

Hey all,



I posted a thread a couple months ago regarding a detail that I had done on my car to prepare it for winter. 2007 Subaru WRX STi



So now it is almost mid winter, and my car has become filthy from the elements, even though I do garage the car.



I have access to an inside the heated garage water faucet so i can wash my car at home.



I have the following products at home:



Ultimate Detailing Machine DAS Polisher Kit

Klasse All-In-One

P21S Carnauba Car Wax

Meguiars #26 Hi-Tech Yellow Wax

Megauirs #7 Show Car Glaze

Megauirs NXT TechWax

Meguiars ColorX

Megauirs ScratchX





Any recommendations on what I should use on the car tomorrow to provide the best protection? I'm thinking about maybe using some NXT again since it always provided a pretty good shine along with a very slick feeling to the paint. Last detail was my first time using the P21S, and yes it is nice but didn't seem to last very long.



My plan is to basically wash the car very well, and then dry it. After this, I will put on a coat or 2 of wax. Just to add a little protection, not sure if I want to polish or clay this time around. Speaking of clay, I noticed that my as-of-December-new mud flaps have signicantly helped in protecting my fenders from random crap. This also helps reducing the amount of crap that would be needed to be clayed off.



Also, my last detail was done in October. Is it bad to use the Klasse All in One on the paint for every detail. As in, is it bad to polish the car often? If I remember correctly the Klasse contains no abrasives, therefore I would imagine it would be safe.



Thanks guys!

 

[Acejam2k]

Bueller? haha

 

[Seankf1105]

Out of the waxes you have i would stick with KAIO followed with P21S. NXT may look nice at first but it has awful durability. And when that wears off KAIO has even worse durability. If durability is what you are looking for and you dont wanna rewax your car for a few months i would suggest picking up Some collinite 476 or Marque de Elegance. KAIO followed with Collinite MdE is my personal favorite setup for winter



btw is this Josh thats friends with Eric? im his old friend. thats cool to see that your getting into detailing your car, let me know if you ever need any help or advice haha :2thumbs:



BTW you can find Collinite over-the-counter at Allied Technologies in Melrose. they have a website if you search

 

[Acejam2k]

Yea, thats what I was thinking.



KAIO + P21S, and see how that comes out. Perhaps I should look into getting some of the Klasse Sealant and apply a few layers after the KAIO?



Also, the last time I used KAIO was back in October. Considering it chemically cleans the paint, is it safe to use "often"? Isn't it a bad idea to polish often? (or maybe with just abrasive ones)





Seannow?



Oh, and in case you didn't realize, those parking lot pictures are from Crosby drive, where you did donuts in the snow in your 535.

 

[imported_smprince1]

Obviously KAIO followed by KSG would be the most durable if you wanted to go that route.



However, I bet KAIO followed by #26 would give the best protection for what you've already got in hand and might get through what's left of the winter.

 

[imported_SHICKS]

Save yourself the trouble and pick up some 845 IW at a local Advanced Auto store. That will do just fine over KAIO for the winter. Then use the P21s in the spring.



Steve

 

[Seankf1105]

Yea, thats what I was thinking.



KAIO + P21S, and see how that comes out. Perhaps I should look into getting some of the Klasse Sealant and apply a few layers after the KAIO?



Also, the last time I used KAIO was back in October. Considering it chemically cleans the paint, is it safe to use "often"? Isn't it a bad idea to polish often? (or maybe with just abrasive ones)





Seannow?



Oh, and in case you didn't realize, those parking lot pictures are from Crosby drive, where you did donuts in the snow in your 535.

hahaha yea i remember that. i had to dig my car out of a mound of snow with my back country shovel



anyway, its bad just for abrasive ones. i use KAIO for a few seperate reasons:



1. when i want to clean my paint but dont feel the car is contaminated enough for claying

2. when i feel like starting fresh/experimenting with a different last step product to top the KAIO with

3. after polishing to remove oil residues



as far as KSG goes i love it ...but not for harsh winters where you will be driving on wet, sandy roads or in the snow. it does not create a slick enough surface to safely wash off all the gritty sand and salt. it also may last longer but the protection is not quite up to par with a carnauba. although i like the look of KAIO->KSG over KAIO->carnuabas, KSG has awful beading compared to quality carnaubas and makes it a lot more difficult to quage when its wearing off. so my point is i would hold off on the KSG till spring, thats atleast what im doing

 

[Acejam2k]

Some before shots:

After:

Yes, I know we have a Click & Brag section, but I only took pictures in the garage after finishing it. I still haven't driven it since I finished it today lol.



I used:



Wash

Mothers Clay Bar

Klasse All In One

P21s Carnauba



I did this same detail back on October and again, it came out very nice. I was gonna use some Meguiars tire gel that I have, but I'm not sure I want to put that on my new Blizzaks or not. I certainly never put it on my autocross tires.