Monthly/Bi-Monthly Maintenance Program

[gjohn28]

I just finished a semi-annual detail of my two black daily drivers:

Gold Class
clay
#80/8006
NXT 2.0/9006

The #80 with the G110 did a great job of removing most of the swirls. I was wondering what a good monthly or bi-monthly "maintenance" program to stay after the finishes would be - an AIO like ColorX, M66, D151 or maybe SwirlX followed by a LSP?

Thanks.

[Murr1525]

Re: Monthly/Bi-Monthly Maintenance Program

Well, claying is something you really cant time. Sometimes it needs it, sometimes it doesnt.

So, a good easy detail would be:

1. Wash
2. Clay as needed
3. A cleaner/wax
4. Nxt 2.0

Also, after future washes, following up with UQD, or UQW when it is available, will help prolong the life of the wax.

[gjohn28]

Re: Monthly/Bi-Monthly Maintenance Program

Thanks, Murr.

Is it safe to use something like ColorX, M66, or D151 as frequently as once a month or once every two months or is it a little bit of overkill? I know it will depend on how much passion I use, but just in general. My goal is not to spend a lot of time and keep some protection on the paint.

I use UQD after every other wash, but am eager to try UQW once I can get some.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Monthly/Bi-Monthly Maintenance Program

I think they would be fine for normal upkeep. It will take off the light general haze from overall micro scratches.

[Murr1525]

Re: Monthly/Bi-Monthly Maintenance Program

Well, depending on your environment, I imagine you would get at least 2 months out of the Nxt, if not longer. So you shouldnt need to be doing it super often.

I think #151 is probably the stronger cleaner/wax, so I could see not using that. Probably want the ColorX or #66 if those are the medium ones. But even #151 isnt super strong.

[gjohn28]

Re: Monthly/Bi-Monthly Maintenance Program

Mark, thank you.

Just to be clear, D151 would be alright for general upkeep? I've read in other threads it may be a bit too much when used on a "regular" basis.

[gjohn28]

Re: Monthly/Bi-Monthly Maintenance Program

Murr - so you're saying I probably should be considering something like once every two months for an AIO/LSP type detail and in-between just wash and UQD or UQW?

(My climate here in southeastern PA probably is probably fairly similar to yours in Pittsburgh.)

Thanks.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Monthly/Bi-Monthly Maintenance Program

If you did the maintenance program bi-monthly I do not think the #151 would be overkill. Or at least in 6 week intervals.

[Murr1525]

Re: Monthly/Bi-Monthly Maintenance Program

Yeah, a cleaner/wax and wax would be fine. Kind of makes it easy to do by hand once in a while as well, which is fun for me. And quicker if you catch a mild day mid-winter.

[akimel]

Re: Monthly/Bi-Monthly Maintenance Program

John, your plan sounds similar to the ones I have adopted for our two cars, both of which are garaged daily drivers.

My wife's car is a 2004 Taurus:

1) Wash every 2-3 weeks.

2) Quik detail spray as needed in between washes.

3) Wax with ColorX and NXT every 2-3 months, though for the winter months I recently applied Collonite 845. Clay as needed.

For my black S2000 I have adopted a somewhat more "active" schedule:

(1) Full detail every first and sixth month: wash, clay, clean paint [M80 and, if necessary, M83], and wax (two coats). I will be using a G110 for polishing and waxing. I am unsure at this point how the new consumer line will affect my choice of products.

(2) Wash weekly or biweekly. Quick detail as needed.

(3) Wax once a month using my preferred wax.

(4) Polish with M09 every third and ninth month, followed by two coats of preferred wax. Clay, as needed.

It will be interesting to see what changes I make to these schedules over the course of the next year or two.

[Murr1525]

Re: Monthly/Bi-Monthly Maintenance Program

My only change to the plan has been that the waxes last longer sometimes than planned...

[akimel]

Re: Monthly/Bi-Monthly Maintenance Program

My only change to the plan has been that the waxes last longer sometimes than planned...

Yeah, someone needs to do something about that.