How often should 5 step process be done?

[jeames]

Just bought a new infiniti coupe and would like to know how often 5 step process should be performed? The car is 3 weeks old should I start with the 5 step right away?

Any suggestions on what Meguiar's I should use on a dark grey graphite car?

I was thinking:

1) Wash - NXT Next Gen Car Wash
2) Clean - Clay bar (if needed) then Crystal paint cleaner
3) Polish - Deep Crystal Polish
4) Protect - Next Gen Wax
5) Maintain - Quik Detailer

[Eddie6th]

Re: How often should 5 step process be done?

You've got your routine made up okay. You can check if it needs claying by gently going over the bodywork with the palm of your hand. Even if you feel little,it's worth doing. You shouldn't have any correction needed,as it's a new car. If there is something,you can try SwirlX on a particular problem or use it instead of DC1. DC2 is a good step,esp. your car is dark.

For that color,I think NXT techwax 2 would be a good choice.

For inbetween washes,I use UQD,but QD is also fine.

[jeames]

Re: How often should 5 step process be done?

Once the 5 step process is performed is regular maintanance a wash and the UQD?

How will I know when to perform the 5 step process again?

[Eddie6th]

Re: How often should 5 step process be done?

Once the 5 step process is performed is regular maintanance a wash and the UQD?

Yes that is fine.

How will I know when to perform the 5 step process again?

Everyone will be different,depending on driving conditions,where the car is mainly parked....garaged or street,local conditions, etc... Also,how often you wash your car.

If there is such a thing as an average?....3+ months?

If you keep ontop of your car,washing and UQD will help it to last. You should be able to see when it's time to start over. If the surface is duller and the water doesn't run off so easily when rinsing after a wash.

[akimel]

Re: How often should 5 step process be done?

Your question is related to a poll question I posted almost a year ago: How often do you "clean" the paint? I wanted to know how often folks used DC1 or a cleaner/polish. It appears that the majority of the brethren like to "clean" the paint two or three times a year. Because it is so mild, one could use DC1 even more frequently.

Also see: Your Daily Driver: A Simple Wash & Wax Regimen and In Praise of Cleaner Wax.

[yalerd]

Re: How often should 5 step process be done?

This is very relative to the care the owner gives.
I usually do a 5 step process two times a year or once but I regularly maintain my vehicle in good condition.

Most important have a good wash method (two bucket method) that will put the least amount of scratches and swirls into the paint.

If you maintain your car in good state not only you'll perform the 5 step process with less frequency but you won't have to use aggressive products since you will have very minor defects that can be removed easily.

[StoneRaizer]

Re: How often should 5 step process be done?

I've only done the 5 step process once but in the future I plan on doing it twice a year - April (after the snow melts) and November (preparing for winter). Wash it every week/two weeks, UQD when needed and adding a fresh coat of NXT every two months or so should keep the car looking nice in between.

[jeames]

Re: How often should 5 step process be done?

Does SwirlX now take the place of both the DC cleaner and the DC polish?

[Murr1525]

Re: How often should 5 step process be done?

Yes, though for dark colors, or older paints, you could certainly use DC Polish after the SwirlX.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: How often should 5 step process be done?

There a re a lot of factors. Is it garaged kept? Is it parked outside at work? etc, etc. For me, I do the 5 step process twice a year. Proper maintenance in between is the key.