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Fall detail planning help requested

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  • #1

    Fall detail planning help requested

    Hi everyone. First post here so take it easy on me! This seemed like the best sub-forum to seek advice. My apologies if it belongs elsewhere. So, here's the situation. First and foremost, I have a bad back (have had previous microdiscectomy as well as L4-L5-S1 fusion) so I limit myself to 1 vehicle detail in any 7-10 day period. I've always been in to cleaning my cars, but the past 2-3 years I've been getting REALLY in to it. And now I finally have a car that I am 110% in love with, so I pamper it and it hasn't seen rain yet.

    Here are the products I currently have:
    Armor all wash (not pleased with it. will not be buying this again)
    Meguiar's clay kit (not gonna lie. I buy either the meguiar's or mothers...whichever is on cheaper when needed)
    Ultimate Polish
    Ultimate Compound
    White Wax
    NXT 2.0
    I use the following for maintenance (Griot's spray on car wash, spray on wax, and quick detailer) since I got a great deal on them.

    With that out of the way, I am not averse to trying other brands, but in my limited experience (I am only 31 and have only truly cared the last 5-7 years), I'd definitely consider myself a Meguiar's guy. I do my detailing by hand just because I'm petrified of messing up badly and ruining my paint. My ultimate goal on 2 of the 3 vehicles is protection for the winter. The other won't be driven in the winter and will be sitting with a cover on.

    Here are the candidates in question:
    2010 Subaru Forester - http://i.imgur.com/0pKxaiy.jpg
    2006 Subaru Impreza - http://i.imgur.com/Nz8TPJZ.jpg
    2013 Scion FR-S - http://i.imgur.com/vcBNgM8.jpg

    The Forester and Impreza both have some light scratches. Swirl marks aren't a huge concern as of right now since this year I discovered the beauty that is UP/UC. The paint on the FR-S is obviously great since it's new and I fixed the dealerships mistakes.

    So I guess my question is, based on the products I have at my disposal (not just what I currently have) what would everyone suggest to provide the best and longest lasting winter protection for hte Forester and Impreza. And what would work best on the FR-S to protect it under a cover (but sitting outside)?

    My current plan is wash, clay, white wax (on FRS and Impreza), UP(on Forester), NXT 2.0.

    Is that enough to last in PA winters from let's say Late Sept or October until Late April or early May?

    Sorry for such a long first post. I've grown to love doing this and it's a great stress reliever after work. I'm just trying to learn about the products, the order to use them, how and if you can layer, durability, etc. Any and all info is greatly appreciated.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Fall detail planning help requested

    The Forester and Impreza both have some light scratches. Swirl marks aren't a huge concern as of right now since this year I discovered the beauty that is UP/UC. The paint on the FR-S is obviously great since it's new and I fixed the dealerships mistakes.
    If not looking for a big investment in tools, the DA Power System really is nice. Just works a smaller area at a time than the larger machines. If going to be removing defects, definately better than by hand.

    My current plan is wash, clay, white wax (on FRS and Impreza), UP(on Forester), NXT 2.0.
    I would think the FR-S would get the clay, UP, then wax, wax. And the Impreza and Forester would get the clay, White Wax, wax.

    Of course, if just sitting under a cover outdoors, you might save the UP, wax, wax till spring, and just White Wax, wax there also.

    Is that enough to last in PA winters from let's say Late Sept or October until Late April or early May?
    If just trying to detail and not correct the paint as much, I have had good results using:

    1. Wash
    2. Clay if needed
    3. cleaner/wax (White Wax, ColorX, etc)
    4. Wax - Ult. Wax

    5. Maintain - Ult. Quick Wax after future washes

    That seemed to last a good long time, so if you wanted to use up your Nxt 2.0, that would be next best, and then the spray wax still after washing when possible.
    2017 Subaru WRX Premium - WR Blue

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    • #3
      Re: Fall detail planning help requested

      Since you have 3 cars, I would by products I liked in 1 gallon size. Car wash, Clay lube, Wheel cleaner,ect

      I use Meguiars Shampoo plus. As of now its $17 this includes shipping from Amazon. I'm sure there are other car washes. Just havn't tried them all.


      Wax
      You can try Colinite 845.. However I find its best to apply this by machine. applying to thick can be a pain to buff off. You can get this from Advance autoparts. They just have to order it for you.
      If you do machine polishing invest in a DUAL ACtion POLisher.. (Meguiars, Griots, Flex(professional machine) These machines are dummy proof. You will not mess up your car. "

      Get some GritGuards from amazon and pick up 5 gallon buckets from your favorite boxMart Store Lowes, Home-Depot, Wally World.

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Fall detail planning help requested

        I was just like you when I first started reading up on various polishers. I ended up going with the porter cable and it works fine for my cars. There is a small learning curve but the results are so worth it. I have not tried the DA power systems since I invested in the porter cable. But I read good things about the power systems. They will give good results with UC and UP.

        As far as products, have you considered using ultimate wax? It's the longest lasting wax. I have used it and in my personal experience, I have gotten about 5 months out of it. That included maiintaining it with ultimate quick detailer and ultimate spray wax (invest in the larger sizes of D156 and M135 as they are the same product). I also corrected my brothers car back in April and I used UW on his. I helped him clean it up this weekend and it was still beading pretty good. I ended up applying another coat as I was out of spray wax. Being in southern california we don't get the snow and all of that rain so your experience will differ.
        99 Grand Prix
        02 Camaro SS

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Fall detail planning help requested

          Murr1525 - I've only recently started browsing this forum, but I see you post A LOT. You always seem to take time to provide excellent feedback. Will definitely spend a few minutes familiarizing myself with the DA Power System tonight or tomorrow. At this point, we might potentially be moving (either North Carolina or Pittsburgh...depends on work), so I'll probably hold off this fall on it, but I think it or something similar will definitely be making its way on to my christmas list!

          Since you have 3 cars, I would by products I liked in 1 gallon size
          This is what I'm finding out. With just 2 cars, it didn't seem like a big deal. I could go a week or 2 without cleaning a vehicle, especially we have a 2 car garage. But now with a 3rd car that sits outside (and my daily driver), I seem to be cleaning one every week. AND friends and family have started requesting me to clean theirs. It's a great feeling when non-car people notice your car, but I do it out of the kindness of my heart. This stuff isn't exactly sofa change! Good call on the grit guards. I've been meaning to grab some and constantly forget!


          As far as products, have you considered using ultimate wax?
          I actually haven't read up on the UW yet. I still have a full bottle of NXT 2.0. Found some on clearance at advanced auto last year for I think it was $10 a bottle so I grabbed 2. Working my way through those. I bought the white wax on a whim this year knowing it had some abrasives in it. I figured I'd use it and/or UP on the Forester/Impreza to fix some of the swirls. Good to know UW seems to work well. I'll make note of it to try next. What I love about NXT is how easily it goes on and there's next to no wait time to remove it. Usually by the time you get on the entire vehicle where you started is ready for removal.

          Thanks for the feedback everyone. I think I have a better plan of attack. And now I also have a few Christmas list items to start researching!!

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Fall detail planning help requested

            Just thought I'd share an update. I figured I'd do some of the heavy lifting a bit earlier than planned so I can just do a wash and wax later in the season to save my back some. Since there's a lot more nice days in August than, say, October/November, this should hopefully work great imo.

            Anyhow, the 2006 Impreza and 2010 Forester are done.

            On the Impreza I did wash, wash, clay, ultimate polish, white wax.
            Impreza results

            On the Forester I did wash, wash, clay, ultimate polish, nxt 2.0, nxt2.0
            Forester results

            I absolutely love the way they both came out, especially the Forester. I do have a question though. My understanding of the NXT is that it's basically a sealant / all-in-one. Is this true? If so, can I layer a carnauba wax on top of it (ie 100% carnauba, not a cleaner wax)? If so, recommendations? Gold class? Deep Crystal? Another brand (ie Griot's best of show)?

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Fall detail planning help requested

              Use your NXT for durablity and a great shine.

              DetailingByM.com

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Fall detail planning help requested

                M26 Hi Tech Yellow wax is the classic carnauba for dark cars. I can be layered on NXT. There are a zillion discussions on this exact topic here (and as many opinions).

                I used #7 pure Polish and M26 here:
                2018 Acura RLX Tech - Majestic Black Pearl

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Fall detail planning help requested

                  Originally posted by nolonger_superman View Post
                  Murr1525 - I've only recently started browsing this forum, but I see you post A LOT. You always seem to take time to provide excellent feedback. Will definitely spend a few minutes familiarizing myself with the DA Power System tonight or tomorrow. At this point, we might potentially be moving (either North Carolina or Pittsburgh...depends on work), so I'll probably hold off this fall on it, but I think it or something similar will definitely be making its way on to my christmas list!


                  This is what I'm finding out. With just 2 cars, it didn't seem like a big deal. I could go a week or 2 without cleaning a vehicle, especially we have a 2 car garage. But now with a 3rd car that sits outside (and my daily driver), I seem to be cleaning one every week. AND friends and family have started requesting me to clean theirs. It's a great feeling when non-car people notice your car, but I do it out of the kindness of my heart. This stuff isn't exactly sofa change! Good call on the grit guards. I've been meaning to grab some and constantly forget!



                  I actually haven't read up on the UW yet. I still have a full bottle of NXT 2.0. Found some on clearance at advanced auto last year for I think it was $10 a bottle so I grabbed 2. Working my way through those. I bought the white wax on a whim this year knowing it had some abrasives in it. I figured I'd use it and/or UP on the Forester/Impreza to fix some of the swirls. Good to know UW seems to work well. I'll make note of it to try next. What I love about NXT is how easily it goes on and there's next to no wait time to remove it. Usually by the time you get on the entire vehicle where you started is ready for removal.

                  Thanks for the feedback everyone. I think I have a better plan of attack. And now I also have a few Christmas list items to start researching!!
                  Friends and family should not be asking you to clean their cars. Don't hey know you have a bad back. Tell them to clean their own cars. The nerve.

                  Comment

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