New car, could use some advice, because I'm short.

[burns_erin]

I recently purchased my first brand new car, a Honda Civic EX in Burgundy Night Pearl.

Here's what I'm thinking:
Gold Class Wash weekly
Claying (even though I'm terrified- can I use diluted GC Wash as lubricant?) Every three or 4 months
Ultimate Wax approximately every 3-4 months

And then Ultimate Spray wax after subsequent washes, weekly.
And Ultimate Quick Detail for light dusting and bird poop as needed.

Am I missing anything on that routine? I don't think it needs polishes or compounds at this time, it hardly seems to need clay based on baggie test.

Am I picking the best products if my goal is durable protection (my car lives outside and near a train track)?

And more importantly, I'm short, with T-Rex arms. I can't quite figure how to do the top of my car or the center of my hood safely (both for the paint and myself). Tips on that would be greatly appreciated. And can the waxes go on the moon roof glass?

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

[Don]

Re: New car, could use some advice, because I'm short.

Get a short (no pun intended) step ladder, that will let you reach the roof and hood of your car. Claying is something you should only need to do once or twice a year. Ult Quik Detailer is good for the uses you describe. Moon roof glass = yes, windshield = no.

[Blueline]

Re: New car, could use some advice, because I'm short.

Contrary to the above reply, you can use wax on your windshield. I use Ultimate Wax on all of my windows, including the panorama sunroof in my car. UW on the windshield does the same job as RainX is supposed to to, except RainX is junk. If you do use a step ladder or a stool to get at the roof, do be careful of buttons or zippers when you are leaning over. You can scratch the paint especially with pant zippers.
Other than that you seem to have the products and procedures correct. Normally one only needs to clay once...maybe twice a year, however parking near a railway line might necessitate an additional claying at your discretion.

[exploreco]

Re: New car, could use some advice, because I'm short.

That all sounds good. I agree with Blueline on the claying. If you feel you will be needing to clay that much (because of where you live) consider a nanoskin autoscrubber. Saves also of time over clay. You can get a mitt and it will save time. Great plan of attack to protect your new car. If you find that you are on a step stool or leaning on the car a lot, consider getting an apron. Meguiars, and other detailers make soft, I think microfiber type material aprons that will help protect your paint as you lean on it and keep you from scratching and getting zippers and buttons on the paint. I got one a couple of years ago and it works out great. Plus it has pockets to put your bottles in while you are working on the roof. Good luck and post some pics.

[burns_erin]

Re: New car, could use some advice, because I'm short.

Thanks, I think the apron was the factor I was missing.

[Don]

Re: New car, could use some advice, because I'm short.

Contrary to the above reply, you can use wax on your windshield. I use Ultimate Wax on all of my windows, including the panorama sunroof in my car. UW on the windshield does the same job as RainX is supposed to to, except RainX is junk. If you do use a step ladder or a stool to get at the roof, do be careful of buttons or zippers when you are leaning over. You can scratch the paint especially with pant zippers.

I didn't think of the apron, because I'm always in shorts or sweats & a t-shirt while detailing & I throw a towel over the back of the step ladder to keep it from contacting the side of the car. As for me, I have never really had good luck putting an actual wax on windshield glass, a quik detailer or quik wax has been ok for after-wash "spit shining," but regular wax always smears up for me when the wipers are used.

[burns_erin]

Re: New car, could use some advice, because I'm short.

I almost... almost wish I'd thought to try reaching across the roof before I pulled the trigger. I just didn't realize how much wider and taller the new Civic is compared to the 98 I replaced-which I could reach all the way across with a little effort. But even so, it was the bunky green paint and I bought it used, so it wasn't in superb shape or worrisome to be honest. Prior to that I had late 80s model Fords with the kind of paint you almost had to try to scratch, so it just wasn't an issue.

And for the glass I was mostly thinking on the moon roof with the quick wax, if I'm already tottering on a ladder or something, I don't want to have to be THAT careful to avoid the glass up there.

As for RainX....well it works for me, but I suspect that's because I only use it about half as often as suggested, and because the environmental factors in the area degrade it relatively quickly, especially for those of us who don't garage our cars. Mostly it's the garage kept cars down here that I hear people complain about RainX. (I wonder if there are any research studies?)

[burns_erin]

Re: New car, could use some advice, because I'm short.

Whoops, double post, but I do have a sideways question, and maybe I'm completely off base, but...

Well I understand some things like bird poop will etch. My question is, do they continue to get worse or set worse after washing and waxing (I know waving can't fix them), or can I wait to polish them out when I've got a bunch of them all at once.

[Blueline]

Re: New car, could use some advice, because I'm short.

The poop etching should not get worse, providing you have removed all of the corrosive material. Myself..I would still spot polish them out immediately and spot wax. Ultimate Wax is a great product for stopping bird poop etchings. I have accidentally left poop to dry on my cars overnight, and no etchings at all.

[Blueline]

Re: New car, could use some advice, because I'm short.

As for me, I have never really had good luck putting an actual wax on windshield glass, a quik detailer or quik wax has been ok for after-wash "spit shining," but regular wax always smears up for me when the wipers are used.

Have you tried Ultimate Wax on your windshield? I don't get any smearing, and for the most part, especially highway driving, the wipers rarely come on, (auto wipe) because the water just blows off. I did get smearing, rainbows, and wiper chatter with RainX, but not UW.

[exploreco]

Re: New car, could use some advice, because I'm short.

This is the one I have. http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-detail-apron.html I didn't realize how much I appreciated it until I detailed SUV and could just reach down and put the product right there in the pocket. I am usually wearing shorts or jeans so will always have buttons or zippers that can scratch, so this is a good way to protect the paint. But you will find what system works best for you.

Also, I didn't notice you mentioning this but do you have a dual action polisher? I would assume at some point you will polish this nice dark color car and a DA is hands down the best way for that. How is the paint over all? Are there any dealer installed swirls?

[Nick Winn]

Re: New car, could use some advice, because I'm short.

I recently purchased my first brand new car, a Honda Civic EX in Burgundy Night Pearl.

Here's what I'm thinking:
Gold Class Wash weekly
Claying (even though I'm terrified- can I use diluted GC Wash as lubricant?) Every three or 4 months
Ultimate Wax approximately every 3-4 months

And then Ultimate Spray wax after subsequent washes, weekly.
And Ultimate Quick Detail for light dusting and bird poop as needed.

Am I missing anything on that routine? I don't think it needs polishes or compounds at this time, it hardly seems to need clay based on baggie test.

Am I picking the best products if my goal is durable protection (my car lives outside and near a train track)?

And more importantly, I'm short, with T-Rex arms. I can't quite figure how to do the top of my car or the center of my hood safely (both for the paint and myself). Tips on that would be greatly appreciated. And can the waxes go on the moon roof glass?

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Just wanted to bring up your question in regards to using our Gold Class Car Wash as a clay lubricant. We do not recommend the use of our car washes for use as clay lubricant. Our A33 Quik Detailer, D155 Last Touch Spray Detailer diluted at 1:1 with water, and our M34 Final Inspection are the options we recommend for clay lubricants, and provide just the right amount of lubricity for the clay.

We hope this information was helpful.

[burns_erin]

Re: New car, could use some advice, because I'm short.

This is the one I have. http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-detail-apron.html I didn't realize how much I appreciated it until I detailed SUV and could just reach down and put the product right there in the pocket. I am usually wearing shorts or jeans so will always have buttons or zippers that can scratch, so this is a good way to protect the paint. But you will find what system works best for you.

Also, I didn't notice you mentioning this but do you have a dual action polisher? I would assume at some point you will polish this nice dark color car and a DA is hands down the best way for that. How is the paint over all? Are there any dealer installed swirls?

No DA yet. It is on my wishlist, but the car overall seems in good shape, one light scratch on a back door and that is about it. Do you have a rec on the DA? I was looking at the Griot's because I've heard good things.

[burns_erin]

Re: New car, could use some advice, because I'm short.

Just wanted to bring up your question in regards to using our Gold Class Car Wash as a clay lubricant. We do not recommend the use of our car washes for use as clay lubricant. Our A33 Quik Detailer, D155 Last Touch Spray Detailer diluted at 1:1 with water, and our M34 Final Inspection are the options we recommend for clay lubricants, and provide just the right amount of lubricity for the clay.

We hope this information was helpful.

Good to know! Thanks for getting back to me on that.

[The Guz]

Re: New car, could use some advice, because I'm short.

This is the one I have. http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-detail-apron.html I didn't realize how much I appreciated it until I detailed SUV and could just reach down and put the product right there in the pocket. I am usually wearing shorts or jeans so will always have buttons or zippers that can scratch, so this is a good way to protect the paint. But you will find what system works best for you.

Also, I didn't notice you mentioning this but do you have a dual action polisher? I would assume at some point you will polish this nice dark color car and a DA is hands down the best way for that. How is the paint over all? Are there any dealer installed swirls?

Very nice apron. I have one as well.

And more importantly, I'm short, with T-Rex arms. I can't quite figure how to do the top of my car or the center of my hood safely (both for the paint and myself). Tips on that would be greatly appreciated. And can the waxes go on the moon roof glass?

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

This is worth the money. It goes on sale often for $20.

http://www.harborfreight.com/step-stoolworking-platform-62515.html