Purchased New Car. Please Critique My Plan.

[rlynge]

Good Morning, Everyone!

My wife and I purchased a Brand New Kia Sorento and I want to keep this daily driver looking nice but not necessarily show car perfect. Like a dummy, I allowed the dealership to detail the care upon purchase but luckily for me, the paint looks flawless. No scratches, swirls or etc. I would like your opinion on my plan for an initial detail and then maintenance plan. I have never detailed a vehicle before but have obsessively watched a ton of videos on all of the products listed below. Keep in mind I live in central FL where there is a ton of sun and rain. I will be doing all of this by hand.

Initial Plan
1. Two bucket hand wash using Meguiar's Gold Classic and drying as fast as possible (I have very hard water)
2. Claying vehicle with Meguiar's Clay Kit
3. Possibly using Meguiar's ultimate polish? (I am on the fence with this one since the paint shows no flaws at this time, opinions?)
4. Waxing with Meguiar's Ultimate Paste Wax

Maintenance Plan
1. Keeping some quick detailer and clean MF rags in car for spot cleaning as needed
2. hand or touchless car washing Every week or two depending on need (drying included in this step)
3. Using Ultimate Quick Wax after weekly or biweekly car wash
3. Claying 3-4 times per year
4. Re-applying wax every 2 months

I really appreciate any and all critiques and advice. Thanks1

[greg0303]

Re: Purchased New Car. Please Critique My Plan.

Congratulations on your purchase.

The plan looks good.

If you have a hard water use Meguiar's NxT car wash as it will soften it due to its ingredients.

Definitely use Ultimate Polish after wash/clay. It's called pre-wax glaze and it will prepare paint for protecting product application, add some gloss and remove minor imperfections.

Ultimate Paste Wax is a great choice. There is also Paint Protect available which offers even longer protection period:

http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/product/paint-protect

The maintenance schedule will keep your vehicle in a good shape for many weeks after detailing/waxing.

[rlynge]

Re: Purchased New Car. Please Critique My Plan.

Thanks, Greg! For the Paint protect, would I apply that and forgo the wax or should I wax over top of it?

[greg0303]

Re: Purchased New Car. Please Critique My Plan.

For the Paint protect, would I apply that and forgo the wax or should I wax over top of it?

No need to apply wax on top of Paint Protect.
After at least 24-hour period the second layer of Paint Protect may be added, to ensure uniform coverage.
Paint Protect can be applied by car polisher (dual action, orbital).

[greg0303]

Re: Purchased New Car. Please Critique My Plan.

Forgot to mention: products like quick/spray waxes may/should still be used, after Paint Protect application, for maintenance purposes.

[rlynge]

Re: Purchased New Car. Please Critique My Plan.

Thanks, Greg! I would likely be applying by hand but will be sure to apply as even a coat as possible.

[The Guz]

Re: Purchased New Car. Please Critique My Plan.

Good Morning, Everyone!

My wife and I purchased a Brand New Kia Sorento and I want to keep this daily driver looking nice but not necessarily show car perfect. Like a dummy, I allowed the dealership to detail the care upon purchase but luckily for me, the paint looks flawless. No scratches, swirls or etc. I would like your opinion on my plan for an initial detail and then maintenance plan. I have never detailed a vehicle before but have obsessively watched a ton of videos on all of the products listed below. Keep in mind I live in central FL where there is a ton of sun and rain. I will be doing all of this by hand.

Initial Plan
1. Two bucket hand wash using Meguiar's Gold Classic and drying as fast as possible (I have very hard water)
2. Claying vehicle with Meguiar's Clay Kit
3. Possibly using Meguiar's ultimate polish? (I am on the fence with this one since the paint shows no flaws at this time, opinions?)
4. Waxing with Meguiar's Ultimate Paste Wax

Maintenance Plan
1. Keeping some quick detailer and clean MF rags in car for spot cleaning as needed
2. hand or touchless car washing Every week or two depending on need (drying included in this step)
3. Using Ultimate Quick Wax after weekly or biweekly car wash
3. Claying 3-4 times per year
4. Re-applying wax every 2 months

I really appreciate any and all critiques and advice. Thanks1

Your plans looks good. You may not need to rewax that often. But it really depends on the surrounding environment and how ultimate wax is behaving. Seeing as you are in florida, the heat and humidity can take a toll on it. So you will have to judge on how often to reapply.

You may or may not need to clay that many times. Once or twice may be all you need. Google the baggie test to learn that technique. The paint is going to get contaminants no matter what. Washing the car routinely will help out.

Seeing as you had your car prepped by the dealer, I would go ahead and use ultimate polish. Ultimate polish will remove the dealer sealant and prep it for ultimate wax. UP will also impart gloss.

As stated in the previous posts, paint protect 365 is another option. It offers longer protection than ultimate wax. It won't offer as much gloss as ultimate wax but by using UP first that is negligible.

I posted a video on here showing how I applied paint protect 365.

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?62699-Paint-Protect-365-review/page8#u1a9xe6lmJGXpHy5.97

I was maintaining it with D156 which is the bulk version of ultimate quik wax. I was on a 3 month regiment using ultimate quik wax.

[rlynge]

Re: Purchased New Car. Please Critique My Plan.

Thanks, Guz! I will certainly take your suggestions into consideration. I really appreciate it.