derass
04-26-2016, 01:41 AM
Hi everyone! I just bought a new car and have made the decision to take good care of it! I've had a few cars in the past, but they were beaters given to me. This is the first time I've had to spend a decent amount on a car, so it's time to develop a better detailing routine. I've always done what I thought was a good job at cleaning my cars ( wash top-down and dry with chamois) but now I'd like to take things a step further.
The car in question is a 2006 Honda Accord and is in rather good shape, it will be my daily driver and is by no means a show-car. As for me, I'm a college student who is on a budget and will be moving from place to place as I alternate between study and work terms. I need to maintain this car for the next 5-7 years, so my primary goal is to prevent corrosion and damage to the paint (such as fading due to the sun). I would like to accomplish my this using a small detailing kit, so that it doesn't take up too much room and is easy to take with me as I move around.
I've spent the entire weekend studying the AGO store and forum and have come up with a plan that I think will work well for me. I would appreciate any feedback you all might have!
Wash
1) Two 5 gallon buckets - This should be an significant improvement over previously just using 1. Cannot afford the luxury of GritGaurds at this time, but will most likely upgrade eventually.
2) Meguiar's Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo - Cheap, available locally, good reviews in AGO store
3) Mircofiber or Chenille wash mitt. Haven't decided but both seem like good choices. Leaning towards MF as I've had one before and really liked it.
4) Corba Guzzler - Medium size for primary drying, small for touch-ups
Clean
5) Mother's Clay Bar - To be done twice a year, once in the spring and again in the fall to prepare for new application of sealant. I have this product from a previous car, didn't know what I was doing at the time. Should be good enough for this first season, can upgrade later. A local detailer told me today, bars are a thing of the past and that clay-clothes are the way to go as they can be rinsed. Any feedback here?
6) Klasse AIO - To be done twice a year as above. Name says is all: one product to polish and remove old wax, will be used with its counterpart
Protect
The car will likely be parked outdoors for the next few years and winter driven. There will also be 4-month periods when it is not driven at all, these are study terms where I live on campus and do not need to drive. All of this outdoor exposure and extended periods of sitting is what concerns me. Hopefully, these next products are up to the task.
7) Klasse HGSG - Primary source of protection. Durability is most important to me, so reading that this product can provide up to a year of protection really sold me. Again, 2 applications per year.
8) Meguiar's Gold Class Liquid Carnauba Wax - Again, cheap, locally available, good reviews in AGO store. Will be done as a secondary source of protection monthly (excluding winter). Any prep required for this? Or is a freshly washed car good enough?
And that's it! I still need to look further into interior and wheel cleaning, but I predict those to be easier than the exterior. Hopefully I haven't bored you all to death so that you can tell me what you think! Thanks!
The car in question is a 2006 Honda Accord and is in rather good shape, it will be my daily driver and is by no means a show-car. As for me, I'm a college student who is on a budget and will be moving from place to place as I alternate between study and work terms. I need to maintain this car for the next 5-7 years, so my primary goal is to prevent corrosion and damage to the paint (such as fading due to the sun). I would like to accomplish my this using a small detailing kit, so that it doesn't take up too much room and is easy to take with me as I move around.
I've spent the entire weekend studying the AGO store and forum and have come up with a plan that I think will work well for me. I would appreciate any feedback you all might have!
Wash
1) Two 5 gallon buckets - This should be an significant improvement over previously just using 1. Cannot afford the luxury of GritGaurds at this time, but will most likely upgrade eventually.
2) Meguiar's Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo - Cheap, available locally, good reviews in AGO store
3) Mircofiber or Chenille wash mitt. Haven't decided but both seem like good choices. Leaning towards MF as I've had one before and really liked it.
4) Corba Guzzler - Medium size for primary drying, small for touch-ups
Clean
5) Mother's Clay Bar - To be done twice a year, once in the spring and again in the fall to prepare for new application of sealant. I have this product from a previous car, didn't know what I was doing at the time. Should be good enough for this first season, can upgrade later. A local detailer told me today, bars are a thing of the past and that clay-clothes are the way to go as they can be rinsed. Any feedback here?
6) Klasse AIO - To be done twice a year as above. Name says is all: one product to polish and remove old wax, will be used with its counterpart
Protect
The car will likely be parked outdoors for the next few years and winter driven. There will also be 4-month periods when it is not driven at all, these are study terms where I live on campus and do not need to drive. All of this outdoor exposure and extended periods of sitting is what concerns me. Hopefully, these next products are up to the task.
7) Klasse HGSG - Primary source of protection. Durability is most important to me, so reading that this product can provide up to a year of protection really sold me. Again, 2 applications per year.
8) Meguiar's Gold Class Liquid Carnauba Wax - Again, cheap, locally available, good reviews in AGO store. Will be done as a secondary source of protection monthly (excluding winter). Any prep required for this? Or is a freshly washed car good enough?
And that's it! I still need to look further into interior and wheel cleaning, but I predict those to be easier than the exterior. Hopefully I haven't bored you all to death so that you can tell me what you think! Thanks!