Todays Stupid Question...

[nickgodfrey]

Ok, with spring coming, I'm putting together new packages for paint correction with different levels of services. So, I've seen more than one person refer to "AIO." Here's there stupid question: What the heck is AIO!? Go easy on me, I'm new here...

[weavers]

all in one. that means it is a product that removes swirls, oxidation and gives wax/sealant protection.

what that means is it doesn't do any one of those things very well. xmt360 is an aio,it has the cut of 2, where as m205 has a cut of 4. xmt360 protect last about a month as well. kind of a waste.

[rider9195]

Ok, with spring coming, I'm putting together new packages for paint correction with different levels of services. So, I've seen more than one person refer to "AIO." Here's there stupid question: What the heck is AIO!? Go easy on me, I'm new here...

AIO= All-In-One.

This is a type of product that can clean, correct, and seal the paint. This eliminates the need to do a separate paint cleaning stage and is very quick to do on a car. Many AIO products do not have very good paint correcting abilities though. So do not expect to remove all the swirls with an AIO product.

Here are some AIO type products:

Poorboys World Polish with Sealant, Poorboys PWS, paint sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/poorboys-polish-sealant.html)
Griot's Garage One-Step Sealant, One Step Paint Sealant, liquid car wax sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/griots-one-step-sealant.html)
XMT 360 corrects, cleans, and seals auto paint! XMT 360 is more than a cleaner wax, its a swirl remover, polish, and paint sealant in one. (http://www.autogeek.net/xmt-360.html)
BLACKFIRE Total Polish & Seal, polish and wax, cleaner wax, car polish (http://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-total-polish-seal.html)
Meguiars D151 Paint Reconditioning Cream (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-paint-reconditioning-cream-d151.html)
Optimum GPS Glaze Polish Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-gps.html)

[Porsche Pilot]

My god Nick, you don't know what an AIO is!? Kidding! An All In One is a product that is a cleaner, polish and wax all in one handy product. A good example would be XMT 360 or Meg's D151. AIO's have there place in most of our arsenals and some of them are really fantastic, like XMT. There are never any stupid questions here at AGO! We are all here to learn from each other.

[FUNX650]

Just a suggestion..Go to the link below for Mike Phillips' article on AIO's (All-In-One)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/39020-word-definitions-compounds-polishes-glazes-paint-cleaners-waxes.html

Very good explanation of Cleaner Waxes/AIO...IMO!

Here's an except:

Cleaner/Wax also called an AIO

A cleaner/wax or what is also referred to as an All-In-One or AIO for short, is a one-step step product formulated using a blend of chemical cleaners and often times some type of abrasives, (either diminishing or non-diminishing), plus some type of protection ingredients that will remain on the surface after the cleaning action is finished and the residue is wiped-off the paint.

The chemical cleaners and/or the combination of chemical cleaners and abrasives will remove topical defects like oxidation and road grime from the surface which will restore clarity to the clearcoat so the richness of color will again shine through.

At the same time the product will leave behind a layer of protection using some type of protection ingredients either natural, synthetic or both, to help lock in the shine and of course protect the paint from the elements.



Abrasive Cleaner/Waxes

Some cleaner/waxes have the ability to remove below surface defects like swirls and scratches but to what degree depends upon how aggressive the abrasives are in the formula. There are some fairly aggressive cleaner/waxes available and these are normally marketed at the production detailing industry where detailers want a cleaner/wax that will quickly undo years of neglect in a single step.

End of excerpt.

:)

Bob

[FUNX650]

Also: This is an excellent Mike Phillips article link for AIO's offered at AGO...With lots of Pics!:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/23263-difference-between-cleaner-wax-finishing-wax.html


Here's some:

Cleaner/Waxes
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/719/cleanerwaxes02a.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/719/cleanerwaxes01.jpg


Cleaner/Sealants
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/719/cleanersealants01.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/719/cleanersealants02.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/719/medium/cleanersealants03.jpg


Hybrid Cleaner Waxes/Sealants
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/719/HybridCleaner002.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/719/HybridCleaner001.jpg



:)

Bob

[nickgodfrey]

WOW! You guys are fast! So basically, the Meguiar's Cleaner Wax I've been using is considered an AIO. Judging by what a lot of people are talking about charging for "AIO Services" I'm WAY to cheap! What I'm working on putting together in a package would be at least a 3 step, 4 if the paint's in real bad shape. I've never wet sanded, so that's not an option for me just yet. Trying to figure out which stuff to use for clay, compound, polish, and wax/sealant.

[weavers]

clay, find the cheapest you can. i like megs at walmart.
compound m105 or megs ulimate compound. both are very cheap and give amazing results. it can't be beat
polish m205 or ulimate polish.
wax i love collnite 845. its cheap, last 6 months and is super glossy.

personally I charge by hour. i found a rate i like and i stick with it.

AIO isn't a bad choice for daily drivers. most people want there cars to look like new on the inside and shinny on the outside. aio does that. i rather lay down some polish and get better results and follow up with a wax. that takes another 20mins, but i feel its worth it. you can even use megs ultimate compound as a one step in many cases and follow up with wax.

always do test spots!

[nickgodfrey]

Ya know, I was considering the Ultimate stuff from Meguiar's, but as cheap as it is I wasn't sure how good it could really be. I really do like the results I've had from most of their products so far.

[weavers]

you will find thousands of post on autogeek where people use megs m105 and m205. its bread and butter. its professional results every time. the ultimate line is the over the counter line, its 1-2 steps down in cut, but it finishes off just as nicely.

[Kristopher1129]

Not a stupid question at all. Every single one of us at one point and time did not know the acronyms we use daily on the forum. I know I didn't, ha.

But, like others said...AIO=All In One. Referring to a one step product that cleans, polishes, and waxes/seals. Doesn't perform any of those steps in spectacular fashion...but, never the less makes the job quick, and allows the customer to pay a comfortable price. In fact, the AIO process is what is used on MOST daily drivers in my shop. Unless they are willing to pay for a higher up service of course.

[nickgodfrey]

Yeah, I've been using a cleaner wax and have been fairly happy with the results. There have also been plenty of times I know I could have done better with multiple steps. The big bonus with the one step its the customers cost. I'm hoping to branch out into show cars this spring and having a multi step program will be the selling point for that.

[shoeless89]

Ya know, I was considering the Ultimate stuff from Meguiar's, but as cheap as it is I wasn't sure how good it could really be. I really do like the results I've had from most of their products so far.

I've used every product in the Ultimate line of Meguiar's. It does work pretty well for OTC but I've found so many products that are way better. The only one I still really reach for anymore is Ultimate Compound. :detailer:

[tw33k2514]

I still have a lot of go tos in the ultimate line. UC, UQW, and QID come to mind. Although I do like XMT spray wax better than QID. I just hate the price.

[Stang Man]

I just ordered the Opti Poli-Seal, because, like you, I wanted to add an AIO to fill in that gap between a "wash" and a full on correction.

I think for most people with a daily driver, the AIO is going to be the way to go. Like some have said- they just want a car thats shiny, and could care less about swirl marks or durability.

When my AIO comes in this week, I'm going to give it a go on my girlfriend's Honda Accord- it is in dire need of some attention!