Prep advice please

[parshooter]

I'm going to clean up my wife's car this weekend. It's a 2014 that we purchased new this past January. I've done nothing to it but some washes (I know, shame on me). I'm not going to clay it until next spring. Before I put down some Collinite 845, which would be better: Blackfire TSP or a good cleaner wax? TIA

[Desertnate]

Based on where you live, go with the most durable to make sure you get all the way through winter.

I can't speak for TSP, but the AIO's/cleaner waxes I've used won't make it through a winter.

If you have the 845 on hand now, I say go ahead and use it. When springs comes around strip it off, properly prep the paint, and then put more down.

[Detailing by M]

ALWAYS CLAY!
Your just waxing over dirt.

[Setec Astronomy]

What is keeping you from claying it now? That will likely help the longevity of your winter LSP.

[AnthonyGXP]

CLAY IS A MUST! If your not going to clay, I wouldn't touch it at all.

[Kamakaz1961]

CLAY IS A MUST! If your not going to clay, I wouldn't touch it at all.

:iagree: Don't bother putting anything on before claying. All you are doing is putting wax on a dirty car....spend the time and clay...PERIOD.

[Desertnate]

:iagree: Don't bother putting anything on before claying. All you are doing is putting wax on a dirty car....spend the time and clay...PERIOD.

:iagree:

It's not a hard process, nor does it take very long.

[parshooter]

:iagree:

It's not a hard process, nor does it take very long.
I've read up on it. Looks like it'll take a few hours (Chrysler 300). I figure it'll need the clay much more after winter than now. Just want to protect it some for the winter then I'll get her looking great next spring. Thanks for all the advice :xyxthumbs:

[Paul A.]

I use my Nanoskin glove quite often and it's a breeze. I wash first using my foam gun and regular wash mitt. Then i soap the car up a second time and wash it with the nanoskin to effectively do a light to medium clay effort. If you've decided not to clay or nanoskin i would probably want to use a cleaner wax for the time being. It most likely won't last you a full winter season up there but i would like the idea of the cleaners in the product to clean the paint a bit more for you. Maybe top it with your Coll 845 to give you some longevity.

I will say, however, i'm with the others that say do it right and before the season of snow, salt, ice, crud etc. however i do understand some folks don't have the hours in any day to spend all or most of a day on their vehicles.

[parshooter]

OK, how is this as an alternative to clay?
Nanoskin AutoScrub Fine Grade Wash Mitt (http://www.autogeek.net/nanoskin-autoscrub-wash-mitt-fine-grade.html)

[Mantilgh]

If you have a machine polisher and the time a light polish it wouldn't hurt to give it a once over first. Not for any correction, just to clean. You would be amazed how dirty the pad will get on a seemingly clean vehicle. If you don't have one then at least clay first.

[ski2]

OK, how is this as an alternative to clay?
Nanoskin AutoScrub Fine Grade Wash Mitt (http://www.autogeek.net/nanoskin-autoscrub-wash-mitt-fine-grade.html)

If you only have one car to take care of save a few bucks and get the Nanoskin Sponge Nanoskin Autoscrub Speedy Prep Sponge (http://www.autogeek.net/nanoskin-speedy-prep-sponge-fine-grade.html) They also come in medium, but a new car should be ok with fine.

Use one myself and it works great. After every section hit it with a blast from the hose and it cleans it off very well. Ultima Waterless Wash + works great as a lube at the waterless dilution, but then you have the whole bottle to mix for rinseless washes.

As others have said clay before you put on the 845. With the Nanoskin sponge I can do a midsized car in about 30 minutes.

[Paul A.]

OK, how is this as an alternative to clay?
Nanoskin AutoScrub Fine Grade Wash Mitt (http://www.autogeek.net/nanoskin-autoscrub-wash-mitt-fine-grade.html)

Bingo! I have the medium glove but that one is even safer if you've never used one and may be just as effective on a new vehicle with light contamination. Again, i use it as a "wash mitt" for a second wash on my car about 2-3 times a year. You'll use the heck out of it and like ski2 said, it's just as quick as a wash which for me might be 20-30 minutes.

Additionally, mantligh states a point confirming why i would go with at least a cleaner wax. A good paint cleaning with a machine will yield some things you don't even see on the paint...even after washing, claying, rinsing, drying etc.

[parshooter]

If you only have one car to take care of save a few bucks and get the Nanoskin Sponge Nanoskin Autoscrub Speedy Prep Sponge (http://www.autogeek.net/nanoskin-speedy-prep-sponge-fine-grade.html) They also come in medium, but a new car should be ok with fine.
I did see the sponge also. From what I've read, the mitt is used while washing the car, and the sponge would be used after the wash. Is that correct? I'd rather do it all in one step, if possible. TIA

[AttyVette]

I use Speedy surface prep towel and they work great!!! It's a clay bar microfiber rag. Get one and use it to clay your car and you won't be disappointed!! I use DP universal clay lubricant for the clay bar rag just FYI.
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