Total Newbie Overwhelmed by Options!

[ValleyEquine]

Hello!
I am new to the forum, and new to the world of auto detailing. I'm a female young adult from PA , and this past Saturday I traded in my first car, a 1996 Geo Prism with 239,000 miles for a 2014 Chevy Sonic LTZ Turbo Hatchback with 12,000 miles. I certainly feel like I've moved up in the world!

For the time we had it my Prism was awesome...all we ever had to do was change a water pump...but it certainly wasn't a looker. Because it wasn't in pristine condition when we got it, I wasn't terribly concerned about upkeeping the paint. It occasionally got an exterior wash, though I would give the interior a thorough cleaning more regularly. But any car products used were just cheap things I could buy at Walmart.

My Sonic, on the other hand, is pretty! Especially by comparison. It came home beautifully clean and shiny from the dealership and I find myself cringing at the water spots that developed after it got rained on yesterday! If the Sonic is as reliable as the Prism, I hope to drive it till it has 200,000, and I want the paint to last that long.

But I am finding myself very overwhelmed with all the car care options! I'm hoping to get some advice on what cleaning and maintenance products to purchase from experienced car people.

So important info...
I live in PA
No space in the garage for my car
Color of car is red
Paint currently has very few imperfections that my very inexperienced eye can see
I need products that are easy to use and do not require power buffers or manly man muscle power to apply/remove
I will pay more for high quality products where warranted, but in situations where a cheaper product will work just as well that would be helpful on my wallet

My thought from the research I've done...

Every four to six months
Wash
Clay Bar
Light or Finishing Polish
Paint Sealant
Spray Wax, probably synthetic

In between as needed
Wash
Spray Wax

I also want an interior cleaner and interior protectant to coat my dash and other surfaces against UV rays.

Questions regarding this setup
How do I determine if I need a product like Iron X?
Do I need to use some sort of Pre Wax Cleaner between polishing and paint sealing?
How often does an interior protectant need to be applied?

I'm ready for the product suggestions!

Sorry for the long and scattered post. I have so many thoughts and questions...Thanks!

[Setec Astronomy]

First, welcome to the forum!

Second, what part of PA? There's a good group of members in eastern PA, I think they are between Allentown and Philly. They have some regular meetups, and that can be a good way to get some help or try some different products.

[DaveT435]

Welcome.
I can promise you that you will use a lot less muscle using a DA than doing maintenance by hand. Even when claying using a DA with a nano skin auto scrub pad will be much easier than claying by hand. Polishing, waxing or sealing...trust me a DA is the way to go. The Porter Cable machine is very easy to operate.

[01GreyStangGT]

I think that most people here clay twice a year. I clay and polish twice a year. As for the LSP, I just add layers or use a spray wax in between the polishings.

[TFTADetail]

Most everything you're going to learn here regarding products is going to be by way of opinions ......... and lots of 'em!

Welcome!

[Mike@ShineStruck]

Im also new to machine detailing
purchased my first polisher GG G21 boss
its really smooth and can easily 1 hand it.
seems like its 6.5 pads are too large to do allot of areas..and dont think stepping down to a 5in backing plate with 5.5 or 5in pad will benefit

Im now planning to add a rupes mini to compliment the boss 21..
prior to this i was heavily looking into the cyclo pro 5 for its dual 4 inch heads

Id def look into the cyclo if you want 1 machine to do all of the car
PITTSBURGH PA here btw

As for polishes/wax/sealants
theyre all close i performance so really cant go wrong with anyone
the worst product is better then nothing

I also sell rivstar claybar, cleaner wax, show car finish liquid wax and instant detailer
i havent used my nano sponge yet but sure ill like it over a traditional claybar

[ValleyEquine]

I'm about 45 mins north of Harrisburg, PA.

Because I'm so new at this I'm having trouble with abbreviations. I know DA refers to the dual action polisher. What is "LSP"?

A DA polisher might be a future investment...maybe a good Christmas present! But at least for now I need products that are able to be applied by hand.

Opinions are fine! I need opinions because I have none of my own at this point!

[trekkeruss]

I'm about 45 mins north of Harrisburg, PA.

Because I'm so new at this I'm having trouble with abbreviations. I know DA refers to the dual action polisher. What is "LSP"?

A DA polisher might be a future investment...maybe a good Christmas present! But at least for now I need products that are able to be applied by hand.

Opinions are fine! I need opinions because I have none of my own at this point!

Welcome to AGO!

Last Step Product. The Wax, sealant, or coating.

If you car isn't all swirled up, you can get away without a DA for now. But without one, I'd be inclined to recommend using an all-in-one "wax."

As far as when to use Iron-X, the only way to know is to use it.

[Mike@ShineStruck]

For iron x just get the iron x snow car wash
i got the trix version....says new scent..
the new scent smelled like skunk...hate to smell what the old scent was like!

[irvsmith]

I think you have a good sense of the product line options. Here is a basic starter video which gives a nice overview.

http://youtu.be/X0Sqi1lAj1A

At the end of the day - just make sure you are enjoying it!