Does anyone here use just AIO?

Andrew Timmins

New member
I put a coat of "something" on my Dad's car two or three times a year. Autoglym SRP is the usual choice but I have used NXT Tech Wax on it in the past also. As I've just purchased AIO from the Autopia shop I thought I'd try it out on this car. As the car was made in 1993 and has had a lifetime of mechanical carwashes with the scratchy plastic brushes I'm not looking to achieve a perfect finish, just to stop and further deterioration of the paint and to offer protection from the elements.



Does anyone use Klasse AIO on its own or does everybody top it with either a wax or sealant?



If you just use AIO how long does it last for you? The car is parked outside 24/7 in typical British weather.



If it is best to top AIO with something else? These are the suitable products I have at the moment:



Autoglym EGP

S100

NXT

#16



I'm not looking to purchase any further products at the moment so please advise from the above list.



What I am looking for would be a combination which offers the longest term protection and hopefully retains its looks without too much maintenance other than a regular wash.



Many thanks



Andrew
 
AIO is a great base coat for any sealent or wax. a wax goes on so smooth and effortlessly over AIO. its a match made in heaven. if i were you, i would top it with 16 because without removing the swirls or scratches, the finish isn't going to look perfect anyway and 16 is the most durable. AIO by itself offers very LITTLE protection. DO NOT top AIO with NXT becasue the abrasives in NXT will pretty much take away any protection that AIO does provide.



Vernon
 
Hi Andrew,



With what you have listed there, I'd go with the EGP or #16 over AIO. Maybe a few layers of the EGP if you have the time. #16 will give you good durability & nice clear reflections.



You'll like the AIO, its great stuff.



Paul
 
out of that #16 is the longest lasting, i dont like autoglym resin polish as its too dusty, blocks the true colour of the car and is a basic cover up in my eyes. I prefer paint pure and natural looking as natural as possible....lots of flakes! hehe.



You could try AIO then EGP as a sealant?? then top with #16. But again I have never used AIO so I really dont know what is a good topper. I know nxt is a sealant or at least megs' sealant and #16 is very durable (im from scotland) and thats what I use.



S100 is supposed to be easier to use but not last as long, autoglym gloss protection may be a good idea over AIO but i have never used EGP as I was put off by the SRP. I do know first hand nxt doesnt stand a chance up here over 2 weeks. It offers little protection untill we're in summer up here.



But lets see some pics when your done.
 
AIO is great. a swirlfree finish with aio and then pretty much topped with anything will look great. AIO provides a crisp clean surface that just doens't compare to any other paint cleaner in my opinion. the wax or sealent goes on noticebly better than without AIO and lasts longer as well because AIO provides a great surface to bond to. AIO with S100 will be a crystal clear look. try and get some pics for us!



Vernon
 
AIO by itself offers very LITTLE protection



IMO, just the opposite is true... Oh sure, SG adds substantially to that protection, but, AIO really works for 60 days, or more. Depends on the environment, of course.



In my shop, it serves a real purpose in removing any polish/compound residue. We feel confident that no 'fillers' remain. Clients LOVE the smooth and 'buttersoft' feel of their paint.



Jim
 
vdog0531 said:
AIO is a great base coat for any sealent or wax. a wax goes on so smooth and effortlessly over AIO. its a match made in heaven. if i were you, i would top it with 16 because without removing the swirls or scratches, the finish isn't going to look perfect anyway and 16 is the most durable. AIO by itself offers very LITTLE protection. DO NOT top AIO with NXT becasue the abrasives in NXT will pretty much take away any protection that AIO does provide.



Vernon



I'm still not convinced that AIO is a great base for everything. How can a product that leaves a layer behind be a good base? It doesn't make sense, especially if you feel it doesn't last long.



How many layers actually touch the paint?
 
If you wanted to protect it from the element, paint looking worse and want shine. Put a coat of SG on it. I have SG on over my AIO and it's still going stong for 5+ months. I live in Ohio and it's 20o snowing here. WIth all the salt and god know what else is in the air. Especially you living in the UK with all that rain I would thow a coat of SG on it. SG bonds to the paint not like waxes that just sit on your paint. I would just put AIO then a coat of SG. Don't use NXT over it because it has cleaners in it. That will damage SG strength. NXT will last a month to 2 if lucky, but not with alot of rain. SG will last 6 months. Apply a coat of SG and let it set for 24 hrs out of the elements and then remove.
 
Jimmy Buffit said:
IMO, just the opposite is true... Oh sure, SG adds substantially to that protection, but, AIO really works for 60 days, or more. Depends on the environment, of course.



In my shop, it serves a real purpose in removing any polish/compound residue. We feel confident that no 'fillers' remain. Clients LOVE the smooth and 'buttersoft' feel of their paint.



Jim



AIO is a cleaner so it works great for removing wax's and fillers like you said... so since when does a cleaner add substantial protection?
 
L33 said:
I'm still not convinced that AIO is a great base for everything. How can a product that leaves a layer behind be a good base? It doesn't make sense, especially if you feel it doesn't last long.



How many layers actually touch the paint?



AIO preps the surface for anything. it is a cleaner that makes the surface primed and ready for an lsp. would you rather take some sandpaper and rough the surface up a bit so your lsp will "stick" better?



EDIT: AIO by itself doesn't last long IMO
 
audipower said:
If you wanted to protect it from the element, paint looking worse and want shine. Put a coat of SG on it. I have SG on over my AIO and it's still going stong for 5+ months. I live in Ohio and it's 20o snowing here. WIth all the salt and god know what else is in the air. Especially you living in the UK with all that rain I would thow a coat of SG on it. SG bonds to the paint not like waxes that just sit on your paint. I would just put AIO then a coat of SG. Don't use NXT over it because it has cleaners in it. That will damage SG strength. NXT will last a month to 2 if lucky, but not with alot of rain. SG will last 6 months. Apply a coat of SG and let it set for 24 hrs out of the elements and then remove.



What do you mean remove?
 
Fury:

He is referring to applying waiting overnight and remove with a MF.



Andrew:

Welcome,

Top the AIO with the #16 and you should be quite satisfied with the results.



Hope this helped

Good Luck

"J"
 
Thank you for all the replies so far.



The vast majority seem to be favouring having a layer of something else over the AIO.



Audipower, I had considered buying SG at the same time I bought AIO but it seemed too similar to Autoglym EGP. As I've only used EGP once I have loads to use yet. Two pure sealants seemed a bit over the top at the rate I use products. If I really like the AIO though I may purchase SG at the same time as the next bottle of AIO.



#16 seems to be the favourite choice at the moment.



I will post pictures once the details is complete. Forecast seems to be for another wet week so don't know when that will be.



Here's a picture of #16 over NXT on my Silver car.

14995almera_16.jpg




I'm lookingforward to seeing how #16 over AIO looks on a single stage dark red.
 
I use AIO by itself and having been for years. Yes, I know topping it off with a sealant or wax makes it look better, I have in the past, but I just don't have the time. Both my vehicles get done twice a year inside and out and Klasse AIO is the only sealant that I use that lasts.
 
vdog0531 said:
AIO preps the surface for anything. it is a cleaner that makes the surface primed and ready for an lsp. would you rather take some sandpaper and rough the surface up a bit so your lsp will "stick" better?



EDIT: AIO by itself doesn't last long IMO





I understand what AIO does.



With the sandpaper thing, are you saying using a true polish is a bad base for an LSP? That a sealant shouldn't bond to the surface?



Basically you proved my point, I don't want my LSP to "stick" to anything except the surface. Especially if it sticking to something that "doesn't last long".



What happens to the LSP when AIO fades?
 
I AIO'ed my wifes car when I first started learning about detailing. It was still beading strong after two months until I got a PC and SSR'ed and re-AIO'ed her car last month.
 
Hey Andrew,



I'm in wolvo every now and again visiting a mate there. Let me know if you fancy trying out some SG or other items. The red will look great with AIO and #16.



Paul
 
paulhdi said:
Hey Andrew,



I'm in wolvo every now and again visiting a mate there. Let me know if you fancy trying out some SG or other items. The red will look great with AIO and #16.



Paul



Thanks Paul.



Let me know when you are in the area again and we can meet up. I read Autopia most days so send me a PM to let me know when you are visiting next.



What other items have you got which you can recommend?



Andrew
 
Aio is a cleaner-sealant, just like any other cleaner wax except for two things, it cleans better than any other cleaner wax and it protects longer than any other cleaner wax. If you are happy with the durability of cleaner waxes like Meguiars or mothers you will be overjoyed with AIO.
 
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