Please check my process & recommend LSP

[ko1234]

Hello all,



I own a new corsa blue Kia Optima that came back from the body shop a few weeks ago. When I picked

up the car, there were moderate swirls all over the paint and plastic. I complained to the body shop.

After some back-and-forth, the body shop agreed to have a third party detail shop detail my car. The

detailer got the swirls off of most of the car, minus the hood and blended passenger fender, but he

added holograms on the hood.



I was planning to complete my first detail of the car around this time anyway. As recommended by the

body shop manager, I’m going to wait a few weeks to fully let the paint cure and outgas. Since this will

be my first serious detail in over 10 years and some of the technology and techniques have changed, I’m

here to ask opinions from those with more experience than me.



By the way, I am a weekend/hobbyist detailer. Previously I used Zaino products on the last car I really

babied (black ’99 Camaro). Zaino worked great, but it wasn’t easy on the wallet, as many of you surely

know. I won’t be making money doing detailing, but I take pride in having the shiniest, cleanest car on

the block, so I’m not opposed to spending some green on better quality products. On the other hand, if

a mid-range product does a great job for a lot less money, I’m all ears.



It will also be my first time using a DA. I have read tons of how-to articles and watched dozens of videos

on YouTube on the subject of using a DA polisher with various products. I’m feeling pretty confident

about using the DA. Just in case, I’m going to practice on my wife’s car which isn’t so new and which

also has moderate swirl marks.



I already own the following:

• Optimum car wash (love this stuff!), grit guards, multiple Megs MF wash mitts
  
• Griot’s Garage detailing clay
  
• diluted ONR as a clay lube
  
• PC 7424xp
  
• 5” backing plate
  
• Lake Country 5.5” CCS pads (orange, white, black, and red)
  
• Megs 205 polish
  
• Klasse AIO
  
• Klasse SG
  

I was thinking of the following process (doing a test spot first, of course) for both my car and my wife’s

car:

1. Wash, clay
   
2. M205 with a white pad
   
3. IPA – I’ve read this will reduce “pseudo holograms” that may appear after the M205 step
   
4. KAIO with a white pad
   
5. multiple coats of KSG on a red pad
   
6. LSP (I’m open to suggestions)
   

I’ve also read great reviews on here about 3D HD Polish. Does that fit in anywhere in my process or

would it need to replace a step (e.g. the KAIO)?



I’m also looking for recommendations on a LSP. I’m mainly going for that “wet shine” look, since the

KSG will provide the protection. I’ve read good things about Pinnacle Souveran paste.



I’ve also read that certain waxes and products can “mute” the pop of bright paint with metallic flake, such as on the

Corsa blue Optima. I would definitely like to avoid that. I’ve spent so much time over the last few weeks reading about detailing that I forgot where I read this. I think it was in regard to Collinite 845.



Sorry for the long post, but I like to be thorough. Thanks in advance for the input.

 

[IHA Mark]

Well your process looks ok, but why use KAIO when you are polishing before hand? The purpose of an AIO is skip the polishing process and do your polish/lsp in one step. I would recommend the following:



Wash

Clay

Polish with 205 or HD Polish (polish is what I use).

Optimum Opti-Seal

Depending on the depth of the holograms, you might need to do a compound step like M105 or HD Cut prior to the polishing step. Do a test panel to see what works for you. If you are afraid you have filled the holograms, use a IPA wipe down to make sure you are cutting through the holograms.



If you are wanting a paste wax, there are plenty of good ones out there. I personally use a lot of Meguiar's Ultimate Paste Wax, which can be found in store. It is a synthetic polymer sealant that gives the look of a paste wax. If you want a really "wet" look, HD Poxy has an amazing wet and slick look on dark paints.

 

[ko1234]

Well your process looks ok, but why use KAIO when you are polishing before hand? The purpose of an AIO is skip the polishing process and do your polish/lsp in one step.

Before I bought the Optima, my research told me that the Klasse twins form a decent paint polish/protection system. Everything I read said KAIO was a good prep step for KSG. Now that I've done more extensive research, I'm seeing that Klasse is still fine, but there seem to be better alternatives, at least in the opinion of most detailers these days. Since I already own them, I figured I'd try to work them into my process. Now I'm glad I asked.

I would recommend the following:



Wash

Clay

Polish with 205 or HD Polish (polish is what I use).

Optimum Opti-Seal

Depending on the depth of the holograms, you might need to do a compound step like M105 or HD Cut prior to the polishing step. Do a test panel to see what works for you. If you are afraid you have filled the holograms, use a IPA wipe down to make sure you are cutting through the holograms.

Definitely going to do a test panel. I'm going to try the M205 because I've already got it on order.

If you are wanting a paste wax, there are plenty of good ones out there. I personally use a lot of Meguiar's Ultimate Paste Wax, which can be found in store. It is a synthetic polymer sealant that gives the look of a paste wax. If you want a really "wet" look, HD Poxy has an amazing wet and slick look on dark paints.

I'll look into HD Poxy. That sounds like what I might want. Thanks for the tips!