Winter Detail - What I have, What to use, What to buy

A

auburnryan

New member
So my Poorboy's Pro Polish, PwC, and EX have all been used up with decent results over the last year on various different cars. My Meg's Pads for my PC have also taking a beating and need replacement, at least the polishing pad at minimun. looking at the new LC pads.



Laziness and lack of time has brought the detailing routine down to a 1 day detail every 3 months :hairpull . Forget the extra money I used to get deatiling for some neighbors...



Routine will consist of only 1 polishing step...unless the finish calls for some compound.



It's time again, and it's winter, so:



I have:



Menzerna IP - haven't been over impressed, I think it's the fact that it contains paint thinner turns me off...I'll use what I have left of it...but it's just never done much for me removing defects. :nixweiss



3M Final cut rubbing compound - love it, use it whenever needed- melts away scratches and leaves an almost gloss finish - a least on the whites I've used it on.



Rejex- This would be good for winter I guess, I haven't used it since purchasing for some wheels a year ago.



I was considering:



klasse AIO - to use after clay and before sealant (Rejex or zaino) - Replaces IP? Worth it?



DACP - interested based on some result I've seen.



Zaino- Been wanting to try it for a while - after the clay and IP (or AIO) ZFX and Z2, and some z6 to seal then up, some z8 as well.



Going on a '93 nissan pearl white, '06 Gti Red, '97 prelude green pearl (prelude has severe swirls visible under light)- haven't detailed this one since purchase.



So I'm thinking of using the clay, Final cut compund (if necessary), Menzerna IP, and then jumping on the Zaino bandwagon? Thoughts?



TIA for your suggestions- hope it's not hard to read, I wrote it in a hurry. Need to buy my stuff for this weekend :bolt



And I've been searching quite a bit, but would like some opinions based on the above setups...
 
I just finished "winter detailing" my wifes car and my "new" (used) truck. After claying both vehicles, nn her car I did two coats of Klasse AIO followed by one coat of Collinite 845 insulator wax. Wanted to do 2, but time didnt allow, and she goes from our garage to her parking garage at work, so the car is rarely in the weather.



For my truck, which gets parked outside *all* winter, I did 2x AIO and 2x 845.



My dad was looking into Rejex for his 'Vette (all the Vette guys swear by it), but I actually think it might be equivalent to the Collinite 845. Read a couple threads here that say Rejex looks nicer to start, but the slickness quickly fades. Since its the winter, I want to do as little as possible outside, and therefore I dont want to have to reapply anything.



Judging from how our vehicles came out, my recommendation is AIO (like you said) topped with 845, if you are looking for decent looks and good durability. They dont look as good as they do during the warm parts of the year (when I dont need durability), but they'll probably be pretty darn good looking in the middle of the winter parked next to non-Autopia cars :)



I applied everything by machine. Used a Propel blue pad for the AIO coats and a Propel grey (finishing) pad for the 845 coats. The 845 is nice stuff as long as you dont put it on heavy. With the combined 2 coats on my Frontier and 1 coat on my wifes TL, I think I might have used 2 oz total. The machine really helps here because you can get it applied nice and thin.



Good luck!

-Chris
 
845 huh? I thought 476 was the "stuff" for ultimate protection?



Thanks for your input. If AIO is part synthetic sealant, any issues (i.e. would you just waste) applying collonite, zaino, or Rejex over it?
 
auburnryan said:
845 huh? I thought 476 was the "stuff" for ultimate protection?



Thanks for your input. If AIO is part synthetic sealant, any issues (i.e. would you just waste) applying collonite, zaino, or Rejex over it?
Click to expand...
845 is a liquid that some like for looks and ease of use, but 476 will provide a little longer protection...... but 845 isn't a slouch durability wise.



AIO will be a good cleaner and base for almost anything you want to use (wax or sealer).



If you decide on Zaino you might want to consider buying some Z-PC since it does a good job of cleaning up swirls/marring and provides a good base for the Zaino.
 
If you are thinking about Zaino, I agree, just get the ZPC plus the Z2 or Z5. ZPC is great.
 
Yes forgot to mention the difference between 845 and 476. I actually went with 845 just because it was cheap from someone here on Autopia. I think the liquid makes it a little easier to apply (not sure if its better than paste in the cold weather).



-Chris
 
We'll I bought the following after reading threads (about 2 hours worth), and deciding I didn't need to shell our $150 for supplies again (although last time my purchase lasted 2 years):



Optimum Poli Seal

Duragloss #601 and #105

Duragloss Aquawax

2 Propel polish pads



$65 shipped



Guess I stick with the Menzerna IP I have and make due...I'm still considering Colonite if free shipping pops up anywhere that sells it.



I also forgot to buy some clay...
 
Thanks Yakky - Done! #845 will top the Optimum poli seal :) :waxing:



Ready for some snow now - it's sure is cold enough here in NOVA...BRRRRRR
 
auburnryan said:
Ready for some snow now - it's sure is cold enough here in NOVA...BRRRRRR
Click to expand...



Yeah, I've been using QEW in the garage lately, 50 in the garage beats 30 outside in the shade. :buffing: White stuff will be here in a month. BLECH.
 
Quick question (a tad off topic) -



Can 845 be topped with a FinishKare product (such as FX-100 or 425) for extra durability, and between wash "quick waxings" ? Figured that might be a quick way to keep the car protected and looking decent in case I actually get a chance to wash it during the winter.



-Chris
 
the OP Poliseal sounds like a great product, I would top it off with-

FMJ, clearcoat friendly sealant, one of the easiest on/off products I have ever used...

I've never used PS, but at least one website claims the shine is equal. I will be trying the UPP this spring, however. No matter how good something is, I like a variety of looks, etc..

Many products have something unique to offer.
 
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