I've been reading thru a wealth of info on these boards about winter friendly (real winters I'm talking
) paint sealants and AIOs to go on underneath. Unfortunately I'm overwhelmed with product choices, and am hoping one of you could make a recommendation based on my needs.
We have two daily drivers. A 91 burgundy red clearcoat, original paint, honestly doubt its ever had a decent polish or wax applied to it. Some surface rust, lots of swirlling and clearcoat scratches, but the paint still has decent shine to it when freshly washed. The other car is a slate blue clearcoat, resprayed by a PO two years ago, but a cheap paint job. This car is almost swirl and scratch free, but has orange peel galore.
My goal is to clay the cars, apply an AIO to remove/smooth the lighter blemishes, and apply a sealant that will last several months giving good water beading and salt repellant (at least so it's easy to spray the salt off during the harsher times). I don't care about 'pop', or getting rid of all the blemishes. I'm looking at this application from a defense/durability perspective (as well I want to apply the AIO and sealer to my wheels). Also, I'd prefer to save money with a cheaper application that gives 'decent' results as opposed to products that are better, yet cost much more.
Here is what I've been reading that may work, cheapest first.
1. Meg's ColorX ($11.99) topped with Collinite 845 IW ($17.99) = $30
While reading up on Klasse AIO, I came across a few KAIO vs ColorX threads. ColorX was described as easy to apply and performed well on minor imperfections. I was impressed with a right up by Mike Phillips using this product (though it was SS) on a neglected paint job. In the threads most people seemed to be topping ColorX with NXT, #20/21 or #26. They were obviously not winter specific threads, but while reading up on what sealant/wax lasts thru winters most seemed to recommend 845/476s. I figured why not ColorX + 845?
2. KAIO + KSG = $41 package deal
This seems to be the good ol standby. I would go straight to this, but read that KSG isn't the best for water beading. I figure road salt also wouldn't be as easy to spray off as 845 (I reason if KSG doesn't bead/repel water as well, the salt mixed in might stick to the paint more). The comparison threads between KAIO and ColorX seemed to favor KAIO, though I didn't read anything negative about ColorX. I'm wondering if it's simply because KAIO is more boutique, and ColorX is OTC, that people are giving the nod to KAIO.
3. Optimum Poli-Seal (32oz. $24) + Opti-Seal ($28) = $52
While reading up on AIO threads, the ones within the past year recommended Poli-Seal as the new AIO fav. This combo is pricey and I'm not sure if $22 over combo #1 is justifyable for my needs (granted the poli-seal container is twice the size). Also, I'm kinda shying away from the 1oz does 4-5 cars with the opti-seal. I do believe Optimum's claims, yet being a newb am not confident I can apply so little product and know that it's been applied to the entire car. However, if someone can convince me this combo is worth the cost over combo #1, I may splurge.
4. A different combination, using the products above (or others)???
On a side note - What are your opinions on Meguiar's Quik Clay Detailing System, for my clay needs? It seems to be the only OTC option up here in Canada

We have two daily drivers. A 91 burgundy red clearcoat, original paint, honestly doubt its ever had a decent polish or wax applied to it. Some surface rust, lots of swirlling and clearcoat scratches, but the paint still has decent shine to it when freshly washed. The other car is a slate blue clearcoat, resprayed by a PO two years ago, but a cheap paint job. This car is almost swirl and scratch free, but has orange peel galore.
My goal is to clay the cars, apply an AIO to remove/smooth the lighter blemishes, and apply a sealant that will last several months giving good water beading and salt repellant (at least so it's easy to spray the salt off during the harsher times). I don't care about 'pop', or getting rid of all the blemishes. I'm looking at this application from a defense/durability perspective (as well I want to apply the AIO and sealer to my wheels). Also, I'd prefer to save money with a cheaper application that gives 'decent' results as opposed to products that are better, yet cost much more.
Here is what I've been reading that may work, cheapest first.
1. Meg's ColorX ($11.99) topped with Collinite 845 IW ($17.99) = $30
While reading up on Klasse AIO, I came across a few KAIO vs ColorX threads. ColorX was described as easy to apply and performed well on minor imperfections. I was impressed with a right up by Mike Phillips using this product (though it was SS) on a neglected paint job. In the threads most people seemed to be topping ColorX with NXT, #20/21 or #26. They were obviously not winter specific threads, but while reading up on what sealant/wax lasts thru winters most seemed to recommend 845/476s. I figured why not ColorX + 845?
2. KAIO + KSG = $41 package deal
This seems to be the good ol standby. I would go straight to this, but read that KSG isn't the best for water beading. I figure road salt also wouldn't be as easy to spray off as 845 (I reason if KSG doesn't bead/repel water as well, the salt mixed in might stick to the paint more). The comparison threads between KAIO and ColorX seemed to favor KAIO, though I didn't read anything negative about ColorX. I'm wondering if it's simply because KAIO is more boutique, and ColorX is OTC, that people are giving the nod to KAIO.
3. Optimum Poli-Seal (32oz. $24) + Opti-Seal ($28) = $52
While reading up on AIO threads, the ones within the past year recommended Poli-Seal as the new AIO fav. This combo is pricey and I'm not sure if $22 over combo #1 is justifyable for my needs (granted the poli-seal container is twice the size). Also, I'm kinda shying away from the 1oz does 4-5 cars with the opti-seal. I do believe Optimum's claims, yet being a newb am not confident I can apply so little product and know that it's been applied to the entire car. However, if someone can convince me this combo is worth the cost over combo #1, I may splurge.
4. A different combination, using the products above (or others)???
On a side note - What are your opinions on Meguiar's Quik Clay Detailing System, for my clay needs? It seems to be the only OTC option up here in Canada