Winter Protection on Daily Drivers

JustA5.0

New member
I've been reading thru a wealth of info on these boards about winter friendly (real winters I'm talking :p) 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
 
Incase it makes a difference - I'd say our winter averages 30 degrees, but with sproadic periods. One day can be 35 and the next 15-20
 
I don't know what AIO to use. I have yet to use my bottle of Poli-Seal. So I have only actually used XMT 360 which worked pretty dang well IME.



I would do whatever AIO you choose and 845 or 476. Both will last long, and bead forever.
 
My $0.02. Wisconsin winter experience.



I've been using NXT (x2) covered with a coat of #16 or #26 as my daily driver protection in the winters. It lasts the winter easily and this includes a few Lazer Touchless washes. Can you still get #16 in Canada? I also hear good things about Collinite 478 and 845 for durability but that's not an OTC product, at least not around here. Zaino also gets a nod for durability bit it's neither cheap nor OTC.



I've not used ColorX as it is intended for neglected paint so I can't comment on it's performance.



I actually prefer the Meg's Smooth Surface clay kit. The clay and lube works as well as the others and the included Supreme Shine microfiber is a top notch towel.
 
My winter protection through the tough Minnesota winter is as follows:



ZAIO

Z5prox3

CS



I plan on washing a couple times a month, and if I feel like it, I will add a coat of CS.



Greg
 
I used KAIO and KSG on my wifes car last winter, and I had no problem with beading. But I also made up a QD with the KSG and distilled water, with which I would go over the car every third or fourth wash to keep up the protection. This worked beautifully.



This winter I'm trying Zaino Z5 pro, topped with CS. I'm looking forward to seeing which holds up better.
 
jfelbab said:
I've been using NXT (x2) covered with a coat of #16 or #26 as my daily driver protection in the winters. It lasts the winter easily and this includes a few Lazer Touchless washes. Can you still get #16 in Canada? I also hear good things about Collinite 478 and 845 for durability but that's not an OTC product, at least not around here. Zaino also gets a nod for durability bit it's neither cheap nor OTC.



I've not used ColorX as it is intended for neglected paint so I can't comment on it's performance.



I actually prefer the Meg's Smooth Surface clay kit. The clay and lube works as well as the others and the included Supreme Shine microfiber is a top notch towel.

#16 and Collinite are available from a Canadian e-tailer, the Collinite is reasonably priced compared to U.S. prices. The Smooth Surface is not available up here, the only Clay I've seen from any company on the shelves is the Quik Clay.



GregCavi said:
My winter protection through the tough Minnesota winter is as follows:

ZAIO

Z5prox3

CS

Zaino is just too expensive here in Canada for my aged DDs. I'm trying to do this in a two product process, it's starting to get colder and my schedule is always busy. Thank you though for the recommendations.



Dcon67 said:
I used KAIO and KSG on my wifes car last winter, and I had no problem with beading. But I also made up a QD with the KSG and distilled water, with which I would go over the car every third or fourth wash to keep up the protection. This worked beautifully.

Where do you live, and what's the average winter temp if you don't mind me asking?
 
Nothing mentioned give better protection than a carnauba, and the luxury types,

Swissvax or Zymol, here is a period for u. :)



with all seriousness carnauba + Karcher foam attachment+ rinse, is a clean car with out

touching it.



Zaino in my experince the worst LSP as for cleaning the crap that sticks to it;

looks good and shinny+lasts long but stuff stick to it espeically water spots.
 
JustA5.0 said:
Where do you live, and what's the average winter temp if you don't mind me asking?



New England, and I'd say the average temp is similar to what you said yours was. 25-35 degrees, with occasional cold spells from 0-20. Winter just doesn't last quite as long here as it does in Canada.
 
Last winter, I used VM topped by 845IW. Although I have KAIO, I found the VM easier on textured trim. So, basically I could use the VM anywhere and not worry about anything. Not so with the KAIO. Looks really weren't that much different to my eye.



I imagine that KAIO as a base would be more durable than VM, but I don't have anything remotely scientific to back that up. I do know that 3 coasts of IW lasted roughly 5 months for me. This was on a daily driver parked outside 24/7, and winter temps here in MA often average in the 20s.



You may also want to search on 476. I believe there's a couple threads out there on its durability. I went with the IW because it was a liquid wax.
 
Does anyone have more comments/experience with the products I've listed above? Another reason I was asking about them specifically is they can be ordered within Canada. I don't have the time for possible customs delays (not to mention the extra $ for duties etc...). Not trying to sound rude, but I'm getting bombarded with product choices here.
 
toml said:
Last winter, I used VM topped by 845IW. Although I have KAIO, I found the VM easier on textured trim. So, basically I could use the VM anywhere and not worry about anything. Not so with the KAIO. Looks really weren't that much different to my eye.



I imagine that KAIO as a base would be more durable than VM, but I don't have anything remotely scientific to back that up. I do know that 3 coasts of IW lasted roughly 5 months for me. This was on a daily driver parked outside 24/7, and winter temps here in MA often average in the 20s.



You may also want to search on 476. I believe there's a couple threads out there on its durability. I went with the IW because it was a liquid wax.

What product is VM?

I tape up my textured moulding (have some window trim that has worn and feels like 100g sandpaper, major PITA I found to get residue off, have to use a toothbrush as any towel catches and tears on this trim :furious: )

Did you apply 845 over KAIO? Or is that even possible to apply a Carnauba over an Acrylic?



I did read 476 is a little more durable, but like you was thinking of getting 845, being it's a liquid.
 
JustA5.0 said:
What product is VM?



Clearkote's Vanilla Moose. Pretty versatile stuff, but I don't know its availability in Canada.



JustA5.0 said:
Did you apply 845 over KAIO? Or is that even possible to apply a Carnauba over an Acrylic?



I did. I think I remember Seth (Spilchy) mentioning AIO + IW as one of his favorite combos, and from his posts, I can tell that he knows what he's talking about, so I tried it. I only went to VM as a base because I wanted to use Clearkote's Red Machine Glaze (RMG) on my metallic paint, and you can mix VM and RMG 50/50 ("Pink Moose") and cut down a step. That and I just liked the idea of using one product (VM) on all car surfaces (including windows) instead of two (AIO with VM on textured trim and windows).



But don't get me wrong ... KAIO is a great product!



JustA5.0 said:
I did read 476 is a little more durable, but like you was thinking of getting 845, being it's a liquid.



Since I apply IW by machine, I find it being a liquid easier to work with.
 
JustA5.0 said:
Does anyone have more comments/experience with the products I've listed above?



The Collinite 476S will, with a few applications/layers get you through winter just fine even if the vehicle is outside 24/7. The 845 never lasts as long IME but it's not bad. I use #16 on my wife's A8 and it usually lasts through an Ohio winter, but that car is garaged and not subjected to the stuff that the Collinited vehicles go through.



The Klasse twins (AIO + SG*6) last all winter and then some on my minivan but I don't really like the look and this is *NOT* the choice for most people IMO because it requires an utterly flawless finish to look OK (any marring is readily apparent, more so than with waxes).



I'd go with the Collinite 476S, with your choice of one-step/cleaner wax/whatever (I'd use 1Z polish) underneath it. Same old same old: 1z polish topped with Collinite, my standard recommendation.
 
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