What Compound, Polish and Wax Combinations Do You Use?

[reggieburris]

I just got rid of my 2010 Hyundai Genesis a week ago. Sweet automobile and my son sells Hyundais but ultimately I came back to what I am comfortable with, a Honda. At the Genesis Owner's forum we discussed detailing a lot and I noticed it's not a hot topic here.

Although I used to keep my cars cleaned, I just started detailing them this year. I am talking compounding, claying, polishing then waxing them. I was amazed what claying could do on a rough finish. Hopefully we can start some type of rapport on detailing because I can always learn from others.

As for me I primarily use Meguairs' products. I use Meguiars Ultimate Compound, C2100 Clay Bar, Polish and Wax. I also use Mother's Clay for claying small areas. I use Meguiars Gold Class wax to enhance the shine after Ultimate wax. I am not dedicated to Meguiars but it is just what I mostly use, intermixed with other products. To maintain a daily shine I use Meguiars Final Inspection Detailer. This stuff removes bugs, sap and other crap and keeps my trucks shining between waxes.

I'll post a picture of my Pilot when I take some. I miss my Genesis but I am happy to be back with my second Pilot. What products do you use?

[andrew a.]

I only use Klasse AIO and Klasse Paint Sealant on my Pilot since day one. Never clay bar'd it, I don't feel it's needed since I can run my fingers on the paint and it's smooth. Lexol Kit Cleaners for the leather. No problems since day one! Pictures at my 'garage'.

[xGS]

Originally Posted by reggieburris

At the Genesis Owner's forum we discussed detailing a lot and I noticed it's not a hot topic here.

Hopefully we can start some type of rapport on detailing because I can always learn from others.

Have you looked through the 450 or so threads already posted on this subject?
There is much information to be distilled from the opinions contained therein.

[reggieburris]

Originally Posted by xGS

Have you looked through the 450 or so threads already posted on this subject?
There is much information to be distilled from the opinions contained therein.

There was nothing current, hence the reason I started this thread.

[pittpanther]

Huge Zaino fan here (polymer as opposed to wax). For polishing, I tend to use Menzerna with a Porter Cable 7424. Agree that Claybar-ing is incredibly effective.

Have used Zaino, Mother's and Meguiar's clay and have noticed much of a difference in performance, just the size of the bar (with Mother's being the largest).

[samc]

To Andrew above so just Klasse AIO and then their sealant, that's it? How long does that usually take you to finish the whole pilot?

[andrew a.]

Originally Posted by samc

To Andrew above so just Klasse AIO and then their sealant, that's it? How long does that usually take you to finish the whole pilot?

Yup, that's it. I wanted to clay bar at first but the paint was smooth enough that I decided not to.

Also, I wanted to use Zaino but cost wise Klasse was a bit cheaper. It took me a whole weekend to complete both AIO and sealant. 3 coats of AIO --- about 4-5 hours (with breaks and naps in between ) and 2 coats of Klasse paint sealant that took me 24 hours apart between coats. That is what the instruction says.

About 3 months and a bunch of carwashes later, it's still smooth and doesn't leave any water stains! I'm thinking of re-applying AIO before the onset of winter.

[jcbama85]

I found this site from the Infiniti G37 site. www.detailed image.com

The site has great products and how to guides. I used their system of detailing a car on my Pilot and it looks great. Clay bar, sealant, and wax and it is terrific. I also use their interior care and wheel products. The Chemical Guys detail spray is terrific after washes.

Their customer service is great and they run regular email specials. I recommend them.

[rafael73]

Me: NXT 2.0 as sealant, Deep Crystal Carnuba and Ultimate Liquid Wax as a finisher. Meguiars all da way

[reggieburris]

Originally Posted by pittpanther

Huge Zaino fan here (polymer as opposed to wax). For polishing, I tend to use Menzerna with a Porter Cable 7424. Agree that Claybar-ing is incredibly effective.

Have used Zaino, Mother's and Meguiar's clay and have noticed much of a difference in performance, just the size of the bar (with Mother's being the largest).

I didn't have to clay my Pilot but the finish was mostly smooth. Just polished it then waxed it. I work with a friend that swears by Menzerna. I use a Shurhold DA Polisher which is exactly (externally) as a Griots DA Polisher except it uses less power. It's a good DA polisher but I only use it sparingly now I have nice finishes on both vehicles now.

[reggieburris]

Originally Posted by rafael73

Me: NXT 2.0 as sealant, Deep Crystal Carnuba and Ultimate Liquid Wax as a finisher. Meguiars all da way

I have paste NXT but I use the Ultimate and follow up by Gold Class. The NXT takes more muscle to remove it but it definitely leaves a hard coat. I will eventually try something different down the road but for now, it's Meguiars for me too.

[eheart]

If your car's paint is relatively new and in excellent condition, getting the perfect shine will be far less work than with a car that's five or more years old with heavy oxidation. Honda S2000 rocks!

[reggieburris]

Originally Posted by eheart

If your car's paint is relatively new and in excellent condition, getting the perfect shine will be far less work than with a car that's five or more years old with heavy oxidation. Honda S2000 rocks!

True. Getting that base coat of polish then wax ensures the protection and shine last a long time. That S2000 is way easier to clean the a Pilot .

[JediSteven]

Originally Posted by andrew a.

Yup, that's it. I wanted to clay bar at first but the paint was smooth enough that I decided not to.

Also, I wanted to use Zaino but cost wise Klasse was a bit cheaper. It took me a whole weekend to complete both AIO and sealant. 3 coats of AIO --- about 4-5 hours (with breaks and naps in between ) and 2 coats of Klasse paint Car accessories that took me 24 hours apart between coats. That is what the instruction says.

About 3 months and a bunch of carwashes later, it's still smooth and doesn't leave any water stains! I'm thinking of re-applying AIO before the onset of winter.

Does this leave any sort of white streaks? I've had bad luck with this product so I stopped using it, but I've never really used your methods. Thanks for your input, looking forward to actually polishing my car, lol.

[N_Jay]

I use meteorologically applied distilled water, with trace elements provided by atmospheric filtering.

Drying is completed by motion generated vectored airflow, often with additional evapatory aid from solar generated radiant heating, assisted by infrared energy conversion at the surface layer of the polymer coating.