slinky, the link you posted is all good stuff. It will be good to get you started. When you run out of some of the products, specifically the car wash and wheel cleaner, you can just replenish them with meguairs products from autozone. They will work just as good for you.

I detail cars and boats, so if you have any questions I would be glad to help.

 

Learn how to detail from this guy... Big attention to small detail.

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39639

 

I haven't seen too many props for Klasse All-in-One, so let me add that I used it for the first time on my Fit (purchased in 11-09) recently and was extremely pleased with the results.

Since I have a whole closet full of detailing products that have disappointed me in one way or another, this is the first time I can honestly say the product performed exactly as they say it will...

I wasn't too keen on buying the second step (the sealant glaze) if I didn't like the first product, but now that I have, I'm going to try it out.

Incidentally, the Klasse was originally purchased for the Volvo that traded for my Fit. Klasse is very highly rated by Volvo owners whose metallic cars don't look so metallic anymore after what would seem to be a very short time...

 

I am not a fan of Klasse.

 

Hey, what did I ever do to you

I'd love to hear some reasons you don't like Klasse actually. I've been using both AIO and its counterpart, Sealant Glaze for years now and I can honestly say I don't see ever wanting/needing to change products. I'm happy with the ease of use, can't argue that and durability when using SG. The AIO I wouldn't want to use as a stand alone product as it tries to do 3 things in one, hence the name, but because its so easy to work with, you could apply it every 4-6 weeks if you wanted to. Just today I applied the AIO and SG, but waiting the recommended 12 hrs and applying the additional coat of SG nets great results, results that have been hard to argue with. This product is easy to use, holds up great and really isn't all that expensive when compared to the 20 step process of "Z", I'll never understand what's in that Kool-Aid for sure. Anybody that tells you to use Dawn dishsoap on your cars clearcoat to remove old wax is giving you some bad advice....I mean it takes grease out of your way, what's it doing to the durability of your clearcoat

Klasse products....a "Klasse Act"

 

I was reading on Autogeek about the application of the Klasse Sealant Glaze.

Is it as easy to put on and take off as the AIO? It says you have to let it dry for a minimum of 30 minutes but then "the longer you let it set the better the result".

I'd also read the tip about using a small capful of AIO in the wash bucket. It doesn't foam, which makes washing the car a little weird, but it works very well. I then put a little detailing spray on a microfiber and gently dry the car.

I wasn't thrilled with how the "detailed" car looked when they delivered it to me, and unfortunately winter began immediately after and I had no place to correct it. Now that Spring is here Klasse seems to have done the best job of making the car look like I think it is supposed to look

Now if I could only prevent the little stone pits in the windshield...

 

I use the gray Klasse sealant when I'm feeling lazy and don't want to wax the car... it comes off easily and dark cars end up quite reflective (but not deep, from my experience on black paint and dark purple/blue paint). It's not bad and something I use once in a while to make the car look good with minimal effort.

 

Klasse AIO and SG are acrylic, so your not going to get that deep shine like you get with caranuba products, but that's just the nature of the product. Klasse is VERY easy to use for sure, easy on and easy off!

Klasse SG IS NOT MADE TO LET SIT ON THE CAR, DO NOT EVER DO THAT!!! If you ever leave it on too long, you'll have a tough time getting it off, so you can either re-apply it with your damp pad and wipe off right away or use your favorite quick detailer, spray and wipe it off. DO NOT USE IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT EITHER!

 

I remember leaving it too long on my black mustang years ago... suffice to say the marks that wouldn't buff out were there for a few months until I polished them out the next time with a portercable.

 

I was just never impressed with Klasse. For the money, I can get way better results with other products. Although there are some hard core fans out there, mostly old school.

 

Well, I'm old school for sure, 40 years old

I used to only use Mequiars products and was very hard headed about it but once I saw how easy Klasse was to use and the results, I was sold, not to mention I really didn't need the workout anymore when using Mequiars products (except NXT 2.0, I actually like how easy that is to use)

Speaking of NXT 2.0, I feel its the best OTC product on the market today, but if you wanna try something better and send away for it, try Griots Garage sealants, they've got two of them for your needs.

Car Care, Detail Supplies, Garage Organization, Car Accessories - Griot's Garage 800-345-5789

The other products I use I can buy here, all under one roof and buy in bulk, its soooooo much smarter and cheaper
http://www.topoftheline.com/

I do like their products as well and have the One Step Sealant in my arsenal and I'm not afraid to use it

 

Your twice my age.

Im afraid I am going to have disagree with you again on the NXT 2.0. It is an awful product. It is hard to use, and usually does not last more than a month. Plus the gloss is less than favorable. The only product I recommend that can be bought locally is any of the meguiars professional glaze line like #21, or #26. If you can find them. Its not that its necessarily THAT bad. But you can get ALOT better, and alot cheaper.

You should check out www.autopia.org/forums If you guys think im good, wait till you see some of the details on there. Those guys are insane and definately know their products.

Off topic: GET RID OF YOUR PLUG AND PLAY HID'S MAN. Please read this:

https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/fit-...rofitting.html

Sorry, I couldnt resist

 

I have to tell you, I used the Klasse SG on my hood just to test it out and the bugs and sludge wash off now with a hose and no rubbing. When I applied it, I did it exactly as a certain person instructed and it came off easily with minimal rubbing. It also made a mark from a friend "helping" with a plastic ice scraper disappear. Helps deflect other scratches, too. I went to HD yesterday and came back out to the car to find a shopping cart resting again the front bumper. No mark...

The whole car should be done but I don't know anyplace where I can get the car out of the sun to do it. Around here we have four types of weather in my driveway right now: baking sun, pollen, tree sap and rain

 

Sorry I'm still a little confused. Does polish give you that wet looking shine or is it the wax? I'm about to buy a bottle of wax or polish but not sure which to go for.

 

I didn't read all the posts here, but the first one got my attention, ofcoarse. The old Mequiars 3-step WAS ok, but now there are things out there ALOT easier to use, trust me/us.

On average, I'd say to clay your car twice a year on a daily driver, maybe once more if you live in a really dusty area or where there's alot of acid rain. There are many products out there for clay and most of them do the same thing, its all about removing the embedded contaminents out of the top surface of the paint so you've got the cleanest surface to apply your cleaner/polish and finishing with a sealant or wax. You DO NOT NEED TO CLAY EVERY TIME YOU WAX! I like Klasse because of its ease of use and long lasting quality.

Top of the Line Auto Detailing Supplies is where I get my stuff from

 

Yeah, polish brings out the color and should be done before you apply the sealant or wax. Its ok to wax without polishing though, but only if you plan on layering it

As far as what to buy, well, it depends on what your trying to achieve I guess. If its your first time out, I'd wash it real good, clay, polish and then wax. Once you've done that, apply wax about every 2 monthes should be ok if you keep the car pretty clean all along. The use of a quick detailer helps along the way.

Now, a comment about Mequiars NXT 2.0 was stated earlier saying its hard to use....how so? You can apply a coat over the entire car and remove when you've hit the last panel, it even states to let it sit for 15 minutes and honestly, if it takes you longer than 15 minutes to apply the stuff, its ok, it still comes off w/o a problem, so I don't know what that means one bit. Make sure the pad is a little damp, it just helps spread things along.

 

Somewhat embarrasingly I admit to using Turtle Wax Ice Paste Polish.

Compared to Zaino, or even Meguiars Gold Class it probably isn't quite as good a shine or maybe as lasting...

But it's pretty damn good imo, and incredibly easy to use. With no need to tape trim and no white residue, I can apply and remove very easily.

So to me? Since I can easily deal with an application, especially on a vehicle as small as The Fit, at least once a month, I think it affords me the best look, and best protection with actually the least amount of work.

I'm sure there are better quality overall products but despite the mainstream, utilitarian non-pizzaz of using a Wal-Mart available product like Turtle Wax Ice, I think it is a great product.

I'm talking the paste, with occasional use of the detailer spray. I haven't tried the liquid.

 

i use a wax called Rejex, look it up, it is absolutely amazing.

 

I don't know about the paste version of ICE wax, but the liquid stuff sucked for lack of a better term. That stuff smeared, big time but I will say the carwash and quick detailer seemed ok though

 

Well, as I said, I haven't used the liquid. But I also haven't noticed a lof of smearing. Maybe the biggest negative, which is part of it's positive is being clear, it doesn't dry to the visible white haze most waxes and other polishes do, so you just have to let is sit and take a guess.

I like a little more "Wax" like substance when I apply, less is more, for almost all wax's and polishes so I chose the ICE paste. So far (2 applications...2 weeks apart) my obseration has been it works pretty good.

It IS a balancing of desire vs. motivation. I do think Zaino or Gold Class, would offer better overall results, I just can't motivate for the claybarring, taping of trim, and extra work involved in application.