Klasse - holy mother of God!

[hyunelan2]

So I was wandering around my garage, waiting to go to a bbq and decided I wanted to play with my new polish/glaze that came in last week.

So I cleaned off a miror on my Merlot Red Santa Fe, and put on a quick 2 coats of Klasse AIO (all in one) polish. wow. So I put a top coat of sealant glaze over it WOW. And followed that up with a single coat of 3M pro. wax. WOOOW!!! It never looked that good when I bought it (new 2004). I can see my reflection in the front of the mirror from 10' away!

Hopefully tomorrow morning I'll wash the whole car (and dodge cops - watering ban in effect) and do a 1/2 hood shot so you guys can see the difference. I was just amazed by this stuff and had to tell you.

(by the way, I got the Klasse concours kit with 16.9 oz bottles of glaze and sealant for $52 - it's not your average pick-up at walmart stuff).

[rckozma]

Sounds like my kind of stuff, where did you get it from?

I have been using Malm's, which is a mailorder only type of wax and runs about $39 for a pint. I really like it, but I am always in the search of things better than what I already have.

[hyunelan2]

Ok... here is my result of 7 hours of work. I did everything by hand, because I wanted to see how good the stuff actually is - not how good my new random orbital is.

The process:
Wash SUV with dawn to remove all former wax. Dry off
Claybar entire vehicle with Mothers Claybar Kit (detail spray and clay)
Polish 2x with Klasse AIO polish. Simply rub on, and wipe off. No waiting for it to haze up between coats.
Apply one coat of glaze/sealant. (this stuff is great).

The best part about this stuff - it doesn't matter if you get it on the black trim. It's actually made to clean the black trim. So no time wasted masking it off, or removing it later. Also use it on windows, headlights/taillights, mirrors, trim, wiper arms, yadayadayada. It works on EVERYTHING. I ordered it from properautocare - http://www.properautocare.com/klasconkit.html

Here are my pictures. The 1/2 shot of the hood before/after didn't turn out, sorry.

http://d2028424.u64.mygisol.com/pictures/100_1007.jpg

reflectoin in window - cleaned with Klasse Glaze/sealant
http://d2028424.u64.mygisol.com/pictures/100_1013.jpg
http://d2028424.u64.mygisol.com/pictures/100_1015.jpg
http://d2028424.u64.mygisol.com/pictures/100_1019.jpg
http://d2028424.u64.mygisol.com/pictures/100_1021.jpg
http://d2028424.u64.mygisol.com/pictures/100_1022.jpg
http://d2028424.u64.mygisol.com/pictures/100_1023.jpg
http://d2028424.u64.mygisol.com/pictures/100_1026.jpg

Elantra is next weekend (or whenever my arms heal)
http://d2028424.u64.mygisol.com/pictures/100_1029.jpg

The Stuff:
http://d2028424.u64.mygisol.com/pictures/100_1025.jpg

[Keyan]

Do you plan on waxing over the polish?

Is it a good idea to do that?

[04GTboySC]

wow very shiney

[hyunelan2]

Do you plan on waxing over the polish?

Is it a good idea to do that?

I'm not going to wax over the polish this time. Before winter, I will wax over it though. The glaze/sealant says it can protect up to 12 months, but I know most people I've talked to usually use a carnuba paste wax over the glaze.

[Keyan]

I'm not going to wax over the polish this time. Before winter, I will wax over it though. The glaze/sealant says it can protect up to 12 months, but I know most people I've talked to usually use a carnuba paste wax over the glaze.


I plan on buying all this stuff this week to wax/polish the car, can you elaborate when you mean carnuba paste wax? I've never heard of that.

[hyunelan2]

Ya know, your basic 'old school' paste wax. Comes in a can... Carnauba wax.
http://store1.yimg.com/I/classic-motoring_1850_27794008

Meguires has a liquid carnauba wax out there too - I've never used it. I have some Meguires NXT carnauba paste wax I'm going to use eventually.

P21S is the leading 'high end' brand of paste wax, if I remember correctly.
http://store1.yimg.com/I/classic-motoring_1850_11815510
$32 http://www.properautocare.com/p21spastewax.html



EDIT: Oh, I also wanted to add. I should have used a swirl remover polish before using the Klasse products. The Klasse stuff did an unbelievable job in bringing out color and shine, however it doesn't do much for swirl marks. Next time I'll probably use some 3M swirl mark remover before the Klasse AIO, then Klasse Sealant Glaze, then Carnauba Wax. Maybe around Late September.

[Keyan]

So if I wash the car w/ water and dawn...

Then use a swirl remover...

Then use Klasse polish...

Seal it...

Then use P21S (they don't sell it at autozone, might have to go with meguires gold or nxtgen paste)...

Let it sit over night...

Then wax it again in the morning...

Use back to black where i usually screw up on the side mirror moldings...


I'd have a beautiful car, correct? haha

[hyunelan2]

Yea. That sounds like about 10 hours of work (by hand). You only need swirl remover if you have swirl marks, if not you can skip that step. Oh - and you forgot claybar.

P.S. I don't think you're gonna find the Klasse stuff at autozone either, maybe yours is bigger/better than the 2 I tried (plus pepboys), but neither of them carried anything other than the mass-market mothers/mequires stuff.

I've heard of the letting sit overnight between waxing, but usually I've heard of that after using polish/seal -then sit overnight- then wax. Don't think it matters much though.

[Blackdiamond]

Zanio user here.. :)

[johnblaze94]

Ride looks very shiny. Now you just have to keep the racoons and other drivers doors away.

[hyunelan2]

Here are a few quick pictures from the Elantra. It only took me a total of 4.5 hours, compared to the 7 hours it took me to do the Santa Fe... unfortunately the sun went into hiding by the time I was done, so I don't have any really reflective pictures... you still get the idea though:

http://d2028424.u64.mygisol.com/pictures/klassefront.jpg
http://d2028424.u64.mygisol.com/pictures/klasserear.jpg
http://d2028424.u64.mygisol.com/pictures/klasserearleft.jpg
http://d2028424.u64.mygisol.com/pictures/klassereflection2.jpg
http://d2028424.u64.mygisol.com/pictures/klasseheadlight.jpg



I also used it to polish the painted interior... I never would have done that with wax - it would have made a mess of any of the black/gray plastic in the car... I love this stuff.
http://d2028424.u64.mygisol.com/pictures/interior3.jpg

[slvrsleeper]

God how I hate you with your beautiful, clean, well-polished silver car! Bastard!! You make my poor dented, scratched, road-rashed car look like a bag lady sleeping on a park bench. Nice house also BTW! Seriously thanks for posting the pics man you have inspired me to rub out the paint on mine and bring back some of its original lustre. Or sit in the house posting pithy, jealousy laden reponses to your posts at least....LOL

[BlkElntraDrvr]

DAYUUUUM! I can't imagine how nice that would look on my BLACK car! Do you think you could post the steps again? (Detailed...cause I am kind of dumb...) what is this claybar you speak of? Thanks! :bowdown:

[Soron]

sweet where did you get those a piller pods?

[hyunelan2]

DAYUUUUM! I can't imagine how nice that would look on my BLACK car! Do you think you could post the steps again? (Detailed...cause I am kind of dumb...) what is this claybar you speak of? Thanks! :bowdown:

You asked for it.....



Preplan

Now is when you purchase the products. Since some of the things I will recommend are high-end, you most likely will not have all of them at your local auto store. The internet is your friend for this. Check out www.properautocare.com.

On your black car, I would recommend the following or an equivelant of another brand:
Mothers Claybar Kit (available anywhere)
3M swirl Mark Remover for Dark Cars (available anywhere)
Klasse Concours Kit* (hard to find - buy online)
*Kit Contains 16.9 oz Klasse AIO (all in one) polish, 16.9 oz Klasse Glaze Sealant
P21S Carnauba Paste Wax -OPTIONAL- (hard to find - buy online)
Microfiber Rags and Applicators. At least one clean rag and applicator for each different product.

Alternatively, you may choose to use a machine polisher of buffer... I choose to do things by hand, as I'm not comfortable enough with the machine yet. In this case, you will need to purchase the proper applicator pads for each product.


Step One - Wash

Wash your car with Dawn dish soap or equivelant. Dish soap is formulated to break down grease. Subsequently, it will also break down wax. You want to use this to strip down any former coats of wax on your car. Clean your wheels and tires at this time as well, you don't want any rouge dirt around when you're going to town.

*ONLY USE DISH SOAP WHEN YOU'RE GOING TO WAX. For normal washes, use specially forumlated soaps for car washing (available anywhere).


Step 2 - Claybar

Using the claybar kit, gently rub the clay all over the car. Using the detail spray included, spray the surface and slide the clay all over. This is basically like wet-sanding down your car with really soft sandpaper. Mush up the clay frequently for a new surface. If you drop the clay, throw it away. For this reason you may want to put plastic garbage bag under the area you are working. The reason is if something gets stuck in the clay (think rock pebble) and you rub it all over your car, you will cause more harm than good. You can 'feel' and 'hear' when a part of the car is clayed enough to move on... you'll understand what this means when you start. Also, wipe down each panel as you finish it, with a soft, dry cloth. Alternatively, you may choose to wash the car again after this step.


Step 3 - Optional Rewash

If you have streaks or spots from the detailing spray, make life easy and wash the car again.


Step 4 - Compounding

Now is when you use the swirl mark remover or rubbing compound as needed. Use as directed. This is to remove scratches and swirls. Klasse AIO does nothing for scratches. It is for color and shine. This may be optional if your car is fairly new, or you don't feel the need to use it at this point.


Step 5 - Klasse AIO

Using a microfiber applicator, wipe on the Klasse AIO polish. (you can use a machine buffer/polisher as well). Wipe off the polish with a dry microfiber towel. You do not need to wait for this AIO to haze up, just wipe it on an area, switch rags, and wipe if off. Since this is quick to do, you may choose to do several coats of polish.


Step 6 - Klasse Glaze Sealant

This is the topcoat. It will protect the polish and paint that you have applied already. This is more similar to waxing, as you wait for the glaze to haze up before wiping it off. Use microfiber towels and applicators. This will take slightly longer than the AIO, as it is slightly harder to remove the hazed material than the liquid polish.

-note Also use the Klasse products on head/tail lights, black trim, chrome, mirrors, and window glass- Unlike wax, this stuff will bring the black moldings out in a healthy look, not the pasty white results of getting wax on moldings.


Step 7 - Protector Wax

Although Klasse says their Glaze/Sealant will hold up and protect for 12 months, some people choose to put a coat of Carnauba Paste wax over the glaze. I recommend P21S, as it seems to be the top name in Carnaba Paste wax. However, there are many competitors out there.


That's it. Read all directoins, warnings, and precautions on each of the products you are going to use. Also, remember that car detailing is like a religion. 2 people can argue to the death over the point, while neither is completely right - the same thing isn't viewed the same way by everyone.

Good luck.

for more detailing info, check out www.autopia.org

[Keyan]

Good write up!

I think it should be put in the DIY section :D

[BlkElntraDrvr]

Yeah...THANKS that was awsome...helped a lot...gonna save that...I agree it should be put in the DIY section! Thank you again...