...background: 6 month old white pearl accord. noticed more dirt/dust "sticking" to it recently.
original plan:
1. wash
2. clay bar
3. hydro2 sealant
which led me to the following questions
1) Is hydrofoam a new replacement product for hydro2?
2) Should I polish before hydro sealant?
3) Should I use IronX instead of claybar?
4) Should I nanoskin or clay bar?
Dust "sticking" is usually attributed to a wax (carnauba etc.) and a few different sealants.
In my experience, Pinnacle Souveran Paste Wax attracts every piece of dust for 100 miles.
CQuartz coatings are my favorite choice for low maintenance LSP. They do not attract dust.
I'm not an expert on Carpro products but let me try to help with my limited understanding.
1)
IronX and IronX Snow Foam are different products
- IronX is a paint decon chemical to remove iron particles etc. to decontaminate the paint.
- Ironx Snow Foam in a wash shampoo with IronX in it. Wash and Decon in one step.
- IronX Snow foam is not a replacement to IronX. It's a maintenance wash to keep paint clean.
Hydro2 and Hydrofoam are different products. This is how I view Hydrofoam.
- Hydrofoam is a wash shampoo with Hydro2 in the shampoo.
- Hydrofoam in a maintenance shampoo with Hydro2 in it. Wash and seal in one step.
- Hydrofoam is not a replacement to Hydro2. It's a maintenance wash to keep clean & sealed.
As you probably guessed, regular IronX and pure Hydro2 concentrate are stronger products.
2)
Once the paint is clean it can be inspected. Have you tried the "Baggie" test to check for grit?
To me this means Wash, Chemical decon with IronX, Mechanical decon with "clay" then inspect.
Do you have swirl marks, fine scratches etc.? if so I would polish the paint to correct & perfect.
Driect sunlight is my best friend and worst enemy. It is IMHO the best light for inspecting paint.
3)
As I mentioned above I use both. I do a chemical decon with IronX followed by mechanical "clay".
This process may strip LSP. In that case, whatever you use for LSP should be reapplied.
4)
Nanoskin or clay bar? I can only offer my personal experience.
I have used the Nanoskin Autoscrub Towel – FINE grade with ONR as a clay lube for years.
I have found that the FINE grade Nanoskin towel does not cause micro marring even in black paint.
A Side Note: Even detailing clay has different abrasive grades from course to ultra fine.
It is very rare (depending on the vehicle) that I actually reach for a detailing clay bar.
All that being said, I personally wouldn't use IronX snow Soap or Hydrofoam for maintenance wash.
Maybe once a month or longer (depends on the decon or LSP durability) I'd use a combo shampoo.
Now don't get me wrong, I use both IronX Snow Foam and HydroFoam and they are great products.
For my weekly wash I'd probably use something like Ultima Paint Guard Wash to protect the LSP.
Did that help?
