Personalised Detailing Schedule for Milano Red

[Keasden]

Hi, I am due to pick up my new Milano Red Civic Sport soon and intend to try my utmost to keep it in tip top condition (I know, we all start off with the best of intentions).

Just by browsing various car detailing websites I came across PolishedBliss.co.uk and decided to ask for their recommendations on a realistic cleaning schedule and what products they recommend from the ranges they carry.

I received a very detailed response tailored specifically to my car for which I was extremely grateful, and I have reproduced this below for the benefit of others.

I have asked the PolishedBliss team if its OK for me to copy this on to here and they were quite happy for this but did ask me to point out that the instructions here apply to Honda red paint and although they would give the same advice on products for black paint, the recommended products would differ for other colours such as grey and silver.

I must point out that I am in no way affiliated with PolishedBliss but I do appreciate good service when I receive it and thought others may appreciate the easy to follow detailing guide they offered me.

Here it is in full (links are to the products on their site, they may or may not be available elsewhere)

Hi Paul,

Honda paint is incredibly soft compared to other marques, so it is
important that the products you use are very easy on and off, otherwise
you will induce marring which will ultimately lead to the appearance of
swirl marks in full sun conditions. Here is a routine and list of
products that I would recommend for keeping a red civic in tip top
condition...

*Wash* (ideally every week)

Basic Wash Kit £34.85 -
Basic Wash Kit

*Clay* (once or twice a year, spring and autumn are the best times, but
you shouldn't need to do this until next spring with the car being new)

Meguiars Quik Clay £11.95 -
Meguiars Quik Clay

*Polish* (after claying, thus done once or twice a year, and also from
brand new)

Blackfire Gloss Enhancing Polish, applied using the white side of a
German Applicator Pad, and buffed off using Deluxe Mega Towels

Blackfire Gloss Enhancing Polish £13.95 -
Blackfire Gloss Enhancing Polish
German Applicator Pad £2.95 -
Ultimate German Applicator Pad
Deluxe Mega Towel £3.95 -
Poorboy's Deluxe Mega Towel

*Protect *(apply a fresh coat every 4-6 weeks)

Blackfire Wet Diamond All Finish Paint Protection £21.95 -
Blackfire Wet Diamond All Finish Paint Protection

This product gives a great wet shine on solid red, and is very easy to
put on and take off (apply using the red side of a German Applicator
Pad, buff off using Deluxe Mega Towels). There are products we do that
give slightly warmer and richer looking results on solid red, but they
are much harder to work with, and thus not ideal for soft Honda paint.
If you want to take the look of the car further, you could optionally
finish with Blackfire's Ivory Carnauba Paste Wax, which is very easy to
use, and which will give even more wetness and gloss. However, because
of the high carnauba content, it is pricey, and thus optional...

Blackfire Wet Diamond Ivory Carnauba Wax £39.95 -
Blackfire Wet Diamond Ivory Carnauba Paste Wax

*Wheels* (wash weekly with normal suds and the microfibre wash mitt,
protect every 4-6 weeks)

Poorboy's Wheel Sealant £11.95 -
Poorboy's Wheel Sealant
Blackfire Long Lasting Tyre Gel £13.95 -
Blackfire Long Lasting Tyre Gel

The wheel sealant is best applied using Meguiars Foam Pads and buffed
of using work towels, while the tyre dressing comes with an applicator
pad.

Hope that helps and provides some food for thought, if you have any
more questions please fire away, I'm always happy to help.

Regards

Rich

[The Doctor]

Nice one Keasden! I shall keep this advice in mind.

[richierich]

I keep meaning to order the paint protection, but I need to get back in to the habit of washing the car, been busy for a few weekends now, must be 6 weeks since it was done.

[norton]

funny i emailed polished bliss a few months ago and asked the exact same question for my milano type r (comes tomoz)
got the almost exact same response. took the plunge and ordered it all, although its not cheap at just over 200 quid. will let you know how i get on as will be waxing it as soon as it turns up tomoz

[PJS]

Remove the PDI wax first, and run your fingertips over the bodywork with clingfilm wrapped over them.
If you feel any coarseness, then it needs clayed after you've washed it.

[norton]

cheers

[br1tt3n]

A similar technique and use of products has helped kept my Milano Red Prelude still looking like its just been driven out of the showroom.

Taken today:

[philiphenderson]

Looks fantastic.

Did you just go out and wash/polish/wax your car today so you could take these photos?

Phil.

[br1tt3n]

No it was a concidence, I washed/polished this morning and saw this thread this afternoon, so I thought I'd take some photo's for demonstration purposes

[gray52]

your new civic wont have paint as good as that!

[br1tt3n]

*blushes*

Thanks, takes some effort though to keep on top of it.

Well worth it though, still turns heads

[psykik]

looks like i got the same cut and paste when i asked for advice for a NHB (given below). I guess the products are the same anyway and the results as seen from the photos are great. Just wondering is anyone on civforums making a commision from polished bliss?

To me being the lazy sort, this seems quite an expensive option and time consuming. Yes i love my new car and want to keep it pristine, but do I really need all these products, and all that effort, to get the gleam as shown in the photos?

Here is a routine and list of products that I would recommend for keeping a nighthawk black civic in tip top condition...

*Wash* (ideally every week)

Basic Wash Kit £34.85 - Basic Wash Kit

*Clay* (once or twice a year, spring and autumn are the best times)

Meguiars Quik Clay £10.95 - Meguiars Quik Clay

*Polish* (after claying, thus done once or twice a year)

Blackfire Gloss Enhancing Polish, applied using the white side of a German Applicator Pad, and buffed off using Deluxe Mega Towels

Blackfire Gloss Enhancing Polish £13.95 - Blackfire Gloss Enhancing Polish
German Applicator Pad £2.55 - Ultimate German Applicator Pad
Deluxe Mega Towel £3.95 - Poorboy's Deluxe Mega Towel

*Protect* (apply a fresh coat every 4-6 weeks)

Blackfire Wet Diamond All Finish Paint Protection £21.95 - Blackfire Wet Diamond All Finish Paint Protection

This product gives a great wet shine on solid red, and is very easy to put on and take off (apply using the red side of a German Applicator Pad, buff off using Deluxe Mega Towels). There are products we do that give slightly better results on solid red (richer and warmer looking), but they are much harder to work with, and thus not ideal for soft Honda paint. If you want to take the look of the car further, you could optionally finish with Blackfire's Ivory Carnauba Paste Wax, which is very easy to use, and which will give even more wetness and gloss. However, because of the high carnauba content, it is pricey, and thus optional...

Blackfire Wet Diamond Ivory Carnauba Wax £49.95 - Blackfire Wet Diamond Ivory Carnauba Paste Wax

*Wheels* (wash weekly, protect every 4-6 weeks)

Basic Wheel Kit (gives you two protectants and a tyre dressing) £44.45 - Basic Wheel Kit