Leadfootluke
New member
I am new here, and I have been searching for a while for the perfect starter kit for detailing. I have read other threads here about people asking for beginners advice. I have taken the time to find what I feel is adequate and hopefully you can help steer me in the right direction.
Lets say I have $250 to spend right now, and I would like to start getting more serious about detailing my vehicle. I love doing it by hand, but I realize to actually remove scratches and go further with less effort, a polisher is the way to go.
From my research, I see the Porter Cable 7424XP car polisher is probably the best choice, and that can be had for $125 give or take [or the Meguiar's similarly priced polisher?]. Then pads, so $30-$60 for those, and finally the chemicals...
My truck is 11 years old and has swirls and minor scratches, but for the most part, the paint is in great condition. Same with the magnum, many light swirl and small scratches.
The we have my girlfriends car and friends cars, and our older vehicles that not only have swirls and scratches, but contaminants and oxidation.
After looking for advice on many other forums, I have compiled a list of basics which I believe I would need. All hyperlinks [which probably won't work because I am new] link to AutoDetailingSolution, as there is where I initially priced everything out. If you have any other brand recommendations, stores I should be looking at, etc, please let me know! Again, taking this serious is all new to me, so I am not loyal to a particular brand.
In order of appearance
To get the grime out of the wheel-wells, lower rockers, and interior [all at different dilutions]
Meguiar's D103 All Purpose Cleaner Plus
Adding the bottles, so I can have the original 32 oz bottle as straight concentrate, 4:1 heavy and 10:1 medium dilutions.
Meguiar's All Purpose Cleaner Plus Bottle 32 oz [x2]
Need this sprayer for the other bottle of diluted APC+
Chemical Resistant Professional Sprayer
Heck, I just have the typical store bought mitt, I need one of these.
Meguiar's Deep Pile Microfiber Wash Mitt
While I'm washing, might as well do it right
Black Grit Guard Insert
I choose this, as the smooth detailing kit was suggested, but I am getting a lubricant and Microfiber seperately. By purchasing the replacement clay [3], for the same price as the kit, I can get 3 times as much product.
Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Bar Replacement Kit
This works as a wash, clay lubricant, or quick detailer.
Optimum No Rinse (ONR) 32 oz
Adding this bottle/sprayer for 8:1 ONR dilution for Detailing Spray/Clay Lube
Meguiar's Trigger Bottle/Sprayer
Cheap stuff. Maybe not as good as b2b by Mothers, but worth a shot
Meguiar's Gold Class Trim Detailer
I have a few already, but those are demoted as they have had their turn and are now a little too used.
12-pack Microfiber Towels
Might be able to get this locally cheaper... not sure yet.
3M 3/4" Detailer/Painters Tape
Polisher comes with the Flexible Velcro Backing Plate and one Lake Country 5.5" CCS Pad
7424XP Porter Cable DA Polisher - 7424 XP Dual Action Polisher Kit
Additional pads for polish/compound/wax application
Lake Country 5.5" CCS Pad 6-pack special
M105 is an Ultra-Cut Polish for scratches and swirl removal
Meguiar's M105 Ultra Cut New Version - DA Polisher Approved
M205 is an Ultra Finishing polish to removal any minor imperfections before waxing.
Meguiar's M205 Ultra Finishing Polish
For a total of $285 shipped.
Another forum pushed strongly pushed Adam's products. Reason I am not really liking this kit Adam's Complete Dual-Action Car Polisher Kit is because I have less options, less product, and after shipping it is still at least $275.
Kit includes: Adam's 5-7/8" Velcro Backing Plate, Adam's Foam Pads (1 each, yellow, orange, white and black) [4 compared to 7], Adam's Swirl & Haze Remover Car Polish (16 oz.), Adam's Fine Machine Car Polish (16 oz.), Adam's Machine SuperWax (16 oz.) [Not needed], two Adam's True Blue Super Plush Microfiber Towels (16" x 16"), Adam's Detail Spray (16 oz.), and Adam's All-Purpose Cleaner. All not needed. I can get Detailing Spray, APC, and MF's individually in the amount I want.
I had sent various emails to different detailing vendors and companies and I ended up having a long conversation with Rick at ADS. I asked about the use of M80 and M83, and he told me M105 and M205 are much better and compliment each other perfectly. The M105 [I can get the 12oz since it won't be used a lot and a little goes a long way] is a very aggressive polish, but he was very reassuring that it is extremely user friendly and will be great for removing swirls and scratches. The M205 will follow as that is a finishing polish to remove all of the other swirls and minor imperfections. I already have car wash, car wax, tire dressing, and Megs QD at home. I think, from start to finish, what I have laid out will be able to clean, correct, and protect the finish on my vehicle better than any other option for the price.
If anyone else has any suggestions on where to get product cheaper, or opinions on these products feel free to let me know.
Thanks a lot!
Lets say I have $250 to spend right now, and I would like to start getting more serious about detailing my vehicle
From my research, I see the Porter Cable 7424XP car polisher is probably the best choice, and that can be had for $125 give or take [or the Meguiar's similarly priced polisher?]. Then pads, so $30-$60 for those, and finally the chemicals...
My truck is 11 years old and has swirls and minor scratches, but for the most part, the paint is in great condition. Same with the magnum, many light swirl and small scratches.
The we have my girlfriends car and friends cars, and our older vehicles that not only have swirls and scratches, but contaminants and oxidation.
After looking for advice on many other forums, I have compiled a list of basics which I believe I would need. All hyperlinks [which probably won't work because I am new] link to AutoDetailingSolution, as there is where I initially priced everything out. If you have any other brand recommendations, stores I should be looking at, etc, please let me know! Again, taking this serious is all new to me, so I am not loyal to a particular brand.
In order of appearance
To get the grime out of the wheel-wells, lower rockers, and interior [all at different dilutions]
Meguiar's D103 All Purpose Cleaner Plus
Adding the bottles, so I can have the original 32 oz bottle as straight concentrate, 4:1 heavy and 10:1 medium dilutions.
Meguiar's All Purpose Cleaner Plus Bottle 32 oz [x2]
Need this sprayer for the other bottle of diluted APC+
Chemical Resistant Professional Sprayer
Heck, I just have the typical store bought mitt, I need one of these.
Meguiar's Deep Pile Microfiber Wash Mitt
While I'm washing, might as well do it right
Black Grit Guard Insert
I choose this, as the smooth detailing kit was suggested, but I am getting a lubricant and Microfiber seperately. By purchasing the replacement clay [3], for the same price as the kit, I can get 3 times as much product.
Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Bar Replacement Kit
This works as a wash, clay lubricant, or quick detailer.
Optimum No Rinse (ONR) 32 oz
Adding this bottle/sprayer for 8:1 ONR dilution for Detailing Spray/Clay Lube
Meguiar's Trigger Bottle/Sprayer
Cheap stuff. Maybe not as good as b2b by Mothers, but worth a shot
Meguiar's Gold Class Trim Detailer
I have a few already, but those are demoted as they have had their turn and are now a little too used.
12-pack Microfiber Towels
Might be able to get this locally cheaper... not sure yet.
3M 3/4" Detailer/Painters Tape
Polisher comes with the Flexible Velcro Backing Plate and one Lake Country 5.5" CCS Pad
7424XP Porter Cable DA Polisher - 7424 XP Dual Action Polisher Kit
Additional pads for polish/compound/wax application
Lake Country 5.5" CCS Pad 6-pack special
M105 is an Ultra-Cut Polish for scratches and swirl removal
Meguiar's M105 Ultra Cut New Version - DA Polisher Approved
M205 is an Ultra Finishing polish to removal any minor imperfections before waxing.
Meguiar's M205 Ultra Finishing Polish
For a total of $285 shipped.
Another forum pushed strongly pushed Adam's products. Reason I am not really liking this kit Adam's Complete Dual-Action Car Polisher Kit is because I have less options, less product, and after shipping it is still at least $275.
Kit includes: Adam's 5-7/8" Velcro Backing Plate, Adam's Foam Pads (1 each, yellow, orange, white and black) [4 compared to 7], Adam's Swirl & Haze Remover Car Polish (16 oz.), Adam's Fine Machine Car Polish (16 oz.), Adam's Machine SuperWax (16 oz.) [Not needed], two Adam's True Blue Super Plush Microfiber Towels (16" x 16"), Adam's Detail Spray (16 oz.), and Adam's All-Purpose Cleaner. All not needed. I can get Detailing Spray, APC, and MF's individually in the amount I want.
I had sent various emails to different detailing vendors and companies and I ended up having a long conversation with Rick at ADS. I asked about the use of M80 and M83, and he told me M105 and M205 are much better and compliment each other perfectly. The M105 [I can get the 12oz since it won't be used a lot and a little goes a long way] is a very aggressive polish, but he was very reassuring that it is extremely user friendly and will be great for removing swirls and scratches. The M205 will follow as that is a finishing polish to remove all of the other swirls and minor imperfections. I already have car wash, car wax, tire dressing, and Megs QD at home. I think, from start to finish, what I have laid out will be able to clean, correct, and protect the finish on my vehicle better than any other option for the price.
If anyone else has any suggestions on where to get product cheaper, or opinions on these products feel free to let me know.
Thanks a lot!