Building my detailing kit - what am I missing?

M

Matt_L

New member
I am in the process of building up my detailing kit from scratch. Until 2 weeks ago I had an empty kitty litter bucket, a chenille mitt and some generic car wash. I made a commitment to keep my cars looking good now though...kind of my early New Year's resolution. I knew to do it I needed the right tools so I started stocking up on stuff based on my own (kind of dated) knowledge and some things i have read here (especially use of the PC). I didn't make a list but started buying stuff here and there. Luckily I don't have much overlap or stupid purchases I think. I probably have a couple things I don't really need though but oh well they will get used eventually.



The cars are a silver 2005 Saab 9-2X Aero and a black 2009 Subaru Forester.



OK so here is my list. Please let me know what you think I need to fill in the blanks. Some tools I did not include that I already had like a Shop Vac. Thanks!



- (2) 5 gallon buckets

- (1) Grit Guard

- (3) MF wash mitts (the blue ones with tendrils)

- (12) all purpose MF towels

- (10) terry towels

- (1) MF bone sponge w/scrubber side

- (3) MF applicators

- (1) Sonus PS MF Applicator

- (4) new empty spray bottles

- (10) small cheapie cleaning sponges

- (1) gallon Meg's Gold Class car wash

- (1) gallon ONR

- (1) Poorboy's Claybar

- (1) Ultimate Detailing Machine (and the pads that come with it of course)

- (1) white 6.5" CCS pad

- (1) 1" roll blue painter's tape

- (1) Sonus Paintwork Cleanser

- (1) Meg's ScratchX

- (1) 16 oz. Poorboy's Black Hole

- (1) Meg's #20 Sealant

- (1) Collinite 476S

- (1) Meg's PlastX

- (1) Megs Gold Class Leather cleaner/conditioner

- (1) 303 Protectant

- (2) Meg's aerosol QD
 
Matt_L said:
Help me out pattieman what is DGAW? You guys use more acronyms than I have ever seen anywhere!
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Im not sure about this one, anyone know?
biggrin.gif
 
Matt_L said:
- (2) 5 gallon buckets

- (1) Grit Guard

- (3) MF wash mitts (the blue ones with tendrils)

- (12) all purpose MF towels

- (10) terry towels

- (1) MF bone sponge w/scrubber side

- (3) MF applicators

- (1) Sonus PS MF Applicator

- (4) new empty spray bottles

- (10) small cheapie cleaning sponges

- (1) gallon Meg's Gold Class car wash

- (1) gallon ONR

- (1) Poorboy's Claybar

- (1) Ultimate Detailing Machine (and the pads that come with it of course)

- (1) white 6.5" CCS pad

- (1) 1" roll blue painter's tape

- (1) Sonus Paintwork Cleanser

- (1) Meg's ScratchX

- (1) 16 oz. Poorboy's Black Hole

- (1) Meg's #20 Sealant

- (1) Collinite 476S

- (1) Meg's PlastX

- (1) Megs Gold Class Leather cleaner/conditioner

- (1) 303 Protectant

- (2) Meg's aerosol QD
Click to expand...



The first thing that jumps out is that I would would skip the terry towels and make sure you have good microfiber drying towels instead. Don't want to instill towel scratches after you do all of that work! :D



As far as the other products it comes down to preference but if you would like some assistance just contact me directly via the sponsor forum, email, or give me a call on my direct line, and I would be more than happy to lend my advice.



Lynn
 
Lynn Phillips said:
The first thing that jumps out is that I would would skip the terry towels and make sure you have good microfiber drying towels instead. Don't want to instill towel scratches after you do all of that work! :D



As far as the other products it comes down to preference but if you would like some assistance just contact me directly via the sponsor forum, email, or give me a call on my direct line, and I would be more than happy to lend my advice.



Lynn
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Thanks! Don't worry the terry towels won't touch my paint. They are just for misc. clean up etc.



I want to get all set up so when I don't have to run out to the store when I am doing routine maintenance as well as detailing work. The goal is to have everything handy so I can work efficiently whenever I have the chance which is usually last minute on a moments notice. If I need to go buy stuff my window of opportunity to wash or detail my vehicles may be gone for that time!
 
Flashtime said:
Many of those items can be found locally at Targe, Lowes, Walmart, Cosco, etc.
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Yep, I have been buying stuff all over - Wal-mart, Harbor Freight, Autopia, Amazon, etc. I have been in "collection mode" for 2 weeks now. Just trying to get all setup. I have a large garage cabinet now dedicated to the cause ;-)
 
Matt_L said:
I am in the process of building up my detailing kit from scratch...



OK so here is my list. Please let me know what you think:
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Everybody has an opinion, and mine regarding a few items follow. Not like *my* opinion is sacred or anything though ;)



I'd get a foamgun and some waffle weave MFs (for drying), that's for sure.





- (3) MF wash mitts (the blue ones with tendrils)
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I'd go with good sheepskin mitts instead. Or regular MF mitts (I use both but recommend the sheepskin for you).



- (1) MF bone sponge w/scrubber side
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I would have no use for that.



- (3) MF applicators

- (1) Sonus PS MF Applicator
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I never end up using MF applicators for anything, but that's just me.



- (1) Meg's #20 Sealant

- (1) Collinite 476S
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I'd choose one or the other (and I'd go with the Collinite).



- (1) Meg's PlastX
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I never seem to use my plastic polishes :nixweiss





- (2) Meg's aerosol QD
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No way I'd want an aerosol QD...I'd buy some FK425 instead.
 
Matt_L said:
- (2) 5 gallon buckets

- (1) Grit Guard

- (3) MF wash mitts (the blue ones with tendrils)

- (12) all purpose MF towels

- (10) terry towels- (1) MF bone sponge w/scrubber side

- (3) MF applicators

- (1) Sonus PS MF Applicator

- (4) new empty spray bottles

- (10) small cheapie cleaning sponges

- (1) gallon Meg's Gold Class car wash

- (1) gallon ONR

- (1) Poorboy's Claybar

- (1) Ultimate Detailing Machine (and the pads that come with it of course)

- (1) white 6.5" CCS pad

- (1) 1" roll blue painter's tape

- (1) Sonus Paintwork Cleanser

- (1) Meg's ScratchX

- (1) 16 oz. Poorboy's Black Hole

- (1) Meg's #20 Sealant

- (1) Collinite 476S

- (1) Meg's PlastX

- (1) Megs Gold Class Leather cleaner/conditioner

- (1) 303 Protectant

- (2) Meg's aerosol QD
Click to expand...



pick up plenty of microfiber towels (both for paint and non-paint tasks) instead of the terry and get a few of the orange pads as well (another white would be good too, have a few of each). you can never have too many microfiber towels and pads...
 
Tire cleaner (Hi-Temp's Tire Cleaner is dirt cheap and works amazingly, IMO). You can use that on tires and to clean wheel wells. You will also want some tire and wheel well brushes to go along with that.



You will also want a tire/wheel well dressing, I use Armor All Original on tires and Hyper Dressing in the wells, you could just use one product for both purposes though.
 
How about some brushes and similar items for handling those hard to reach areas especially for the interior?



Eg. Qtips for cleaning out the vents, I found that to be an interesting idea.
 
I'm not getting what you need the polisher for. Almost everything, with the exceptoin of the Sonus paintwork cleanser, can be applied by hand with equal or possibly better results. I'm not sure that the Sonus paintwork cleanser is going to do enough correction to justify the cost of the machine.



I would invest in one or two good polishes. I personally like everything Menzerna makes, but it's expensive. I've also had success with the Pinnacle XMT line, and I've heard good things about Poorboy's SSR.



Also, you need a vacuum with a long hose and tons of attachements for reaching into every crevice of your interior.
 
I'm also not seeing much in the way of wheel/tire care. Some spoke brushes and a good tire dressing are in order here.
 
Great input so far, thanks!



I know I need to add a (somewhat) more aggressive polish. I figured I would hold off till spring on that since I won't nee it until then. That way I can read info here all winter and really get confuse don what to get ;-) I was leaning towards Meg's #80 mostly because I have used it (a long time ago).



You guys are right I haven't worked my way down to tire care yet. I wasn't sure if brushes are considered to abrasive for tires these days.



BigAl I do have that Meg's detail brush with the slider thing in that kit. I picked it up at the Dollar Store!



I bought the Meg's #20 and then changed my mind and went with the wax. Can't return it cuz it was online purchase. I will probably use the sealant on the silver car though.



If things go well I'm thinking maybe I can pick up a few friends and neighbors cars to do on weekends next spring. Sorry pros, you probably cringe when people say that.
 
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