ronmart
New member
I was reading the Your most significant detailing product? thread and noticed that some people were listing one or two items and others were using a bunch of acronyms or abbreviations I never heard of before. As a result, I thought it would be great to have a single thread where people throw down what products that you MUST have when detailing a car. Towels, car shampoos, mitts, etc... are all fair game so list what you have.
BONUS POINTS for those who provide links to what they use and REMEMBER NO ABBREVIATIONS (i.e., SSS, CG, GG, BHB, etc... are all BS. LIST OUT WHAT YOU MEAN).
I'll start with my top products in order:
Ron's Top 20 Must Have Detail Items
1. Griots Garage Car Wash with the Gallon Pump Head - excellent lubricant, great suds, smells good, and two squirts are enough for your 5 gallon bucket
2. Sonus Der Wunder Wash Mitt (short pile microfiber) - easy to be sure your mitt is clean between dips
3. Sonus Der Wunder Drying Towel - these are wonderful! I have 8 because I'm OCD, but two are sufficent for normal people.
4. Griots Wheel Cleaner - I'm also a fan of P21s Gel Wheel Cleaner, but it is way too expensive (although I keep some around for stubborn cases)
5. Meguiars Versa-Angle Wheel Face Brush - Awesome brush safe for all wheel types and cleans up the wheels in a hurry.
6. Sonus Leather Care Bundle with extra Sonus SFX Professional Applicators - This stuff will make your leather soft as a baby bottom. It is AMAZING like nothing I've ever seen for any price. It stinks a bit when you put it on, but the smell goes away within a few hours leaving you with clean wonderfully soft seats.
7. Sonus Der Wunder Polishing Towel The are FANTASTIC lint-free towels for interior wipe downs, use with ANY interior product, as well as the final touches on glass.
8. Klasse Complete Kit OR just Klasse All-In-One &Klasse High Gloss Sealant Glaze with 2 Sonus Der Wunder Applicators and Sonus Der Wunder Buffing Towel - Want your paint to look like glass and be protected for a 6 months plus? Look no further - PERIOD.
9. Griots Garage Machine Polish & Wax Kit with Monkey Tail Cord Cover - Porter Cables are good too and arguably more versatile, but I like this one because it vibrates less AND has a much better handle. It also uses a different mount which disapates heat better, so it is truely the idiot proof polisher. The stuff in this kit is enough to get you started for the perfect finish.
10. Griots Garage Six Piece Microfiber Polish & Wax Removal Cloth Set - You've gotta get that polish and wax off, and these do the job nicely. However, the equivalents at Autopia and Poorboys are just as good.
11. P21s Carnauba Wax - Zymol shymol, Zanio schmanio. I LOVE this stuff and you only need to look at my avitar to see the results of using ONE coat of this stuff on a car that had only been washed.
12. Stoner Invisible Glass Cleaner - Im still looking for someting better, but until I find it, this is IT. However, I only use it on the exterior as it is too messy for the interior. I use whatever I have laying around (currently Sonus) for the interior.
13. Quick Detailer. There are TONS of products and people are religous about there choices, so pick your favorite. For my garage queen I use Griots Garage Speed Shine and for everything else I use Meguiars Quik Detailer
14. Autoglym Engine Cleaner - this stuff will get your engine bay perfect with minimal effort.
15. 3M General Purpose Adhesive Remover - If it is welded to your paint, this is how you remove it safely. Always re-wax or re-seal the area after applying this product.
16. Griots Garage Vinyl & Rubber Dressing - A nice matte finish for your interior and tires. Its like Armor All without the greasy feeling or dust collecting shine.
17. Griots Garage Chrome Polish & Wipes Kit - This stuff will amaze you at how nice your chrome can really look (it is easy to take for granted that cleaning is enough). The wipes are expensive, but a scratch free solution.
18. Griots Garage Glass Polish - When used with an orbital on windsheilds WITHOUT exterior film (usually found on Japanese vehicles) it can bring your glass back to a new car luster.
19. Griots Garage Plastic Polish - Get rid of those marks on your wood or plastic finish inside your car with this stuff and make your exterior head and tail lights absolutely glow.
20. Two-Way Mini Detail Brush - for nooks and crannies inside and out.
HONORABLE MENTION (like to have, but not must have - in order)
IF you have a fabric cabriolet top, then RAGGTOPP Fabric/Vinyl Cleaner with Griots Garage Horse Hair Leather & Interior Brush
Griots Garage Anti Hose Catchers - these things looked silly when I first saw them, but when I saw them in use at Griots I bought them on an impulse. After having them at home I'm in love with them because they keep the damn water hose, vaccuum hose (from my built-in house vac), and power cord (for the orbital) from getting hooked on the tires. Silly and overpriced perhaps, but I love it and am glad I have it. * NEW
The Ultimate Aluminum Hose Nozzle - this is cheaper than those found elsewhere and works fine for my purposes. It is even better with the Griots Garage Touch and Flow Valve although it does cause the water pressure to dip slightly. * NEW
Meguiars Duo-Fiber Glass Towel
Griots Garage Machine Polish 2 - This is the most abrasive product I feel comfortable using. Others will use a more abrasive products (like Griots Garage Machine Polish 1) but those types of polishes level the paint and require additional restoration which I just don't prefer to do to my paint. Many will disagree, so your mileage may vary.
Griots Garage Micro Fiber Cleaner - this stuff works MAGIC on getting stains out your microfiber
Griots Garage Rubber Cleaner with Meguiars Versa-Angle Tire Brush
Dawn Liquid - for wax build-up removal and pad cleaning
Grit Guard with any 5 gallon bucket that works with it. I prefer 2 - 1 pre-rinse and 1 rinse.
Griots Garage Wheel Scrubber Brushes
Quick Wax - There are TONS of these products, so pick your favorite. Personally I use Griots Garage Spray On Wax on my 911 and Meguiars Quik Wax on my Black Mercedes and my wife's Lexus. I'm also likely to try other products as neither of these is perfect, so feel free to choose from others list for this one.
All Natural Boars Hair Brush. I got $20 off the kind sold at Griots Garage, but ones with equal quality for less money are out there. NOTE: I ONLY use this product for heavy grit removal for the lower panels and I only use it with LIGHT single wipe strokes with a dip between each wipe (just as I'd do with a mitt). Again, this is a VERY controversial item, so your mileage may vary.
7-1/2 inch, Constant Pressureâ„¢ German Polishing Pad for use with final waxes like Griots Garage Best of Show Wax or a Carnauba Wax.
Griots Garage Machine Polish 4 - for water spot removal or MINOR surface flaws on new or recently polished paint
Griots Garage Undercarriage Spray - GREAT for SUV wheel wells (smells good too)
Meguiars Wheel Spoke Brush - this thing is USELESS for wheel spokes, but FANTASTIC for cleaning wheel wells
Concours Buffing Towel
Whew, thats' a BIG list. I'm sad to say, that is NOT every product I have nor is it everything I tried. These are just the ones that I think work well. I encourage you to take the time to add your list as well and PLEASE consider adding links and DO NOT abbreviate.
BONUS POINTS for those who provide links to what they use and REMEMBER NO ABBREVIATIONS (i.e., SSS, CG, GG, BHB, etc... are all BS. LIST OUT WHAT YOU MEAN).
I'll start with my top products in order:
Ron's Top 20 Must Have Detail Items
1. Griots Garage Car Wash with the Gallon Pump Head - excellent lubricant, great suds, smells good, and two squirts are enough for your 5 gallon bucket
2. Sonus Der Wunder Wash Mitt (short pile microfiber) - easy to be sure your mitt is clean between dips
3. Sonus Der Wunder Drying Towel - these are wonderful! I have 8 because I'm OCD, but two are sufficent for normal people.
4. Griots Wheel Cleaner - I'm also a fan of P21s Gel Wheel Cleaner, but it is way too expensive (although I keep some around for stubborn cases)
5. Meguiars Versa-Angle Wheel Face Brush - Awesome brush safe for all wheel types and cleans up the wheels in a hurry.
6. Sonus Leather Care Bundle with extra Sonus SFX Professional Applicators - This stuff will make your leather soft as a baby bottom. It is AMAZING like nothing I've ever seen for any price. It stinks a bit when you put it on, but the smell goes away within a few hours leaving you with clean wonderfully soft seats.
7. Sonus Der Wunder Polishing Towel The are FANTASTIC lint-free towels for interior wipe downs, use with ANY interior product, as well as the final touches on glass.
8. Klasse Complete Kit OR just Klasse All-In-One &Klasse High Gloss Sealant Glaze with 2 Sonus Der Wunder Applicators and Sonus Der Wunder Buffing Towel - Want your paint to look like glass and be protected for a 6 months plus? Look no further - PERIOD.
9. Griots Garage Machine Polish & Wax Kit with Monkey Tail Cord Cover - Porter Cables are good too and arguably more versatile, but I like this one because it vibrates less AND has a much better handle. It also uses a different mount which disapates heat better, so it is truely the idiot proof polisher. The stuff in this kit is enough to get you started for the perfect finish.
10. Griots Garage Six Piece Microfiber Polish & Wax Removal Cloth Set - You've gotta get that polish and wax off, and these do the job nicely. However, the equivalents at Autopia and Poorboys are just as good.
11. P21s Carnauba Wax - Zymol shymol, Zanio schmanio. I LOVE this stuff and you only need to look at my avitar to see the results of using ONE coat of this stuff on a car that had only been washed.
12. Stoner Invisible Glass Cleaner - Im still looking for someting better, but until I find it, this is IT. However, I only use it on the exterior as it is too messy for the interior. I use whatever I have laying around (currently Sonus) for the interior.
13. Quick Detailer. There are TONS of products and people are religous about there choices, so pick your favorite. For my garage queen I use Griots Garage Speed Shine and for everything else I use Meguiars Quik Detailer
14. Autoglym Engine Cleaner - this stuff will get your engine bay perfect with minimal effort.
15. 3M General Purpose Adhesive Remover - If it is welded to your paint, this is how you remove it safely. Always re-wax or re-seal the area after applying this product.
16. Griots Garage Vinyl & Rubber Dressing - A nice matte finish for your interior and tires. Its like Armor All without the greasy feeling or dust collecting shine.
17. Griots Garage Chrome Polish & Wipes Kit - This stuff will amaze you at how nice your chrome can really look (it is easy to take for granted that cleaning is enough). The wipes are expensive, but a scratch free solution.
18. Griots Garage Glass Polish - When used with an orbital on windsheilds WITHOUT exterior film (usually found on Japanese vehicles) it can bring your glass back to a new car luster.
19. Griots Garage Plastic Polish - Get rid of those marks on your wood or plastic finish inside your car with this stuff and make your exterior head and tail lights absolutely glow.
20. Two-Way Mini Detail Brush - for nooks and crannies inside and out.
HONORABLE MENTION (like to have, but not must have - in order)
IF you have a fabric cabriolet top, then RAGGTOPP Fabric/Vinyl Cleaner with Griots Garage Horse Hair Leather & Interior Brush
Griots Garage Anti Hose Catchers - these things looked silly when I first saw them, but when I saw them in use at Griots I bought them on an impulse. After having them at home I'm in love with them because they keep the damn water hose, vaccuum hose (from my built-in house vac), and power cord (for the orbital) from getting hooked on the tires. Silly and overpriced perhaps, but I love it and am glad I have it. * NEW
The Ultimate Aluminum Hose Nozzle - this is cheaper than those found elsewhere and works fine for my purposes. It is even better with the Griots Garage Touch and Flow Valve although it does cause the water pressure to dip slightly. * NEW
Meguiars Duo-Fiber Glass Towel
Griots Garage Machine Polish 2 - This is the most abrasive product I feel comfortable using. Others will use a more abrasive products (like Griots Garage Machine Polish 1) but those types of polishes level the paint and require additional restoration which I just don't prefer to do to my paint. Many will disagree, so your mileage may vary.
Griots Garage Micro Fiber Cleaner - this stuff works MAGIC on getting stains out your microfiber
Griots Garage Rubber Cleaner with Meguiars Versa-Angle Tire Brush
Dawn Liquid - for wax build-up removal and pad cleaning
Grit Guard with any 5 gallon bucket that works with it. I prefer 2 - 1 pre-rinse and 1 rinse.
Griots Garage Wheel Scrubber Brushes
Quick Wax - There are TONS of these products, so pick your favorite. Personally I use Griots Garage Spray On Wax on my 911 and Meguiars Quik Wax on my Black Mercedes and my wife's Lexus. I'm also likely to try other products as neither of these is perfect, so feel free to choose from others list for this one.
All Natural Boars Hair Brush. I got $20 off the kind sold at Griots Garage, but ones with equal quality for less money are out there. NOTE: I ONLY use this product for heavy grit removal for the lower panels and I only use it with LIGHT single wipe strokes with a dip between each wipe (just as I'd do with a mitt). Again, this is a VERY controversial item, so your mileage may vary.
7-1/2 inch, Constant Pressureâ„¢ German Polishing Pad for use with final waxes like Griots Garage Best of Show Wax or a Carnauba Wax.
Griots Garage Machine Polish 4 - for water spot removal or MINOR surface flaws on new or recently polished paint
Griots Garage Undercarriage Spray - GREAT for SUV wheel wells (smells good too)
Meguiars Wheel Spoke Brush - this thing is USELESS for wheel spokes, but FANTASTIC for cleaning wheel wells
Concours Buffing Towel
Whew, thats' a BIG list. I'm sad to say, that is NOT every product I have nor is it everything I tried. These are just the ones that I think work well. I encourage you to take the time to add your list as well and PLEASE consider adding links and DO NOT abbreviate.
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