I know you said you're not buying a polisher or chemicals yet, but here's the kit I picked up along with a nice long list of other items I used to get started.
Kit:
Uber PC KIT with Menzerna Polishes and Einszett Glanz
Buckets (x 2):
Home Depot (a bucket is a bucket)
Grit Guards (x 2):
Run a search, you can find them for around $7-$9 a piece (online)
Mitts (x 2):
I use sheepskin wool mitts, picked them up locally.
Brushes:
Search for Boar Hair's brush, wheel brush, interior brush, etc..
(grab an extended handle brush to clean the wheel wells without having to pull off the wheels or scratch your knuckles all to hell).
Microfiber Towels:
Lots of quality MF towels (a nice all purpose MF -
Uber Classic Microfiber Towel Blue) .
Here's a great deal I found the other week - I just ordered my 2nd 3 pack: (
MONSTER MICROFIBER JUMBO ABSORBER )
Clay:
Clay of choice ( I use Sonus SFX Ultra Fine Detailing Clay Bar - I'm a big fan of this clay) (online)
Other:
Storage bins (The Container Store)
Floor Jack (for wheels on and off) (local)
Quality Torque Wrench (for wheels on and off) (local)
Spray Bottles (Home Depot has a 3 pack for around $7)
2 x 500W Halogen Lighting (Home Depot)
Extension cord that is at least the same gauge as your polisher (Home Depot)
Gilmour 75QGFMR Foamaster Adjustable Multi Ratio Cleaning Gun (online)
3M Scotch-Blue Painter's Tape for Delicate Surfaces (Home Depot)
Mother's Micro Powerball (for exhaust tips) (local)
Powder-Free Nitrile Gloves (local)
More quality microfiber towels
Other chemicals:
303 Aerospace (local)
P21S Wheel Cleaner Gel (online)
CD2 (online, some places locally)
Meg's Gold Class Shampoo (Target)
Mother's Billet (for exhaust tips) (local)
QD of choice ( I use Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Detailer) (local)
Megs 105 (online)
Tire dressing of choice ( I use Optimum Opti-Bond Tire Gel) (online)
Wheel Wax (
Wheel Wax )
Generic Protectant for wheel wells (303 is pricey so I use Meg's Supreme Shine) (local)
Stoner Invisible Glass (local)
ONR (online)
Chemical Guy's Jet Seal 109 (online)
A nice higher end wax (run a search to find one that fits your budget)
And did I mention some quality MF towels? I just started and have about 25-30 of them plus 15 or so Target brand MF towels for the engine and wheels.
This all for just my car, I'm not in the detailing business

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