I Got $300, what should I buy?

crimson

crimson

New member
As the title says, I have $300, what detailing supplies can I buy to bring the paint (Which is in very good condition) on my 1997 Red Camaro look it's absolute best. Just give me your input, I'll do the work and post the pics. I want the paint to look the most wettest and shiniest of all the cars here in Mooresville, NC.



Thanks for your input :xyxthumbs
 
From Coastal Tool: Porter Cable w/ velcro backing plate

$119+$12 shipping=$131



From Poorboys:

EX

PwC=@$30



From Pakshak:

6 fine mf

2 ultra-fine

2 ww drying towels=@$50



From Autopia

6.5" pad kit (cutting, polishing, finishing)=$30-$40



find it online:

Meguiar's FINAL DETAIL (not final inspection)=$15

Meguiar's All Purpose Cleaner Plus=$12

Menzerna IP and FP=$30
 
First off, tell us what you've already got.....microfiber towels, PC? If you don't have those, that is a good place to start. The Autopia Store is a great place to start shopping, plus you'll help support this forum that we all love!
 
I'm getting ready to order a hoard of detailing supplies as well. Thanks for the list, thinksnow. I guess if I want the great results everyone here have been getting, I need to break down and get a PC, huh? :D



I already have a bunch of misc. supplies, but after reading the forums for a little while I can see I need to literally start fresh. MF towels, PC, and all the goodies to go with it.



Oh, and thanks for the topic, Crimson, just the thing I need for some newbie guidance.
 
Why buy a pc if your paint is in really great condition:nixweiss



My advice, buy yourself some Autopia Ultimate Drying Towels, Ultimate Detailing Towels, Autopia microfiber applicators, maybe some good polish (sorry guys none comes to mind), and some P21S carnauba wax and maybe some Klasse.



Take the rest of the money and piss it away on DVDs, or better yet, save it:cool:
 
Yeah, unless you simply want more personal time with working on the paint of your car, I would also suggest getting just the basics to maintain an already great finish and save the rest of your money for spending on other things. With good paint, all you need is some good microfiber towels, good car wash soap like Meguiars NXT wash, a clay bar to maintain the paint, some Klasse AIO to seal your paint, and maybe some good carnauba topper or go with SG if you want more durability. A good wash mit is a must and maybe some tire dressing for your beast.



I have so many detailing supplies that I feel that I have wasted hundreds, if not thousands on this stuff over the years. I wish I discovered this forum sooner so as to not have wasted on crappy off the shelf gimmicks. I am now a big fan of Klasse AIO/SG and clay bars. It doesn't take a garage full of chemicals to maintain a show car, but it does take just the right amount of knowledge and high end products to enable this... Happy detailing and motoring : )
 
On red, I would either go for the "zaino total protection kit", or the "forum favorite kit" from autogeek which comes with AIO, SG, Souveran, and CM... :eek: And get a good claybar and you'll be all set!!!
 
You can't go wrong with Zaino. Probably the most durable thing you can put on your car, + it looks awesome, turns the paint into a mirror. :)
 
that formula should include the Porter-Cable. You'll never look back at that decision and you will likely have the best looking car in Mooresville. The product selection is less critical as there are so many excellent products available.



Remember: "It's about the process, not the product".
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SHINE ON !! :up
 
Why buy a pc if your paint is in really great condition
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Great question! An Autopian newcomer's "really great" mutates into "unacceptable" without any change in paint condition within a few weeks of unabashed garage obsession. To avoid the time savings advantage altogether, unless you are scottwax, removing minor swirling and marring is extremely difficult without one and extremely easy with one. Potential damage is close to zero and 300 bones can get you (as Wang astutely points out) 15-25 bottles and jars of nearly identical products. The same amount of money can get you a PC and four or five *proven* products to get a feel for. This will allow you to learn the potential of these products and compare your results to those of other posters. The mistake is purchasing 6 waxes, 8 sealants, and 12 polishes right off the bat. Not unlike polygamy, this gives you very little time to get to know each one's characteristics.



I didn't realize the needs were so basic, so yes, add two sheepskin wash mitts and a good OTC shampoo like Eagle One Wet (move into boutique products in three months--give EO to friends).
 
thinksnow said:
An Autopian newcomer's "really great" mutates into "unacceptable" without any change in paint condition within a few weeks of unabashed garage obsession.
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Agreed, when I showed up here I thought my car looked great, and just wanted to keep it that way.



Now, as I apply the 12th layer of wax, all I see is the spiderweb that I missed and think of how I'm going to have to strip it all off again to fix it. :nixweiss



Autopia, breeding ground of the worlds future obsessive compulsives. ;)
 
For polishes I would like to recomment Meguiar's DACP and Menzerna's FP or Einszett's Paint Polish and Menzerna's FP
 
...the PC pays for itself over time: Less wasted product?



:o





Not to mention superior results....
 
Buy a garbage can for your washing brush, yes.



Thinksnow sounds dead on, but I didn't see clay or a carnuba to top with. And don't forget $10 to buy the ebook here. There is a free ebook from Griots, but to me, Griots is like Amway. (yes, that was bait there, bubbo. Bwah ha ha ha).



I'd suggest spending it slowly, if possible.



Washing:

Bucket with grit guard

Zymol or other tasty smelling, high lubricity shampoo

Wool or 100% cotton chinille mitt type item



General cleaning:

Orange Blast

Shop Rags

100% cotton terry (for door jambs and other painted places that don't deserve the harshness of the shop rags)

Engine Kote (or Armor All Tire Foam) for wheel wells, engine bay

Rhino Ramps (to get under car for cleaning)

Jack stands; 4 (ditto)



Polish/wax:

Sheesh, pick what you want. Learn about the types first. I'm a cheapy cheapo with the ScratchX and S100. I also have some Zaino, but don't use it. I'll probably go AIO and NXT. NXT is the big fad item now. Last year's fad was Poorboy's EX. I still need to get around to trying that.



Glass:

EO 20/20 and Stoners are favorites.



Drying:

Absorber or waffle.



Take mucho time. Don't rush it. Learn before buying. But a PC would not be a mistake at all for a car the size of yours. Plus, you'll enjoy playing with it making your parents, wife, etc's car look great too. Just don't cry when they take their car through the beat-em-up car wash and undo all you've worked on.
 
Just don't cry when they take their car through the beat-em-up car wash and undo all you've worked on.
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This is key. You can become unpopular with family and friends quickly with lectures about how they treat their cars!!



Clay: Mother's Paint Saving Clay kit from Autozone etc...

Carnuba: If you aren't happy with the appearance of EX (most times, I am) top with Meg's #16, #26, or S100 (found at Harley shops).



clay=@$12

carnuba=@$12-14
 
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