I Need Some Help with My List

I

imported_Denzil

New member
Ok well I've been reading up on these forums like everyday for the past 3+ weeks and I think I have the gist of the procedure for doing a full car detail. I know that I should start with the interior, then the engine bay, and finally the exterior.



Anyway, I will be getting the PC 7424 in the mail sometime from Coastal Tool this week and next week I will have a week of spring break. Well, during that time I'd like to detail my car and others to get some money and more importantly, practice in.



As far as my approach to detailing, here is what I have:

1. Wash

2. Clay

3. Wash/Rinse (optional)

4. Dry

5. Polish

6. Seal/Wax

7. QD?

Is that about right? I think I'm missing a step...



What I have so far as far as my gear...

(1) 5 gallon bucket - going to need one more for two-bucket method

(2) Meguiars GC shampoo - this stuff is really great

(3) a MF mitt from Target - better than sheepskin or chenille?

(4) Armor-All dressing and wheel cleaner - I take it that this stuff isn't great since I don't hear much about it on these forums

(5) The Absorber - dries great but I'm not sure if it's okay on my car's surface

(6) Rain-X

(7) Meg's QD

(8) Wheel brush, tire brush, tire applicator - not that great but does the job



With exterior detailing as my focus for now, here is what I intend on purchasing...

(1) Excel Detail plate/pad kit

(2) 2 greens, 1 orange, 1 yellow pad

(3) Any brand clay... they seem all the same to me

(4) California water blade

(5) A bunch of MF's (where's the cheapest place I can get these?)

(6) Do I need WW's despite the abundance of MF's?



Now here is what I need some assistance on, according to your personal preference...

(1) Polish/compound/glaze/prewax cleaner? - I know they vary in abrasiveness but what is one that is beginner-friendly?

(2) Glaze/Wax/sealant - carnauba/synthetic, etc.



So is there anything else I should need and are there any discrepancies? Let me know what you would change/add please. I'd like to order this stuff asap and your responses will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!
 
Your approach is ok, if you have swirl marks, then get a swirl mark remover.



Clay Magic is some nice clay.



Probably the cheapest place to get your MFs are from ExcelDetail or WCD. Definitely get a WW.



Poorboy's makes some user friendly SSRs.
 
SSR from Poorboy = Super Swirl Remover



I would recommend you get:

PB SSR2.5 and SSR1 for polishes.

Klasse AIO for paint cleaning

I would recommend the Zaino system for a sealant or even NXT since you can get it locally. Carnuaba wax get P21S/S100 OR Whatever sealant or wax your heart's content.



If you want decent really cheap MF's towels go to your local Sam's club or Costco.

Good MF's and WW's I would recommend you order from www.pakshak.com



Hope this helps.
 
Oh, I would PERSONALLY avoid using the California Water blade on paint. It get any debris that you missed during washing and you will more then likely get scratches or unwanted marring. That's just my opinion.
 
01bluecls said:
Oh, I would PERSONALLY avoid using the California Water blade on paint. It get any debris that you missed during washing and you will more then likely get scratches or unwanted marring. That's just my opinion.
Click to expand...

I bought one a few years ago..........didn't care for it. It is risky to use.
 
Well, I think I have figured what list of supplies I'm going to finally order. Some of these items I already have. I'd just like to have one more evaluation/comments on the updated list I have now.



Keep in mind that I'm going to do lots of cars of various colors but my current car that I drive is a 2000 black Acura Integra.



Shampoo: Meguiars Gold Class

Buckets: 5-gallon from Target with the flat side and some standard bucket from Home Depot/Wal-mart + Grit Guard

Mitt: MF mitt from Target

MF's: Viking, Costco ones for the dirty jobs, other misc. ones for buffing, windows, drying (probably WW's) from PakShak or Excel Detail, I guess I could use the Absorber as well...

Wheels: Armor-all wheel cleaner and extreme tire shine

Clay: Clay Magic kit or AIO/Clay package from Autopia

Swirl remover: SSR1 and SSR2.5

Paint cleaner/prep/polish: AIO if I decide to go with Clay Magic kit

Sealant: EX, Wolfgang, or KSG... still unsure

Wax: Souveran, S100, or P21S

PC 7424 (from Coastal Tool, currently on its way to my house)

Kit for PC: Excel Detail kit + 2 greens, 1 orange, 1 yellow

Rain-X

Stoner's Invisible Glass



Hmm... so what do you all think? Seems fairly complete to me.:nixweiss
 
Your list looks good. I'd get some more mitts. Maybe some sheepskin or chenille ones as the MF mitts can get stuff stuck to them that can be hard to rinse out. Having plenty of mitts on hand means you don't have to stop to clean the one out, you can just grab another mitt and keep washing.



Definitely get the WWs. You could still use the Absorber to get most of the water off and then finish up with the WWs.
 
Thanks for the quick response.



Um, I had a sheepskin mitt before but for some reason it fell apart but I suppose I didn't take care of it enough? Does it require special attention when letting it dry. I just rinse out all my mitts and let them air dry but I've been reading up and it seems many of you toss them in the washer along with the MF's.



I guess I could have two of each bringing me to a total of 6... does that seem like overkill? :o
 
6 mits isn't really overkill. I use atleast 4 each time I wash my car, with a few extra "OS" mits. I normally use 2-3 for paint, 1 for wheels, and 1 for wheel wells.



I just toss mine in the washer and dryer on gentle cycles. *Don't* put them in with your MF towels. They'll shed and get fur all over your towels. Just wash them seperately and don't think about all the water you're wasting ;) :p



For the sealants, I *personally* would wait a little bit and become more experienced with other products before attempting KSG. I just recently bought it and tried it on half of my hood. I really need to practice wth it some more. Then again, others take to KSG like fish to water and ugly on Azteks...



You're also going to want some glass cleaner. Maybe some interior cleaners. I reccomend Sonus Total Eclipse for protectant/tire shine, but if what you have works for you, then keep it.
 
sheepskin mitt's typically with pretty average use tend to last about 6 months. I mean they are only 5 bucks at Walmart so 6 months isn't a bad life span. Usually if the car is really dirty you should wash the mitt after every carwash. I personally only use the sheepskins. I don't recommend the Armor All wheel cleaner myself. Eagle One A 2 Z wheel cleaner is some good stuff for over the counter. Uhmmm go with the clay magic kit, you will find the majority of people on here use that, that way you won't have to worry about ordering anything. For the sealant i'd go with the poorboys ex-p. As far as MF towels, walmart towels are fine for the dirty jobs like u said, excel makes some good stuff, i just ordered a bunch from them. Get some elite polishing towels, get a bunch cause you will use these for buffing wax off or removing QD spray. The pacific blue waffle weave towel for drying, and the sunset gold waffle weave for going back over and getting the small spots. Also some of their cheap gold towels for extra are good, they might have some of their discontinued towels left that are $1.50 each, I just got like 5 of em and they are pretty good.

Hope this helps.



Eric
 
Alright, so 6 mitts isn't overkill then. I'll keep your method of washing in mind Mongoose when I order/purchse more mitts. I'll keep them divided between the MF's, chenille, and sheepskin so I can get a feel for what I prefer.



Thanks for telling me NOT to wash the MF's with the mitts... that would have been really bad. Thanks for looking out for me. :wavey



Yeah, wasn't really sure about KSG so it'll be between Wolfgang, EX, and EX-P (per 2stangman9500's suggestion).



When I'm done with that Armor-All stuff, it'll be out of my arsenal. I'll keep Sonus Total Eclipse and Eagle One A2Z in mind when I make my order.



Lastly, I'll be sure to get a wide assortment of MF's and a few WW's for drying with the Absorber as the main drying workhorse.



Again, thanks for the help.
 
Well, I just emailed Excel Detail and Pakshak inquiring about Autopia member discounts to see if I can save anymore money. Once I receive their response, I will order my stuff then.



I'd just like to thank all of you here at Autotopia for helping those of us out who are new to this game. It is truly appreciated.



:bow Autopia

:wavey
 
patrick at excel doesn't do discounts so to speak. but he has true shipping charges. i placed a good sized order on last friday and i had it by monday afternoon. and what he charged for shipping was really what he paid. i've heard good things about pakshak too, but i am very impressed with patricks commitment to his business. oh and those $1.50 mf's he's got are a great deal!!
 
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