If you only......

Barry Theal

Barry Theal

New member
If you only had four tools for detailing what would they be? In this case Chemicals or water is not considered a tool. I thought this would be great to hear. Here is my list. Also What is one tool you could live with out? Also If you had to give up one tool from your list what would it be?



My must haves.

1. Air Compressor

2. Pressure Washer

3. Shop Vac.

4. Rupes Big Foot



I could live without a shop vac or any vacuuming device if I had to.
 
1. Shop vac

2. DA polisher

3. Air compressor

4. Tornador gun? :)



I don't really know after the first three, I use almost exclusively ONR so don't really use high pressure, foam, or a leaf blower much.
 
Hey, let's discuss compressors, since that piece of equipment is showing up on many lists-



Regulars here know I'm all about my air compressor, but I didn't list it because one *could* maybe get by with just an air TANK, filled at a gas station. And I know a lot of people who simply don't use one (see below). What do ya think?



I'm assuming (uh-oh... :o ) that most people use 'em primarily for blowing water out of nooks and crannies (something a vacuum might do OK for), doing interiors (something I generally do *NOT* use mine for :grinno: ), and cleaning pads, right?



Seems like I know an *amazing* number of people who don't own compressors; I don't know how they get by without one, but I always try to talk them into at least getting a tank (Harbor Freight perhaps...). I mean, whatcha gonna do when you have to fill a tire on something?!? Call AAA? More like they'll call me :rolleyes:
 
I would not be as good of detailer without an air compressor. Its uses seem endless...



1. Drying out engines

2. Nooks and crannies

3. Under seats/interior nooks and crannies

4. Tornador gun... buy it, use it, love it

5. Cleaning pads... only thing better is a sink with dawn, a brush, and a loooong time scrubbing. Obviously not possible while actually detailing.



Anyone who does not use an air compressor is not a lessor detailer, but simply missing out on a valuable tool that makes your job faster, easier, and simpler.
 
I think you hit the nail on the head, Barry!



  1. Pressure washer
  2. D/A
  3. Shop Vac
  4. Air Compressor

    [*]If I could have 5...Scissor lift! Wouldn't want to be without it now





I could also do without the Shop-Vac as I don't do to many interior jobs now days. If I excluded that I'd probably add the Bigfoot to the list as I'm not sure it could function as the sole polisher.





Accumulator said:
Hey, let's discuss compressors, since that piece of equipment is showing up on many lists-



Regulars here know I'm all about my air compressor, but I didn't list it because one *could* maybe get by with just an air TANK, filled at a gas station. And I know a lot of people who simply don't use one (see below). What do ya think?



I'm assuming (uh-oh... :o ) that most people use 'em primarily for blowing water out of nooks and crannies (something a vacuum might do OK for), doing interiors (something I generally do *NOT* use mine for :grinno: ), and cleaning pads, right?



Seems like I know an *amazing* number of people who don't own compressors; I don't know how they get by without one, but I always try to talk them into at least getting a tank (Harbor Freight perhaps...). I mean, whatcha gonna do when you have to fill a tire on something?!? Call AAA? More like they'll call me :rolleyes:
Click to expand...



I actually tried doing that a couple times one summer when I had my father doing body work in the shop and I detailed out of the other garage....I'd say it a big NO for me! I ended up stringing a couple air hoses together to reach the other garage as the 10lb tank I have just wasn't doing it. ;)



I did work out well on a motorcycle though. :)

http://www.autopia.org/forum/click-...a-r1-spring-detail-raskys-auto-detailing.html
 
David Fermani said:
My must haves.





1. Air Compressor

2. Pressure Washer

3. Shop Vac.

4. DA Polisher

5. Leaf Blower
Click to expand...



Thats five homeboy!!! Get rid of one, David I would love to hear your detailed thought behind your picks.
 
Barry Theal said:
Thats five homeboy!!! Get rid of one, David I would love to hear your detailed thought behind your picks.
Click to expand...



The Air Compressor can take place of the leaf blower, and a rotary polisher can take the place of a da ;)
 
JohnKleven said:
The Air Compressor can take place of the leaf blower, and a rotary polisher can take the place of a da ;)
Click to expand...



John have you had seat time on any of the Rupes yet? Think you're ready to set the rotary down for a while? :nod:
 
RaskyR1 said:
John have you had seat time on any of the Rupes yet? Think you're ready to set the rotary down for a while? :nod:
Click to expand...



Chad, I bought 3 of them. I think it's a great machine, but in the end the rotary is still king. More power, better finishing. Rupes is a great machine, and I can teach anyone to use it quickly. ;)
 
1.- Flex 3401

2.- Microfiber Towel

3.- Vac N Blow

4.- Master Blaster



If I could sneak off with a scissor lift I would trade my master blaster for that (which explains the "blo" on my "vac n blo")



I could live without a pressure washer.
 
JohnKleven said:
You're far too kind!!!! I wouldn't say that, I've heard you're the KING!
Click to expand...





There's probably some good smart-@$$ed quip about that post, but it's not coming to mind :chuckle:



Best thing I can say about my rotary skills is that I don't cause damage, can't think of a single time I had a real "oops!" going back to my first tries in the '70s. BUT....finishing 100% hologram-free on b/c paint is something I finally decided just wasn't gonna happen in this lifetime. Yep, I finally just gave up trying.



So for the people who can see the diff between final burnishing with a Cyclo vs. with a rotary....well, I lose, simple as that :sadpace:



Luckily, on *my* vehicles nobody I know would ever notice that diff ;)
 
Accumulator said:
There's probably some good smart-@$$ed quip about that post, but it's not coming to mind :chuckle:



Best thing I can say about my rotary skills is that I don't cause damage, can't think of a single time I had a real "oops!" going back to my first tries in the '70s. BUT....finishing 100% hologram-free on b/c paint is something I finally decided just wasn't gonna happen in this lifetime. Yep, I finally just gave up trying.



So for the people who can see the diff between final burnishing with a Cyclo vs. with a rotary....well, I lose, simple as that :sadpace:



Luckily, on *my* vehicles nobody I know would ever notice that diff ;)
Click to expand...



You mean you've never been slapped with one of those floppy roof antennas or sent a Cadillac emblem flying across the room at warp speed? :whistle:
 
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