Please Critique My Product Selection

L

landshark

New member
Hi All,

As I stated in my intro post a few weeks ago, I'm just now getting back into detailing my own cars as well as cars owned by a few friends and co-workers. After about a 10 year hiatus, it's obvious that the products and equipment have changed quite a bit. I have spent several hours reading here and think I've assembled a pretty good preliminary list of supplies to stock. I'm wondering if everyone here could give their $0.02 worth on some of the products I've chosen to get started back up again.

The products below are broken down into their respect category (I hope) but please feel free to make suggestions. Thanks for looking!

Oh, earlier I had erroneously stated that I had a PC7274...nope. I'm old skool! It turns out that my PC is a 7336. Am I doing myself a disservice with this machine?

In addition, I've got the usual collection of grit guards, MF mitts, two ShMitts, various tire and wheel brushes (including a Daytona speed) and plenty of drying and smaller MF towels. An old Craftsman Shop Vac serves both vacuuming and extraction duties plus I've got a Bissel Pro Heat LGM. I'm still kicking the idea around of getting some sort of foam gun and a Brinkmann LED.

PAINT PREP:

Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay
M105
M205
M300
Menz P085RD

GLAZE (intermediate step):

Megs #5 (but looking for other suggestions)

LSP:

Colonite 845 or 476

Pads:

Megs Microfiber Cutting
SurBuf R Series
Numerous LC CCS Smart Pads (yellow, orange, green, red)
LC Purple Wool

APC:

Megs D101 & D103

Interior Cleaners:

1Z, Blackfire, 303 Fabric & Vinyl

Interior Protectants:

Blackfire, 303 Aerospace

Carwash:

ONR

Megs D111

Wheel Cleaners:

Diluted combinations of the Megs APC

Griots HD Wheel Cleaner

Tire Dressings:

Optimum Tire Shine

Sonus Trim & Motor Kote


Please let me know how I've done. I welcome any and all suggestions. Thanks again!
 
This is what I would keep and I made some changes to the pads. I personally don't like glazes. They work to hide imperfections but after a wash it's pretty much gone. I would lose the yellow pad because I really don't find it useful and if your going get the microfiber pads then those will work great for real tough correction. I also deleted the APC. I think APC+ is more versatile.

PAINT PREP:

Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay
M105
M205
M300
Menz P085RD

LSP:

Colonite 845

Pads:

Megs Microfiber Cutting
Numerous LC CCS Smart Pads (orange, white, gray,red)

APC:

Megs D103

Interior Cleaners:

1Z, Blackfire, 303 Fabric & Vinyl

Interior Protectants:

Blackfire, 303 Aerospace

Carwash:

ONR

Megs D111

Wheel Cleaners:

Diluted combinations of the Megs APC

Griots HD Wheel Cleaner

Tire Dressings:

Optimum Tire Shine

Sonus Trim & Motor Kote
 
Doesn't say you have a rotary. If not, lose the wool pad. A PC won't spin it well and the MF & Surbuf will do you nicely.
 
PAINT PREP:

Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay - (Clay magic Blue / Sonus SFX Ultra-Fine Detailing Clay)
M105
M205
M300
Menz P085RD

GLAZE (intermediate step):

Megs #5 (but looking for other suggestions) (Prima Amigo / CG EZ Cream Glaze)

LSP:

Colonite 845 or 476
Other options would be BFWD, Menz PL


Pads:

Megs Microfiber Cutting
SurBuf R Series
Numerous LC CCS Smart Pads (yellow, orange, green, red) (I personally like flat pads)
LC Purple Wool

APC:

Megs D101 & D103

Interior Cleaners:

1Z, Blackfire, 303 Fabric & Vinyl

Interior Protectants:

Blackfire, 303 Aerospace

Carwash:

ONR

Megs D111 (Optimum Car Wash is great as well)

Wheel Cleaners:

Diluted combinations of the Megs APC (Amazing Roll Off is a great wheel & tire cleaner as well)

Griots HD Wheel Cleaner

Tire Dressings:

Optimum Tire Shine

Sonus Trim & Motor Kote
 
Thanks for the input. I'll ditch the LC purple wool and try some of their flat foam pads the next time I order. I haven't tried the microfiber pads (or the Surbuf) yet but plan to, hopefully before winter.

Question on the Poorboy's glaze: which one do your recommend?

To be honest, I got the Megs #5 to try...because it was cheap. I got a new car in April (2011 Subaru Outback) and thought I'd use a glaze because of what I've read: addressing minor surface imperfections and a "deeper" appearance in the paint. I think the dealer did a quick and dirty pre-delivery wash and there were some minor issues on the roof. I did a careful hand wash, clay, #5 and 845 to finish. The paint came out looking great so I thought that I'd add that step just prior to waxing. I also hoped it would help the 845 last through a Michigan winter. I also used the #5 in between M105 and wax on my wife's car. I didn't have any hazing from the 105 but the paint on that car looked awesome as well.

Does everyone think I should skip the glaze step and use a sealer after polishing, followed by a coat or two of Colonite once everything has had a chance to cure? I'm intrigued by these sealers now, especially for my car that sits outside (and to protect the wheels too).

Thanks :autopia:
 
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