Where do you get your detailing chemicals?

Although the discussion in these forums concentrates a lot on high end mail order products, there are plenty of cases where you can substitute something cheaper and no one will notice. Others have already pointed out Natty's or S100 instead of Souveran, but when you aren't worrying about something as important as wax, cheap off-the-shelf type stuff will sometimes function fine too. For instance, I use Turtle Wax car wash shampoo. While some may recoil at the thought of using Turtle Wax anything, I will say that it does the (fairly simple) job of making the car clean, and it's dirt cheap. You could spend a little more and get shampoo that has more suds or smells nicer or whatever, but the bottom line is that the customer will never know, and your money is better spent elsewhere. With that said though, here is a list of areas that I don't think you can "skimp on"

Wax - The difference between waxes is sometimes very dramatic, even between high end waxes people will note that some look more clear or reflective or wet. If you buy just anything to wax with it just won't look as nice. You must choose wisely here.

Polishes - There really isn't too much available in polishes from retail companies so that alone should make up your mind, but also consider that the purpose of a polish is to gently remove a bit of clearcoat. Not something you want to trust to just any product, if you ask me.

Microfiber - Anyone who has bought the good stuff and cheap stuff will tell you the difference is like night and day. You can get away with cheap towels (5 for $5 at WalMart) for dirty tasks, but for touching the paint you really do want a set of nice high quality microfiber towels.

Polisher - Leave it for another debate whether you actual need a machine polisher, but if you decide that you do, you definately need to drop the big bucks and get a PC. A cheap $40 WalMart polisher just doesn't have the power to do the job.

Vinyl Dressing - If you get something off the shelf like ArmorAll, it will be greasy and extremely shiney. Invest in something good like Natural Look or 303.



That is everything I determined absolutely necessary to buy quality, judging from own experiences. Maybe some pros will have a thing or two to add as well. Scott P's list was very good, you can't go wrong with those products and they won't cost you an arm and a leg either.
 
This was from another post, but i'll repost because its content pertains to the subject.
This is my suggestion,
Get the 1-2 Punch Kit from SMP http://specialtymotoring.com/kits.htm than depending on the condtion of cars, you can also pick up a bottle of SSR2 or 2.5, so combined your getting VM, (EX, EX-P, Nattys, your choice), 3 nice MFs, 1 applicator pad, 1 MF applicator pad and possibly SSR2 or 2.5. This should cost you a little under $50 shipped. The rest of the money I'd use at a local Autozone, Pep Boys or Costco(if you have membership), you can pickup some car wash shampoo(NXT, Gold Class, E1 Wet all very good), some glass cleaner(E1 20/20), clay(Clay Magic), tire shine, protectant, wash mitts, towels, brushes, etc. You gotta look at what you already have and what you need. Obviously if you have all the basic local stuff you can stock up and get more MFs, polishes and waxes. Either way try to do all your shopping in one place to save on shipping. Hope this helps
 
JohnC said:
Can you explain this further? Sorry, I'm new to mobile detailing, so I don't know anything.... Is the chilled container to stop the wax from melting?
If so, I will probably need to buy a small fridge or cooler to put in my car.

I've also decided to use Poorboy's World products as my main line, will be putting in an order with www.motorcitypoorboys.net very soon, they have 20% off!

One more thing - for those of you who get your products from wholesalers... how would I be able to get these products? Anyone want to help me out? :)
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Well in the summer here I have to put my paste wax in the cooler. I place it in a plastic bag and place it on top of the ice. If I don't do this the paste will not be paste for long.

I find that liquid waxes for mobile application in the summer are jsut easier to deal with.

FWIW, I am just a weekend warrior.
 
OK, what does everyone think of this list? (Brackets = multiple items)

Natty's (2)
S&W 16oz (2)
Pro Polish
PWC (2)
EX Sealant W/ Carnauba
EX-P
SSR1
SSR2.5
Bold N' Bright (2)
Natural Look 16oz (2)
Trim Restorer
QD+
PB's Plush Microfiber (2)
PB's Thick Plush Microfiber (2)
PB's Velvet Microfiber (2)
PB's SmoothMicrofiber (2)

Is that going to be enough to do everything?
I will probably be getting some products from other brands - pinnacle, p21s, 4 star, klasse, etc... so I will have a choice of different products.

Is there anything else that I've missed?

And another thing... has anyone bought the microfiber towels at costco? I think they're ~$8 for a pack of 12? are they any good? should I be using them as my main towel?
 
Is this going to be a full time business or something on the side? I think I would hold of on some of the items, and save up for a PC and a good amount of pads. This will really improve your work, save on product consumption and time used. Maybe instead of 2 Nattys and PwC only get 1 of each. Also if your gettin S&W you might as well get it in a larger size (32 oz. or 1 gallon) instead of (2) 16 oz bottles. I have used the Costco MF and really like them. While they might not be the most plush or soft, they are an excellent value. I've used them on my paint and haven't had any problems. For nicer finishes where I am getting paid a decent amount, i'll break out my SMP MF. But for free details and my 10 yr old truck the Costco MF work fine. Even if you don't want to use them on the paint, you can use them on engine bays, door jambs, wheelwells, interior, etc. While your at Costco you should see if you can get the Sheepskin wash mitts too. They are another good deal, for 9 bucks you get 4 mitts. If you do end up ordering all these Poorboys products i'd reccomend going with PAC, I believe they have free shipping on orders over $75, 10% DC discount and its supporting this board :-p
 
JaCkaL829 said:
Is this going to be a full time business or something on the side? I think I would hold of on some of the items, and save up for a PC and a good amount of pads. This will really improve your work, save on product consumption and time used. Maybe instead of 2 Nattys and PwC only get 1 of each. Also if your gettin S&W you might as well get it in a larger size (32 oz. or 1 gallon) instead of (2) 16 oz bottles. I have used the Costco MF and really like them. While they might not be the most plush or soft, they are an excellent value. I've used them on my paint and haven't had any problems. For nicer finishes where I am getting paid a decent amount, i'll break out my SMP MF. But for free details and my 10 yr old truck the Costco MF work fine. Even if you don't want to use them on the paint, you can use them on engine bays, door jambs, wheelwells, interior, etc. While your at Costco you should see if you can get the Sheepskin wash mitts too. They are another good deal, for 9 bucks you get 4 mitts. If you do end up ordering all these Poorboys products i'd reccomend going with PAC, I believe they have free shipping on orders over $75, 10% DC discount and its supporting this board :-p
Click to expand...

I want to make my business a full time business if I can, for the rest of summer. When college starts again, I'll see how the business is going - if my business is going good, then I'll take evening/night classes etc.. and work during the day.
If I can't get many customers, then it will just end up being a side business.

Does the S&W 32oz come with a spray trigger?
I'm thinking that if I buy a S&W 32oz and then have to go and buy a separate spray bottle, that would end up being more expensive than just buying 2x 16oz S&W, which I think come with the spray head. Then when it comes time to refill, I can just buy a gallon and put it into those two 16oz spray bottles.

I've already ordered a PC7424 and a foam pad kit, hopefully will get it next week.
And I've bought the Costco wash mitts already - I like them, very soft. And I also got two packs of the Costco MF.

As much as I want to buy from PAC, motorcitypoorboys.com is offering 20% off Poorboy's products, so I'll go with them.
The reason I'm going with two of some of the items is because I figure that since I'll be saving a bit more with the extra discount, I might as well buy more stuff :)
Needless to say, I'll probably be buying a lot more stuff soon, and I will probably order from PAC, they have a very large range of stuff.

I really need to stop buying stuff on impulse :-p:( I guess I just can't control myself... so many products to choose from!:-p
 
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JohnC, you will get most likely get a trigger, if I assume elortt is reading this (take care dude), but the regular blue trigger by Poorboy's isnt very good and many people can vouch for this. Buying a spray bottle isn't expensive, as you can get a good ZEP bottle from Lowes for 3 bucks. Its easier to use, and you are saving money when paying for more!

Buying stuff on impulse? Its just started sorry to say. If you want to cure the sickness, don't have internet! :lmfao
 
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