Recommend A Starter Kit For A Noobie

[peacemaker]

Hey guys -- I just got myself a shiny new white GTI. The previous owner put a lot of effort into keeping it mint, I'd like to keep it that way.

I need to get myself some towels (MF & terry), buckets, brushes, soaps, etc. -- basically everything. I'm sure everyone will have their own opinion on soap & wax.

So in the meantime, can you guys recommend a nice set of MF & terry towels that will get me started? I am not looking to break the bank on this, but I'd like some quality towels that I can reuse. Bang for the buck w/o sacrificing quality is what I'm aiming for.

Feel free to throw in your own recommendation for a non-abrasive soap & wax. Also, keep in mind, I live in an apartment! However, there is a hand DIY wash down the road.

Thanks in advance!

[Dan]

Read up on ONR. Since you don't already have all this stuff, the odds are in favor of you not actually using a bunch of stuff if you get it. Keep it simple. I'd get some ProForce MF towels from Sam's, some ONR and OCW, maybe an APC and see how it goes from there.

[Thomas Dekany]

I'd suggest you try some HD FREE to wash your car. Waterless Car Wash Lotion for Your Entire Car - HD Free | 3D Products - this product will leave some protection behind

Clean & Polish Your Car without Water | Waterless Car Wash | 3D Products - this has no protection in it. Same great cleaning power

3D Car Care; Car Wash, Car Wax, Auto Detailing supplies, Car Polishers, Car Buffers & accessories store - great towel at a very good price.

[Accumulator]

peacemaker- Welcome to Autopia!

Another good source for towels (and other stuff) is Aloha & Welcome to Our Oasis for All Your Auto Detailing, Auto Detailing Supplies, Auto Detailing Equipment, Auto Detailing Products, & Auto Detailing Accessories for all your Automobile Detailing . I'd skip the terry and stick with all MF.

Hey, is your user-name a reference to the Colt revolver of 1873?

[peacemaker]

Thanks. It is not, but I like that idea as a future avatar. Anywho, a friend recommended me this list of products. It seems like a lot to a beginner:

Use these products for the wash...
DI Accessories Sheepskin Wash Mitt without thumb | Detailed Image
DI Brushes Horse's Hair Wheel Brush | Detailed Image
DI Packages 5 Gallon White Bucket and Grit Guard | Detailed Image
DI Microfiber Waffle Weave Drying Towel - 36" x 24" | Detailed Image

Once washed if the car has minor swirls use this:
Poorboy's World Polish with Sealant - 16 oz | Detailed Image

That will remove light swirls and put a coat of sealant good for 4-6 months.

If it is not swirled seal with this:
Einszett 1Z Glanz Wax - 500 ml | Detailed Image

With the sealant's make sure to let sit on the car for 30 minutes in the shade before wiping it off (both the poor boys or Einszett).

After that is done apply this Carnauba (should be done every 30 days):
P21S Concours Carnauba Wax - 6.2 oz | Detailed Image

All of these can be wiped off with standard microfibers from Autozone or Costco (bulk packs).

Lastly after each wash ONLY AFTER A WASH you can use this quick detailer if you're not due for a full wax.. also use this to remove any bird poop stains that come about:
Poorboy's World Spray & Wipe (S&W) - 16 oz | Detailed Image
And you can use that with this:
DI Microfiber Ultra Plush Two Sided Towel - 16" x 16" | Detailed Image

Lastly use this tire shine:
Poorboy's World Bold 'n Bright Tire Gel - 16 oz | Detailed Image
Applied with this brush:
DI Brushes Foam Brush - 2" | Detailed Image

[peacemaker]

I would replace the P21S with Collinite 915, the Poorboys I've never used so I have no idea on that stuff, the MF towels from Sams are just fine, I prefer a MF mitt over a sheepskin just because every sheepskin mitt i've had has crumbled and fell apart on me, but I left them wet so that's up to you.

+1 for Detailed Image though, usually cheaper on most items and great service as well, and the discount for quantities is nice especially when buying pads.

Discount for quantities? care to elaborate?

[Accumulator]

Thanks. It is not, but I like that idea as a future avatar. Anywho, a friend recommended me this list of products. It seems like a lot to a beginner:

Use these products for the wash...
DI Accessories Sheepskin Wash Mitt without thumb | Detailed Image

The "thumb" can be handly for getting into tight spots, but I sure wouldn't wear *ANY* mitt like a glove, way too easy to apply excessive pressure IMO.

DI Brushes Horse's Hair Wheel Brush | Detailed Image

OK, but I bet boar's hair would be softer. You'll also need some way to reach back into the "barrels" and get the back sides of the spokes.

DI Packages 5 Gallon White Bucket and Grit Guard | Detailed Image

Eh, I don't use grit guards but others like 'em. Use (at least) two buckets.

DI Microfiber Waffle Weave Drying Towel - 36" x 24" | Detailed Image

Probably OK, but get several.

Once washed if the car has minor swirls use this:
Poorboy's World Polish with Sealant - 16 oz | Detailed Image

That will remove light swirls and put a coat of sealant good for 4-6 months.

Never used that, but I doubt that a) it'll do much of anything for your marring and/or b) that it'll last even half that long.

If it is not swirled seal with this:
Einszett 1Z Glanz Wax - 500 ml | Detailed Image

I'd much rather use FK1000P (even though I generally like 1Z stuff).

After that is done apply this Carnauba (should be done every 30 days):
P21S Concours Carnauba Wax - 6.2 oz | Detailed Image

I would *NOT* top a sealant with carnauba. If there's something wrong with how the sealant looks to you, use a different one. And FWIW I wasn't at all impressed with P21s, used it once and it's sat on the shelf ever since.

All of these can be wiped off with standard microfibers from Autozone or Costco (bulk packs).

I'd use only the finest/softest MFs available for direct contact with paint.

Lastly after each wash ONLY AFTER A WASH you can use this quick detailer if you're not due for a full wax.. also use this to remove any bird poop stains that come about:
Poorboy's World Spray & Wipe (S&W) - 16 oz | Detailed Image

I'd use FK425 or FK146 for paint, ValuGard Fast Finish for plastic/rubber trim.

Lastly use this tire shine:
Poorboy's World Bold 'n Bright Tire Gel - 16 oz | Detailed Image
Applied with this brush:
DI Brushes Foam Brush - 2" | Detailed Image

Never used that tire shine product (I use Z16) but I'd sure swap that brush for this: Dressing Applicator and 4 Pads - Cleaning Tools - Wheels & Tires - Car Care - Griot's Garage

Heh heh, did your pal ever actually try *using* a foam brush to apply tire dressing?!? No thanks

[peacemaker]

Whoa, thanks for the super response! To answer your last question, yes he has, and he likes it a lot. I actually ordered all of this except the Einszett and horse brush. I got a discount through him. He is ordering again tomorrow, and I only got one of each towel... realistically, how many do I need on minimum? I say minimum because funds are quite low at the moment (just bought the car and vaca is coming up).

[Accumulator]

Whoa, thanks for the super response! To answer your last question, yes he has, and he likes it a lot. I actually ordered all of this except the Einszett and horse brush. I got a discount through him. He is ordering again tomorrow, and I only got one of each towel... realistically, how many do I need on minimum? I say minimum because funds are quite low at the moment (just bought the car and vaca is coming up).

I'd at least get two WWMFs for drying.

On the other MFs, I'd say to get a few more than you think you'll need. You'd be surprised how you can go through them, especially if (maybe "when" ) you drop one.

If the brush doesn't work out for you on the tires, get that Griot's gizmo; I was astounded by how much I like it, expected it to just be a gimmick.