Building my detailing kit - what am I missing?

[Matt_L]

I am in the process of building up my detailing kit from scratch. Until 2 weeks ago I had an empty kitty litter bucket, a chenille mitt and some generic car wash. I made a commitment to keep my cars looking good now though...kind of my early New Year`s resolution. I knew to do it I needed the right tools so I started stocking up on stuff based on my own (kind of dated) knowledge and some things i have read here (especially use of the PC). I didn`t make a list but started buying stuff here and there. Luckily I don`t have much overlap or stupid purchases I think. I probably have a couple things I don`t really need though but oh well they will get used eventually.



The cars are a silver 2005 Saab 9-2X Aero and a black 2009 Subaru Forester.



OK so here is my list. Please let me know what you think I need to fill in the blanks. Some tools I did not include that I already had like a Shop Vac. Thanks!



- (2) 5 gallon buckets

- (1) Grit Guard

- (3) MF wash mitts (the blue ones with tendrils)

- (12) all purpose MF towels

- (10) terry towels

- (1) MF bone sponge w/scrubber side

- (3) MF applicators

- (1) Sonus PS MF Applicator

- (4) new empty spray bottles

- (10) small cheapie cleaning sponges

- (1) gallon Meg`s Gold Class car wash

- (1) gallon ONR

- (1) Poorboy`s Claybar

- (1) Ultimate Detailing Machine (and the pads that come with it of course)

- (1) white 6.5" CCS pad

- (1) 1" roll blue painter`s tape

- (1) Sonus Paintwork Cleanser

- (1) Meg`s ScratchX

- (1) 16 oz. Poorboy`s Black Hole

- (1) Meg`s #20 Sealant

- (1) Collinite 476S

- (1) Meg`s PlastX

- (1) Megs Gold Class Leather cleaner/conditioner

- (1) 303 Protectant

- (2) Meg`s aerosol QD

[Showroom Shine]

Menzerna, Souveran, Lexol, Folex,

[pattieman]

What about DGAW

[Matt_L]

Help me out pattieman what is DGAW? You guys use more acronyms than I have ever seen anywhere!

[Robb]

Help me out pattieman what is DGAW? You guys use more acronyms than I have ever seen anywhere!



Im not sure about this one, anyone know? http://1person1million.com/img/149/r08c1006bidc/biggrin.gif

[Lynn Matthews]

- (2) 5 gallon buckets

- (1) Grit Guard

- (3) MF wash mitts (the blue ones with tendrils)

- (12) all purpose MF towels

- (10) terry towels

- (1) MF bone sponge w/scrubber side

- (3) MF applicators

- (1) Sonus PS MF Applicator

- (4) new empty spray bottles

- (10) small cheapie cleaning sponges

- (1) gallon Meg`s Gold Class car wash

- (1) gallon ONR

- (1) Poorboy`s Claybar

- (1) Ultimate Detailing Machine (and the pads that come with it of course)

- (1) white 6.5" CCS pad

- (1) 1" roll blue painter`s tape

- (1) Sonus Paintwork Cleanser

- (1) Meg`s ScratchX

- (1) 16 oz. Poorboy`s Black Hole

- (1) Meg`s #20 Sealant

- (1) Collinite 476S

- (1) Meg`s PlastX

- (1) Megs Gold Class Leather cleaner/conditioner

- (1) 303 Protectant

- (2) Meg`s aerosol QD



The first thing that jumps out is that I would would skip the terry towels and make sure you have good microfiber drying towels instead. Don`t want to instill towel scratches after you do all of that work! :D



As far as the other products it comes down to preference but if you would like some assistance just contact me directly via the sponsor forum, email, or give me a call on my direct line, and I would be more than happy to lend my advice.



Lynn

[Flashtime]

Many of those items can be found locally at Targe, Lowes, Walmart, Cosco, etc.

[Matt_L]

The first thing that jumps out is that I would would skip the terry towels and make sure you have good microfiber drying towels instead. Don`t want to instill towel scratches after you do all of that work! :D



As far as the other products it comes down to preference but if you would like some assistance just contact me directly via the sponsor forum, email, or give me a call on my direct line, and I would be more than happy to lend my advice.



Lynn



Thanks! Don`t worry the terry towels won`t touch my paint. They are just for misc. clean up etc.



I want to get all set up so when I don`t have to run out to the store when I am doing routine maintenance as well as detailing work. The goal is to have everything handy so I can work efficiently whenever I have the chance which is usually last minute on a moments notice. If I need to go buy stuff my window of opportunity to wash or detail my vehicles may be gone for that time!

[Matt_L]

Many of those items can be found locally at Targe, Lowes, Walmart, Cosco, etc.



Yep, I have been buying stuff all over - Wal-mart, Harbor Freight, Autopia, Amazon, etc. I have been in "collection mode" for 2 weeks now. Just trying to get all setup. I have a large garage cabinet now dedicated to the cause ;-)

[BigJimZ28]

Help me out pattieman what is DGAW? You guys use more acronyms than I have ever seen anywhere!



DuraGloss Aqua Wax

[Accumulator]

I am in the process of building up my detailing kit from scratch...



OK so here is my list. Please let me know what you think:



Everybody has an opinion, and mine regarding a few items follow. Not like *my* opinion is sacred or anything though ;)



I`d get a foamgun and some waffle weave MFs (for drying), that`s for sure.






- (3) MF wash mitts (the blue ones with tendrils)



I`d go with good sheepskin mitts instead. Or regular MF mitts (I use both but recommend the sheepskin for you).




- (1) MF bone sponge w/scrubber side



I would have no use for that.




- (3) MF applicators

- (1) Sonus PS MF Applicator



I never end up using MF applicators for anything, but that`s just me.




- (1) Meg`s #20 Sealant

- (1) Collinite 476S



I`d choose one or the other (and I`d go with the Collinite).




- (1) Meg`s PlastX



I never seem to use my plastic polishes :nixweiss






- (2) Meg`s aerosol QD



No way I`d want an aerosol QD...I`d buy some FK425 instead.

[BigAl3]

- (2) 5 gallon buckets

- (1) Grit Guard

- (3) MF wash mitts (the blue ones with tendrils)

- (12) all purpose MF towels

- (10) terry towels- (1) MF bone sponge w/scrubber side

- (3) MF applicators

- (1) Sonus PS MF Applicator

- (4) new empty spray bottles

- (10) small cheapie cleaning sponges

- (1) gallon Meg`s Gold Class car wash

- (1) gallon ONR

- (1) Poorboy`s Claybar

- (1) Ultimate Detailing Machine (and the pads that come with it of course)

- (1) white 6.5" CCS pad

- (1) 1" roll blue painter`s tape

- (1) Sonus Paintwork Cleanser

- (1) Meg`s ScratchX

- (1) 16 oz. Poorboy`s Black Hole

- (1) Meg`s #20 Sealant

- (1) Collinite 476S

- (1) Meg`s PlastX

- (1) Megs Gold Class Leather cleaner/conditioner

- (1) 303 Protectant

- (2) Meg`s aerosol QD



pick up plenty of microfiber towels (both for paint and non-paint tasks) instead of the terry and get a few of the orange pads as well (another white would be good too, have a few of each). you can never have too many microfiber towels and pads...

[hatrickstu]

a lot more pads lol

[Bigpoppa3346]

Tire cleaner (Hi-Temp`s Tire Cleaner is dirt cheap and works amazingly, IMO). You can use that on tires and to clean wheel wells. You will also want some tire and wheel well brushes to go along with that.



You will also want a tire/wheel well dressing, I use Armor All Original on tires and Hyper Dressing in the wells, you could just use one product for both purposes though.

[pattieman]

Duragloss aquawax, learned about this in forum, great product.