What do you think your biggest 2012 single item detailing purchase be?

[C. Charles Hahn]

By far, a commercial grade steamer will be my largest purchase. I`m seriously considering bypassing the VX5000 and just ponying up for a Dupray Hill Injection. The way those are built, it`ll probably outlast me.

[mjlinane]

I think the biggest problem I have right now is hard water. I may have to fork out the money to have my water softener company come and hook my soft water up to the exterior water. Does anybody else have theirs set up this way? I think they only have mine hooked up to the interior hot water. This hard water is killing me during detailing time.

I have a spigot off the softener itself in the garage. If you hook it to the exterior, you have to change to potassium salts ($$) or you kill your grass.

[mwtaco]

new house with 20 amp outlet to run a master blaster

[BobbyG]

new house with 20 amp outlet to run a master blaster

Now that`s a great response!!

[CT3]

I have a spigot off the softener itself in the garage. If you hook it to the exterior, you have to change to potassium salts ($$) or you kill your grass.

I did not know this. Although I don`t water my grass, I could still imagine how much of it gets in the grass when I am washing. Decisions, decisions....

[RootsRadical]

Mine will almost certainly be a paint thickness guage. I`m considering either the DeFelsko Positest for around $500 or the HighLine Meter II for around $300. I may have to wait until the end of the year and put one on the xmas list.

-J

[RootsRadical]

By far, a commercial grade steamer will be my largest purchase. I`m seriously considering bypassing the VX5000 and just ponying up for a Dupray Hill Injection. The way those are built, it`ll probably outlast me.

If you want to take a little drive to the Downriver area you`re welcome to try out my VX5000 to see if you like it. Just let me know!

-J

[rider9195]

Hopefully a Flex rotary.

[theamcguy]

I may spring for another rotary. I have several PCs but only one rotary. I may get a smaller lighter one.

[C. Charles Hahn]

If you want to take a little drive to the Downriver area you`re welcome to try out my VX5000 to see if you like it. Just let me know!

-J

I actually got the chance to test one out recently and it really is a nice unit; the main reasons I am looking at the Dupray instead are that it`s continuous fill, and has the hot water injection feature. Just not sure how often those things would come in handy.

Thanks for the offer though!

[Jaddie]

Dear Al

So far I really like my Cleanforce 1800-psi washer I got for Christmas. It`s plastic but about as solid as consumer plastic can get. It features a two-year warranty on the Sumec pump and motor, brass quick connects, large onboard detergent tank, steel wand, hose reel, and electric cord reel. It costs US$159 at Home Depot (product link).

You can operate it in "canister vacuum" position if you wish.

It works well with the MTM Hydro foam lance, which costs US$52.40, including shipping, from PressureWashersDirect.com. You`d use the M22 adapter that comes with the lance. (This foam lance might look familiar to you.)

[Jaddie]

Dear Al & Friends

I don`t have any high-priced single items on my wish list for the near future. I probably need a few more polishing pads, but what`s on my list are more microfiber towels.

I`d like to upgrade the van`s audio system, but it`s difficult to justify the US$1800 expense when I seldom listen to rock music loud while in it. I`m either talking with my three-year-old son or talking on the phone using the van`s nifty speakerphone.

I don`t detail for a living--just to preserve what I consider an enormous investments in transportation.

I have the Griot`s dual-action polisher, Master Blaster, pressure washer, and a Shop-Vac, so, as far as I know, I think I`ve covered the big-ticket items. I have just two pads as I write this and about four more coming on Monday. I probably need a few more tangerine polishing pads, but I`m not sure.

I`d like to have a two-bucket wash system, but I`d like a miniature version of the ones offered by Palm Beach Motoring Accessories. (Really, I`d like the Griot`s bucket but divided into two compartments.) And I`d guess I`d like to have a pad washer, but US$120 is difficult to justify for me.

[tropicsteve]

man, i wish my two car garage was a four car garage.

[jtford95]

If things go right, I want go with a pro steamer as well. Would like to look into a flex polisher too.

[CT3]

man, i wish my two car garage was a four car garage.

You read my mind. Somehow I don`t think my four car garage is coming any time soon.