Detailing products and process help

[Pats300zx]

Thanks everyone. This is really helping me out understand what I need. I really appreciate everyones help. The polish thing is starting to get a little clearer to me now. It seems that each polish will have its own abbrasive characteristics, or is a non-abbrasive...which cleans by chemicals(such as Klasse AIO). I read some of the Poor Boys products. Would you suggest SSR 2 for swirls and light water spots, etc? Here are some pics to better show my paint condition...Maybe this will help

Havent washed in about 3-4 days, and she is garaged.



How aggressive should I go on the polish/pre-wax cleaner? Also, is Klasse AIO just a pre-wax cleaner, or is it a polish and wax together? Should I use something more aggressive. Im not sure about the glazes though...are they very effective? If I used a PC would I need to only use a polish, or would I still benefit from a glaze as well?

If I were to get a PC now, what models would be most cost effecient?

Are sealants liquid wax like polymer wax...and Wax is meaning caranuba wax?

Sorry to ask soo many questions, but I want to make sure I get the right products and not end up getting 2 of the same thing and end up wasting product and money.

Thanks again everone!

From one Super Black 350Z owner to another...Beautiful car.... :woot:

 

[dank311]

Alright guys...everyone has been such a great help! I appreciate everyones opinions and experiences. Also, thanks for the comments on my car. She is pretty isnt she... :chuckle:



Anyways, I spent alot of time searching these boards and detailing online stores reading through product reviews and descriptions. I am still confused on a lot of stuff, but much clearer than before. If everyone could, maybe help me pick a product out for each category. I will list the few that I am trying to pick between, and yall can tell me what is better and why. Also, if I dont have sometihng on my list that is better IYO, please least you top 2 products in each category.



Car mitt: Eurow or Excel Sheepskin mitt



Drying Towel - Big Blue II, Meg Water Magnet, or Cobra Ultimate Guzzler



Applicators - MF or Foam applicator pads (not sure which brand is best)



Removal towels - Meguiars Ultimate Wipe, Cobra Super Plush Deluxe MF, or Pakshak MF



Car Wash - PB Super Slick and Suds, P21S Body Wash, TOL Bubble Bath, NXT, Optimum, or Menzerna



Clay Bar - Clay Magic



Polish - Menzerna Intesnse, PB SSR 2.5, Pinnacle Advanced Swirl Remover, or 4 Star Ultimate Swirl Remover....Still not sure what is most effective at removing light/moderate swirls (like ones in my pic) without being too abbrassive for a begginer.



Pre Wax Cleaner - Klasse AIO, 4 Star Ultimate Paint Cleanser, Menzerna Final Polish, P21S Paintwork Cleaner



Glaze - Clearkote Vanilla Mosse, Red Moose Machine Glaze



Wax:

Caranuba - Natty Blue, not sure on any other caranubas...



Polymer Sealant - PB EX-P, Menzerna FMJ, 4 Star UPP



Speed Detailer - Clearkote Quickshine, Pinnacle Crystal Mist Spray, or Menzerna Acrylic Shield

 

[dank311]

Any recommendations?? Also, I plan to get a PC, but might try everything by hand first...it all depends on when I will get my money for a PC.

Thank

 

[cwcad]

ok, here is what I have done and will continue to do. I purchased a complete line products and used them. Got used to them. Made a judgement and went and purchased another line of products and used them to find out if I liked them.



All of the products that you have listed listed are fine choices and will do the job. There is not a line that is best but rather what is or becomes your favorite.



Get your PC. Purchase a product line. Then detail your car. With the investment you have in your car the money spent on products is a well justified expense.

 

[ceiol]

Alright guys...everyone has been such a great help! I appreciate everyones opinions and experiences. Also, thanks for the comments on my car. She is pretty isnt she... :chuckle:



Anyways, I spent alot of time searching these boards and detailing online stores reading through product reviews and descriptions. I am still confused on a lot of stuff, but much clearer than before. If everyone could, maybe help me pick a product out for each category. I will list the few that I am trying to pick between, and yall can tell me what is better and why. Also, if I dont have sometihng on my list that is better IYO, please least you top 2 products in each category.



Car mitt: Eurow or Excel Sheepskin mitt



Drying Towel - Big Blue II, Meg Water Magnet, or Cobra Ultimate Guzzler



Applicators - MF or Foam applicator pads (not sure which brand is best)



Removal towels - Meguiars Ultimate Wipe, Cobra Super Plush Deluxe MF, or Pakshak MF



Car Wash - PB Super Slick and Suds, P21S Body Wash, TOL Bubble Bath, NXT, Optimum, or Menzerna



Clay Bar - Clay Magic



Polish - Menzerna Intesnse, PB SSR 2.5, Pinnacle Advanced Swirl Remover, or 4 Star Ultimate Swirl Remover....Still not sure what is most effective at removing light/moderate swirls (like ones in my pic) without being too abbrassive for a begginer.



Pre Wax Cleaner - Klasse AIO, 4 Star Ultimate Paint Cleanser, Menzerna Final Polish, P21S Paintwork Cleaner



Glaze - Clearkote Vanilla Mosse, Red Moose Machine Glaze



Wax:

Caranuba - Natty Blue, not sure on any other caranubas...



Polymer Sealant - PB EX-P, Menzerna FMJ, 4 Star UPP



Speed Detailer - Clearkote Quickshine, Pinnacle Crystal Mist Spray, or Menzerna Acrylic Shield

you did some great homework. You've obviously spent time reading the threads. I did the same thing and I ended up purchasing a whole bunch of products:



clay

Pinnacle clay & lubricant

Clay Magic fine clay

Polish: Menzerna Line:

Power Gloss (heavy cutting)

Intensive Polish (polishing)

Final Polish II (fine polishing)

Polish: Poorboy’s Line:

SSR 3 (heavy cutting)

SSR 2.5 (light cutting/polishing)

SSR 2 (polishing)

SSR 1 (fine polishing)

Polish: Optimum Car Care

Optimum Hyper Compound (heavy cutting)

Optimum Car Compound (light cutting/polishing)

Optimum Car Polish (polishing/fine polishing)

glaze

Menzerna Finishing Touch Glaze

Clearkote Red Moose Machine Glaze

Clearkote Vanilla Moose Hand Glaze (w/fine polishing)

P21S Gloss Enhancing Paint Cleanser

sealant

Klasse AIO + Sealant Glaze

Meguiar's NXT Tech Paste

Four Star Ultimate Paint Protection

Poorboy’s EX-P Sealant

Menzerna Full Molecular Jacket

last stage wax product

Pinnacle Souveran Paste Wax

S100 Paste Wax

Poorboy’s Natty Blue Paste Wax

Collinite 845 Liquid Insulator Wax

Clearkote Carnauba Moose Wax

Maintenance / quick detail

Optimum Car Wax spray (wax)

Clearkote Quikshine

Pinnacle Crystal Mist

Menzerna High Gloss Acrylic Shield (acrylic)





Sheeet -- it would have been cheaper if I just hired a professional detailer to do my cars twice a year.



This is seriously an additciton.

 

[dank311]

Wow that is some list of products you got there. I was hoping that I wouldnt need that much..heh

As to what is best...I know there isnt a best product for everyone and every car. Maybe I should ask some more detailed questions..

Out of each category/product line, which is easiest to apply/remove? What is most cost effective? For example....I know Souveran seems to leave some of the best results(via word of mouth), but I have also heard that Natty Blue can be just as good at a fraction of the cost. I'm looking for products that will of course work, be easy to work with (since its my first time), and won't break the bank. I don't mind paying for what I get, BUT, I would rather save money if I can get a product that does just as well.

Im asking for everyones opinions, b/c I haven't had any experience with these products, and most of all dont have experience with several products where I could be in the position to compare. Thats What I need yall for! Maybe someone can just help me narrow down the list to 1-2 products for each category, and then I can go from there.

 

[cwcad]

For me the best bang for the buck is Poorboy's. Try the line see if I am wrong. Although I use a lot of others too. The products work and in the sun too.



Have never done anything by hand. Used only a PC and later a rotary. So this comment is based on PC useage.

 

[Accumulator]

Wow that is some list of products you got there. I was hoping that I wouldnt need that much..

IMO you can get by with just a few products and it's better not to get *too* complicated with this stuff when you're just starting out.



If I were setting you up with stuff, besides the foamgun (IMO the single most important thing is washing correctly; I know I'm a broken record on this ) I'd just get:



Mitts and MFs (high quality, lots of them)

Good shampoo (Griot's Car Wash in gallons)

Gray and Green Sonus clay w/Glyde lube (Green is optional)

PC with numerous pads (pick any major brand)

Meguair's #80 for the polish (will also clean the paint)

VM or RMG or Meguiar's #5 for the glaze (purely optional anyhow, FWIW I usually use #5)

Collinite 845 or 476S for the wax

QuikShine for the QD (optional, and only use it after washing)



There's not much you can't do with just clay and #80. Used aggressively #80 will take out marring, used mildy it'll usually clean with very little abrasion. You can always buy some Meg's Deep Crystal Step #1 at AutoZone if you really need a nonabrasive cleaner, but I don't think you will. Regular washes and claying will keep things nice between polishings. Frequency of polishing will depend on wash technique. The Collinite will look good and wear like iron. I'd keep this simple for now.

 

[Pennypacker]

you did some great homework. You've obviously spent time reading the threads. I did the same thing and I ended up purchasing a whole bunch of products:



clay

Pinnacle clay & lubricant

Clay Magic fine clay

Polish: Menzerna Line:

Power Gloss (heavy cutting)

Intensive Polish (polishing)

Final Polish II (fine polishing)

Polish: Poorboy’s Line:

SSR 3 (heavy cutting)

SSR 2.5 (light cutting/polishing)

SSR 2 (polishing)

SSR 1 (fine polishing)

Polish: Optimum Car Care

Optimum Hyper Compound (heavy cutting)

Optimum Car Compound (light cutting/polishing)

Optimum Car Polish (polishing/fine polishing)

glaze

Menzerna Finishing Touch Glaze

Clearkote Red Moose Machine Glaze

Clearkote Vanilla Moose Hand Glaze (w/fine polishing)

P21S Gloss Enhancing Paint Cleanser

sealant

Klasse AIO + Sealant Glaze

Meguiar's NXT Tech Paste

Four Star Ultimate Paint Protection

Poorboy’s EX-P Sealant

Menzerna Full Molecular Jacket

last stage wax product

Pinnacle Souveran Paste Wax

S100 Paste Wax

Poorboy’s Natty Blue Paste Wax

Collinite 845 Liquid Insulator Wax

Clearkote Carnauba Moose Wax

Maintenance / quick detail

Optimum Car Wax spray (wax)

Clearkote Quikshine

Pinnacle Crystal Mist

Menzerna High Gloss Acrylic Shield (acrylic)





Sheeet -- it would have been cheaper if I just hired a professional detailer to do my cars twice a year.



This is seriously an additciton.

You forgot to include the Werkstatt twins...back to the drawing board.

 

[Alfisti]

Instead of washing, drying, and then claying, you can save time by washing, thoroughly rinsing and then claying the car while still wet using the water and soap solution from your bucket for lube.

The advice Neothin offered is excellent. The only additional suggestion I can add is to use a separate bucket with clean shampoo solution. Using the the same solution with which you washed your car could cause you to introduce grit and dirt to the surface, which contaminates the clay and marrs the paint. :up

 

[a.k.a. Patrick]

ok, here is what I have done and will continue to do. I purchased a complete line products and used them. Got used to them. Made a judgement and went and purchased another line of products and used them to find out if I liked them.



All of the products that you have listed listed are fine choices and will do the job. There is not a line that is best but rather what is or becomes your favorite.



Get your PC. Purchase a product line. Then detail your car. With the investment you have in your car the money spent on products is a well justified expense.

The million dollar answer..................Nice Kirk...... :bigups