Detailing, what do I need to get started?

jenniferny

New member
I am new to Autopia. I own a 79 Trans Am that still has factory paint and decals, plus one of the rare 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited's. I would like to take better care of them both, but don't know where to start. For decades I have bought care care supplies from the likes of Walmart and local parts stores, as many others do. I want to put together the supplies I need to do a better job of keeping them looking good. I have tried searching Autopia, but either I am not using the right words or what I am looking for does not exist.

I am looking for a list of detailing supplies needed to begin detailing. Is there a thread that maybe lists the basic beginning items, then additional groups of products that would be added to go to level 2, then level 3, then level 4, etc., etc.,etc.

It would be great if someone that has been detailing for a long time could put together a list of the very basics to get started, then also list 'modules' that could be added to take your detailing to the next level, then the next, and next. Maybe too, a list for starting with a DA Polisher, a list of the next level of interior items, then another a list ..., of what, I dont know, but I would bet that someone here at Autopia does.

There are many of us out here that will start detailing their cars and their friends and families cars who spend a lot of money on the wrong products when we start, then spend money on the wrong add on items because of the lack of our experience.

Maybe a modules approach like:

Module 1: exterior- Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, etc.

Module 2: Interior- Level 1, Level 2, Level 3-Leather, Level 4-Cloth, Level 5-Vinyl, etc.

Module 3: DA Polishing, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, etc.

Do you see what I am trying to describe. If we knew what to buy to start, then as our skills and needs progressed we could go to the next level, instead of buying the wrong products to start and get frustrated and just give up because we don't know what we are doing well enough to buy what we need.

I hope someone on Autopa can either help, or point me to the thread that answers my inquiry.

Thank You,

Jennifer
 
welcome jennifer...r u from ny? i am too...there will be someone thatll be able to help u put to gether a list..i use the da to do mine. with several different products...best way to get the best xxxx and get rid of swirls..

u want to start off with ur basics...a foam gun...2 buckets 2 grit gaurds...a good soap..a detail spray to help use as a drying aid..several good microfiber cloths...a drying towel...
start there..otheres will list good products that they use...but like i said a da is best to use.
 
Hi Jennifer,
I've been lurking on this board (and its predecessors) for years, and from what I've picked up in that time there really isn't a set structure of levels when it comes to detailing products, at least with respect to experience. Jeff is right, start with some good basics. His list is pretty complete in my opinion. Beyond that, its kind of trial and error and personal choices. I have a ton of stuff that I bought that I no longer use, but its not because the stuff I bought before didn't work, its more because I've found stuff that I like better now. The brands and products I use now are not necessarily what someone else will find they like best. Some products work better on certain colors of paint, so it will depend on what car you are working on. There are different levels of aggressiveness when it comes to products, and you always want to start with the least aggressive product to get the paint corrected the way you want it to with the least amount of collateral damage. These days I'm looking more for multi-purpose products so I can keep a smaller, yet still effective, collection in the smaller space I'm in now that I'm out in my own home with less space than I had in my parent's house (especially since my wife doesn't share my obsession with detailing, lol).

The closest thing I can think of to the levels you are looking for might be the five steps of detailing that Todd posted in the detail institute section of the forum. One could possibly say that level 1 might be simply washing (step 1), while level 2 could be washing and protecting only (steps 1 and 4), continuing on adding in the different steps as you want to add more time and effort to your process, but even a beginner could do all 5 steps, and if you want to maintain your vehicles looking their absolute best this is really your only option. It just seems hard to pin detailing down to levels of expertise based on products, in my opinion, but maybe someone else can see a way to define them that I can't. Either way, glad to hear you want to take the time and effort to maintain the appearance of your vehicles, and good luck in finding products that make that job easier and more effective for you!
 
A year ago I didn't know anything about detailing . I went here and watched all of videos and read all the how-to articles ...I read a few forums and it was clear as to how to do this. You really need to learn this. You can't just keep asking questions here, because you never really get a complete answer  how it works and what surfaces need what product. So just bone up like I did and you'll get it very quickly.

once you get up to speed and have a specific question about a specific technique, just ask here, it's a great site....
 
DA Polisher (Griots has a lifetime warranty and you won't have to buy another backing plate)
6 pack of 6.5" flat pads
2 6.5" Surbuf Pads (1 box contains 2)
1 Quart Meguiars 105 (compound)
1 Quart Meguiars 205 (polish)
1 Quart Coillinite 845 (wax)

This will take care of 99% of your exterior needs other then car wash soap, brushes, buckets , claybar etc....

:welcome: to the forum! Always glad to see more ladies around here :rockon
 
Welcome, and its a slippery slope into what you need \ want. You may find yourself buying and trying new products on each and every detail. The trick is to find what works for you and sticking to it. This forum is full of information so Im sure you will find what you need here!
 
What do you need to get started? You can start by detailing your own car first, you can start by doing some homework on how products work. What does clay bar do? What is it used for? What does compound do? What is that used for? Once you learn about how products work and why they are used, detailing becomes easy and simple. For someone like you, it's very overwhelming on what products to buy because I'm sure your knowledge is very limited. You own a 97 trans am, and I'm sure you want whats best for it, and the only way you are going to be good at detailing is by starting off small and working your way up. Get your basics first, wash buckets, mitts, soap, drying towels, wax. Eventually you will think of small ways to make your detailing better. "How am I supposed to get these bugs off? How does this tar come off? Why doesn't the paint feel smooth?" That's where homework comes in. Do your homework and find out how you can make the paint feel more smooth, if you are determined to doing all your detailing work yourself, then you are going to have to do as much research as you can. It's a race that you can either crawl walk jog or run in, experience is the only thing that's going to get you there
 
I've just started getting serious about detailing my car and here is what I have to give you an idea:

Washing: Two buckets with grit guards, 2 Meguiars microfiber mitts, Foam Gun, Cobra HD Guzzler drying towel and a quality soap like Meguiars Gold Glass or similar.

Claying: Meguiars clay kit

Polishing: Meguiars DA Polisher with assorted Lake Country 6.5" and 5.5" pads along with 3 Meguiars 8" pads (One cutting, one polishing and one finishing), Meguiars M105 and M205 polish.

Sealant/Waxing: Blackfire Wet Diamond All Finish Paint Protection, and Midnight Sun Carnuba Wax. Blackfire Polymer Spray for between washes (usually spray it on daily or every other day).

Don't forget to get quality microfiber towels (I use Zaino Borderless Blonde Towels) as the crappy autozone ones will tend to put swirls back into your paint. It's not cheap and that first detail you do after neglecting the car for a while will take a lot of effort and time, but once you get it there, it's well worth it :D
 
Welcome aboard chappy48 and jenniferny I too am new to this site. I have been cleaning my vehicles for years but I can say I am new to the detailing thing. I have done the wash and wax thing for decades but never took it that serious until I bought my new Camaro in May. It is not only my daily driver I have taken it to a couple local shows so wanted it to look sharp. The only advice I can give so far is what I have done right and what I have done wrong. I see this thread is a month old but here it goes.I bought a Griot's Garage random orbital or dual action (DA)buffer, the one thing I have done right. Microfiber towels, here is where I have gone wrong, spend money and get some good ones. I am getting cheap as I get older. I bought a 12 pack and when they arrived they were thin all purpose, they work but I need thicker ones for the detailing spray, just got done spending a little more for what I thought was a better quality, what just showed up was the same thing I had. Now I have to order again and I am going with the Griot's Garage. One more do not do as I have done, don't leave bugs on your car. I got tired of the wash, buff, detail thing, so I decided not to clean the car for about 2 to 3 weeks as I did with my others vehicle before washing them. Big, Big mistake, none of my cars were black before and actually never knew bugs stain or etch clear coat if left on. Not so noticeable on lighter colors but the nice shiny black does, on the bumper/valance I had an imprint of every big bug that was splatted on it, we are talking 2 to 3 weeks of bugs. The bugs were not bad this year but they were getting thick on the bumper. Get a good bug and tar remover, and my advice is stay away from bug sponges unless someone has one that doesn't scratch. I bought a USA made sponge at a local store and it had the sponge with a nylon wrap around it like what onions come in. Big mistake #2, I never did a small test spot. Sponge felt smooth, I thought it wouldn't leave a scratch, wrong, half the bumper done and wiped off the bug spray and it looked like I went to town on the bumper with a Brillo pad. Lucky I have a DA buffer and an orange pad and some Meguiars scratch remover, I got all the fine scratches back out along with the bug etchings. As far as other advice do as was said above, there is a detailing guide button above top left that is quite helpful. Hopefully in the month that you posted this those vehicles are looking sharp.

Happy detailing!:wall
 
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