My wallet says . . . OUCH!

Mikeyc

Mikeyc

TheDetailingHandBook.com
Well, I have to say I love reading the posts on this website. I've loved to detail cars ever since I was old enough to drive. After about 10 years of experimenting I came up with what I felt was a good car care regimen which was made up of Zymol products applied by hand. However, after having read all these posts of people restoring cars using their PC I came to the conclusion that it would be WAY to hard to accomplish the same thing by hand or rather impossible.



So, today I was in Lowes and spotted the PC for only $99 and was like . . . "what the hell!" I figured if I had a PC even if I stuck with Zymol I would with some additional supplies be able to correct any swirls or scratches I may get much easier. Also, I could use the machine for my final buff. Boy was that a mistake! I don't have any products I can use with the PC. So, I just ordered the whole Menzerna line: IP, FP II, FTG, and FMJ. Along with that I ordered some pads, a pad brush, and some pad cleaning chemicals. Well that led to ordering some Wheel Wax and some other things that I've been wanting to try. Ouch! That really hurt my wallet.
 
[TRD]RoLLa said:
hey $99 thats good deal...i bought mines for alot more than that =(
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It wasn't the PC that hurt so much it was the Menzerna, pads, toolbox (for the PC), etc. Basically, I had to replace all the chemicals I use on the paint for ones that could be machine applied. Also, I found an old post talking about a Lowe's coupon. So, I'll likely return the one I already bought so I can use the coupon. I think it should save me another $10.
 
At first it might look like you're spending a lot of money, but I think you need to alter your perspective. I posted this little story elsewhere, but I'll repeat it here:



A friend of mine started ragging on me after I told him how much I spent on my PC and accoutrement, until I pointed out the following to him: He takes his black BMW 540i to the car wash every week and pays, with tip, about $15 for the priviledge of having the dirt removed from the paint, the windows wiped down on the inside, the carpets vacuumed, some tire shine stuff applied unevenly on his tires, and a fresh set of swirls added to the finish. After 6 months he's spent about $390, which is a probably a little more that you've just dropped on your latest purchase, right? Now, the stuff you've bought, and I've bought as well, will last you well over a year. I know it will for me, and that's taking care of 3 cars.



At the end of the year he's spent almost $800 and has one heck of swirled, messed up 540i (seriously, you should see this thing!). You and I haven't spent any more money, have swirl free cars, and get our therapy fix on the weekends detailing our rides.



The pain is going away, isn't it? :LOLOL
 
Mike-in-Orange said:
At first it might look like you're spending a lot of money, but I think you need to alter your perspective. I posted this little story elsewhere, but I'll repeat it here:



A friend of mine started ragging on me after I told him how much I spent on my PC and accoutrement, until I pointed out the following to him: He takes his black BMW 540i to the car wash every week and pays, with tip, about $15 for the priviledge of having the dirt removed from the paint, the windows wiped down on the inside, the carpets vacuumed, some tire shine stuff applied unevenly on his tires, and a fresh set of swirls added to the finish. After 6 months he's spent about $390, which is a probably a little more that you've just dropped on your latest purchase, right? Now, the stuff you've bought, and I've bought as well, will last you well over a year. I know it will for me, and that's taking care of 3 cars.



At the end of the year he's spent almost $800 and has one heck of swirled, messed up 540i (seriously, you should see this thing!). You and I haven't spent any more money, have swirl free cars, and get our therapy fix on the weekends detailing our rides.



The pain is going away, isn't it? :LOLOL
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I wish it was. Unfortunately, there is some pain considering the $200 worth of Zymol I already have on the shelf. But after reading about all the different products eveyone here uses, I wanted to try some new stuff. Don't get me wrong, the Zymol works awesome and I love it. It's just a lot of work. So, I'm hoping going the PC route will save me some work and time.
 
Mikeyc said:
I wish it was. Unfortunately, there is some pain considering the $200 worth of Zymol I already have on the shelf. But after reading about all the different products eveyone here uses, I wanted to try some new stuff. Don't get me wrong, the Zymol works awesome and I love it. It's just a lot of work. So, I'm hoping going the PC route will save me some work and time.
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It sounds like the Zymol might should meet up with ABay. While my old products were not as nice as Zymol, I boxed up the stuff I was no longer using and gave it to friends.



-GT
 
I still plan on using some of my Zymol stuff on my own car. The FMJ and P21S I bought will likely only be used on my parents & friends cars. I do already have my jar of Concours on Abay and there have been no bites. I wanted to lower the price, but the system won't let me edit it. I would give the Concours away to a friend, but none of them would use it. So, what's the point. Also, it's almost full and I paid over $100 for it. So, I wouldn't be willing to give it away to a complete stranger.
 
Eh, dont worry about it! Most of us have shelves full of supplies and many we hardly ever use. Collecting supplies and trying new stuff is all part of the fun!
 
I'm fixin' to drop about $50 on pads at my Meguiars distributor on the way to the SL500 detail I have this afternoon. It never ends.... :)
 
I spent about 2200 this year...but half of that was startup stuff...PC, Rotary, tons of pads, Wet/Dry Vac, Polishes...etc...trust me 100-400 is NOTHING until you REALLY catch the bug :lol:.
 
although it doesn't help your wallet, I can say that @ least you bought good polishes, and won't be disappointed.



All of the menzerna (IMO) polishes are great, dare I say the best, and they are a good investment.



I have shelves full of products that I've used once, been disappointed, and never used again. I feel that you only waste $ when you don't like the product, and even then, each product usually teaches it own "detailing" lesson.



YOU WON'T be dissappointed with what you've purchased so far.



Have fun! :dance
 
I understand what you are going thru. It is and can be a shock to the system. Yet, as it has already been mentioned ....you did buy quality products that not only will last but will continue on into the future to maintain that elusive perfect shine.



One time after I had done a detail, on a recently restored 49 Ford in Monroe, Wa. for a friend using the same products that you had ordered, he said to me, "I know what I am going to do with the products that I used to use. I am going to give them to someone that I do not like." There is one man's way of getting rid of products.
 
Scottwax said:
I'm fixin' to drop about $50 on pads at my Meguiars distributor on the way to the SL500 detail I have this afternoon. It never ends.... :)
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Ah, but then we must remember that for those of us doing this for money, the supplies literally pay for themselves. That's the best part of being in business!
 
Don't be too distressed (you should see my wax bill, as I am a Zymol and a P21S addict). The polishes used with the pc will make your hand applied Zymol take off...literally. If you've tried Zymol before using a good regimen of polishes applied with the pc, you may be in for a wonderful surprise. Zymol can work with good and fairly good surfaces, but it is just phenomenal with a near flawlessly polished surface. I wouldn't change it on car #1 for any other product.



Happy waxing, and continue to experiment with different products and techniques.



PS: I always use my hands when applying lsp's, especially Zymol. Some Zymols will not apply well or or at all with the pc however.
 
tdekany said:
When I use Zymol, I apply with my pc
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I'm just curious. Which Zymol are you using with your PC? I have used Concours and Vintage which I apply with my bare hands. I've heard before that people have said the estate glazes don't apply well with a foam hand applicator. So, I'm wondering if the PC would be different. I guess the heat generated by the machine might help a bit.



On another note, over the years I have spent thousands on car care supplies. I've bought waxes, polishes, paint cleaner, compound, B&T remover, glass cleaner, mf's, wet/dry vac, and much much much more. The only remaining item I would really want to buy after this purchase is some sort of extractor. Doesn't have to be anything that special maybe a little green. All this money spent and I haven't detailed another person's car in almost 7 years. Some of my old products have been given away some went straight to the trash. The only thing is I usually don't replace major portions of my collection all at once like I did this week. Usually an order for me is maybe $100 not $300 or $400.
 
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