After doing weeks of research, I've come up with the following list of products to use on my own cars. I'm a hobbyist/enthusiast who has a few things in the cabinet, but I really need to improve my inventory of detailing products. Please take a moment to review my list, and give any advice or suggestions you are willing to share or point out anything I'm missing, or even things I don't need.
I'm particularly interested in finding the most economical solutions (sales, kits, etc.) Such as the PC/PB kit available here at DC. Yeah, know the Meg's 105/205 seems better, but I don't see a kit for that.
Wheels & Tires
- Wheel cleaner - P21S Gel (second choice Sonus R2000) P21 Gel is very good and safe, but expensive. If you clean your wheels well and then seal them with wax or sealant, you should be able to clean them with your left over car wash solution.
- Tire cleaner - Poorboy's Bold N Bright. BnB does have cleaners in it that are supposed to work well. Initially, you will probably want to clean them with something stronger and a stiff brush to get them really clean.
- Wheel brush - Boar's Hair
- Spoke brush - Daytona Speed Master. Good choice. I have the EZ which is very similar. They work well.
- Lug nut brush - Swissvax. I have one of these as well. I think there are some cheaper options that would work just as well for you.
- Tire brush - ??? I'm not sure what mine is, but it has pretty stiff bristles to really clean the tire well.
- Wheel wax/protectant - Klasse All-In-One. You can use KAIO, but I don't find it to be as durable as some of the other offerings. DG501 (Duragloss) is a very good cleaner/sealant that works exceptionally well on paint and wheels.
- Wax applicator - ??? (drill attachment or finger pad?) Just use the cheap yellow foam applicators, one of the gold or red LC applicator pads or if you want to apply with a machine, use a blue, red or gold LC pad.
Convertible Top
- Cleaner/conditioner - Raggtopp kit (second choice 303)
- Cleaning brush - ??? (Oxo wash brush seems to be discontinued)
Engine Bay
- Cleaner - Good excuse to use up my George Foreman's Knock Out? Lots of people will just use an APC mix for engines. They are the most cost effective.
- Brush - Use wheel/tire/wash brush? That's fine. As long as it gets into the areas that you need it to. This is another area where the Daytona brush will come in handy.
Wash
- Soap - I have Meguiar's Gold Class That should be fine. I have heard some good things about it. Poorboy's Super Slick & Suds is very good and DG901 too.
- Mitts - Sheepskin mitts (brand?) This will come down to personal preference. Some like sheepskin, some like mf mitts, some like sponges. It all depends on what works best for you.
- Bucket - I have Qty 2 Homer Bucket (Home Depot) Buckets are buckets. As long as they hold water and enough of it.
- Dirt trap - Grit Guard (really needed? Fit in the Homer Bucket?) Some people swear by them. I personally don't use them, but my washing technique doesn't allow my wash media to go to the bottom of the bucket.
Drying
- Drying cloth - Qty 2 Cobra Waffle Weave Microfiber WWs are the most popular drying towels. They should be fine.
- Drying tool - I have California Water Blade PLEASE don't ever touch your paint with that! You can use it on your windows if you like, but not the paint. If there is anything at all on the surface, you will drag it across the paint and cause damage.
- Crevice drying - I have an air compressor That will work. I use an electric leaf blower.
- Quick wax - I have Eagle One Wax-As-You-Dry Not familiar with that. DG Aquawax is very good for this. Actually, a lot of members will use a QD as a drying aid.
When you are done rinsing the car off, take the sprayer off the end of the hose and just let the water flow gently over the paint (low pressure). This will sheet the water and take the majority of the water off of the car. It will save you some work. You don't have to do this, but as I mentioned, I use an electric leaf blower to blow the car off after sheeting the water. There is very little water left on the surface at all. I don't have to "dry" the car, just blot the random spot here or there and I'm done. For me it's easier than a conventional drying method and I touch the paint less, which lowers the chance of instilling any unnecessary marring or scratches.
Paint Cleaning
- Clay Bar - I have Clay Magic blue kit Good stuff.
- Lubricant - I have lots of Meguiar's Quik Detailer Doesn't the kit come with lube? You can use a QD, just make sure that it's slick.
- Towels - I have generic microfiber (should I get better?) Give them the scratch test. Take a CD and rub them on the CD. If they scratch the CD, they will scratch your paint. If so, demote them to wheel, engine, door jamb, etc. duty and buy some quality ones for the paint.
Paint Polish
- Polish - Meguiar's 105 & 205 (second choice Poorboy's SSR1 & SSR2) The 105 & 205 are a great combo. The PB polishes work well and are very user friendly, but the Megs polishes will be a little more versatile and will work quicker. If you go the PB route, get the SSR1 & 2.5. Skip the SSR2.
- Polisher - Porter Cable 7424 That's fine, but they just came out with a new version, so get that one.
- Plate - 5" flexible hook/loop Fine.
- Pads - Lake Country 5.5" (need to determine CCS or flat, qty and colors) Like I told you before, personal preference. I recommend PFW, orange, white and blue. A couple or few of each if you can swing it.
LSP
- Sealant - Poorboy's EX-P That would be fine. Or DG501 or DG105. Both very durable.
- Carnauba wax - Poorboy's Natty's Blue (or Red)
Both are good, but I prefer the Red.
(Both or just one or the other?)
Just one.
Windows
- Cleaner - I have Eagle One 20/20 Perfect Vision If it works, use it. Some others to choose from would be Stoners Invisible Glass or Sprayway.
- Towels - I have generic microfiber (better MF for windows?) Once again, if they work for you, then use them. If not you can try a better quality towel. As audi mentioned, you will want to keep your glass towels separate from the others.
- Protectant - I have Rain-X Original
- Tools - Stoner's Reach & Clean (second choice Windshield Wonder)
Dressings
- Tires - I have Black Again Haven't used it. I use PB's BnB.
- Black plastic - I have Black Again PB's Trim restore works well. If the Black again works and you like the results that it gives you, then use it.
- Rubber/seals - ??? I use 1Z Gummi Fledge.
- Application tool - I have Eagle One foam application sponge Another personal preference item.
Maintenance
- Duster - I have California Duster Some people swear by these, others say that they marr the paint.
- QD - I have Meguiar's Quik Detailer QDs are another personal preference item. I have way too many of them. I like FK425, PB's Spray & Gloss and Optimum Instant Detailer.
- Towels - I have generic Microfiber (Better MF needed?) See notes above about the scratch test. You want a plush MF for QDing. Something with a little more nap.
Interior
- Dusting - I have Swiffer dusting towels
- Vacuum - I have a central vac in the garage
- Leather - I have Lexol Quick Wipes leather cleaner and conditioner
- Vinyl - I have Vinylex Quick Wipes vinyl cleaner
- Tools - ??? (need detailing brushes?)
assout:
