Seeking advice: Restocking my detailing supplies

Deutsch Marques

Deutsch Marques

New member
Hi guys. It's been a couple years since I last posted. Back then, I was researching how to kit my garage for detailing. I'm just an average joe who details his own cars, but often doesn't have the time to do so. I need a few items, and was hoping to get some advice.

I took inventory of what I have (not realizing I had so much!) I'd like to fill in the gaps, but at the same time want to remain economical and avoid buying 10 products that 1 or 2 could accomplish. Here's what I have:

Wheels/Tires
Wheel cleaner - (I use the car wash soap)
Tire cleaner - ??? (was going to buy Poorboy's APC)
Wheel wax/sealant - Poorboy's Wheel Sealant
Tools - Microfiber, paint brush, Mother's wheel, tire and wheel well brushes, spoke brush
Convertible Top
Cleaner - Raggtopp Cleaner
Conditioner - ??? (ran out of Raggtopp Fabric Proctectant, and was going to get more)
Tools - Soft/Medium wash brush
Engine Bay
Cleaner - ??? (had generic crap, was going to buy Poorboy's APC)
Tools - Old wheel brush
Washing
Wash soap - Meguiar's Gold Class
Mitts - Synthetic sheepskin
Brush - Soft/Medium wash brush
Buckets - 2x Homer Bucket
Dirt trap - Paint bucket mesh
Drying
Towel - Cobra Guzzler
Drying tool - California Water Blade
Crevice drying - Air compressor & leaf blower
Paint Cleaning
Clay bar - Clay Magic Blue
Clay lube - ??? (Ran out of CM lube, was going to use soap water spray)
Towel - Cobra Super Plush Gold
Paint Polish & LSP
DA polisher - Porter Cable 7424 w/ 5" flexible plate
Cutting pad - 2x Lake Country Orange Waffle
Polishing pad - 2x Lake Country White Waffle
Finishing pad - 2x Lake Country Black Waffle
Wax/jewel pad - 2x Lake Country Blue Waffle
Paint correction - Meguiar's 105
Paint finishing - Meguiar's 205
Sealant - Poorboy's EX Sealant
Towels - Cobra Deluxe JR
Windows
Cleaner - ??? (had generic, was going to get Stoner's Invisible Glass)
Towel - Cobra Superior Waffle Weave Glass
Protection - Rain-X Original
Tool - Stoner's Reach & Clean
Dressing
Tires - Black Again (thinking of replacing with Poorboy's Bold N Bright Gel)
Black plastic (exterior) - Black Again or Poorboy's Trim Restorer
Seals and rubber - Poorboy's Trim Restorer
Tools - Eagle One applicator sponge
Maintenance
Duster - California Duster
Quick detailer - ??? (was going to get Poorboy's QD+)
Towels - Cobra Deluxe JR
Interior
Vacuum - Home's central vacuum
Carpet cleaner - Bissell Little Green Machine
Duster - Swiffer pads
Cleaner - ??? (not sure what to get)
Dressing (dash, vinyl, plastics) - ??? (not sure what to get)
Leather cleaner - ??? (not sure what to get)
Leather conditioner - ??? (not sure what to get)
??? - Anything else I'm missing?

As you can see, I'm lacking on interior detailing supplies. I used to use Lexol for the leather, but was considering Poorboy's. I have a lot of Poorboy's stuff on the recommendations from a couple years ago, and even though I haven't used much of it, it seems okay. Is Poorboy's still a good go-to product?

One car has leatherette (vinyl) seats, and the other has leather. Though I must admit the leather in the older car (convertible) is pretty trashed, and I'm seriously considering a complete Leatherique redo - repair/redye/restore.

Sorry for the long post. But I figured it might be helpful to list the entire inventory so you can see what I already have. Thanks in advance for your advice.
 
Deutsch Marques said:
Hi guys. It's been a couple years since I last posted. Back then, I was researching how to kit my garage for detailing. I'm just an average joe who details his own cars, but often doesn't have the time to do so. I need a few items, and was hoping to get some advice.
Click to expand...

Welcome back. I remember your quest well. You were the inspiration for my master inventory list I use to keep for my mobile detailing inventory.

For interior cleaning, I use either Meg's QID or CG Inner Clean (1z Cockpit Premium less often) but when I am doing leather seats I will get the Mothers VLR and use it in the interior as well.
 
Bunky said:
Welcome back. I remember your quest well. You were the inspiration for my master inventory list I use to keep for my mobile detailing inventory.

For interior cleaning, I use either Meg's QID or CG Inner Clean (1z Cockpit Premium less often) but when I am doing leather seats I will get the Mothers VLR and use it in the interior as well.
Click to expand...

Whoah! How'd I manage to do that?
 
Here is my list.....



Wheels/Tires
Wheel cleaner - I use Normal Car wash as well. But have some P21S Gel for the tuff stuff if needed
Tire cleaner - I like Meg’s APC+ and ARO
Wheel wax/sealant - BF Metal Sealant is my choice
Tools - Microfiber, Mother's wheel, tire and wheel well brushes, spoke brush, Wheel Woolies, Datona Brushes

Convertible Top
Cleaner - Raggtopp Cleaner / 303 Cleaner
Conditioner - Raggtopp Fabric Proctectant / 303 Fabric Proctectant
Tools - Soft/Medium wash brush

Engine Bay
Cleaner - I like Meg’s APC+ and ARO. I also use some ONR on painted parts and for dust.
Tools - Old wheel brush, Old MF

Washing
Wash soap - Meg's Hyper Wash, DG901, ONR, UWWP+, UPGW, Etc…
Mitts – MF, Sheepskin, CarPro
Buckets - 2x Homer Bucket
Dirt trap – Grit Gaurds

Drying
Towel - Cobra Guzzler, Master Blaster
Drying tool – Master Blaster
Crevice drying - Air compressor, Master Blaster

Paint Cleaning
Clay bar - Clay Magic Blue, Sonus
Clay lube – ONR
Decon – CarPro Iron X

Paint Polish & LSP
DA polisher - PC 7424xp, Flex 3401, Flex PE14
Cutting pad - LC Orange Flat, LC Hydro Cyan, LC PFW, Megs MF Cutting Pad
Polishing pad - LC White Flat, LC Hydro Tang
Finishing pad - LC Black Flat, LC Hydro Red
Wax/jewel pad – LC Red Flat, LC Hydro Red
Paint correction - Meg's 105, Meg’s D300
Paint finishing - Meg's 205, HD Polish
Sealant – BFCS, UPGP, BFWD, To Many to list…

Windows
Cleaner – Invisible Glass
Towel - Waffle Weave Glass
Protection - Rain-X, My Sealant of choice
Tool - Stoner's Reach & Clean

Dressing
Tires – Tuff Shine, PB Trim Restorer,
Black plastic (exterior) - Poorboy's Trim Restorer, UTTG
Seals and rubber - Poorboy's Trim Restorer, 1Z Gummi Stick
Tools - Eagle One applicator sponge, Yellow foam applicators

Maintenance
Quick detailer – FK 425, UWWP+

Interior
Vacuum - Home's central vacuum
Carpet cleaner - Bissell Little Green Machine
Cleaner – Meg’s QID, UISG
Dressing (dash, vinyl, plastics) - Meg’s QID, UIGP
Leather / Leatherette cleaner - UISG
Leather / Leatherette conditioner - UIGP
Leather Restore – Leatherique Twins
 
TroyScherer said:
Here is my list.....



Wheels/Tires
Wheel cleaner - I use Normal Car wash as well. But have some P21S Gel for the tuff stuff if needed
Tire cleaner - I like Meg’s APC+ and ARO
Wheel wax/sealant - BF Metal Sealant is my choice
Tools - Microfiber, Mother's wheel, tire and wheel well brushes, spoke brush, Wheel Woolies, Datona Brushes

Convertible Top
Cleaner - Raggtopp Cleaner / 303 Cleaner
Conditioner - Raggtopp Fabric Proctectant / 303 Fabric Proctectant
Tools - Soft/Medium wash brush

Engine Bay
Cleaner - I like Meg’s APC+ and ARO. I also use some ONR on painted parts and for dust.
Tools - Old wheel brush, Old MF

Washing
Wash soap - Meg's Hyper Wash, DG901, ONR, UWWP+, UPGW, Etc…
Mitts – MF, Sheepskin, CarPro
Buckets - 2x Homer Bucket
Dirt trap – Grit Gaurds

Drying
Towel - Cobra Guzzler, Master Blaster
Drying tool – Master Blaster
Crevice drying - Air compressor, Master Blaster

Paint Cleaning
Clay bar - Clay Magic Blue, Sonus
Clay lube – ONR
Decon – CarPro Iron X

Paint Polish & LSP
DA polisher - PC 7424xp, Flex 3401, Flex PE14
Cutting pad - LC Orange Flat, LC Hydro Cyan, LC PFW, Megs MF Cutting Pad
Polishing pad - LC White Flat, LC Hydro Tang
Finishing pad - LC Black Flat, LC Hydro Red
Wax/jewel pad – LC Red Flat, LC Hydro Red
Paint correction - Meg's 105, Meg’s D300
Paint finishing - Meg's 205, HD Polish
Sealant – BFCS, UPGP, BFWD, To Many to list…

Windows
Cleaner – Invisible Glass
Towel - Waffle Weave Glass
Protection - Rain-X, My Sealant of choice
Tool - Stoner's Reach & Clean

Dressing
Tires – Tuff Shine, PB Trim Restorer,
Black plastic (exterior) - Poorboy's Trim Restorer, UTTG
Seals and rubber - Poorboy's Trim Restorer, 1Z Gummi Stick
Tools - Eagle One applicator sponge, Yellow foam applicators

Maintenance
Quick detailer – FK 425, UWWP+

Interior
Vacuum - Home's central vacuum
Carpet cleaner - Bissell Little Green Machine
Cleaner – Meg’s QID, UISG
Dressing (dash, vinyl, plastics) - Meg’s QID, UIGP
Leather / Leatherette cleaner - UISG
Leather / Leatherette conditioner - UIGP
Leather Restore – Leatherique Twins
Click to expand...

Great list Troy :rockon:rockon:rockon
 
one small addition. vinylx from meguiars for the vinyl seats. been around for years and years. used it on a 55 t bird and 62 corvair and bam.
 
a lot of this is personal preference. but here we go. trying to answer your questions in red

tires - megs APC at 4:1, if they're bad amazing roll off. Dress them after with PB bold & bright (liquid - bought by the gallon). I keep hyper dressing and all season dressing with me but more and more I use the bold and bright

wheels and engines I use 'brown royal' at 3:1. If i'm just doing a light wipe down in the engine area then ONR is usually fine

Clay lube - ONR at 2oz per gallon (I prep a gallon at a time with distilled water)

windows - Used stoners for awhile and the presta glass cleaner (pretty much like the megs detailer line glass cleaner) but now I only use "sprayway". Foaming glass cleaner. You see it used often at the hand wash drive through wash places. I'll even use it on wheels with an old MF for quick jobs

interior either megs APC+ at 10:1 or megs QID. If i'm taking the time to dress the interior I use 303 aero

leather - lexol to clean and nowadays chemical guys conditioner. However, I'm developing a liking for megs cleaner & conditioner (D180) as in most cases that is just fine

I find I dont even use QD very much anymore. Either ONR at the clay lube strength or megs spray wax depending on what i'm doing (highly recommend the megs spray wax in the gallon as things you may have overlooked - quick washes or for wheels or for door jambs)

exterior trim I've tried a wide range of stuff and nothing in my mind compares to ultima trim and tire guard. its expensive, but it does NOT run in the rain

To most any job amongst other things I carry PB bold n bright, SSR1, SSR2, SSR2.5, Pro Polish, Ex-P, Polish w/ Sealant - I carry a lot of other lines as well but I definitely likes my poorboys products

now get outta here and go buy some stuff already
 
Here is my list.


Wheels/Tires
Wheel cleaner - Soap / water or P21S regular for soiled and SONAX for heavily soiled. Wolf's WF-1P for the really nasty ones.
Tire cleaner - Megs APC+ / Blackfire Wheel & Tire cleaner
Wheel wax/sealant - DP, Swissvax Autobahn, Gtechniq C5
Tools - Three sizes of wheel woolies, two sizes of Daytona brush, Swissvax wheel brush
Convertible Top
Cleaner - Raggtopp Cleaner / 303 Convertible cleaner
Conditioner - Raggtopp / Gtechniq I1
Tools - Boars Hair brush
Engine Bay
Cleaner - P21S TAW
Dressing - 303, CG Fade to Black
Tools - Boars hair brush, wheel woolies, Daytona brush
Washing
APC - Autofinesse Citrus Power
Snow Foam - Meg's Hyper Wash
Wash soap - Wolf's WS-1N, CG Citrus Red for stripping
Metal - Autofinesse Mercury
Sponge - Natural sea sponge
Brush - Swissvax detail brush, Pinnacle bug sponge
Buckets - 2x AG red for paint and 1 BF black for wheels and undercarriage
Dirt trap - Grit Guards
Tools - Kärcher 1800 PSI jet washer, PA Foam Lance
Drying
Towel - Cobra Guzzler
Drying tool - Blower
Paint Cleaning
Decontamination - Iron X, Tar X
Clay bar - Clay Magic Blue, Pinnacle Ultra Fine, 3M
Clay lube - Pinnacle
Towel - Cobra Super Plush Gold
Paint Polish & LSP
DA polisher - Flex 3401, GG 3" , GG
Rotary - Flex PE14-150
Cutting pad - Kompressor purple, yellow & orange / HT Cyan / CCS Orange & yellow
Polishing pad - Kompressor White / CCS White / HT Tangerine
Finishing pad - Kompressor black / CCS black
Wax/jewel pad - Kompressor Red / CCS Blue
Paint correction - Menzerna PG, SIP, PF / Gtechniq P1
Paint finishing - Menzerna Micro Polish, P085RD / Gtechniq P2
Sealant - Poorboy's EX-P, WGDGPS, CG Blacklight, Blackfire WD
Wax - To many to list. Various from Dodo, Swissvax, BF MS, Pinnacle Souverän, Autofinesse Desire
Coatings - Gtechniq C1, C1.5, EXO
Towels - Cobra Indigo edgeless, miracle towel / Gtechniq MF1
Windows
Clay - Diamondite
Polish - Gtechniq G4
Cleaner - DP Krystal Vision
Towel - Cobra Superior Waffle Weave Glass
Protection - Wolf's WG-1NT, Gtechniq G1
Dressing
Tires - Dodo Tyromania, SONAX, Gtechniq T1
Black plastic (exterior) - PB Trim Restorer / Gtechniq C4
Seals and rubber - 1Z Gummi Pfledge
Tools - Tire applicators, Cobra black MF
Maintenance
Quick detailer - Pinnacle Crystal Mist, BF Wet Diamond, Dodo Red Mist Tropical
Towels - Cobra Deluxe
Interior
Vacuum - Shop-Vac 6Gal
Carpet cleaner - Aztec Hot Rod
Duster - Cobra Supreme 530
Cleaner - DP, 1Z Cockpit Premium / Plastic deep cleaner
Dressing (dash, vinyl, plastics) - DP , Gtechniq C6
Leather cleaner - Leatherique Pristine Clean
Leather conditioner - Leatherique Rejuvenator Oil
 
Back to your original question, if you really wanted to reduce the number of products you can get one waterless or rinseless type product and use it for a variety of uses: clay lube, detailer, waterless/rinse,ess wash, interior cleaner, etc.
 
I'm not recommending Any PoorBoy's World products not because they're inferior in any way but only due to my lack of experience with the ones you've mentioned....

Deutsch Marques said:
Hi guys. It's been a couple years since I last posted. Back then, I was researching how to kit my garage for detailing. I'm just an average joe who details his own cars, but often doesn't have the time to do so. I need a few items, and was hoping to get some advice.

I took inventory of what I have (not realizing I had so much!) I'd like to fill in the gaps, but at the same time want to remain economical and avoid buying 10 products that 1 or 2 could accomplish. Here's what I have:

Wheels/Tires
Wheel cleaner - (I use the car wash soap)
Tire cleaner - ??? (was going to buy Poorboy's APC)

  • Meguiar's Super Degreaser
  • Amazing Roll-Off
  • Optimum Power Clean
Wheel wax/sealant - Poorboy's Wheel Sealant
Tools - Microfiber, paint brush, Mother's wheel, tire and wheel well brushes, spoke brush
Convertible Top
Cleaner - Raggtopp Cleaner
Conditioner - ??? (ran out of Raggtopp Fabric Proctectant, and was going to get more)
Tools - Soft/Medium wash brush
Engine Bay
Cleaner - ??? (had generic crap, was going to buy Poorboy's APC)

  • Meguiar's Super Degreaser
  • Optimum Power Clean
Tools - Old wheel brush
Washing
Wash soap - Meguiar's Gold Class
Mitts - Synthetic sheepskin
Brush - Soft/Medium wash brush
Buckets - 2x Homer Bucket
Dirt trap - Paint bucket mesh
Drying
Towel - Cobra Guzzler
Drying tool - California Water Blade
Crevice drying - Air compressor & leaf blower
Paint Cleaning
Clay bar - Clay Magic Blue
Clay lube - ??? (Ran out of CM lube, was going to use soap water spray)

  • I've been using Detailer's Pro Wash & Gloss rinseless wash. This is a very versatile product that's used as a rinseless wash, clay lube, waterless wash, and a quick detailer just by varying the dilutions
Towel - Cobra Super Plush Gold
Paint Polish & LSP
DA polisher - Porter Cable 7424 w/ 5" flexible plate
Cutting pad - 2x Lake Country Orange Waffle
Polishing pad - 2x Lake Country White Waffle
Finishing pad - 2x Lake Country Black Waffle
Wax/jewel pad - 2x Lake Country Blue Waffle
Paint correction - Meguiar's 105
Paint finishing - Meguiar's 205
Sealant - Poorboy's EX Sealant
Towels - Cobra Deluxe JR
Windows
Cleaner - ??? (had generic, was going to get Stoner's Invisible Glass)

  • Meguiar's D120 Glass Cleaner
  • Stoners Invisible Glass
Towel - Cobra Superior Waffle Weave Glass
Protection - Rain-X Original
Tool - Stoner's Reach & Clean
Dressing
Tires - Black Again (thinking of replacing with Poorboy's Bold N Bright Gel)

  • Ultima Tire & Trim Guard
  • BlackFire Total Eclipse Tire Gel
  • CarPro PERL
Black plastic (exterior) - Black Again or Poorboy's Trim Restorer
Seals and rubber - Poorboy's Trim Restorer
Tools - Eagle One applicator sponge
Maintenance
Duster - California Duster
Quick detailer - ??? (was going to get Poorboy's QD+)
Towels - Cobra Deluxe JR
Interior
Vacuum - Home's central vacuum
Carpet cleaner - Bissell Little Green Machine
Duster - Swiffer pads
Cleaner - ??? (not sure what to get)

  • Optimum Power Clean
  • Ultima Interior Shampoo Gel
Dressing (dash, vinyl, plastics) - ??? (not sure what to get)

  • 303 Aerospace
  • Meguiar's M40
Leather cleaner - ??? (not sure what to get)

  • Optimum Power Clean
Leather conditioner - ??? (not sure what to get)

  • Leatherique Kit
  • Optimum Leather protectant
??? - Anything else I'm missing?

As you can see, I'm lacking on interior detailing supplies. I used to use Lexol for the leather, but was considering Poorboy's. I have a lot of Poorboy's stuff on the recommendations from a couple years ago, and even though I haven't used much of it, it seems okay. Is Poorboy's still a good go-to product?

One car has leatherette (vinyl) seats, and the other has leather. Though I must admit the leather in the older car (convertible) is pretty trashed, and I'm seriously considering a complete Leatherique redo - repair/redye/restore.

Sorry for the long post. But I figured it might be helpful to list the entire inventory so you can see what I already have. Thanks in advance for your advice.
Click to expand...

Hope this helps a little.....:bigups
 
I've tried Poorboys Bold N Bright in both gel and spray form and found the spray works better for me. It applies better for the "knobby" truck/SUV tires that are so popular. Plus I use it for wheel wells and the black running boards on my Explorer.
 
I was doing chores this weekend (cleaning the bathrooms :( ) and was looking under the kitchen sink for some cleaning supplies and discovered a brand new can of Sprayway window cleaner! :yay I have no idea where that came from, as neither my wife or I remember buying it. Well, looks like I'm all set for window cleaner, at least for now. I'll compile the suggestions so far and come up with my restocking shopping list. Thanks.
 
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