I'm starting a detailing business.

[14automobiles]

Hey guys and gals. Been here for a month and loving it. :xyxthumbs:

I know what I am going to ask may take you 5 minutes or so but if you can do it it would be greatly appreciated. I know some of you have been in the detailing business for quite a while and you have tried many different products. I am moving from a hobby auto detailer to opening an auto detailing business and I have researched so many different product lines I need some guidance. I know that there are start-up kits but I don't think I will like all of those products in the line up.

With that would you be so kind to give me a list of products that you use on a daily basis ( cost efficient and good quality- profit is good :dblthumb2:)and what you use it for on the vehicle. Starting with tires all the way to cleaning the seats. I would like one product list for general every day usage and if you have a different product in that category for a high-end detail, e.g. you use DP tire gel regularly but on your high end vehicles you use Wolfgang Black Diamond then list that by tires.

Thank you. I know this would take a few minutes to do so I appreciate it in advance.

[sullysdetailing]

Meguiars Detailer Line is really nice. They carry everything.
I like these from that line
APC 10:1 for the interior
Hyper Dressing 3:1 for the tires

They make everything and its sold by the gallon!!!

For Compound I use M105, Mez SIP, Ultimate Compound
For Polishes I use M205, Wolfgang Finishing Glaze 3.0, Swirl X
For Wax Pinnacle Liquid Souveran, Megs Cleaner Wax, Megs Pro 16
For Paint Selant Megs NXT 2.0, Wolfgang Paint Sealant 3.0
For Interior Griot Garage interior cleaner
For Carpets DP Carpet Shampoo
For wheels P21S Wheel Gel

That all i can think of off the top of my head

[ballfan4141]

PoorBoys products are good and you can buy them in larger quanities cheap. also meguires APC and dressing is great too, because you can buy them by the gallon. you can buy chemic guys by the gallon to cheap.

here are some good products

meguires all purpose cleaner
meguires dressing
PoorBoys waterless wash for a QD
DP, bogo on their interrior cleaner
Cobra Microfiber towels
PoorBoys World Natural Looking Dressing- only thing is I still would use your regular cleaner before applying this dressing

[Wendell Jarvis]

Meguiars Detailer Line is really nice. They carry everything.
I like these from that line
APC 10:1 for the interior
Hyper Dressing 3:1 for the tires

They make everything and its sold by the gallon!!!

For Compound I use M105, Mez SIP, Ultimate Compound
For Polishes I use M205, Wolfgang Finishing Glaze 3.0, Swirl X
For Wax Pinnacle Liquid Souveran, Megs Cleaner Wax, Megs Pro 16
For Paint Selant Megs NXT 2.0, Wolfgang Paint Sealant 3.0
For Interior Griot Garage interior cleaner
For Carpets DP Carpet Shampoo
For wheels P21S Wheel Gel

That all i can think of off the top of my head

I am a bit confused......You stated Megs NXT 2.0 as a sealant........Never heard that one before, unless you got a special tub of it ??????? But what it is, is a cleaner wax.

[14automobiles]

Meguiars Detailer Line is really nice. They carry everything.
I like these from that line
APC 10:1 for the interior
Hyper Dressing 3:1 for the tires

They make everything and its sold by the gallon!!!

For Compound I use M105, Mez SIP, Ultimate Compound
For Polishes I use M205, Wolfgang Finishing Glaze 3.0, Swirl X
For Wax Pinnacle Liquid Souveran, Megs Cleaner Wax, Megs Pro 16
For Paint Selant Megs NXT 2.0, Wolfgang Paint Sealant 3.0
For Interior Griot Garage interior cleaner
For Carpets DP Carpet Shampoo
For wheels P21S Wheel Gel

That all i can think of off the top of my head


Sully..thank you.

Have you found a particular compound or polish working better with one car manufacturer more than another. Which ones?

Which QD is good and economical?

Do you use an all in one polish and cleaner for paints in good condition or do you stick with WG FG 3.0 with a low cutting pad for this? I have heard XMT 360 is good for this?

What dressing do you use for exterior trim, engine and interior?

:buffing:

[14automobiles]

I am a bit confused......You stated Megs NXT 2.0 as a sealant........Never heard that one before, unless you got a special tub of it ??????? But what it is, is a cleaner wax.


Wendell, do you use the same products. What different, why? thanks a ton.

[ballfan4141]

PoorBoys waterless wash is a good QD. it cleans nice and doesnt take any of the shine off. I think it is better than their QW+ and Shine.

[sullysdetailing]

Sully..thank you.

Have you found a particular compound or polish working better with one car manufacturer more than another. Which ones?

Which QD is good and economical?

Do you use an all in one polish and cleaner for paints in good condition or do you stick with WG FG 3.0 with a low cutting pad for this? I have heard XMT 360 is good for this?

What dressing do you use for exterior trim, engine and interior?

:buffing:

I dont dress the interior my customers dont like it. For the engine Megs Hyper Gloss 3:1

For Car that are in good shape you can use Swirl-X, WGFG, M205. Just do a test area and see what pads and what compound/polish worked the best

[Wendell Jarvis]

Wendell, do you use the same products. What different, why? thanks a ton.

In this line of Business I am always trying out new products (its just the nature of the business) but, For tips on for sure winners are: Megs APC+, Menzerna Line (My favorite Line) Fuzion,Pinnacle Paste and Liquid, Sprayaway(Glass Cleaner) Folex Carpet Cleaner, Wolfgang Leather Cleaner.....the list goes on, spend time here on Auto Geek read up on the products and if you have a question about a product ...post it, everyone here offers input............

[DLB]

I am a bit confused......You stated Megs NXT 2.0 as a sealant........Never heard that one before, unless you got a special tub of it ??????? But what it is, is a cleaner wax.
Wendell - I am sure you are leaps and bounds smarter than me in terms of detailing and products, but I have heard the same on the NXT (that is - it is a sealant).
Even Autogeek's product page says such:
Meguiars NXT Generation Tech Wax is unlike any other car wax! Tech Wax, a synthetic, scientifically engineered paint sealant, is an alternative to (http://www.autogeek.net/mg12718.html)

Mike has also addressed this. In several threads I have read (with and without Mike's input) the NXT 2.0 closely resembles MG#21 Synthetic Sealant. Both have very little to no cleaning properties which puts them in the category of a sealant over a cleaner wax.

Not trying to start an argument, just sharing with you that NXT 2.0 can indeed be used as a sealant - and at a great price point! I love the stuff on most colors that I have used it on.

Sorry for the OT post 14auto...

I agree with the APC+ being a must have.
As well now sitting firmly in my stable is the DP Total Interior Cleaner - a real time saver and super great all interior cleaner, even carpet.
There are a couple of items from Surf City Garage's stable that I like - their tire dressing for tires (Beyond Black). It goes a long ways and has good durability with just a moderate gloss look, not shiny. And their bug and tar remover (Road Trip). Just know that the bug remover is very strong, and will totally strip the paint down to the clear, whatever is between the two. (It works great for the inside of wheel wells covered in tar, gum, etc. too).

I myself am still experimenting with different products, so I can't give you a definite on many things. Mike Phillips says it best, "Find something you like and use it often."

DLB

[14automobiles]

Wendell - I am sure you are leaps and bounds smarter than me in terms of detailing and products, but I have heard the same on the NXT (that is - it is a sealant).
Even Autogeek's product page says such:
Meguiars NXT Generation Tech Wax is unlike any other car wax! Tech Wax, a synthetic, scientifically engineered paint sealant, is an alternative to (http://www.autogeek.net/mg12718.html)

Mike has also addressed this. In several threads I have read (with and without Mike's input) the NXT 2.0 closely resembles MG#21 Synthetic Sealant. Both have very little to no cleaning properties which puts them in the category of a sealant over a cleaner wax.

Not trying to start an argument, just sharing with you that NXT 2.0 can indeed be used as a sealant - and at a great price point! I love the stuff on most colors that I have used it on.

Sorry for the OT post 14auto...

I agree with the APC+ being a must have.
As well now sitting firmly in my stable is the DP Total Interior Cleaner - a real time saver and super great all interior cleaner, even carpet.
There are a couple of items from Surf City Garage's stable that I like - their tire dressing for tires (Beyond Black). It goes a long ways and has good durability with just a moderate gloss look, not shiny. And their bug and tar remover (Road Trip). Just know that the bug remover is very strong, and will totally strip the paint down to the clear, whatever is between the two. (It works great for the inside of wheel wells covered in tar, gum, etc. too).

I myself am still experimenting with different products, so I can't give you a definite on many things. Mike Phillips says it best, "Find something you like and use it often."

DLB

thanks Dalton for your insight. There are a ton of products out there and I am wanting some opinions directly. I have read a ton in the past few months but it is nice to hear it directly from users.

[14automobiles]

PoorBoys waterless wash is a good QD. it cleans nice and doesnt take any of the shine off. I think it is better than their QW+ and Shine.


I was reading the description of PB waterless wash...seems like a good product. As a QD I see that it won't have any protective properties like other QDs but it should be an arsenal. thank you

[cobraa]

If you are working outside. No doubt you need PB SSR lines.
For APC: You can't meguiar APC at 18$ for a gallon
Wax: I think DP MaxWax is awsome because it's slick and customer love slick car. Also, it is WOWO so pretty easy to apply and remove!
For light-colored car I found P21% regular wax to be very good!!

For the rest, it is pretty specific and I wouldn't post the 1500$ product I use lol

[14automobiles]

Thanks for the input. I was reading the PB SSR would be good when I do a mobile detail outside.