Detailing Newbie needing top list to start *anxious*

[WaxOnWaxOffNoob]

Hey everyone, just like many of you guys when you first started out, I am feeling a bit anxious.. Where can I find the Mike Phillips' Top 10 items that will help me get started with some fine detailing :) or please share what you guys recommend should be my first items to get me started... I am looking to start this as my Hobby and refine my skills (ala Jedi training) and then spin off to a business..

Thanks in advance for the help..

:thankyousign:

[Sponger8]

subscribed. I like these questions as I am a noobie too. I have learned a lot just reading the threads.

There is a recent topic of people listing what they use for all their detail products. That might give you some good insight into tried and tested products.

[AC in OC]

From one noobie to another, click on the link under Mike Phillips signature and be prepared to be overwhelmed with quality info on products and techniques. All broken down neatly into sections, so you can just look at the items you think you're interested in and read, read, read. From there you can start you own top ten items. Just be careful, it could turn into the top 110 items.

[BobbyG]

This is probably a bit more than you were asking for but it gives you a few ideas and options to choose from.

Something that I consider a must is at least 1 good polisher, backing plate and an assortment of foam pads..



Porter Cable 7424xp (http://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable-7424xp.html)
Lake Country Backing Plate (http://www.autogeek.net/lc43125.html)
Lake Country Flat Pads (http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-beveled-pad-kit.html)




Wash - Duragloss #901 (http://www.autogeek.net/duragloss-car-wash-concentrate.html)
Clay - Meguiar’s Clay (http://www.autogeek.net/megovclay.html)
Compound - PG 1000 – PowerGloss Compound (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-powergloss-compound.html) (POS34A)
Polish - PF 2500 – Power Finish Polish (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-polish-po203.html) (PO203)
Finishing Polish - SF 4000 – Super Finish Polish (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-nano-polish-po-106-fa-finishing-polish.html) (PO106FA)
1-Step - Meguiar's D151 Paint Reconditioning Cream (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-paint-reconditioning-cream-d151.html)
Sealant - Ultima Paint Guard Plus (http://www.autogeek.net/ultima-paint-guard-plus.html)
Wax - Collinite 845 (http://www.autogeek.net/collinite-insulator-wax-845.html)
Spray Wax -Optimum Spray Car Wax (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-spray-wax.html)
Tire Cleaner - Meguiar's Super Degreaser (http://www.autogeek.net/mg10801.html)
Tire Treatment - CarPro PERL (http://www.autogeek.net/perl-coat-protectant.html)
Trim - Ultima Tire and Trim Guard (http://www.autogeek.net/ultima-tire-trim-guard.html)
Wheel Cleaner - Meguiar's Wheel Brightener (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiar-s-wheel-brightener.html)
Wheel Protectant -Optimum Opti-Coat 2.0 (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-opti-coat.html)
Glass Cleaner - Meguiar's Glass Cleaner (http://www.autogeek.net/mg12001.html)
All Purpose Cleaner - Optimum Power Clean (http://www.autogeek.net/128oz-optimum-power-clean-apc.html)
Interior Protectant - Meguiar’s M40 (http://www.autogeek.net/mg40128.html)




Supreme 530 Microfiber Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/supreme-wash-mitt-towel-kit.html)
Wash Bucket (http://www.autogeek.net/bucket-with-grit-guard.html)
Guzzler Drying Towels (http://www.autogeek.net/microfiber-waffle-weave.html)

[The Moose]

What kind of experience do you have? Any machine experience, what condition are the cars you'll be working on etc so we can suggest a good first order? There are probably some things you dont need.

To keep your entry costs down I'd go with the following
Meguiars Gold Class soap (available locally)
2 5 gallon buckets (home depot buckets are nice)
2 grit guards from AG
2 microfiber wash mits from AG (one wheels one paint)
Cobra Guzzler - Either the real big one, or 2 of the "supremes" if you're doing trucks of any kind. One supreme is good for regular cars.

Porter Cable Dual XP if you want to start on machine

Meguiars Ultimate Compound
Meguiars 205, Pinnacle Finishing Polish. Or others if you like.
Klasse AIO
Klasse SG (if you'd like), or Poorboys EX-P is super easy to use as well.

From there you can pick any number of waxes if you'd like. Lately i've been using Pinnacle Liquid Souveran and/or Poorboys Nattys Blue Liquid because they're easy by machine.

If you're into paste wax, I'm a fan of regular old Mothers Pure Carnuba, which is cool because the dish it comes in is big enough for a 6 inch pad.

For the PC I like to use 5.5 inch CCS pads.
Yellow if you think you'll need it - Compounding heavy correction
2 oranges - All purpose polishing, Megs Ultimate Compound works good with it
1 or 2 whites - Another good all purpose, finishing polish, Klasse AIO pad
Green - Klasse AIO
Blue - Waxes etc
red - Sealers

Those are the pad combo's i've been using, but you'll definitely have to experiment on your own and take input from the experts on here. But thats pretty close to what my first "real" order was.

[darkangelism]

Porter Cable Dual XP if you want to start on machine


I hope he isn't going to start by hand, machine for polish really is the only good way.

[Baconz2012]

I hope he isn't going to start by hand, machine for polish really is the only good way.

Hey, I started by hand at first. Makes you appreciated the ease of use a buffer gives you. Not to mention you learn different techniques.:props: