1st AutoDetailing Kit

R

rjgervacio

New member
Joined
Apr 12, 2011
Messages
88
Reaction score
0
:Picture:Hello AutoGeeks,:Picture:

I'm RJ and I'm totally new to the world of AutoDetailing. I didn't realize how visual maintenance of a car can be so intricate until I found this website. Needless to say, I'm quite excited to work on my car and start learning from there.

I have a '10 Subaru Forester - Blue. Overall, its appearance is still in pretty good condition except for some scratches & paint chips on the left side of the fender caused by City Plow Trucks during this past winter.

Right now, I'm compiling a list of things I need to buy to get me started:

  1. Washing Shampoo - Optimum No Rinse Wash or DP Rinseless Wash & Gloss or Meguiar's Gold Class Shampoo
  2. Clay - Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay
  3. Compound - Pinnacle XMT #3 - #4 (I'm gonna try to use a rubbing compound first to fix the scratch I've mentioned.)
  4. Sealant/Polish - Klasse All in One Polish (any other suggestions?)
  5. Glaze - maybe later on (any suggestions?)
  6. Wax - Collinite #845 or Meguiar's Gold Class Carnuba or Mothers California Gold Carnuba Wax or Poorboy Liquid's Natty Blue Wax
  7. Quick Detailer - I'll make use of the Optimum No Rinse Wash
  8. Wheel Cleaner - Mothers All Wheel and Tire Cleaner (any other suggestions?)
  9. Tire Dressing - DP Gloss Tire Gel
  10. Buffer - still looking but probably the Black & Decker Random Orbital Polisher (can't afford the ones that cost hundreds of $$$)
  11. Towel - Mango Freeze Microfiber
  12. Applicator Pads / Brush - local store probably
I'm trying to keep my list as economical as possible yet still achieving the best possible quality. I could use all the suggestions and help you guys can offer.Feed back please I can't wait to get my hands dirty once it gets a lil warmer.:buffing:

Thanks!
 
RJ welcome to AG.

As for your your list. Looks like you got a start to some good stuff.

I'd probably try to save up some cash and get yourself like a PCxp 7424 or a GC DA along with a collection of pads. Doing a paint correction by hand probably will be near impossible.

I've sent you a PM.
 
I'm green as grass when it comes to this stuff, but, I was not impressed by the Mango Breeze Microfiber....The description of the towels says "thin" and they mean it.
 
Welcome to the site. If I were you (knowing what I know now that is) I'd drop that entire list with exception to the Optimum Rinseless Wash and Shine and spend the money on a Griot's Garage 6" dual action polisher
Griot's Garage 6 inch Random Orbital Polisher, Dual action buffer, DA polisher and a 3 pack of pads. Lake Country Hydro-Tech 6.5 Inch Foam Pads, water-based polish pads, foam buffing pads, hydro tech pads
This way the cart is not in front of the horse so to speak and you can pack up a bottle of Ultimate Compound, Ultimate Polish, a cheap wax and some cheap microfiber. If you are on such a tight budget you should cheap on the products (Walmart) and allow the process (machine) to do most of the work for you.
 
Ok attempting to send a PM - server looks like it might be having problems

Still a no go. I've cut and pasted my response into a text editor so when the server comes back up I'll send it then.
 
kb2ehj said:
RJ welcome to AG.

As for your your list. Looks like you got a start to some good stuff.

I'd probably try to save up some cash and get yourself like a PCxp 7424 or a GC DA along with a collection of pads. Doing a paint correction by hand probably will be near impossible.

I've sent you a PM.
Click to expand...

Thanks for responses!

Seems like everyone is suggesting the PC 7424XP to be added on my list. I guess it's that good. What's so special about it that makes it better than the Black & Decker Random Orbital Polisher I had in mind?

Also, can I use the Klasse All In One Polish on my wheels?
 
That looks like what is commonly referred to as a wax spreader.

Probably not going to get much correction work done with it.
 
The Random Orbital Polisher is a different machine than a Dual Action Polisher. One is meant to spread wax and one is meant to correct paint defects. The Dual Action Polisher has a higher RPM and the pad spins two different ways.
 
kb2ehj said:
That looks like what is commonly referred to as a wax spreader.

Probably not going to get much correction work done with it.
Click to expand...

Hmmm sounds interesting. Ok, I'll see if I can manage to get it.
 
tuscarora dave said:
Welcome to the site. If I were you (knowing what I know now that is) I'd drop that entire list with exception to the Optimum Rinseless Wash and Shine and spend the money on a Griot's Garage 6" dual action polisher
Griot's Garage 6 inch Random Orbital Polisher, Dual action buffer, DA polisher and a 3 pack of pads. Lake Country Hydro-Tech 6.5 Inch Foam Pads, water-based polish pads, foam buffing pads, hydro tech pads
This way the cart is not in front of the horse so to speak and you can pack up a bottle of Ultimate Compound, Ultimate Polish, a cheap wax and some cheap microfiber. If you are on such a tight budget you should cheap on the products (Walmart) and allow the process (machine) to do most of the work for you.
Click to expand...

I'll ditto what Dave sez (hi Dave, how you been, gimme a call and stop over). Only diff I'd do is 6 pak of LC 5.5 flat pads. If you're just doing your own car they'll do just fine and they're a bit cheaper. You can get very good MF towels at Wally World or Autozone, along with a good MF wash mitt and wheel brushes. I use Meg's Gold Class Car Wash and it's fine - 9.99 at Autozone - but any of the Meg's line is probably better than what you're using now. Add in a decent wax like Meg's Gold Class and you're set for a start.

You do need a good DA and pads to properly polish your car, so TD is right, spend your money on the horse first.
 
HeavyMetal said:
I'll ditto what Dave sez (hi Dave, how you been, gimme a call and stop over). Only diff I'd do is 6 pak of LC 5.5 flat pads. If you're just doing your own car they'll do just fine and they're a bit cheaper. You can get very good MF towels at Wally World or Autozone, along with a good MF wash mitt and wheel brushes. I use Meg's Gold Class Car Wash and it's fine - 9.99 at Autozone - but any of the Meg's line is probably better than what you're using now. Add in a decent wax like Meg's Gold Class and you're set for a start.

You do need a good DA and pads to properly polish your car, so TD is right, spend your money on the horse first.
Click to expand...

If use Meg's product instead of the ones I listed but while using a good DA like the PC 7424XP, will I still see good results?
 
You should get excellent results with the Meg's products.

See the various videos and articles Mike Philips has written here on doing test spots as you might have to play with the pad/product combination's a bit.
 
kb2ehj said:
You should get excellent results with the Meg's products.

See the various videos and articles Mike Philips has written here on doing test spots as you might have to play with the pad/product combination's a bit.
Click to expand...

Good to know. This might be too much to ask but if possible, can you go through my shopping list and see what I could replace with a Meg's product.:thankyousign:
 
rjgervacio said:
Good to know. This might be too much to ask but if possible, can you go through my shopping list and see what I could replace with a Meg's product.:thankyousign:
Click to expand...

You can use the Meg's Ultimate Compound and Ultimate Polish TD suggested or get the Meg's polish kit: Meguiars Ultra Polish Kit with 5.5 Inch Pads, Meguiars Mirror Glaze Polishes, Meguiar's Polish Kit, 5.5 inch buffing pad kit , or if I was going Meg's I'd get the new MF Kit: Meguiars DA Microfiber Correction System 5 Inch Starter Kit, paint correction kit, dual action polishing kit since that comes with the pads, swirl remover polish and last step polish/wax all in one kit. Add a DA and a bug sponge to clean the MF pads and you're done. There's been a lot of very good comments about the new Megs MF system and it's about as inexpensive as you'll find in a highly rated product line.

Read Mike's articles and read up on the Megs MF system including how to clean the pads with a brush or bug sponge.
 
kb2ehj said:
You should get excellent results with the Meg's products.

See the various videos and articles Mike Philips has written here on doing test spots as you might have to play with the pad/product combination's a bit.
Click to expand...


How about this kit, Meguiars Brilliant Solutions Paint Restoration Kit? Are the items included in this kit worth using along with the PC 7424XP (that is if I decide to get it)? As a starter, I'm considering of getting this instead of the ones I've listed.

I need a rubbing compound to remove the scratches (they're almost similar to a key scratch. I'll try to post a picture of the damage later on). Is the Meguiars Ultimate Compound (included in the kit), effective enough to remove deep scratches?
 
What is your goal? Are you trying to correct swirls? I'll post what I would use.
 
Here is a simple suggestion:

Washing Shampoo - Meguiar's Gold Class Shampoo (Saw it today at Target for $5.xx for 64oz)
Clay - Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay (This should be find for light removal, I haven't used it, but people seem to like it.)
Compound - Meguiar's M105
Polish - Meguiar's M205
Final Polish - Menzerna PO85RD (This might be required if the M205 does not finish down to a perfect finish)
Sealant - Menzerna Power Lock (I just gave you a sealant instead of a wax since it lasts longer)
Quick Detailer - Optimum No Rinse (This can also be your clay lube)
Wheel Cleaner - This one varies like the tire dressing.
Tire Dressing - There are many threads on this. It comes to personal preference.
Dual Action Polisher - Griot's Garage 6 inch Random Orbital Polisher
Backing Plate - Dual-Action Hook & Loop Flexible Backing Plate 5" (I like using 5 1/2 inch pads better than 6 1/2 inch pads as I feel they correct better)
Pads - 6 Pack of Lake Country 5 1/2 inch (You probably won't need the yellow, you will need more orange and white than blue and black)
Applicator Pads - Package of 6 Pinnacle Foam Wax Applicators
Light - Brinkmann Maxfire Dual Xenon Rechargeable Swirl Finder Spotlight ( Vital if you want to see the true condition of the paint)

This is just some stuff that I like and are proven products that work for ME.
 
maximus20895 said:
Here is a simple suggestion:

Washing Shampoo - Meguiar's Gold Class Shampoo (Saw it today at Target for $5.xx for 64oz)
Clay - Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay (This should be find for light removal, I haven't used it, but people seem to like it.)
Compound - Meguiar's M105
Polish - Meguiar's M205
Final Polish - Menzerna PO85RD (This might be required if the M205 does not finish down to a perfect finish)
Sealant - Menzerna Power Lock (I just gave you a sealant instead of a wax since it lasts longer)
Quick Detailer - Optimum No Rinse (This can also be your clay lube)
Wheel Cleaner - This one varies like the tire dressing.
Tire Dressing - There are many threads on this. It comes to personal preference.
Dual Action Polisher - Griot's Garage 6 inch Random Orbital Polisher
Backing Plate - Dual-Action Hook & Loop Flexible Backing Plate 5" (I like using 5 1/2 inch pads better than 6 1/2 inch pads as I feel they correct better)
Pads - 6 Pack of Lake Country 5 1/2 inch (You probably won't need the yellow, you will need more orange and white than blue and black)
Applicator Pads - Package of 6 Pinnacle Foam Wax Applicators
Light - Brinkmann Maxfire Dual Xenon Rechargeable Swirl Finder Spotlight ( Vital if you want to see the true condition of the paint)

This is just some stuff that I like and are proven products that work for ME.
Click to expand...


Wow! Thanks Maximus for this amazing list! Just a few questions about your list...


  1. Is Meguiar's M105 more effective than Meguiars Ultimate Compound on deeper scratches (similar to key scratches)?
  2. If I would to select only one polish, should I get Meguiar's M205 or Menzerna PO85RD
  3. Any thoughts on Microfiber towels? Recommendations?
  4. How about interior cleaning products specifically for upholstery seats, dashboard and trims?
 
if u plan to buy a da might as well spend the 5-10 more and get the gg over the pc . I did to get the pc at first then after reading all the info I returned it and got the gg. more powerful and better warranty and I like the top mounted handle vs. the side mounted
 
poweraid said:
if u plan to buy a da might as well spend the 5-10 more and get the gg over the pc . I did to get the pc at first then after reading all the info I returned it and got the gg. more powerful and better warranty and I like the top mounted handle vs. the side mounted
Click to expand...

What do you mean by "spend the 5-10 more"? The "gg" you are referring to is this, Griot's Garage 6 inch Random Orbital Polisher FREE BONUS, right?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top