If You Had $1,500 To Spend, What Essentials Would You Buy?

toystry said:
Would Opti-Coating or CQuartz negate the need for a lot of these products or are people still using sealants/waxes on top of Opti-Coat?
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Coatings do provide extra shine, pop, beading and/or sheeting, but... they'll still scratch. (Better them than your paint however.) ;) For that reason there are any number of options/ideas as to what one would use on top of a coating. Basically once it's on, you can put what you want on it.

af90 said:
If you want the look of a wax go for it. In my opinion sealants are pretty useless as that's what Opticoat/CQuartz are for. Just dont expect any waxes to last an appreciable amount of time.
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Why would a sealant be useless? Coatings will still swirl, and do look good when they are maintained with some sort of LSP. Remember 'Reload' is out there for a reason. That being said, it's easy enough to put just about whatever you want on a 'coating'.

Rake said:
I'd buy a Flex or Rupes polisher kit, the cheaper DA's are great, but I'd go with one of the better polishers.

I suggest pricing out your kit with a Flex or Rupes and all of your supplies, if you still have enough for the master blaster, get it, but leave that as your "not really needed" item, I still can't bring myself to buy one because my leaf blower works beautifully.

If you go with a leaf blower, I recommend a 12 amp, corded.
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Why would he need a Flex or Rupes when he is trying to get his 'basics' for $1500? Not to mention he wants to do *his* cars and bikes, not go into the business.

It isn't the tool that does the job, it's the technique. I'd rather have someone with good technique doing a job than someone with the most expensive tools and not knowing how to use them. Jus' sayin'.... :dunno: As you've already mentioned, some things are "not really needed".

In the right hands, the GG (or any other DA that AG sells) will do the exact same job as the Flex or Rupes, (although it may take more time). That in and of itself, doesn't make it necessary to spend that kind of money on a buffer.
 
cardaddy said:
Why would a sealant be useless? Coatings will still swirl, and do look good when they are maintained with some sort of LSP. Remember 'Reload' is out there for a reason. That being said, it's easy enough to put just about whatever you want on a 'coating'.
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I think LSP's still do good. But don't most synthetic sealants require bare paint to be applied? That's why you wouldn't apply a sealant on top of a wax. And sealants are there for protection which is what the OC/CQuartz/etc... is there for. I still think waxes are a good idea but partly for looks but wouldn't applying a protective sealant be moot?
 
toystry said:
Would Opti-Coating or CQuartz negate the need for a lot of these products or are people still using sealants/waxes on top of Opti-Coat?
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I think people are overthinking things. Go with what you know. Be yourself.
 
Just apply a sealant then a wax (Simple)

I call my PC my Little Champ.

When it came to paint correction yeah it was slower but I got the results I was seeking.

When I used it on carpet (what everyone says the PC is only good for, "Interior") I found it really difficult. Mostly cos I lack the skills, but for exterior it was a breeze.

Can the Flex and Rupes get the job done? Yep, but so can the PC and GG.

If I could go back, I'd invest a bit more for the GG because of the life time warranty.
 
cardaddy said:
Why would he need a Flex or Rupes when he is trying to get his 'basics' for $1500? Not to mention he wants to do *his* cars and bikes, not go into the business.

It isn't the tool that does the job, it's the technique. I'd rather have someone with good technique doing a job than someone with the most expensive tools and not knowing how to use them. Jus' sayin'.... :dunno: As you've already mentioned, some things are "not really needed".

In the right hands, the GG (or any other DA that AG sells) will do the exact same job as the Flex or Rupes, (although it may take more time). That in and of itself, doesn't make it necessary to spend that kind of money on a buffer.
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Your right, it's not about the tools, it's about the technique.

That being said, I guess we should be recommending Meg's ultimate line, the Harbor Freight DA, and some Costco microfibers. It'll get the job done and at a tenth of the budget.

You don't need to be going into business to want the best tools, he's gotta learn on something, why not a Flex or Rupes? I mean, OP has the means to drop some serious money to get started. We're working with a $1500 budget here, why not the better DA's? he can still buy a complete line of BF, WG, Menz etc. and still have money left for other things he may want.

OP is in the same boat I was in when I started, I bought the PC, then kept hearing about the GG so I bought that one too, then curiosity got to me about the Flex so I bought that one, lol, and knew right away I should have bought that one first... then came the Rupes. /sigh, yeah, I like my toys.

And I'm just an enthusiast, not a pro.

Yes, the PC, GG etc., DA's will get the job done, I have them and I like them, but I like my Flex and Rupes more :)

If OP's budget was lower, I'd probably recommend a cheaper DA.

Just my opinion, smiles and unicorns and all that :)
 
Having read parts of this thread there is some major over thinking going on here.

1. DA, any one will work. You aren't going into business.

2. Get the Megs DA MF correction kit. 90% of your paint problems solved.

3. Are you planning on coating the vehicles? If so forget the wax and sealants. If you aren't coating them all, just get Optimum Opti-Seal. It will even work great on the bikes and is easy to use.

4. Get OC, then a gallon of ONR with wax. Get some decent towels to ONR wash with.

5. A gallon of Opti-Bond tire gel. Tires, trim now dressed for a looooong time.

6. Megs APC+, this should literally take care of most if not all of your interior and exterior cleaning needs.

7. Optimum Protectant plus for the interior dressing, nice smooth look, smells great, good protection.

8. Stoners invisible glass. Your not a pro, you don't need a gallon of dilutable glass cleaner.

9. Some microfibers. Buy some decent ones to work on paint with, buy a bunch of Costco or Sam's Club ones to do interiors, etc..

You could probably get all this in the 500 - 750 range easily. Less if you shop around and wait for discounts.
 
I totally agree with Rakes point. The OP should get Turtle Wax. NOT!

Do it right and do it once. Get a Flex or Rupes. I'm a novice and don't do this professionally...yet. The one biggest advantage for me with the Flex and Rupes is that it doesn't feel like your handling a giant vibrator for 4 hours at a time. I couldn't feel my fingers after handling a Griots Garage polisher for 45 minutes. Flex and Rupes are so much smoother than both and they finish the job much faster.
 
VP Mark said:
Having read parts of this thread there is some major over thinking going on here.

1. DA, any one will work. You aren't going into business.

2. Get the Megs DA MF correction kit. 90% of your paint problems solved.

3. Are you planning on coating the vehicles? If so forget the wax and sealants. If you aren't coating them all, just get Optimum Opti-Seal. It will even work great on the bikes and is easy to use.

4. Get OC, then a gallon of ONR with wax. Get some decent towels to ONR wash with.

5. A gallon of Opti-Bond tire gel. Tires, trim now dressed for a looooong time.

6. Megs APC+, this should literally take care of most if not all of your interior and exterior cleaning needs.

7. Optimum Protectant plus for the interior dressing, nice smooth look, smells great, good protection.

8. Stoners invisible glass. Your not a pro, you don't need a gallon of dilutable glass cleaner.

9. Some microfibers. Buy some decent ones to work on paint with, buy a bunch of Costco or Sam's Club ones to do interiors, etc..

You could probably get all this in the 500 - 750 range easily. Less if you shop around and wait for discounts.
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Regarding #8...

With Invisible Glass, you can get 10 gallons of RTU product for $300

With D120, you get 10 gallons of RTU glass cleaner for $20

I don't see why you have to be a pro to spend your money wisely.
 
dooyaunastan said:
Regarding #8...

With Invisible Glass, you can get 10 gallons of RTU product for $300

With D120, you get 10 gallons of RTU glass cleaner for $20

I don't see why you have to be a pro to spend your money wisely.
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It is more about quantity than anything. For 3 cars, a couple cans of invisible glass is going to last a looooong time. I have a 16 oz. of 3D 50/1 Glass Cleaner and it is still two thirds full, and I have used it for over two years. Why buy more of something just because it makes more?
 
VP Mark said:
It is more about quantity than anything. For 3 cars, a couple cans of invisible glass is going to last a looooong time. I have a 16 oz. of 3D 50/1 Glass Cleaner and it is still two thirds full, and I have used it for over two years. Why buy more of something just because it makes more?
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I've been detailing as a hobby for 12-13 months now, taking care of 3 cars and the occasional friends/family members. I've already purchased 4 bottles of invisible glass, that's $24 for 88 oz of glass cleaner. Sure, it was only $6 a pop at the time and it lasted me long enough to not have to worry about it for few months but I've still already spent more money on SIGNIFICANTLY less product than I would have had I purchased the D120. I don't see what's not to get, you're getting far more bang for your buck.

One site offers sample sizes of Meg's Detailer's line, I'd actually encourage that but it's not Autogeek and I was trying to be general. The point is, you're paying $20 for the same amount of glass cleaner that you would eventually end up paying over $300 for over time, that's why.

If he bought a gallon of D120 right now, compared to buying 22 oz bottles of Invisible Glass for the duration that the gallon of D120 would last, he could buy a fancy Flex polisher with the savings on glass cleaner alone.

22 oz of Invisible Glass - $6
1 gallon of Invisible Glass (it's not available in gallon size that I could find) - $36
10 gallons of Invisible Glass (how much glass cleaner you'd get from 1 gallon of D120) - $360

1 gallon of D120 - $20


Like I said, it comes down to how one wants to spend their money. I'm simply suggesting the smarter way to do so.
 
I don't really have that much of a bone in what glass cleaner he chooses, it was just a suggestion since he is on a budget. You can make a decent glass cleaner out of the ONR With Wax 32:1 also and skip the extra purchase altogether.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using AG Online
 
I think the amount of tools is way over board. To detail your personal cars/ bikes do not go crazy. You'll be surprised how multifaceted some products are.

Wash:

-AG has some nice kits. All you need is a bucket (add the grit guard)
-any of the Chemical Guys shampoos (best value and results)
-Microfiber wash mitt (have a few handy)
-MF towels for drying
-quick detailer/ spray wax (CG V7, Megs last touch, or Megs spray wax)

Protection:
-DA of choice
-Megs DA microfiber kit (5in) amazing value and uses. Defect removal without breaking the bank or getting way over your head, basically fool proof system. As well as simple waxing.
-foam pads for sealant.
-Sealant of choice (WGDG 3.0, or Jetseal 109)
-Clay (need a QD as lube)

CG All purpose cleaner can be diluted and used for literally everything maintenance wise. No need to blow another 200 dollars on a product that only cleans plastic, or only upholstery. APC does it all. Add a small brush and you can clean anything inside or out.

Glass Cleaner- whatever works for you.
More MF towels and your good to go.
 
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