1st purchase - missing anything?

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captchaos

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I have a sickness that requires me to research things to death before buying, and boy has this site provided enough rope to hang me with! I try to buy the best I can afford first (Harbor Freight lesson many years ago :P) so my cart has a flex kit in it. Please let me know if there are any glaring omissions.

Flex 3401 ultra polish kit
Meguiars FLEX 3401 Ultra Polish Kit with 6.5 Inch Pads, Meguiars Mirror Glaze Polishes, Meguiar's 105 Compound, Meguiar's 205 Ultra Finishing Polish

Guzzler towels
http://www.autogeek.net/microfiber-waffle-weave.html

Klasse sealer
Klasse High Gloss Sealant Glaze, klasse SG sealant, klasse sealant glase,klasse sealant

I plan on using this stuff on an old Isuzu SUV (white) that I plan on selling (first victim), a black TSX that has been neglected for a few years, and a brand new blue Dodge Ram truck. Obviously not using any compounds on the new vehicle.

I think I'm going to buy a giant leaf blower to help dry the truck but if there are any wash additives that would make this easier or prevent water spots on the black car please let me know.

Thanks in advance,

Jim
 
There are some new BOGOs up today. The Krystal Vision is a good deal and don't forget your free sample (get some WG DGPS as an option to your KSG)

If the finishes are neglected then you probably also need to clay...
 
Personally I would use Collinite 845 IW or WGDGP as my LSP. I think there are better LSPs than Klasse
 
Clay bar! Clay is a must. Even if the paint doesn't appear neglected. You take that clay bar to the paint...and there's always something a wash didn't get. :dblthumb2:
 
I had to laugh when I read embolism's post, I understood none of it! Man the acronyms are killing me. What's a BOGO, WGDGP, LSP, etc? I have some cheapo clay but will look for some here.

My main goal with the Klasse is a long lasting protection, but I admit I know nothing about it other than the descriptions on Auto Geek.
 
captchaos said:
I had to laugh when I read embolism's post, I understood none of it! Man the acronyms are killing me. What's a BOGO, WGDGP, LSP, etc? I have some cheapo clay but will look for some here.

My main goal with the Klasse is a long lasting protection, but I admit I know nothing about it other than the descriptions on Auto Geek.
Click to expand...

BOGO= buy one, get one free.
WGDGPS= wolf gang deep gloss paint sealant.
LSP= last step product.
 
Do you have any detailing products already? If you're just getting started I'd get some more microfiber towels. You're going to have a nice finish and will need quality towels to maintain it! Your thing just said guzzlers, so I wasn't sure if you were getting other towels too.

I don't have so much experience with the polishers, but most people recommend extra pads along with the kits. I'll let the pros chime in on that one.

captchaos said:
I had to laugh when I read embolism's post, I understood none of it! Man the acronyms are killing me. What's a BOGO, WGDGP, LSP, etc? I have some cheapo clay but will look for some here.

My main goal with the Klasse is a long lasting protection, but I admit I know nothing about it other than the descriptions on Auto Geek.
Click to expand...

Lol, I also had trouble with acronyms at first! I think everyone does. Stick around for a while and you'll get it ;)

Oh and I'll second the WGDGPS. It's a really nice sealant.
 
@rott3np3anut I've got the standard autozone stuff at home, mitt, soap, and yes a few towels. There are a thousand different towels here
 
Thanks for the help, the initial investment is getting sick!

My new, improved cart:

Meguiars FLEX 3401 Ultra Polish Kit with 6.5 Inch Pads
DP Universal Detailing Clay Buy One, Get One Free!
Cobra Total Microfiber Tool Kit [remove]
DP Wheel Cleaner Buy One, Get One Free! [remove]
Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant 3.0 [remove]
Super Soft Deluxe Microfiber Towels with Rolled Edges, 3 Pack [remove]
 
I would say definitely get a couple white polishing pads in addition to the pads that come in the kit and some higher quality towels for wiping the paint between and after polishing/waxing steps. Use your Auto Zone Towels for door jams and under the hood etc.

I would also recommend getting one of these Daytona Speed Master Wheel Brush Special They last a long long time and work great. The one from Auto Zone lasted through 2 cars for me.
 
If you get clay, you'll need something to use as a clay lube. There are lots and lots of options available, but you may want to check out a rinseless/waterless wash option to use. You can dilute the product at different ratios and get several products out of one bottle. Many people use Optimum No Rinse, I've begun using DP Rinseless Wash.
 
Sounds about right. I spent about $500 getting set up but I only got a Griots...tells you how many other things I "needed"

Consider it the tip of the iceberg if you start coming here. There are always promotions, reviews, discount codes, you name it. AG will get your money and you will be happy to give it to them!

Im the MAN
 
embolism said:
Sounds about right. I spent about $500 getting set up but I only got a Griots...tells you how many other things I "needed"

Consider it the tip of the iceberg if you start coming here. There are always promotions, reviews, discount codes, you name it. AG will get your money and you will be happy to give it to them!

Im the MAN
Click to expand...

:iagree: The Flex is the cadillac of DA's so your paying more but getting a preimum unit. The 105/205 combo was more than I personally wanted to try and correct with my just getting into it and being a wee bit scared of the "causing more damage than doing good" as a friend calls it. I think you will be very happy with Autogeek no matter what you get but if all else fails call them and give them your background (experiance with detailing) and what your goal is just to double check everything.

And welcome to the hobby/money pit/happy place that is detailing your rides.:buffing:
 
captchaos said:
Thanks for the help, the initial investment is getting sick!
Click to expand...

Honestly I would dump the Cobra kit and buy more of those rolled-edge towels instead. If you need a wash mitt like that Target or Wal-Mart have similar ones. These are good applicators Cobra Microfiber Applicator Pads spread car care products evenly & neatly. Cobra microfiber is nonabrasive and safe on clear coat finishes. but you may be able to find a decent applicator at one of those stores, I know Wal-Mart was blowing out the AutoGlym applicators.

Also, one of the members was referring to getting the WGDPS as a free sample with your order (which should do 2-3 cars if you apply really thin), rather than buying a whole bottle. Free Sample with your Order

It's really hard in the beginning to keep from buying more than you need, and hard to resist trying different products that do the same thing. I'd hate to see you have a whole cabinet full of tools/supplies only to find out after these 3 vehicles that detailing isn't for you...so I always suggest starting out slowly.
 
Jons6.7 said:
The Flex is the cadillac of DA's so your paying more but getting a preimum unit. .:buffing:
Click to expand...

chetsteadman said:
If you get clay, you'll need something to use as a clay lube. There are lots and lots of options available, but you may want to check out a rinseless/waterless wash option to use. You can dilute the product at different ratios and get several products out of one bottle. Many people use Optimum No Rinse, I've begun using DP Rinseless Wash.
Click to expand...

I'm not trying to be a wet blanket, but I'll play devil's advocate to some of the guys that are filling up your shopping cart. If you're on a budget, you can step down to one of the other DA polishers and get great results with the polishes you intend to use--it may take you a little longer. Also, I have bottles and bottles of clay lube, and plenty of rinseless washes, but I almost always just use car wash solution--I generally clay after washing while the car is still wet. If you're not on a budget, just ignore me and plop down the plastic.
 
"If you're on a budget, you can step down to one of the other DA polishers and get great results with the polishes you intend to use"

I have to agree with Setec, if your just doing your own cars and want to not jump in TOO deep I would vote the Groits 6inch kit with flat pads to start as a base then add the rest al la carte.

Its easy to end up with a big hole in your checking account if your not a little carefull. If that's not a big worry I will just sit here and be jealous. Everything you have listed is awsome stuff but not cheap, good but not the cheaper way to go.
 
@setec & Johns I certainly appreciate the feedback. What I usually try to avoid is buy the same thing twice, my reason for going with the flex polisher. I like what I've read about it being quicker - I don't have a whole lot of that "free" time people talk about. On the other hand, I'm not looking for any new hobbies so I'll go look at the Groits kit just for grins.
 
I agree with others get Optimum No Rinse, use it to wash, as a clay lube, as a quick detail interior and you can use it to clean wheels(if they have been waxed). In my experince ONR has been an amazing product and a true must have. Its so many different uses.

Instead of a flex get a Griots grage 6" rop. buy a 5" backing plate and get 5.5" lake country hydro pads, get atleast 4 of each colour. You will save alot of money here. I bet the flex is great, but you won't need that kind of power. Use m105 and m205 for polish, they work great. Or you can use ulimate compound instead of m105, not quite as strong but 70% cheaper.

Griot's Garage 6 inch Random Orbital Polisher, Dual action buffer, DA polisher

Also get Collite 845. Its an amazing wax so cheap and last so long and looks so good on every paint colour and you can use it on wheels and chrome too, door jams. Its great. A real bang for your buck product.

Never dull to clean up chrome/metal and also get steel wool #0000 for harder to clean metal.

Tire brushes, I haven't tried these mother ones, but you will need these 3 different styles. I bought mine from walmart, think auto geek is a bit cheaper:
Mothers Tire, Wheel & Well Brush Kit

Get some all purpose cleaner(1:10), a degreaser like purple power(mix 1:10), and rubbing alcohol(ipa mix with distilled water 1:1). You can use IPA as a window cleaner, or get the meguires gallon window cleaner, that will make 11 gallons.
Meguiar’s Glass Cleaner Concentrate, 1 Gallon, dilutes to make an excellent auto glass cleaner. Meguiars Concentrated Car Glass Cleaner is great for

Tire gel, you can also use it on trim, dash board and engine bays. Its a UV protectant so will prevent cracking:
Meguiars Gold Class Endurance High Gloss Tire Gel is a high gloss version of Meguiars Endurance Tire Protectant Gel.

Also get some Rain X to treat your windows, its like 4 bucks at walmart.

buy atleast one grit guard and two 5 gallon orange buckets from home depot. You can use the grout sponges to wash your car, they work great with ONR.

The Grit Guard, grit guard insert, bucket grate, car wash bucket grid,

I use my Griot grage rop to apply wax with a blue wax pad or a gold lake country pad. However I still need foam pads. Manily to wax wheels, door jams, interior wood trim, tail pipes, ect. Also I use them to apply tire gel, it seems to work better than cloth.
Package of 6 Pinnacle Foam Wax Applicators

These are the important things to get you started with detailing your cars. Get lots of microfiber towels, at least 20, but really more and 3-5 drying towels. I use separate towels for wheels, separate towels for glass, separate towels for paint and then rag terry cloth towels that never touch paint.
 
captchaos said:
@setec & Johns I certainly appreciate the feedback. What I usually try to avoid is buy the same thing twice, my reason for going with the flex polisher. I like what I've read about it being quicker - I don't have a whole lot of that "free" time people talk about.
Click to expand...

That's hard to argue with, and always a tough call in situations like this. I think I'm up to 6 polishers now.
 
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