Anybody feel like helping a complete noob save some money?

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Bldgengineer

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I need to completely start from scratch and created a shopping cart for myself but at over $600 its making me pucker a little bit. I don't plan on starting a business but I do want my personal vehicles looking pretty decent for a long time. My vehicles are a 2010 Ram 2500, 2004 Escalade esv, and 2013 Hyundai Elantra.

So far this is what I've come up with:


Does anybody see somewhere where I'm wasting money or I don't need it right now or am I missing anything?

In the past it would take me at least 4 hours just to do a wash and wax on just one of my trucks. I've never done a compound or used a machine for this type of work before. I'm hoping to speed the process up some as well as come out with a better result.
 
Kind of the price of admission. If you're trying to shave a little off of there, you might want to cut the 105/205 to the small bottles, should be enough to get your vehicles done. If you buy the quarts, the unit price is cheaper but you will have a lifetime supply that you will probably never use.

Also, I see you have wax and sealant LSP's, which is fine, you could pick one or the other. A lot of people like Powerlock, which is on sale for $5 less than the UPP.

Those Guzzlers are really nice towels, they are a bit pricey, when I buy something like that I look for a sale or BOGO.

The bad news is that if this is bothering your wallet, you might want to turn back now, it only gets worse. Other than that, I think you made good choices, looks like you thought it out well, just what I would expect from a building engineer ;)
 
I would go with a griots unit. More power and better warranty. The microfibers are just average that comes with the kit. Most of the time you can get just as much not using a kit.

You can also use a discount code that will allow additional money off but they usually are not offered on kits that are discounted.

Just some thoughts

Ed
 
The first order is often the most expensive as it covers every area. I would use reviews and search the BOGO and sample areas to try things first and find the greatest value too.
 
Bldgengineer said:
I need to completely start from scratch and created a shopping cart for myself but at over $600 its making me pucker a little bit. I don't plan on starting a business but I do want my personal vehicles looking pretty decent for a long time. My vehicles are a 2010 Ram 2500, 2004 Escalade esv, and 2013 Hyundai Elantra.

So far this is what I've come up with:


Click to expand...

You have made a great list.
I would suggest the following changes. Some of these are personal preferences.

You probably don't need 3 guzzlers, pick a large size

I would get Optimum Power Clean instead M103. More versatile and safe on most surfaces. BTW the OCW that comes free is a great product for after wash

PERL can replace 303 Protectant and maybe Gloss Tire Gel. Use on External plastics, Engine, Tires, Interior rubber / dashboard / leather / vinyl

Is your plan to seal and top with wax? If not, you could eliminate either 845 or FSUPP
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Kind of the price of admission. If you're trying to shave a little off of there, you might want to cut the 105/205 to the small bottles, should be enough to get your vehicles done. If you buy the quarts, the unit price is cheaper but you will have a lifetime supply that you will probably never use.

Also, I see you have wax and sealant LSP's, which is fine, you could pick one or the other. A lot of people like Powerlock, which is on sale for $5 less than the UPP.

Those Guzzlers are really nice towels, they are a bit pricey, when I buy something like that I look for a sale or BOGO.

The bad news is that if this is bothering your wallet, you might want to turn back now, it only gets worse. Other than that, I think you made good choices, looks like you thought it out well, just what I would expect from a building engineer ;)
Click to expand...

Lol Thanks! I've actually been racking my brain with this since I got the Hyundai last Friday.

Do you mind suggesting a couple of towels? Also, do you think the 8oz bottles of the 105/205 will be enough do all three vehicles? I don't plan on compounding the new car but would like to clay and polish it.

Eandras said:
I would go with a griots unit. More power and better warranty. The microfibers are just average that comes with the kit. Most of the time you can get just as much not using a kit.

You can also use a discount code that will allow additional money off but they usually are not offered on kits that are discounted.

Just some thoughts

Ed
Click to expand...

Got any suggestions on the MF? I wasn't even paying attention to the ones in the kit and didn't even know they came with it.

dougaross said:
You have made a great list.
I would suggest the following changes. Some of these are personal preferences.

You probably don't need 3 guzzlers, pick a large size

I would get Optimum Power Clean instead M103. More versatile and safe on most surfaces. BTW the OCW that comes free is a great product for after wash

PERL can replace 303 Protectant and maybe Gloss Tire Gel. Use on External plastics, Engine, Tires, Interior rubber / dashboard / leather / vinyl

Is your plan to seal and top with wax? If not, you could eliminate either 845 or FSUPP
Click to expand...

What size bottle of PERL would you suggest? There's a lot of leather in the Caddy. Also, I do plan on sealing and coating with a top wax. Is one bottle of sealer enough for these size of vehicles?

Thanks again for the responses guys! I really wasn't expecting so many so quick!
 
Normally I would say about 1oz of polish/compound per vehicle, maybe more on the Escalade. Depends how often you change pads, etc. The sealant and 845 more like 1/2-1 oz per vehicle.

Those rolled edge towels are a good price, better than some of the other Cobra towels. If you can get them on sale or BOGO, do it. AG isn't the cheapest place for towels, so I usually don't buy towels here unless they are sale or BOGO, but the regular price for the rolled edge is a fair price.

A couple of other options for your interiors are Duragloss Leather Conditioner (LC) #221 and Optimum Protectant Plus offers complete protection for interior leather, vinyl, plastic & rubber dressing. vinyl and rubber dressing, vinyl

PS Those Elantras are really nice, I want to go look at one of the new GT's. And just to confuse you on the pads and polishes you might want to try this: Meguiars DA Microfiber Correction System 5 Inch Starter Kit, paint correction kit, dual action polishing kit It's really easy and works well.
 
After your initial order and you want to save money....stop reading the forums...lol

Then you'll wonder about a rotary, a Flex, Gtechniq products, AIOs, water based polishes .etc....
 
Bldgengineer said:
Lol Thanks! I've actually been racking my brain with this since I got the Hyundai last Friday.

What size bottle of PERL would you suggest? There's a lot of leather in the Caddy. Also, I do plan on sealing and coating with a top wax. Is one bottle of sealer enough for these size of vehicles?

Thanks again for the responses guys! I really wasn't expecting so many so quick!
Click to expand...

For leather PERL is diluted 5:1 so 500ml is fine. As far as sealant, I haven't used UPP but 16oz is a lot of sealant. Sealant are applied very thin. See CEE DOG's review for more insiight
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Normally I would say about 1oz of polish/compound per vehicle, maybe more on the Escalade. Depends how often you change pads, etc. The sealant and 845 more like 1/2-1 oz per vehicle.

Those rolled edge towels are a good price, better than some of the other Cobra towels. If you can get them on sale or BOGO, do it. AG isn't the cheapest place for towels, so I usually don't buy towels here unless they are sale or BOGO, but the regular price for the rolled edge is a fair price.

A couple of other options for your interiors are Duragloss Leather Conditioner (LC) #221 and Optimum Protectant Plus offers complete protection for interior leather, vinyl, plastic & rubber dressing. vinyl and rubber dressing, vinyl

PS Those Elantras are really nice, I want to go look at one of the new GT's. And just to confuse you on the pads and polishes you might want to try this: Meguiars DA Microfiber Correction System 5 Inch Starter Kit, paint correction kit, dual action polishing kit It's really easy and works well.
Click to expand...

Looks like Sam's Club has a 24pk of the proforce MF towels for $12 and I've read some good things on here about them so I think I'll pick those up since Home Depot is right next to it.

I did look at the Meguiar's kit and thought hard about it but I just think I'm getting more for my money with the PC kit I picked. I also thought about getting the Griot's DA but I'm not going to be doing this for a living so the PC warranty should be more than adequate as well as its power with a 5.5" pad.
 
Ok so I've changed a couple of things and lessened the quantity of some things. One last check before I pull the trigger:

Porter Cable 5.5 x 7/8 Inch CCS Foam Pad Kit FREE BONUS
The Grit Guard Insert - 2 Pack
Supreme Micro-Chenille Wash Mitt
CarPro Wool Wash Mitt
Mothers Tire, Wheel & Well Brush Kit
Duragloss Car Wash Concentrate #901
Collinite Liquid Insulator Wax #845
Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine 32 oz. New & Improved!
Meguiars Smooth Surface Clay Bar Replacement 3 Pack -G1001
Flex Foam Tire Dressing Applicators 3 Pack
Meguiars Mirror Glaze #105 Ultra-Cut Compound 8 oz.
Meguiars Mirror Glaze #205 Ultra Finishing Polish 8 oz.
Optimum Power Clean™ All Purpose Cleaner 128 oz.
CarPro PERL Coat Plastic & Rubber Protectant 500 ml.
Menzerna Power Lock Polymer Paint Sealant 16 oz.
Stoner Invisible Glass Aerosol Can
The Guzzler Combo Kit

This list from Autogeek is down to $501 + buckets from Home Depot and spray bottles and MF towels at Sam's Club, I should be at around $550.
 
I really like using a drying aid, something like DG Aquax or Prima Hydro Spray Wax.

Reason is it helps avoid water spots and great toppers to extend your just wax look.
 
Bldgengineer said:
I need to completely start from scratch and created a shopping cart for myself but at over $600 its making me pucker a little bit. I don't plan on starting a business but I do want my personal vehicles looking pretty decent for a long time. My vehicles are a 2010 Ram 2500, 2004 Escalade esv, and 2013 Hyundai Elantra.

So far this is what I've come up with:


Does anybody see somewhere where I'm wasting money or I don't need it right now or am I missing anything?

In the past it would take me at least 4 hours just to do a wash and wax on just one of my trucks. I've never done a compound or used a machine for this type of work before. I'm hoping to speed the process up some as well as come out with a better result.
Click to expand...

Most would disagree with me on this but for me

Get this instead

If you’re in the market for a dual action polisher, look no further than the Porter Cable 7424!

and then get this

Lake Country 5 1/2 x 7/8 inch Beveled Edge Pads 6 Pack, foam pad kit, build a kit, buffing pads, curved edge pads

with this combination you get to choose 4 CCS pads and 6 Flat pads of your choice, or you can choose this instead

Lake Country 6.5 FLAT Pads 6 Pack - Your Choice!

and pick the hydrotech pads, i have better results with hydrotech pads compared to CCS

if you pick the earlier 6 pack you save about 35$ more which you can use to buy this

3 Inch Dual Action Flexible Backing Plate, da backing plate, random orbital backing plate

and this

Lake Country Hydro-Tech 4 x 1.25 Inch Foam Pads, Hydrotech foam buffing pads, spot polishing pads, dual action pads

this would give you a setting and option for smaller and hard to reach area's

as for not having a pad cleaner you can use OPC for that

and for foam pad conditioner any QD would probably work well as well

i also agree on not needing 3 Cobra's just get the huge one

as for tire black applicator i would just use dense cheap foam i find in local supermarket, i uses a little more product but does the job and its cheap

i would invest a little more money on the clay though, get DP clay or WG clay they work well for me, Megs just break down easily when you use too much QD or clay lube so Megs clay doesn't really last that long in my experience
 
I would just get the ultimate guzzler,large enough to cover most vehicles and its quicker to dry with as there is more surface area
 
Looks like you're getting two wash mitts. Why not try a home depot/lowes grout sponge? About $1.50 each and they're awesome.
 
I started out with the microfiber mitts and personally I didn't like them. I now have a Griots Wash Pad that someone on here recommended and it is great. Now I know you are trying to save money just like the rest of us. The Duragloss 901 is great and you will be paying 5.99 for 16 oz. For 1 gallon 902 is 26.99, same product. 5.99 x 8 = 47.92. If you wash your car once a week you will be able to go close to 2 1/2 years without buying any car wash if you use the 1 ounce to 3 gallons that it calls for. I did buy a gallon of the ONR and it will last me until the new, new version comes out so 32 oz is probably good on that. As for M105 you could get Meguiars Ultimate Compound 15.2 oz for $9.99 and it has close to the same cut as M105 and from all the reading I have been doing is easier to work with. I used it and was very happy with the results. I have both Megs APC + and OPC and I really like OPC. Menzerna Powerlock will last quite a while so 16 oz is good. I am currently using the same Stoners you have but after quite a bit of reading and recommendations from quite a few people including Bobby G purchased Meguiars D120. This is suppose to be really good glass cleaner and makes 11 gallons for 19.99. Stoners Invisible glass 19 oz for 11 gallons would cost $443.89. No more Windex for the wife until we use all of this which once again saves money.I have a detachable blower for my shop vac and that is how I dry my car and truck.
 
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