Build a Detail Kit!

TylerHoffarth

TylerHoffarth

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Hey everyone,

So I recently purchased a 2004 BMW 330CI ZHP, in Imola Red color. My girlfriend owns a 1997 BMW 318IS, in Hellrot Red.

This has brought me to want to purchase everything I need to complete a full exterior detail. So here is what I ask of you:

Without breaking the bank significantly, if you could 'build' a detail kit that would work well specifically with red vehicles, what would your kit consist of? I'm looking at waxes, buffers/orbitals & pads, polish, etc, etc.

I'm using this as a basis for purchasing everything I would need to get a good detail done! We want to do both of our vehicles, and want to get rid of all the swirl marks in the paint, as well as make them look rich, deep and glossy.

Thanks everyone in advance!
 
Ultima Waterless Wash Plus (Rinseless wash)

Optimum Car Wash (Traditional wash)

Optimum Power Clean All Purpose Cleaner

Harbor freight polisher

Buff and Shine 5" DA backing pad

Buff and Shine 5" foam polishing and finishing pads

Meguairs M101 Compound

Meguiars M205 Polish

Isopropyl alcohol mixed to 15% to remove polish residue

Ultima Paint Guard Plus

Ultima Tire and Trim Guard Plus

Costco or Sams Club Microfiber Towels
 
My suggestion will be the GG6" Wolfgang duo kit, it come with 3 pads, a swirl remover, a finishing glaze and 2 microfibers. A wax can be anything that you may prefer like Megs ultimate or Gold class as an example. Also a great All in one product for polish I will recommend to you Black Fire Polish and seal.
 
Appreciating the feedback.

I'm definitely looking into both suggestions. That kit sounds tempting as you get most of what you need for the most part; not sure what I would use for wax and polish yet (I've read great things on 101 & 205, though)

Thanks again!
 
Also, I am assuming that I would use a polish (Such as 205), and then a carnauba wax - I want the best possible results that I can get.

Here are four(4) that just caught my eye when browsing... what are your thoughts on these? Any suggestions for other great ones for red cars?:

1) Pinnacle Souveran Paste Carnauba Wax is Brilliant on Red- Awesome on Black! Souvern is hand poured, one container at a time, and boxed with an

2) BLACKFIRE Wet Ice Over Fire Kit, car wax kit

3) Dodo Juice Banana Armour Hard Car Wax, carnauba car wax, dodo juice waxes, carnauba paste wax, yellow wax, banana car wax,

4) Dodo Juice Orange Crush Soft Wax, carnauba car wax, dodojuice waxes, wax for warm colors, wax for red cars, orange car wax

Thanks again everyone
 
Can't edit my responses for some reason, so I'll just add this in.

I believe I will go with the Wolfgang kit as Pikki suggested, just as it has everything needed to get going.

I was thinking of the Wolfgang duo kit, plus this kit for the wax, sealant, and pre-wax:

Wolfgang Fuzion Estate Wax Mini Connoisseur's Kit, Wolfgang Mini Wax Kit, Fuzion Wax Sample Kit

Think that the above will yield professional-like results with proper application? As in, what are the products included in that kit like? (entry level, highly recommended, etc) One thing I noticed is that the included sealant (Deep Gloss Spritz) is a spray sealant... for this specifically, will it yield excellent results in comparison to a different type of polish/sealant?
 
At the end of the day, your paint's appearance is going to be dependent upon the preparation, not the final LSP. I would not spend so much $$ on the wax or sealant.

Starting over, here's what I would get. And take this from someone who has wasted a lot of $$$ over the years.

Rupes 21
Rupes 5" backing plate
Meguiars MF Cutting Discs
Meguiars MF Finishing Discs
LC Hydrotech Cyan Pads
LC Hydrotech Tangerine Pads
Menzerna FG400
Sonax Perfect Finish
Meguiars Hyper Wash
Meguairs D140 Wheel Brightener
3-pc Wheel Woolies Kit
Nanoskin Med Grade Wash Mitt
ONR gallon, no wax version.
CarPro Iron-X Spray
CarPro PERL
CarPro Reload
Sonax Polymer Net Shield
Sonax Brilliant Shine Detailer

Of course, this is assuming that you already have high quality mitts, grit-guards and towels.
 
I took a look over your list there, and it seems quite nice to be honest. I'm a little wary about spending $400 on an orbital, though. Otherwise that is a great list.

I generally like sticking to a limited amount of brands, but again, I am looking for a great job. Don't exactly want to break the bank, either, but you get the point there
 
TylerHoffarth said:
I took a look over your list there, and it seems quite nice to be honest. I'm a little wary about spending $400 on an orbital, though. Otherwise that is a great list.

I generally like sticking to a limited amount of brands, but again, I am looking for a great job. Don't exactly want to break the bank, either, but you get the point there
Click to expand...

Each brand makes some great products, decent products and so-so products. Purposely limiting yourself to a few brands can keep you from being exposed to some of the greatest products for each category.

All of the products that I suggested, IMO, are generally accepted to be the best in their segment.

If you're hesitant about spending $400 on a Rupes, then consider getting a used Flex 3401 and the 4 3/8" backing plate. If you look hard enough, you can probably find one for around $200.
 
Chemical Guys Mr.Pink car soap.
Clay
Meguiar's Ultimate Compound
Meguiar's Ultimate Polish.
Meguiar's NXT Wax
Chemical Guys Super VRP dressing for the tires and trim.
If money left over buy you the Griot's 6" Buffer and pads.
Buy you a 5" backing plate along with some 5.5" pads.

If money is tight get you the Harbor Frieght Duel Action Buffer and buy the same plate I said.
The HF is powerful and a great tool to learn with, it's really just the backing plate that sucks that it comes with.

You could always get the Griot's buffer later and set your HF DA to use 4" pads , not to mention you'd have a good backup buffer. :dblthumb2:

Btw. The Griot's buffer comes with a lifetime warranty.
 
All are good suggestions. Only thing I will add, Pinnacle Souveran was designed specifically for red, black, and yellow cars. I love the look it produces on red, but you will get great results with the other products mentioned as well.
 
Yep, the Meguiars line wont steer you wrong and in an "emergency" most of them can be had locally.
 
HateSwirls said:
Chemical Guys Mr.Pink car soap.
Clay
Meguiar's Ultimate Compound
Meguiar's Ultimate Polish.
Meguiar's NXT Wax
Chemical Guys Super VRP dressing for the tires and trim.
If money left over buy you the Griot's 6" Buffer and pads.
Buy you a 5" backing plate along with some 5.5" pads.

If money is tight get you the Harbor Frieght Duel Action Buffer and buy the same plate I said.
The HF is powerful and a great tool to learn with, it's really just the backing plate that sucks that it comes with.

You could always get the Griot's buffer later and set your HF DA to use 4" pads , not to mention you'd have a good backup buffer. :dblthumb2:

Btw. The Griot's buffer comes with a lifetime warranty.
Click to expand...

X2 on this.

You can get excellent results with these products and they are relatively inexpensive in relation to many other equally effective products.

Learning good technique with the buffer is what will get you what you are looking for. If you don't have that, it doesn't really matter what products you use.
 
It is so hard to answer these questions as everyone has different opinions of different products.

If you are not experienced I would actually stay away from Megs 105 as it is a little finicky to use (although it does a terrific job). So many other polishes or swirl removers will offer great results and are much easier to use (like Pinnacle or Wolfgang for example).

AG has a lot of great kits that will bundle most everything you need at great values.

Pinnacle Souveran will give amazing results on red, but it does not have the greatest durability. Keep that in mind.
 
HateSwirls said:
Chemical Guys Mr.Pink car soap.
Clay
Meguiar's Ultimate Compound
Meguiar's Ultimate Polish.
Meguiar's NXT Wax
Chemical Guys Super VRP dressing for the tires and trim.
If money left over buy you the Griot's 6" Buffer and pads.
Buy you a 5" backing plate along with some 5.5" pads.

If money is tight get you the Harbor Frieght Duel Action Buffer and buy the same plate I said.
The HF is powerful and a great tool to learn with, it's really just the backing plate that sucks that it comes with.

You could always get the Griot's buffer later and set your HF DA to use 4" pads , not to mention you'd have a good backup buffer. :dblthumb2:

Btw. The Griot's buffer comes with a lifetime warranty.
Click to expand...

This is the best bang for ur buck or close to it!!
The soap can be used as lube. The VRP is also Multi use.
Megs Glass cleaner D120 Blue stuff is a good as well. Super Concentrated!
 
I thought you're on a budget? If you are, don't even bother looking at high end waxes like Pinnacle Souveran or Wolfgang Fuzion. Get Ultima Paint Guard Plus and be done with it. And for buffer, the value king is Harbor Freight with a good 5" backing pad.

I would actually edit my list and get CarPro Hydro2 instead of Ultima Paint Guard Plus. Ease of use is so ridiculously easy, it's also cost effective, and its super glossy and slick. Once you wash your vehicle and its clean of debris, you can seal two vehicles in just a few minutes! Durability is a couple months but it's so easy to use there's no point to NOT seal your car with Hydro2 during every single wash to keep protection on-going.
 
OK so I will try to make a general response to everyone:

Firstly, I thank everyone so far for their contribution. Secondly, regarding prices, experience, etc., I am not extremely experienced, and have not really used a polisher much yet. Have up till now been doing things by hand.

As for prices and my budget, I am looking to get a complete kit for around the $500 mark. Note that this is to include a polisher, wax, prewax, polish, swirl remover, spray detailer, glaze (necessary?), pads, and some cloths. I am a bit flexible on the budget, but my primary concerns are what is the proper combination of products to use to yield really great results on our red cars

Thanks again everyone, I'm looking over all the mentioned products right now! Hoping to take advantage of the 20% off offer.
 
Just a couple pictures of my car, for reference. Lots of very small swirl marks that you see on most vehicles. I'm looking to get rid of them, and make it have a nice wet, deep gloss shine!

DoZGyQh.jpg

n7xS6Oi.jpg
 
If you're going for the best appearance with the least maintenance, you may want to consider CQuartz UK. This is a paint coating that lasts 18-24 mo and only requires a wipedown with Reload every season.

From my experience, Menzerna and Sonax make some of the best polishes that deliver the most consistent results. They are both OEM suppliers and have extensive experience with paint, unlike some of the other brands mentioned here.

While it is best to have a compound, medium polish and finishing polish available, we are getting to a point where 1-step polishes can deliver significant correction while finishing out LSP ready. It may take some experimentation to find the right pad/product combo, but for daily drivers, this is often the most efficient approach.

At the end of the day, paint will never stay perfect and you have a very limited amount of clearcoat to work with....so keep that in mind.
 
Durogloss car wash budget friendly
Meguires 26 or pinnacle signature series cabana wax
Wolfgang deep gloss
Pinnacle paintwork cleaner
Menzerna super intense polis
Menzerna final finish
Ultima wheel finish
Meguires wheel cleaner
Black fire interior cleaner
A number of microfiber towels
 
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