Help choosing some new equipment!!

[Gtrush21]

Hey everyone. I am a hobbyist when it comes to detailing. I am 100% self taught with almost zero prior experience beyond rubbing a car wash brush over my car every few weeks. I’ve recently had my interest ignited in detailing when I purchased a new truck for my roofing business. Started out local with auto store materials and products. Slowly (and very financially aggressive) I started moving up to quality products sold on Autogeek and such sites. My first polisher was a Griots G-9 bought from Autozone. Works great and very user friendly IMO. Second purchase was the G8 followed by a splurge on a Rupes LHR21 Markiii.

At the moment this is a passionate hobby that I absolutely enjoy every minute of. I do friends and family as well as my own car probably more than needed. However, the business side of me is exploring growing the hobby into a small local detailing business. Specializing in exterior since, for whatever reason I cannot pinpoint, interiors just do not appeal to me. Hate doing them ��.

The reason for the thread and backstory is to offer as much info as possible about my situation while asking the advice of some of the more knowledgeable guys and girls or maybe people with experience using certain polishers and other equipment, in the pursuit of my next purchase. I have just about everything (I think). Missing a quality color match light, a large car dryer (I own the sidekick which is awesome), and either a 15mm long throw or a gear driven polisher. I do not mind spending money and actually prefer it for the brief rush of dopamine I get when hitting buy!!. Seriously though buying quality equipment has always appealed to me when I can justify it, and I can usually justify it! Anyhow, any help, or advice, or experiences you all could share would be very much appreciated. If you made it this far thank you for taking the time to read my question and I hope all your detailing dreams come true!

 

[SNP209]

First of all welcome to the forum! I'm just a mere hobbyist but I can offer some suggestions.

Getting a forced rotation DA would save you some time since you won't have to deal with pad stall, and at the end of the day time is money.

Scangrip makes some really nice lights, the one they make for Meguiar's (MT103) can be had for $100 if you look around, and it allows you to adjust lumen output and color temperature separately which is a nice feature, just picked one up recently.

I use an Ego 765 leaf blower to dry, this thing is a beast and the battery life is excellent. Really love it!

I'd also consider some type of nano polisher such as the Rupes iBrid. Comes in handy for things like door jams, intricate areas on the fascia, etc.

 

[opie2]

Agree with getting a forced rotation machine. Such a time savor

If you do not have ample lighting in the garage where you do your paint corrections, then i would suggest one of the larger scangrip lights. They provide great portable lighting when working around the sides of a vehicle in thos lower lit areas. Not a must have but great tool to have in those situations.

I use my gas leaf blower for drying after a wash.

But to be honest i find that they only are usefull on a ceramic coating vehicle. Blowing off a wax or sealant protected surface is just meh...waste of time

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[Gtrush21]

Thanks for the reply and the welcome. I am currently trying to decide between a forced rotation and a 15mm long throw. Already having the G9 and Rupes LHR21 it makes me want to grab a forced rotation. I’ve heard the forced rotations are great for curves and body panels without many flat areas.

As far as lighting, I do have about 6 high 6000 lumen 5000 k lights set up which are great. But I need a color match light for when I’m on the road doing a detail at another location. I’m going to look at the Meguiars one you recommended. Also love the Ego recommendation. Currently I dry with a liquidator, guzzler hybrid, Adams plush or Griots PFM and then follow up with my blaster to evacuate the water from tight areas. Would love a beefy blower to get most of the water off touchless however.

 

[opie2]

Already having the G9 and Rupes LHR21 it makes me want to grab a forced rotation. I’ve heard the forced rotations are great for curves and body panels without many flat areas.

That being said i would go the with the flex 10-8...aka supa beast.

All brawl no stall. Perfect for every area. You can lean into it and it will turn and churn those thick 6 inch lc force hybrid pads to get you that finish quick, efficient, and as beautiful as possible. I honstly have not once grabbed my free spinning tool since purchasing my flex.

Speed and efficiency=more money in your pocket


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[Rsurfer]

Currently I dry with a liquidator, guzzler hybrid, Adams plush or Griots PFM and then follow up with my blaster to evacuate the water from tight areas. Would love a beefy blower to get most of the water off touchless however.

From one roofer to another..when you get your blower, blow first and than towel dry. If you towel dry first and than blow dry you will be getting water on the areas you just dried.

 

[Gtrush21]

Thanks for the advice. I’m looking into it as we speak. I was intimidated by polishers from hearing horror stories back when rotary was king (born in 86 grew up in 90’s). But once I used the orbital it was cake. I’m sure there will be a learning curve with the forced rotation but if it offers faster correction I’m in. If you feel like it let me know you’re favorite pad/polish set up. Currently been testing out new stuff. Been through all the Meguiars line basically. Love 105/205. Also been through griots boss line which are great as well. Dipped my toes in 3D with speed/ACA520 and One, as well as perfect finish, quick cut and cut and gloss from Sonax.

 

[Gtrush21]

From one roofer to another..when you get your blower, blow first and than towel dry. If you towel dry first and than blow dry you will be getting water on the areas you just dried.

Great advice. I’m going to do that tonight when I do my brothers Rogue. I mean it seems like common sense but then again I’m not a roofer because I’m smart ��. Happy roofing brother enjoy the heat that we’re coming into to. Embrace the suck that is roofing in the summer!

 

[craigdt]

The main things I added to make my hobby faster, more enjoyable, more effective, and more efficient:
Flex XCE cordless, forced
Flex XFE cordless, orbital
CR Spotless
Active VE56 power washer
Nice hoses, fittings, reel
Eco 56v 615CFM blower
Custom/upgraded bottles and labels w/ Kwazar sprayers

 

[opie2]

I’m sure there will be a learning curve with the forced rotation but if it offers faster correction I’m in. If you feel like it let me know you’re favorite pad/polish set up. Currently been testing out new stuff. Been through all the Meguiars line basically. Love 105/205. Also been through griots boss line which are great as well. Dipped my toes in 3D with speed/ACA520 and One, as well as perfect finish, quick cut and cut and gloss from Sonax.

Little bit of getting used to it. It will want to walk on you if you dont have enough downward pressure and or the pad is not flat on the surface. Its not bad you will k ow what i mean when ya fist fire it up lol.

The best pad combo for the supa beast is the lake country forced hybrid pads. Specifically the orange and white pads. They will tackle pretty much anything. If there happens to be more severe defects needed removed then that is where a rotary/wool pad would come into play.

I used to use menzerna 400 and 3500. But i have since switched over to the 3D line. I absolutely love ACA510, and 3D 502 gives the same amazing finish as menz 3500 but with an easier wipe off. I will be trying ACA 520 after i go though all my 502.

Also 3D aat505 is great to have on hand for those cheaper jobs/ quick cleanups or for the latter part of a 2 step job when you are not doing a coating/and or the customer is not paying extra for a sealant. It has a little bit more cut than speed and will leave behind a bit of montan wax.

One last thing..dont forget to order a 6 inch backing plate for the supa beast so you can run the 6 inch pads.

Be sure to keep your eyes out for some good sales on the internet to save yourself some money on all these new products!

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[Coatingsarecrack]

If going into business for real a flex…. If not a 15mm DA. Flex cordless would be my choice with money not being relevant.

I would also pick up a Flex PXE for 3” duties as I see you don’t have a 3” and I think all would agree a 3”should be in your arsenal.

I personally would add the Ibrid Nano too if doing this for money.

Blow drying whole cars is only beneficial if car is ceramic coated. Waxed or sealed cars just don’t clean fast enough to not just use a good twisted loop MF on.

For coated cars and being mobile the Ego 765 is a beast. Invest in a stubby nozzle.




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[dlc95]

If going into business for real a flex…. If not a 15mm DA. Flex cordless would be my choice with money not being relevant.

I would also pick up a Flex PXE for 3” duties as I see you don’t have a 3” and I think all would agree a 3”should be in your arsenal.

I personally would add the Ibrid Nano too if doing this for money.

Blow drying whole cars is only beneficial if car is ceramic coated. Waxed or sealed cars just don’t clean fast enough to not just use a good twisted loop MF on.

For coated cars and being mobile the Ego 765 is a beast. Invest in a stubby nozzle.




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The Flex PXE should be able to handle whatever the Rupes Nano can do - as far as polishing anyways. Actually, for me it would have been more useful because the PXE can handle both 3" and 1" Pads, where the Nano does 2" and 1". I never use the 2". This would have allowed me to eliminate the dedicated Mini 3" polisher.

 

[Coatingsarecrack]

The Flex PXE should be able to handle whatever the Rupes Nano can do - as far as polishing anyways. Actually, for me it would have been more useful because the PXE can handle both 3" and 1" Pads, where the Nano does 2" and 1". I never use the 2". This would have allowed me to eliminate the dedicated Mini 3" polisher.

The Nano can get into a lot tighter spaces. If I were doing this professionally I would have both. A PXE is not a replacement for a Nano in my opinion.


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[The Guz]

The Nano can get into a lot tighter spaces. If I were doing this professionally I would have both. A PXE is not a replacement for a Nano in my opinion.


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And from experience owning both tools is the way to go. I use the ibrid as a dedicated 1 inch and the PXE as a 3 inch. The PXE as a 1 inch for me was not that great.