Kit versus individual products

Maxima Mom

Maxima Mom

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Ok this is Maxima Mom's other half...notice I didn't say better! Lots of great stuff, cool advice and products...so how to pick? I have used the P21S system before when we bought the Max...both the Max and my ML55 AMG are black...we have never used a mechanical polisher before...both cars have developed swirls over the years...I usually use Maguiars Gold car wash and the flood method for rinsing. So here's our question: there are a number of kits available for polish etc.

Are we better to buy a kit to start or to piece together a group of products from wash to clay bar to polish? Do we have to stick to the same family of products or is mixing and matching okay? Also what brand of orbital polisher would be best for a couple of novices...who don't want to burn the paint?

Looking for that showroom shine!
Your advice is most welcome!
Thanks in advance.
 
kits are a great way for new detailers to get almost everything in a box. Often times you only need to add soap or wax.

I will however admit I like many different products and from many brands so I personally would go piece-meal (ala carte) if it made sense from a cost perspective. Just remember with buffer you commonly need a backing plate as well as polishes and pads.
 
I bought the Perfect Starter Kit. I've done some research and found it to be what it is suppose to be. Almost everything is there...i added two 5.5 in. orange CCS pads and some PoorBoy SSR1, Polish with sealant, Black Hole glaze,Pro Polish and Pinnacle Liquid wax. I went for the best bang for the buck i could find.
Just my .02$
 
Maxima Mom said:
Ok this is Maxima Mom's other half...notice I didn't say better! So here's our question: there are a number of kits available for polish etc.

Are we better to buy a kit to start or to piece together a group of products from wash to clay bar to polish? Do we have to stick to the same family of products or is mixing and matching okay? Also what brand of orbital polisher would be best for a couple of novices...who don't want to burn the paint?
Click to expand...

Maxima Dad,

Good question and one that I think many folks new to this struggle with. I know I did when I got started.

I think that the kits can save you some money, but you can save just as much money by waiting for a 15 or 20 percent off sale. The machines are on sale once a year ... and you missed it, so you are really just saving on the accessories needed.

There also is not a kit with the Wolfgang twins in it to my knowledge, so I would build it piecemeal with the % off sale. Many folks put together a list and then post it on the forum for feedback!

Maxima Mom said:
Also what brand of orbital polisher would be best for a couple of novices...who don't want to burn the paint?
Click to expand...

This is some old school thinking that Mike Philips is constantly trying to disprove. With the DA machines, it is extremely difficult to "burn the paint" without trying to do so. Any of the machines are good and you will find forum members have their favorites. I personally use a Flex, but if I was starting over on a budget I would spring for the Griots. Get some Hydro Tech pads in the 5.5" size and the Wolfgang Twins.

Your Meg's gold wash will work just fine if you are using the two bucket method. Since your wife mentioned the vehicles were swirled out, you probably need some grit guards.

Get some clay and buy twice the number of microfiber towels you think you will need. Then you are ready to :buffing:

Good luck, post some pictures of the swirled out vehicles, watch some videos and ask questions. You have found a great forum!
 
mchess1 said:
Maxima Dad,

Good question and one that I think many folks new to this struggle with. I know I did when I got started.

I think that the kits can save you some money, but you can save just as much money by waiting for a 15 or 20 percent off sale. The machines are on sale once a year ... and you missed it, so you are really just saving on the accessories needed.

There also is not a kit with the Wolfgang twins in it to my knowledge, so I would build it piecemeal with the % off sale. Many folks put together a list and then post it on the forum for feedback!



This is some old school thinking that Mike Philips is constantly trying to disprove. With the DA machines, it is extremely difficult to "burn the paint" without trying to do so. Any of the machines are good and you will find forum members have their favorites. I personally use a Flex, but if I was starting over on a budget I would spring for the Griots. Get some Hydro Tech pads in the 5.5" size and the Wolfgang Twins.

Your Meg's gold wash will work just fine if you are using the two bucket method. Since your wife mentioned the vehicles were swirled out, you probably need some grit guards.

Get some clay and buy twice the number of microfiber towels you think you will need. Then you are ready to :buffing:

Good luck, post some pictures of the swirled out vehicles, watch some videos and ask questions. You have found a great forum!
Click to expand...
:whs:Right there is some great advice. I agree to piecemeal it to get what YOU want. There is not kit with the Hydro-Tech pads and the Wolfgang Combo. Call and talk with Dwayne or Meghan and see if they can build you a kit with a polisher (I suggest the Griots) and the rest of the stuff. I'll bet they will make you a deal (I'm just guessing). But you will have an expert helping you to make good sound choices for your first order. I will honestly say they won't sell you lots of stuff you don't need unless you demand it. (you will buy plenty you don't need in the future on your own). Build your own and get what you want that's my .02Im the MAN
 
Vjeszczi said:
They have a few, I've been seriously eyeing them, torn between one of these kit or the PC kit with pads and buy the 16oz versions seperately

Wolfgang Duo & Porter Cable 7424XP FREE BONUS
Wolfgang Porter Cable 7424 Swirl-Free Kit
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Thanks Vjeszczi, I guess I haven't been shopping for a DA in a while.

My only concern about those kits are the 6.5" inch pads, I would use a 5.5" pad on the PCXP, Griots or Meg's machines. Dwayne or Meghan may be able to sub out the smaller pads from the kits if you so desire.
 
Thanks, it will be a bit before I take the dive as I am also contemplating saving up for a Flex
 
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Vjeszczi said:
Thanks, it will be a bit before I take the dive as I am also contemplating saving up for a Flex
Click to expand...

I love my Flex and you won't be disappointed, but the Griots has a ton of power if you are on a budget.
 
Before I took the plunge I read and researched on here quite extensively and asked a lot of questions and got a lot of great advice. I looked at the kits and from the advice I got found there were things in the kits I would probably never use so I pieced together everything I wanted and I don't think it was much more than a kit with add ons would have been. I compared prices and no other site could touch AG, they had a sale on Megs (might still be going on) so I got a lot of that and some other specialty stuff I wanted. I bought the Griots because of warranty and it's supposed to have more power than the PCXP. And like mchess1 said, post a list of what you want and you will get some good advice on how to tweak it so you don't end up with something you might not need. Just my 2 cents on how I made my decision.
 
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