Looking for a simple kit to get started

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ChilliGilly

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I've been doing some reading on here and the google machine, and I landed on a couple brands that I have read good things about (Adams & Chemical Guys). They both make a sort of "starter" kit that I can get for about $120 on Amazon that has the basic products as well as a foam gun. I am not a professional detailer by any means but I do want a half decent set of products to clean and then to protect my truck and wifes car. In the past I have seen what weather does to black rubberized trim, fake leather & vinyl interior parts and dashboards, and all black plastic parts like mirrors.

The two kits I'm looking at are the CG aresnal builder here; https://www.amazon.ca/Chemical-Guys-HOL126-14-Piece-Arsenal/dp/B06Y1MGNGC?th=1

or the Adam's kit, which is quite a bit more costly here; https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07NBWTSCJ...uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

Like I said, I don't need professional products but I do want something simple to clean and protect my vehicles. Does anybody have any objections to either of the two companies/kits?

I'd just really like to move away from the Canadian Tire cheap generic brand stuff and into something that works a little better, but without going too hardcore.

Thanks!
 
Do yourself a favor and look up Griot's or McKee's products.

In todays world, the line between "professional" and "consumer" has become very blurred as these companies are trying to hit the sweet spot between professional detailers, and the rest of us guys/gals who want the very best.
 
Yes it’s very overwhelming with all the options of products out there now lol. Every time I turn around people are talking about a new brand or product that works the best.
 
Agreed , you can’t go wrong with either Griots or Mckees , quality products by both companies and you can call them with any questions to help you get started


Sent from my iPhone using AGOnline
 
At minimum keep away from the Chemical Guys products in general. They do have some good products but more marketing than product building.

Adams is better than CG but for the price not that good.

Stick here with AG and pick a kit that covers the whole car.

Griots, 303, Meguiars, McKees, CarPro, Optimum.
 
A lot of the "kits" seem to compromise or leave out needed items in order to keep costs down. For example, the kits you linked mainly cover washing.

The most complete kit I see here on the AG store is this one from Wolfgang :

Wolfgang Interior / Exterior Combo Kit contains three of our outstanding exterior products, two exceptional interior leather care products, and an

Then add :

303 Aerospace Protectant for exterior trim.

A tire dressing like Duragloss 253.

Some additional microfiber towels for drying and polishing/waxing, a couple wash mitts, and a tire brush.

A couple 5 gal. buckets for $5/ea. at Home Depot.


With the above you will have washing, minor paint correction, paint protection, interior and exterior protection, and tires pretty well covered. And utilizing a 25% off sale here at AG, you should come in for nearly the same amount as one of those "wash" kits you mentioned (minus the foam gun).
 
My eyes hurt looking at those Canadian dollar amounts.

I wouldn't worry about a foam gun to get started.

Some shampoo(Meguiars Hyper-wash 38),
sealant(Collinite 845 is 34) which is enough to do 30 cars....probably more,
Meguiars Quik wax is 10 something your money for drying aid,

Some wash mitts and microfibers for drying and wax/detail spray removal??....your choice.
A grit guard is 10
Mothers VLR for vinyl/leather/rubber is 10.
Shopping on Amazon ca is painful

Although you can order from Autogeek with a sale and pay the shipping which might be $65
 
57Rambler said:
A lot of the "kits" seem to compromise or leave out needed items in order to keep costs down. For example, the kits you linked mainly cover washing.

The most complete kit I see here on the AG store is this one from Wolfgang :

Wolfgang Interior / Exterior Combo Kit contains three of our outstanding exterior products, two exceptional interior leather care products, and an

Then add :

303 Aerospace Protectant for exterior trim.

A tire dressing like Duragloss 253.

Some additional microfiber towels for drying and polishing/waxing, a couple wash mitts, and a tire brush.

A couple 5 gal. buckets for $5/ea. at Home Depot.


With the above you will have washing, minor paint correction, paint protection, interior and exterior protection, and tires pretty well covered. And utilizing a 25% off sale here at AG, you should come in for nearly the same amount as one of those "wash" kits you mentioned (minus the foam gun).
Click to expand...

Not a bad kit, but I might disagree on adding the 303 Aerospace.

I would go with WETS (Wolfgang Exterior Trim Sealant) any day of the week over 303.
 
PaulMys said:
Not a bad kit, but I might disagree on adding the 303 Aerospace.

I would go with WETS (Wolfgang Exterior Trim Sealant) any day of the week over 303.
Click to expand...

Funny, I was going to list WETS or McKee's37 Trim Restorer instead, but went with 303 to save a few $'s ... :rolleyes:
 
57Rambler said:
Funny, I was going to list WETS or McKee's37 Trim Restorer instead, but went with 303 to save a few $'s ... :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Funny, I was going to add McKee's but didn't want to muddle the pot. :laughing::laughing:
 
dcjredline said:
At minimum keep away from the Chemical Guys products in general. They do have some good products but more marketing than product building.

Adams is better than CG but for the price not that good.

Stick here with AG and pick a kit that covers the whole car.

Griots, 303, Meguiars, McKees, CarPro, Optimum.
Click to expand...

I disagree with you on Adam's, while they do have a few products that are crazy overpriced. They have a lot of decent priced, good products. Some are downright cheap, their iron remover's $50 a gallon, but they always have a sale going any more. It smells worlds better than any other I've used and is half the price of Iron X and a lot of the competitors. Adam's has one of the better priced line ups considering the quality. Ironically it's their polishes that are WTH overpriced lol. Right now the 50ml of their new UV ceramic coating's $64. that's pretty insane.


ChillyGilly - if you don't mind a bit of unknown. Adam's has a Sticker Bomb Mystery Bucket - $69 and you get $120+ worth of products. Since you don't have anything imho this would be a good deal and give you a lot of the basics. And there are multiple people who have gotten a $200 polishes + a bunch of bottles of chemicals in their mystery boxes. You could order this, and when you get it see what else you need/want and spend the rest of the $120 on it since you'd have like $50 left over.
 
j.williams at perpetualradiance said:
I disagree with you on Adam's, while they do have a few products that are crazy overpriced. They have a lot of decent priced, good products. Some are downright cheap, their iron remover's $50 a gallon, but they always have a sale going any more. It smells worlds better than any other I've used and is half the price of Iron X and a lot of the competitors. Adam's has one of the better priced line ups considering the quality. Ironically it's their polishes that are WTH overpriced lol. Right now the 50ml of their new UV ceramic coating's $64. that's pretty insane.


ChillyGilly - if you don't mind a bit of unknown. Adam's has a Sticker Bomb Mystery Bucket - $69 and you get $120+ worth of products. Since you don't have anything imho this would be a good deal and give you a lot of the basics. And there are multiple people who have gotten a $200 polishes + a bunch of bottles of chemicals in their mystery boxes. You could order this, and when you get it see what else you need/want and spend the rest of the $120 on it since you'd have like $50 left over.
Click to expand...

Yes I wondered about that. That's a good idea.
 
McKee’s is great stuff but they have ALOT of products. The chemical guys stuff is decent better than OTC.

If wanting to keep it simple everything I’ve gotten from Adam’s has been good. It’s definitely worth it over the CG kit. If you can find one for griots tho I feel they have best overall line especially if just starting and calling into their customer service the will dial you up what you need.

If your just wanting a clean car both those specialize in the consumer line up of products. If detailing is a hobby then look at old threads and find the best in each segment as no one does everything great.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
ChilliGilly said:
Yes I wondered about that. That's a good idea.
Click to expand...

IMHO it would be a great starting place. They legit are good for $69. If you read on these forums and some others, Adam's has a lot of fans but an equal number of people who dislike them. I got into detailing about 7 years ago and have spent thousands on every brand out there. While I don't have the experience many here do. I've tried so many products. Others suggestions of McKee's & CarPro are both solid. McKee's especially. CarPro's better when you've been into detailing for awhile imho. They tend to be a bit on the pricey side, not saying they're not worth it. I have an order with about $100 in CarPro stuff coming Monday. ChemicalGuys.... They have a bunch of meh products and some great ones, but way way way too many overlapping products for no reason. They have like 20 different soaps, which is ridiculous lol. They're a very confusing company for a n00b to deal with. Adam's has no overlapping, or confusing products. And nothing I'd say is bad. And no matter what anyone on a forum might try to make you believe, there's no one company that makes the best everything. My detail cabinet has stuff from probably a dozen different makers.

And if you order the Adams Mystery bucket, if you're lucky lucky, in the past a couple people here and there have gotten about $300-500 worth of stuff. Their shampoo's good, their interior cleaners good, I love their iron remover and the wheel cleaner (iron remover specially for wheels) and their tire and rubber cleaner's great. For a 1st timer I can't really think of anything they'd put in it that would suck. Some companies make mystery boxes to try and offload crap. They legit give you stuff you'd buy. not left overs and stuff that's teetering on expiring. And that one's good because it comes with a 5 gallon bucket which is going to be essential.

My OCD won't allow me to detail a car using a Home Depot or Lowes bucket but lol maybe (hopefully) you're not like me.
 
j.williams at perpetualradiance said:
... They legit give you stuff you'd buy. not left overs and stuff that's teetering on expiring. And that one's good because it comes with a 5 gallon bucket which is going to be essential.

My OCD won't allow me to detail a car using a Home Depot or Lowes bucket but lol maybe (hopefully) you're not like me.
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There's literally only a few OEM's that supply all the 5 gal. plastic buckets, be they re-sold under HD, Lowes, Adam's, AG or anyone else's name.

Leaktite, Letica, and U.S. Plastics.

A bucket is a bucket. :)
 
57Rambler said:
There's literally only a few OEM's that supply all the 5 gal. plastic buckets, be they re-sold under HD, Lowes, Adam's, AG or anyone else's name.

Leaktite, Letica, and U.S. Plastics.

A bucket is a bucket. :)
Click to expand...



Yes sir.

I wouldn't care if my bucket were pink with a feminine hygiene product logo on it. As long as it held my soap and didn't leak. :laughing:
 
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