NAME A FEW OF YOUR MOST COVETED TOOLS OF THE TRADE.

[DanaDetailingPros]

List a few of your tools that make your job a whole lot easier. Game changer! Tools you could never imagine doing without!
To start it off:
Flex XCE 10-8 125
Fur EEL
Dewalt cordless fan I use when doing interior.
And recently bought a Maxshine Mini and I've been loving it! Mostly for headlights and door handles. Bought 2" wet sanding discs from 800-5000 and then buff with Micro and Cutmax or ACA 510
electric sprayer for Rinseless. Love mine $23 cheapo TIVOLI Amazon.
Lets hear yours?

 

[PaulMys]

Re: NMAE A FEW OF YOUR MOST COVETED TOOLS OF THE TRADE.

There are more, but the instant I read the thread title I immediately thought "Griot's PFM".

 

[bill walsh]

Re: NMAE A FEW OF YOUR MOST COVETED TOOLS OF THE TRADE.

my vapor Chief 125 vapor steamer

 

[2black1s]

My Handi Lift Motorcycle lift. Just finished this bike today...

View attachment 75967 View attachment 75968 View attachment 75969

 

[Eldorado2k]

Master Blaster Sidekick

 

[Coatingsarecrack]

The MB still gets a lot of use and will throw out the Ego Blower.

Agree with PFM’s

Autofiber Saver applicator. Apply everything to and including tire dressing.

Rinseless wash sponge…. Maybe…

Wheel woolies

Make up brush for tires. Not to apply but to level out after applying and to get into all the grooves.

Sadto see no one has a Nano on sale this year. Was going to be my gift to myself and sure it would have made this list.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DanaDetailingPros]

There are more, but the instant I read the thread title I immediately thought "Griot's PFM".

my vapor Chief 125 vapor steamer

My Handi Lift Motorcycle lift. Just finished this bike today...

View attachment 75967 View attachment 75968 View attachment 75969

Master Blaster Sidekick

The MB still gets a lot of use and will throw out the Ego Blower.

Agree with PFM’s

Autofiber Saver applicator. Apply everything to and including tire dressing.

Rinseless wash sponge…. Maybe…

Wheel woolies

Make up brush for tires. Not to apply but to level out after applying and to get into all the grooves.

Sadto see no one has a Nano on sale this year. Was going to be my gift to myself and sure it would have made this list.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

After using my Maxshine Mini so much and having the Nano's 3 brothers the Mini,Mark III and LH19E it's one I also want! It makes no sense to not buy it as a full kit and $630 isn't chump change. I'll most likely grab the PXE from Santa if I have any $ left over after checking all the lists of my 3 kids. And they have expensive taste:wowwow:

 

[Coatingsarecrack]

After using my Maxshine Mini so much and having the Nano's 3 brothers the Mini,Mark III and LH19E it's one I also want! It makes no sense to not buy it as a full kit and $630 isn't chump change. I'll most likely grab the PXE from Santa if I have any $ left over after checking all the lists of my 3 kids. And they have expensive taste:wowwow:

Yeah I’m thinking pxe for price difference. It was $500 a lot of places for Black Friday. Procrastinated thinking a new one was coming out and here I am a year later.

Wonder if the PXE is all that much better than your max shine.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dlc95]

3D and Jescar abrasive liquids. They both resist dusting. The Jescar is probably the highest end, most refined of the European style polishes (think Menzerna), and 3D represents that of the more modern non diminishing abrasive liquids. That being said, I'm starting to be able to use M105 without getting a ton of dust like I used to. I still LOVE my Meguiar's abrasives too. M110, UC, M205, M210, UP, and M06 Cleaner Wax are alway close at hand. I feel like they get to the point faster than the 3D stuff. But the 3D is more suited to my personal style. I also liked the performance of the Rupes line, just not the dusting. Seeing as I'm getting a handle on M105, I might give the Rupes another shot.

Rinseless wash - I don't even have foaming soap on hand, and haven't needed it.

Optimum Gloss Coat - Ease of use. I'm not the biggest fan of ceramic coatings because I don't have the patience to really figure them out. I do like some of the features of the glass bottle variety, but for my time, money, and temper, Gloss Coat fulfills that role for me perfectly.

The random orbital polisher - or as Todd Helme has noted - the random rotational polisher. (The orbit is gear driven, but the free rotating spindle makes the rotation random as it can. Speed up, slow down, or completely stall). This tool transformed everything for me. While I always loved buffing cars, I never enjoyed the rotary buffer. It was messy, wool everywhere, it was easy to destroy foam pads. The splatter was a nightmare before I knew I was supposed to cover the cowling and textured black trim pieces. That first Porter Cable was a game changer for my level of enjoyment, and I'm reminded of that every time I use any type of orbital tool. Lately, the Duetto has been my first choice.

 

[DanaDetailingPros]

Two different animals. 2" Vs.3"
I think you meant to say the Nano Vs. my Maxshine. I'm sure there is allot of difference if at all when the pad meets the paint, But I just love the design and having the best! I will be geting the PXE for convenience over my Rupes Mini. I've been really liking the cordless route! Save a ton of time! But if I had a shop that wouldn't mater.

 

[DanaDetailingPros]

3D and Jescar abrasive liquids. They both resist dusting. The Jescar is probably the highest end, most refined of the European style polishes (think Menzerna), and 3D represents that of the more modern non diminishing abrasive liquids. That being said, I'm starting to be able to use M105 without getting a ton of dust like I used to. I still LOVE my Meguiar's abrasives too. M110, UC, M205, M210, UP, and M06 Cleaner Wax are alway close at hand. I feel like they get to the point faster than the 3D stuff. But the 3D is more suited to my personal style. I also liked the performance of the Rupes line, just not the dusting. Seeing as I'm getting a handle on M105, I might give the Rupes another shot.

Rinseless wash - I don't even have foaming soap on hand, and haven't needed it.

Optimum Gloss Coat - Ease of use. I'm not the biggest fan of ceramic coatings because I don't have the patience to really figure them out. I do like some of the features of the glass bottle variety, but for my time, money, and temper, Gloss Coat fulfills that role for me perfectly.

The random orbital polisher - or as Todd Helme has noted - the random rotational polisher. (The orbit is gear driven, but the free rotating spindle makes the rotation random as it can. Speed up, slow down, or completely stall). This tool transformed everything for me. While I always loved buffing cars, I never enjoyed the rotary buffer. It was messy, wool everywhere, it was easy to destroy foam pads. The splatter was a nightmare before I knew I was supposed to cover the cowling and textured black trim pieces. That first Porter Cable was a game changer for my level of enjoyment, and I'm reminded of that every time I use any type of orbital tool. Lately, the Duetto has been my first choice.

Are you saying conventional random orbit is what you prefer over forced? I was pretty sure you were referring to forced and then you brought up the Duetto. I thought it was a Random and not forced? Correct me as I'm sure I'm misunderstanding this.I was also curious what Jascar you like for a comparable to 3D one or cutmax. Those have been my main 2 I use mostly and ACA 510 for a bit stronger compound! I also have Merdenza 400. I would like to try the Jescar Line up! Also hear allot about the Ultra lock + Thanks Dic

 

[dgage]

I have the PXE and really like it for 2” (bought APS plate) and 3” pads. Has good power and battery lasts a good 30-40 min. Definitely has more power than my long neck Nano

 

[craigdt]

EGO 56v blower
CR Spotless
Ryobi cordless 4gal shop vac (so handy)

 

[DanaDetailingPros]

The MB still gets a lot of use and will throw out the Ego Blower.

Agree with PFM’s

Autofiber Saver applicator. Apply everything to and including tire dressing.

Rinseless wash sponge…. Maybe…

Wheel woolies

Make up brush for tires. Not to apply but to level out after applying and to get into all the grooves.

Sadto see no one has a Nano on sale this year. Was going to be my gift to myself and sure it would have made this list.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have the PXE and really like it for 2” (bought APS plate) and 3” pads. Has good power and battery lasts a good 30-40 min. Definitely has more power than my long neck Nano

EGO 56v blower
CR Spotless
Ryobi cordless 4gal shop vac (so handy)

I love my Dewalt and forgot to list it. But I almost use it more than my Rigid w/15ft hose. The Dewalt is so much easier and convenient to just bring in the car and set it on the seats!

 

[DFB]

The single most coveted tool is my pressure washer setup. I have put a lot of time, money and effort into this setup. Upgrading from an old Karcher, the flow rate and ease of connections transformed my washing process.





Now running Mosmatic gun and wand, MTM foam cannon.







Next, my detailing seat. It was a revelation when I discovered seated wheel cleaning, I went from hating wheel cleaning to loving it! Combined with my bucket setup, I look forward to taking and seat and just enjoying the process.









Sticking with the wheel step, this EZ-Detail GO brush has become a favorite tool for cleaning wheel arches.







On the subject of brushes, I absolutely love the new Detail Factory Tire Scrub Brush. These are slightly more pliable compared to the usual stiff bristle tire brushes, they seem to contour better. I love it so much I bought another for cleaning rubber floor mats.









My Blow Dryer, a big step up for me at the time and a crucial step when dealing with intricate front bumpers and grills. I'm trying out an EGO LB765 at the moment, but I think the dedicated blower is more efficient.







Sticking with air, my air compressor setup has become more and more useful. I added an upgraded hose reel recently, combined with new fittings. Also love the Tornador Basic blow out gun, especially on filthy carpet mats.









And lastly, my sink. This was another pivotal change in my detailing process, allowing me to fill buckets and foam cannons with ease, a workbench for measuring dilutions and filling spray bottles, and an ergonomic place to clean up brushes and other equipment after the detail. Love it!

 

[Eldorado2k]

@DFB. Nice post and perfect looking garage.

 

[Coatingsarecrack]

Yeah I went down the Pressure washer rabbit hole for a while with my Mustang but started getting more and more comfortable with rinseless washes.

Work so well on my black mustang been going to town on white as it shows swirls a lot less.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Eldorado2k]

Yeah I went down the Pressure washer rabbit hole for a while with my Mustang but started getting more and more comfortable with rinseless washes.

Work so well on my black mustang been going to town on white as it shows swirls a lot less.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Why not just go balls out and waterless wash with a single Zap Cloth like that old man in their advertisement video? Don’t even need soap, just plain water. lol.

 

[noorth]

Re: NMAE A FEW OF YOUR MOST COVETED TOOLS OF THE TRADE.

There are more, but the instant I read the thread title I immediately thought "Griot's PFM".

I immediately thought of rinseless products.

My large carpro dehydrate towel is really nice. I have no desire to look for anything else but griots PRM sounds like a real winner from what i read.

 

[Eldorado2k]

Re: NMAE A FEW OF YOUR MOST COVETED TOOLS OF THE TRADE.

I immediately thought of rinseless products.

My large carpro dehydrate towel is really nice. I have no desire to look for anything else but griots PRM sounds like a real winner from what i read.

Notorious Dry Towel is every bit as impressive too.