Newbie Questions

Herrmann22

Herrmann22

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Howdy!

I joined this site because well, I like the colors. I'm kidding... Actually, I plan to start taking care of my vehicles now for some reason. I've always purchased new vehicles but besides the occasional wash I've never took the time to wax anything. Why the change of heart? Not sure! I just think a shiny, clean vehicle looks good but my vehicles never look that way. I wonder why? :p

I noticed this site pushes a lot of their own products (I don't blame them. Gotta make money you know!) but honestly, I don't feel like spending hundreds of dollars keeping my car shiny. I'm sure the products are fabulous here but with me being a frugal mindset and the fact I don't live and breath car detailing as a hobby, I am looking for some honest opinions.

I shop at Wal-Mart. Why? It makes sense. Money is tight and I don't own a money tree and have higher priorities to spend my money on. With that said, I'm looking for a few items to start with:

1. Car Wash
2. Wax
3. ??? (Not sure what else I will need yet)

For someone on a tight budget but still wants a decent wash/wax job what products are a good buy at Wal-Mart or local retailers?

Let's start off here and see what happens. I'm sure this will spark some comments and suggestions and that's what I'm here for!

:props:
 
While there are some products that are a bit more expensive than others, the saying "you get what you pay for" generally holds true.

In some instances, you can save money by purchasing professional quality products in larger sizes... ie shampoos in a gallon size.

I always tell people that if you want to be in it for the long haul, spend the money and you will be surprised at how long the products last you. I mean a bottle of sealant will last you years, even if you apply it 2-3 times per year as you should. I have been working on the same gallon jug of shampoo for about a year now (and I wash a LOT of cars), but since it only takes an ounce per wash that stuff lasts forever.

Don't let some prices scare you... the cheap stuff at walmart is simply that... cheap. However many stores are starting to carry Meguiar's professional line and some Griot's Garage products as well.

Welcome to the forums!
 
If you want good products on a budget you cant go wrong with Duragloss
 
Another vote for the Meguiars stuff at WalMart.

I use(d) the following items that can all be found there with good success.

- Gold Class Car Shampoo
- Clay Bar Kit
- Plastic X
- Ultimate Compound
- Ultimate Polish
- Ultimate Interior Protectant
- Quick Detailer
- Tire Dressing

I've also picked up decent microfiber towels there too.
 
Agree on duragloss. Get the gallon of 902 wash at CARQUEST for @ $20 (ask them for a 1 ounce pump dispenser also). You only need an ounce or 2 per wash, so you will get over 60 washes from the gallon. Get a microfiber wash mitt from Walmart or Target along with some microfiber drying and detailing towels. Get a couple 5 gallon buckets from Home Depot for $3 each or so. Or I've heard of some people asking a bakery or deli for a couple 5 gallon buckets and they will usually give them to you. Get a couple Grit Guards for $10 each...one for each bucket...at a minimum get one for your "rinse" bucket. Watch some videos on this site how to do the 2 bucket method.

Meguiars products are inexpensive and will work just fine given you don't plan to go all out. Get some Ultimate Compound and Ultimate Polish to clean the paint up a bit, then the Gold Class wax is decent. The wax you will probably need to apply every month if you aren't using a durable sealant underneath (sealant won't keep your wax on longer, but the wax will be your only protection from the element and won't last long. If wax burns off on my car in a month, I don't care because I use it for a look but I have a polymer sealant underneath that I know is still protecting it after it burns off). I would highly recommend you clay the car too and Meguiars should have reasonably priced kits at Walmart.
 
Hi, you can do a decent job with:

  1. Megs shampoo
  2. Megs clleaner/wax paste
We have to learn to say "thats good enough"

run fast and dont look back, Ive been bit
 
Herrmann22 said:
Howdy!

I joined this site because well, I like the colors. I'm kidding... Actually, I plan to start taking care of my vehicles now for some reason. I've always purchased new vehicles but besides the occasional wash I've never took the time to wax anything. Why the change of heart? Not sure! I just think a shiny, clean vehicle looks good but my vehicles never look that way. I wonder why? :p

I noticed this site pushes a lot of their own products (I don't blame them. Gotta make money you know!) but honestly, I don't feel like spending hundreds of dollars keeping my car shiny. I'm sure the products are fabulous here but with me being a frugal mindset and the fact I don't live and breath car detailing as a hobby, I am looking for some honest opinions.

I shop at Wal-Mart. Why? It makes sense. Money is tight and I don't own a money tree and have higher priorities to spend my money on. With that said, I'm looking for a few items to start with:

1. Car Wash
2. Wax
3. ??? (Not sure what else I will need yet)

For someone on a tight budget but still wants a decent wash/wax job what products are a good buy at Wal-Mart or local retailers?

Let's start off here and see what happens. I'm sure this will spark some comments and suggestions and that's what I'm here for!

:props:
Click to expand...


Do you want to just keep the car out of the car wash or some paint correction?
Investing in the beginning will be necessary to get started...
The joy comes later on...

If you don't have the money , then get the basics from Wal-Mart
bucket ,sponge, car wash, tire cleaner, towels , liquid wax.
 
I understand what you saying when money is tight,money is tight for me too thats why i make some of my own products like glass cleaner, wheel cleaner, tire shine,interior cleaner and such but when i have the money i will slurge on AG or when i find a quailty product on ebay
 
I'll never step foot into Walmart. Shame on that store for draining the local businesses!
 
Thanks for all the honest suggestions. I was expecting a lot of bashing for my post (forums are known for that) but you all seem pretty cool and I appreciate that. I understand this is a detailing forum and I'm sure there and plenty of folks on here who don't care what things cost when it comes to their vehicles but right now I just need to get started with a common sense approach to decent products that don't require taking out a second mortgage ya know?
 
Most of the items you need for proper vehicle maintenance can be bought at Walmart. I am also a Meg's fan and they are available at Walmart. However, two things I could not find were good quality MF towels and grit guards. Although I don't use my grit guards much these says since I use the GD method, good quality MF towels is a must IMO.
 
If you plan ahead, and shop smart, you can build a cart worth of goods from autogeek, wait for a 15% off with free shipping sale, and get more value/quality for your dollar than walmart.

If you have a garage, the meguiars bulk products are dramatically more cost effective than the single use bottles. It may cost a little more upfront, but you will have products to last you years.

Are you just looking to clean, wash, wax? No paint correction?
 
Potential shopping list of good bang for your buck/high yield products:

Meguiar’s Glass Cleaner Concentrate, 1 Gallon, dilutes to make an excellent auto glass cleaner. Meguiars Concentrated Car Glass Cleaner is great for Makes 11 GALLONS of window cleaner, can use in your car and all over the house.

Meguiars D103 All Purpose Cleaner Plus Highly versatile, can use all over the house as well.

Meguiars Gold Class Shampoo & Conditioner 64 oz. - A moisturizing car wash & conditioning soap to lubricate and clean your vehicle. Could pick this up at Walmart if you want

Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine: clay lubricant, optimum rinseless wash, no rinse car wash, optimum detailing products Extremely versatile, can use for no rinse, clay lube, etc. Ive used it as a window cleaner and it works well if you want to skip the dedicated glass cleaner.

Nanoskin Autoscrub Speedy Prep Sponge Awesome, easy to use, will really help clean the paint in a way you did not know was possible if you have never clayed a car before.

Collinite Liquid Insulator Wax #845, liquid wax, heat-resistant wax, car wax
 
Wes Bremec said:
Start shopping at a different store
Click to expand...

Got it, thanks. I do shop other places too. My point was more about not having to spend a ton of money to achieve decent results using every-day retail establishments. I saw some microfiber towels at AutoZone the other day which we're actually cheaper than Wally World. I should have picked them up. They were half-off on sale.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using AG Online
 
mavin said:
If you plan ahead, and shop smart, you can build a cart worth of goods from autogeek, wait for a 15% off with free shipping sale, and get more value/quality for your dollar than walmart.

If you have a garage, the meguiars bulk products are dramatically more cost effective than the single use bottles. It may cost a little more upfront, but you will have products to last you years.

Are you just looking to clean, wash, wax? No paint correction?
Click to expand...

Yeah, not sure about paint correction. I need to learn more obviously but for now, just get my vehicles clean, free of bugs/tar, good wash/wax. In time I can get more advanced.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using AG Online
 
I just purchased a Microtex MF wash pad and a new wash bucket and almost got one of those water blades to dry the car but I don't know if people really use those. So I am waiting to get more feedback.

I like the fact that Autogeek accepts PayPal. That's awesome. I have some wax and that cleaning block mentioned in a previous post in my shopping cart for starters.


Sent from my SGH-T989 using AG Online
 
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