Product Questions From A Newb

[RDKC]

Too make things shorter I'm summarizing.

I have hand polished one truck a few years ago and it wasn't perfect but it was much better than it was.

Anyway, on to the point.

Just to get it out of the way, I plan on purchasing Mike's book soon so any references to pages, etc. will be checked out once I get it.

I plan on purchasing a DA and am aiming for the GG6 with LC flat pads (Orange, white, and black?). The GG6 seems to be a bit more than what I need to start but enough to last longer and I love what I've heard about the warranty.

The products are what really have me confused.

I (think I) want a compound, polish, glaze, and wax. I thought about going with a sealant but I think I would prefer a wax for the time being. Easier to remove if I need to and also forces me to get more practice.

I currently am using the cheap O'Reilly branded car wash (Better than dish soap and it gets used on a rattle-caned flat truck and a beater.) Also have used the Mother's Clay bar kit and a few different OTC waxes. I definitely do prefer liquid waxes over pastes so far.

Products that I would like input or suggestions on:

Wash Products:
Poorboy's World Spray & Wipe Waterless Wash 16 oz. (To aid in foaming and for between washes)
Chemical Guys HoneyDew Snow Foam 16 oz.
Autogeek Pressure Washer Foam Cannon HP Kit (Will have to change the fitting but no big deal, pressure washer is a freebie electric and I know nothing about it except it works.)

Clay Bar:
Mothers California Gold Clay Bar Paint Saving System - 2 Clay Bars (Can be purchased locally)
Meguiars Smooth Surface Clay Kit - G1016 (Can be purchased locally)
DP Universal Detailing Clay & Lube Combo

Compound:
Lost in the Sauce

Polish/Glaze:
BLACKFIRE Gloss Enhancing Polish

Wax:
Meguiars Gold Class Carnauba Plus Premium Liquid Wax (again, available locally)
Collinite Liquid Insulator Wax #845

Trying to keep it short because I realized I had gotten very long-winded, so forgive the list style of questions please.

- I have also thought about a kit like Meguiars Brilliant Solutions Paint Restoration Kit - G3300,
- Is there much of a difference between pre-wax cleaners? I want to do it correctly and it seems I should throw one in there.
- The two cars I own and will be doing this on (though the Suburban will be after some practice) are really in need of a repaint for perfection. I will be practicing some paint touch-up skills too so I'm hoping for something to help hide the imperfections I can't remove.
- The really important one. I am very limited on prices. I want good products but I do not have $50 to spend on a wax. I understand I won't get top-shelf product in my price range.
- Also, I currently have two Chemical Guys MF waffle-weave towels for glass and two Chemical Guys drying towels. Had to stay in the price range and I found them cheap on another site. Can't find them on AutoGeek or I would link them. Planning on buying the Mother's wheel brushes but other than that I have a cheap MF sponge from O'Reilly and a couple of the cheap (32 for $16) MF towel bundles from Wal-Mart for interior, engine, etc. use.

Sorry for the long post but I'm just trying to gather as much information as possible before spending too much money.

Thank you to the people that read through this and will provide me with any tips, opinions, or recommendations.

EDIT: Fixed some typos.

 

[Desertnate]

I (think I) want a compound, polish, glaze, and wax. I thought about going with a sealant but I think I would prefer a wax for the time being. Easier to remove if I need to and also forces me to get more practice.

If you are polishing, you don't need a glaze. A polish corrects the defects a glaze hides temporarily. Also, most sealants are actually easier/as easy to remove than a wax and last longer. There are many sealants which are very easy to use here.

Products that I would like input or suggestions on:

Clay Bar:
Mothers California Gold Clay Bar Paint Saving System - 2 Clay Bars (Can be purchased locally)
Meguiars Smooth Surface Clay Kit - G1016 (Can be purchased locally)
DP Universal Detailing Clay & Lube Combo

I've used the Meguiars kit for a long time with great success. I really like it.

Compound:
Lost in the Sauce

Polish/Glaze:
BLACKFIRE Gloss Enhancing Polish

Since this will be your first machine polish, I'd recommend Meguiars Ultimate Compound and Ultimate Polish. Both are VERY easy to use and great learning products. They should be available locally and are pretty inexpensive.

I've also used the Blackfire SRC Compound and Polish duo. The results have been really amazing on my black car.

You may not need the compound, but it is always good to have on hand just in case the polish isn't cutting enough.

Wax:
Meguiars Gold Class Carnauba Plus Premium Liquid Wax (again, available locally)
Collinite Liquid Insulator Wax #845

Trying to keep it short because I realized I had gotten very long-winded, so forgive the list style of questions please.

I've not used the Meguiars, but love 845. However there are other really good products here like the Wolfgang Sealant, Blackfire, 4-Star UPP, and Prima Epic as examples. They are reported to all have decent durablility, great looks, and are very easy to use.

- The really important one. I am very limited on prices. I want good products but I do not have $50 to spend on a wax. I understand I won't get top-shelf product in my price range.

There isn't a need to spend $50 to get a really good wax/sealant. 845 is a great example.

- Also, I currently have two Chemical Guys MF waffle-weave towels for glass and two Chemical Guys drying towels. Had to stay in the price range and I found them cheap on another site. Can't find them on AutoGeek or I would link them. Planning on buying the Mother's wheel brushes but other than that I have a cheap MF sponge from O'Reilly and a couple of the cheap (32 for $16) MF towel bundles from Wal-Mart for interior, engine, etc. use.

You should be good to go here. I actually use a big-box store MF Chanile wash-mit and it's been fantastic. It's really soft, plush, durable...and cheap!

 

[RDKC]

1. If you are polishing, you don't need a glaze. A polish corrects the defects a glaze hides temporarily. Also, most sealants are actually easier/as easy to remove than a wax and last longer. There are many sealants which are very easy to use here.

2. You may not need the compound, but it is always good to have on hand just in case the polish isn't cutting enough.

3. There isn't a need to spend $50 to get a really good wax/sealant. 845 is a great example.

4. You should be good to go here. I actually use a big-box store MF Chanile wash-mit and it's been fantastic. It's really soft, plush, durable...and cheap!

Thank you for the input, although I was hoping to get a few more replies.

1. I actually meant coating, not sealant. Oops.

2. Exactly what I was thinking.

3. I have learned that one, but I have also seen some that are very expensive. Just hoping nobody would suggest something like Wolfgang Füzion Carnauba Polymer Estate Wax

4. That's one thing I was actually pretty concerned with. I've seen a lot of bad reviews of cheaper MF on paint but wash mitts, sponges, etc. seem like something that should be replaced pretty frequently.
http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-fuzion-carnauba-polymer-car-wax.html

 

[fly07sti]

Good job on getting the GG6. Get at least 6 of each compound and polish pads. As far as product goes, it seems like you like the Meg's line. I'd also recommend that you get UC and UP. The Meg's clay will work to. You should look into Meg's D114. Can wash vehicle, use as clay lube, use as panel wipe, waterless wash, etc. The BF stuff is Very Nice, but if you're on a budget and need to practice more, I'd hold off until you've got your technique down. CG Honeydew is nice too, but you can get a gallon of Meg's hyper wash for a lot less money. Works well, but doesn't smell as nice as CG.

 

[Goin Rogue]

Clay alternative:Nanoskin AutoScrub Fine Grade Wash Mitt

It is amazing.

 

[Jeremy.Hoffman]

If you want real clay look on ebay. Its way cheaper

 

[custmsprty]

Go with the HD Products:

HD Cut

HD Polish


HD Poxy

and with your pad selection it would be perfect.

 

[Desertnate]

Go with the HD Products:

HD Cut

HD Polish


HD Poxy

and with your pad selection it would be perfect.

Would Adapt be a better option than Cut? I'm not familiar with the HD line beyond what I've read here and Autopia, but was thinking Adapt and Polish might be a good pair when when my Megs UP and UC run out.

 

[RDKC]

Good job on getting the GG6. Get at least 6 of each compound and polish pads. As far as product goes, it seems like you like the Meg's line. I'd also recommend that you get UC and UP. The Meg's clay will work to. You should look into Meg's D114. Can wash vehicle, use as clay lube, use as panel wipe, waterless wash, etc. The BF stuff is Very Nice, but if you're on a budget and need to practice more, I'd hold off until you've got your technique down. CG Honeydew is nice too, but you can get a gallon of Meg's hyper wash for a lot less money. Works well, but doesn't smell as nice as CG.

I do like the Meg's line. So far it seems to be one of the better values and I don't have to order everything since some can be purchased locally. However, I didn't know that D114 could be used for some much so I will definitely add that to my wishlist. I finally found the specs for the pressure washer I got and it's a 1500 PSI, 1.5GPM washer and I am still looking for the best foam cannon for it. Leaning towards the MTM Hydro since I haven't been able to find too much information about how well the AG ones work with electric washers like mine. Haven't actually purchased the GG6 yet, but since I got my gift certificate and got another one from my parents for some work I did for them, I'm thinking it will be coming soon.

I've thought about trying the nanoskin, but I think I'm going to stick with a regular clay for now. No offence to anybody who thinks differently, but if I start lazy I'm more prone to stay lazy. I'd rather learn the basics and them make life easier.

I looked up the HD products and, I'm assuming that you're referring to 3D HD Cut and 3D HD Polish? I've actually looked at a few of their products and debated them. I may give them a second look.

Thanks again for all the input.