Single Greatest Invention to Detailing

[ScottB]

NEW POLL : So what is it .... the single (choose one) greatest invention to detailing in modern times ???

 

[SVTContour]

This is a very good poll. As we know it is all about surface prep, so inventions like the random orbital, and clay bar are very great inventions for detailing. I feel that an overlooked "darkhorse" in this poll could be the microfiber.

 

[MikeyC]

I agree. This was a tough pole to answer. I had to think for a moment which I would choose as all the choices are great detailing tools.

In the end, I had to vote for the random orbit buffer. I voted this way because the RO IMO gives the enthusiast/hobbyist/newb the ability to get results close to what a "pro detailer" would get using a rotary buffer. Except with significantly less risk of paint damage and a much smaller learning curve.

 

[cwcad]

I voted for the ROB as well. Without this wonderful tool I do not believe that I would have been hooked on detailing the same way as I am. Always hated appying products to a paint surface. The PC made it easy to apply.

Once the PC was purchased I started reading about the ability of the PC to take out swirls with proper pads and products.

Then there was more reading about how to avoid any marring and scratching thru proper washing and drying techniques.

The obcession is still going strong in my mind. Without the addition of the PC I do not believe that I would be obcessing over anything.

 

[BritOn2wheels]

Great Poll Question. Really makes you stop and think, I don't think there's going to be a run away winner here. Ask yourself the question "What has made the biggest difference in my detailing results?"

 

[Matt]

LSP's don't make much difference for me - it was a toss up between detailing clay and my PC 7424. Although I feel that claying is mandatory to get the paint smooth and slick, I know there's no way I can remove all those swirls by hand, so random orbital buffers got my vote.

 

[Kelso]

clay without a doubt... it breathes new life into an uncared for paintjob, removes oxidation, overspray. if your surface gets contaminated, clay just takes care of it. i have yet to find the necessity in an orbital buffer. if im just gonna do my car, why spend hundreds of dollars when i can buff it by hand? feel free to persuede me on that topic...everything in the poll is neccessary and then some but i think the clay is the most important and possibly overlooked product on the list.

 

[ScottB]

I am still surprised that nothing has been forthcoming from the microfiber camp ... anyone remember trying to find true 100% cotton towels prior to their introduction. (Fieldcrest-Cannon)

 

[cwcad]

Actually I am not surprised about the lack of votes for MF towels. I do not remember trying to find any Field/Crest towels either. It has always been MF towels in my case.

My first MF towel was a Costco towel. Thought it was great! Little did I know. Ignorance is bliss. I have learned that there is a difference. But only after learning that spider webs are bad and marring is not a natural occurance.

 

[Matt]

I am still surprised that nothing has been forthcoming from the microfiber camp ... anyone remember trying to find true 100% cotton towels prior to their introduction. (Fieldcrest-Cannon)

I remember those days.

 

[Larry A]

Clay bars, thats the miracle stuff. I detailed cars in the mid 1960s, everthing else on the list was either here in 1960s or can be substatuted for something else except clay. The only way to get junk off the car back then was rubbing compond, it was messy, left a lot of swirls , and was hard work. Yes I.M.O. clays the stuff. In a lot of cases with the paint being ruff you just waxed over it, it was called burying it with wax.

 

[DS Detailer]

DA, wins... altho it's tough to say because without the Clay Bar you can't get great results with the DA.