Sorry guys, I guess I should have mentioned that. I will be working on a 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo, and I think the clear coat is very soft because I only have 8,000 miles and I was seeing tons of swirls at 4,000 miles, but that is probably from the worst wash job possible lol.
I will be detailing as a hobby for a while, but I really want to gravitate to doing it as a job. I understand it is extremely hard work, but I love the results in the end.
What is AIO-type products, and what is the difference between AIO-type and multistep? It looks like sealants are the best, but what do you recommend?
I would definetly like to do it with a dual action polisher. As for money I know this stuff doesn't come cheap. I would like to spend around 500-600 for start-up. Thanks guys for the quick replies, if you have anymore questions let me know!
My personal recommendation is as follows.
1- Focus on building an inventory and technique that will satisfy your immediate needs. As you develop your hobby some inventory will be portable to the business and 100% of your technique (and continued learning) will be required.
2. A Veloster has soft paint so swirls are going to be typical. You have 2 options here. You polish the paint and remove the swirls and then plan on improving your technique every year or two; since you have a "swirl magnet" of a car. OR.... you eliminate the swirls and go with a paint coating or durable wax that will last for a long time.
My recommendation with #2 is that you go with the latter option; turn your vehicle into the showcase and work on your family's vehicles for free or for some cost recovery of the products you purchase.
3. Due to soft paint I would suggest you go with:
a) a GG kit - Wolfgang and Meguiars look OK and I would lean towards Wolfgang
b) 6 microfiber towels - I like Cobra Supreme 530's and Junior 600's as
c) 2 wax removal mf's towels - Something in a waffle weave family will serve you well for wax removal and also cleaning glass. As to cleaning glass splurge a little and go with Invisible Glass aerosol spray. You will NOT be disappointed and you may be WOW'd with this product.
d) OTC soap without wax additives will be fine if you stay in Mothers and Meguiars product lines. I have no experience with other OTC product lines and see no need to venture away from these 2. In terms of stretching your dollar look at the Wolfgang gallon sale or Dodo Juice Born to Be Mild.
(at this point I think you are down $250.... or 50% of the low end of your budget)
e) Get Optimum No-rinse (ONR), as stated already it is a fantastic multi-use product depending on dilution ratios used. In conjunction do to the local Home Depot and get several $0.99 spray bottles.
f) Get an Iron remover product. CarPro, Wolf's and Dodo Juice have them. It will save you time in the long run
g) Get Mother's Clay Bar system. The clay is very good for someone just starting out and you get a spray bottle that you can eventually re-use with a ONR mixture. It will also be nice to your soft paint.
h) As for compounds and polishes, should you be thinking you need more than Wolfgang or Megs you are wrong; at least initially with the Hyundai. You have more than enough to evolve to the next level. Your money is best spent elsewhere.
i) Regardless of price point, any AIO will all do well with your Hyundai and most other vehicles (since your technique should be the focus moreso than product variety). Also, with the GG kit you would not intermix the Wolfgang or Megs products with an AIO in the same detail. So for now, skip the AIO and get a cleaner-wax or cleaner-sealant type product. Mike Phillips has a good article on this topic in the forum. Pick your poison here.
j) As for wax, assuming you agree with me that your vehicle will be the showcase you can go with a very durable wax such as Collinite 476 (which will last over a year on your paint and the tin lasting years), or a coating (semi-permanent or permanent).
k) When you are not performing a "correction" detail and simply want to "maintain" the finish with minimal correction, you can go with a cleaner-wax.
l) For a finishing wax that adds some gloss and more protection over your wax choices, Optimum Car Wax is the bomb (again, bottle or gallon will last years)
m) As for an APC, Megs APC+ is multi-use and will serve you well for interior and exterior cleaning. Paired with some terry towels you are ready for this task
n) CarPro PERL is awesome and multi-use for interior and exterior dressing
m) For cleaning your pads, Dawn Ultra, APC+ and some elbow grease will do the deed. For cleaning your microfibers go with an OTC "Green" detergent with no dyes and all-natural ingredients. Combined with Distilled White Vinegar as a natural softener you will be set here for awhile.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...erence-between-cleaner-wax-finishing-wax.html
You probably will be on the low-end of your budget with my recommendations and with some time and energy you will also have a shelf full of products that will for the most part be transportable to your business.
If by chance I left anything out I am sure others have already covered me (or will in the future). Feel free to request clarifications as needed. Good luck.
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