Ultimate Detailing List of Supplies

[ihaveacamaro]

Alright guys, I thought I would break down what I like to use as a hobbyist/part time detailer for anyone who is interested. I am going to break it down into 3 groups: what I consider essential, recommended, and OCD (like yours truly).

Comments/Improvements welcome! I'm not always right and never said I would be so if anyone comes up with something better, I can always edit this post

About everything I have can be found from either from Autogeek or Autopia or Amazon.


Essential:

What I consider essential for a detailer (in no particular order):

1) Quality Soap (lowest grade soap I will use is Meguiar's Gold Class. I recommend Chemical Guys Citrus Gloss and Wash or CG Maxisuds II as a starter online-sold soap ie cheap/high dilution/effective)

2) Two 5 gallon buckets. At least one grit guard for the rinse bucket.

3) Microfiber Chenille Wash Mitt.... and not the cheapo walmart one. Cobra is a good brand sold at autogeek/autopia.

4) Foam Gun for hose (Gilmour sold on Amazon is $30ish)

5) Optimum Power Clean (can be diluted to clean interiors, wheels, paint, engine bay, plastic... pretty much safe on everything, but it will strip wax).

6) MICROFIBER CLOTHS! These will end up costing you so much money... but you need the right ones. Again, Cobras are great here, but other people have good luck with cheaper ones like Pakshak. No Costco or Walmart ones unless you are only using it for the engine bay or interior or exhaust.

Note: Goodtimes brought up to me that Garry Dean uses the Sam's club towels for rinseless washes and so does he with no scratching. I've not used that but as you can tell, lots of opinions that I trust from well respected people in the detailing community. Towelpros and MicrofiberTech are also places that sell quality MF towels, but I have not ever used them.

7) Terry cloths. A little more aggressive nap than MF towels. Only for interior. Not for paint.

8) Microfiber/Foam Applicators: Great for tire dressing and wax application.

9) Mother's wheel brush, tire brush, and fender brush kit. Amazing tools and priced right.

10) At least one Daytona Speed Brush or Wheel woolie.

11) Shop Vac to vacuum interior

12) Interior Brush: Only for carpet, not for leather ie http://www.autogeek.net/interior-brush.html

13) Carpet cleaner (I recommend CG carpet clean and stain remover)

14) Tire/rubber/engine/leather Dressing (I recommend Carpro PERL for it's versatility, price, endurance through rain, and good dilution)

15) Collinite 845: By far the best wax you can get for the price. This stuff is untouchable for those on a budget.

16) 3 Spray Bottles to use for diluted products (I actually bought $3 ones at walmart that work great but leak a little).

17) Dual Action Orbital Buffer: For newbies, the safest you can get is the PC 7424xp. Get 5.5 inch pads and 5 inch backing... nothing bigger than that.

18) Meguiars 105/205: These guys pack a punch and are the standard to beat in the compounding and polishing world. They are NOT super newbie friendly, but if you get the hang of it, these two can be the only polishes you will ever need.

19) SM Arnold Speedy Surface Prep Towel: Make sure to get the FINE grade. This is your clay, but much much MUCH better.

20) At the very least, CCS pads for your buffer. Even better is flat pads. You need yellow, orange, white, and gray imo at the minimum and 2 of each.

21) Ultima Waterless Wash Plus Concentrate: Makes quick detailer, clay lube, waterless wash, and rinseless wash. What's not to love?

22) Leafblower (has to be electric)



Recommended:


Now, past essential is my recommended list on top of products above (again in no specific order):

23) More compounds and polishes: Optimum Hyper Compound and Hyper Spray come to mind as some of the most user friendly. Also Menzerna. The list could go on forever seriously. Almost all polishes work well. Optimum/Meguiars/Menzerna are some of the best out there though.

24) Blackfire Crystal Sealant: Wipe on, walk away sealant. One of the best I've ever tried.

25) Wheel lug nut brush

26) Mother's Detail Brushes: I haven't found better detail brushes for the same price ($4 for 2)

27) Boar's Hair Wheel Brush for ultra soft wheel cleaning, but imo my Mother's wheel brush does just fine and doesn't shed hair all over the place either.

28) Lamb's wool wash mitt (these need to be replaced every so often and sometimes you get one that lints, which sucks. But in terms of softness, can't be beat)

29) Interior Sealant (wolfgang ****pit sealant has gotten awesome reviews as well as ultima interior guard plus)

~~~ ...Really? ****pit is automatically changed to asterisks on this forum.... um okay how about cokpit lol ~~~

30) Hydrotech pads: Even better than CCS/Flat pads but tend to disintegrate faster.

31) Horsehair brush: Softest, gentlest method of applying any interior cleaner or conditioner. Not my personal favorite because you have to vacuum again after because of all the hair coming off the brush.

32) MF Towels: You can never have enough. I got an awesome deal on Cobra Supreme 600, Deluxe 530, and Gold Plush Jrs and wholeheartedly recommend all of them. Other awesome ones are quality MFs that have no borders. Safest of the safe MF towels.

33) Waffle Weave Drying Towels

34) More quality soaps: Not all soaps are created equal. Try quality ones and find what you like. Currently, I'm enjoying Duragloss 901.

35) Spray waxes: I really enjoy Optimum Car Wax right now.

36) Sealant: Blackfire Wet Diamond is my current favorite

37) All-in-one product: If you have all these products, you don't need this, but if you do others people cars you might want a one stepper cleaner, polisher, sealant to save time.

38) 3 inch backing plate and pads for your DA above (in essentials)

39) Another grit guard for your soap bucket

40) Pressure washer and MTM Hydro foam cannon attachment

41) Waterless/Rinseless wash with Carnauba: You can argue all day with me that these are putting scratches in my car, but I don't see them. Also, a yearly polish doesn't bother me at all if it does. The ease of use and time reduction in my twice weekly wash is just awesome. I have used the Pinnacle Waterless Wash with Carnauba and have found it to be a great product.

42) All Metal Polish to polish wheels and exhaust tips. Can be used with hands and MF applicator pad.

43) Another 6 inch buffer... preferably a Flex 3401 or Griot's Garage.

44) Glass cleaner: I've used both Invisible glass and Meguiar's Glass Cleaner (thanks Matt for the suggestion) and they both work great. Megs Glass Cleaner is the better value though.

45) If you have a Daytona Speed Brush, then get the whoolie set. Vice versa as well. Both sets are helpful and handy in specific situations.

46) 10 Spray Bottles: I think that having around 10 is a good number for various dilutions of chemicals.

47) Self-cleaning squeeze bottles: A must if you use Collinite waxes. Other waxes benefit from being in here as well with better control of product, easy to see how much you have left, and never clogging. Great for sealants, waxes, polishes, compounds, gels, all sorts of things.

48) An assortment of all types of pads in all abrasives. You never know what combination will be just perfect and what combination is just lacking in the slightest bit to annoy you to try another combination. More pads = more possibility of satisfaction with your paint finish.





OCD Status:


Now for those of you, who like me, are OCD:

49) 3 inch buffer. I have a Griot's Garage 3 inch buffer. It seems pretty sturdy so far, so I would recommend it. One thing I saw when researching it was it was supposedly underpowered. I personally did not really notice that. A 3 inch buffer is great for grilles and hard to reach spots with a 6 inch buffer.

50) Another 3 inch backing plate and more 4 inch pads

51) Paste Wax: This is your boutique wax... it is used as a topper on other waxes most of the time. I have HEARD, not used, about Blackfire Midnight Sun and Wolfgang Fuzion. Fuzion is supposedly better in terms of durability but it is also like $170 for two jars. You have to buy two jars (you only get one, but you get a refill when you run out).

I have good luck with my Mother's Paste Wax lol... but I do want to try Fuzion.

52) Coating: If you are seriously serious about your paint protection, think about getting a coating. I have Opticoat on my Camaro and it is absolutely amazing. The benefit of Opticoat is it is essentially a permanent wax. I have heard great things about cquartz as well, although the manufacturer states it is a 3 year coating.

53) Raceglaze brushes: Expensive, but very safe and helpful for trim and emblem cleaning.

54) Meguiars Dynacone Polishing Tool and any drill. Used for wheel and exhaust polishing and much easier/faster than hands.

55) Rotary polisher: You will only really need both a rotary polisher and dual action polisher if you are a serious detailer. A dual action polisher like the Flex 3401 can pretty much do ALMOST everything a Rotary can, just takes longer. Makita 9227c is highly recommended rotary among detailers.

56) MF Cutting Pads: Haven't gotten around to using mine, but the Optimum MF cutting pads are supposed to be nothing short of amazing... if used correctly. MF polishing pads are not supposed to be better than foam pads for finishing, so stick with your foam pads.

57) Electric Duster (Electric Renewable Compressed Air): I use the Metro Vac Electric Duster to clean the inside of my air vents as well as my MF cutting pads.

58) More of EVERYTHING. You can never have too many soaps, MF towels, waxes, polishes, or anything detail related. There are times when M105/m205 is just too much for the soft black paint you are working on and that's when you try Optimum Hyper Polish on a white or grey pad and find it's what you want. Dialing in the process means you have to a good selection of products if you work on more than just your car. What may work for one Camaro, may not even work for another Camaro. Crazy how that is, but it's true.

59) Garden Pump Sprayer: Atomizes product for those that like to work as efficiently as possible

60) A never ending wallet: Products cost money (sometimes a LOT) and I for one need more money to buy everything I want to try lol





I know we do have quite the following of Adam's users on this forum, so I will say this: I have heard nothing short of amazing things about their service, friendliness, and commitment to made in USA products. I do believe that their are better priced products out there that work more efficiently than Adam's however, so that is why they are not on my list.




Alright guys, that was all of the top of my head so I'm sure I forgot some things. Feel free to comment and add what you think is necessary and why.

Hope this helps!


***Word of advice: Detailing is easy to get lost in the hype. If you are only doing your car, find something that works for you and stick to it. Only buy something if you need it or else you will find yourself buying a lot more than you need/will ever use***


Obligatory pictures of my car

[ihaveacamaro]

reserved

[Blues45th]

So can I get these at local store. Also didn't see you list a swirl remover product. Any place to get the clay towel local

[kmmink]

Here's my version that I created awhile back in preparation for my first ever proper detail job...made a few changes since then, but you get the idea:

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=248919

Here are some pictures after the detail:

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=254343

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...07#post5667907

[ihaveacamaro]

Originally Posted by Blues45th

So can I get these at local store. Also didn't see you list a swirl remover product. Any place to get the clay towel local

You probably can't get these over the counter. However since you live in Florida, if you order from autopia or Autogeek, you essentially get one day shipping since they are in south Florida. And if you spend over fifty dollars shipping is free with coupon code ship

If you absolutely need over the counter stuff get meguiars clay bar kit.

Compounds and polishes are swirl removers and i've listed a few

[ihaveacamaro]

Originally Posted by kmmink

Here's my version that I created awhile back in preparation for my first ever proper detail job...made a few changes since then, but you get the idea:

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=248919

Here are some pictures after the detail:

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=254343

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...07#post5667907

Yeah I remember seeing that thread! You did a great job, car looks great

[Blues45th]

Ok and I am gonna get the collinite too. So I wash I already two bucket it. Then dry then clay. Then wash then polish then swirl then wax? Also I like to spray detail before meets and stuff I use Lucas speed spray wax I love it. Can I still use that in between. Seems so,e stuff I read says cant use wax on it and can. I'm trying to follow but with my baby I am so careful. I'm ready to go upto auto zone or advance and wanna have my list in order. Can u give me the names if those products I need for those stapes if I am correct in them lol. Thansk. Getting ready to leave

[ihaveacamaro]

Originally Posted by Blues45th

Ok and I am gonna get the collinite too. So I wash I already two bucket it. Then dry then clay. Then wash then polish then swirl then wax? Also I like to spray detail before meets and stuff I use Lucas speed spray wax I love it. Can I still use that in between. Seems so,e stuff I read says cant use wax on it and can. I'm trying to follow but with my baby I am so careful. I'm ready to go upto auto zone or advance and wanna have my list in order. Can u give me the names if those products I need for those stapes if I am correct in them lol. Thansk. Getting ready to leave

You pretty much have it down, except I would switch the swirl remover (Compound) and polish.

You're not going to get great results removing scratches by hand though unless you spend hours and hours. I think from your posts and PM's, you really want to try though!

So here's what I would get for you:

Soap: Meguiars Gold Class soap
Clay: Meguiars Clay Bar Kit or Mother's Clay Bar Kit
Compound (swirl remover): Meguiar's Ultimate Compound
Polish: Meguiar's Ultimate Polish
Wax: Collinite 845 if you can find somewhere you can get your hands on it otherwise try something like Meguiar's Ultimate Liquid Wax


I haven't had experience with Lucas Slick Mist Speed Wax, but from what I can read online it doesn't clean your car, only for use as a wax. If your car has light dust, fingerprint smudges, waterspots, and such you can use a quick detailer. If you use a quick detailer spray (like the one in the clay bar kit or if you run out, Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Detailer is good) then you can apply the spray wax after safely without scratching the car.

[Good_Times]

Originally Posted by Blues45th

Ok and I am gonna get the collinite too. So I wash I already two bucket it. Then dry then clay. Then wash then polish then swirl then wax? Also I like to spray detail before meets and stuff I use Lucas speed spray wax I love it. Can I still use that in between. Seems so,e stuff I read says cant use wax on it and can. I'm trying to follow but with my baby I am so careful. I'm ready to go upto auto zone or advance and wanna have my list in order. Can u give me the names if those products I need for those stapes if I am correct in them lol. Thansk. Getting ready to leave

Close, but after you wash and clay you use your compound to remove your swirls or other paint defects. Then you can use your sealant or wax after preparing your surface(wash with a strong soap or IPA type wipedown etc). Use of a spray detailer or wax is up to you between washes and will not harm anything. Claying is not done with every correction but only when above suface contaminents are present and can be dectected by a baggie test or a rough feel of the surface by hand.

[Blues45th]

So. Lets say I spend the money and to lowes And get A porter cable can I use these products with that? I am just asking if this whole process because I have no power buffer is just a waste. I have 8500 miles this will be my first clay on this car. The swirls or light scratches are just that very faint and light but there are imperfections when I look at it with light. Just honest opinion. I don't wanna spend all day for nothing

[Good_Times]

Sorry to the OP but by the time you posted another member had already answered before my fat fingers could send a reply. Didn't mean to step on any toes.

[ihaveacamaro]

Originally Posted by Good_Times

Sorry to the OP but by the time you posted another member had already answered before my fat fingers could send a reply. Didn't mean to step on any toes.

We're all friends here

[ihaveacamaro]

Originally Posted by Blues45th

So. Lets say I spend the money and to lowes And get A porter cable can I use these products with that? I am just asking if this whole process because I have no power buffer is just a waste. I have 8500 miles this will be my first clay on this car. The swirls or light scratches are just that very faint and light but there are imperfections when I look at it with light. Just honest opinion. I don't wanna spend all day for nothing

It certainly won't be a waste without a DA buffer. You can wash, clay, and then wax and you can hide the imperfections with the wax (the carnauba will literally fill in the scratches).

Once you get a DA buffer, you can truly level your paint and get rid of those scratches permanently instead of just masking them

[Good_Times]

My first pc came from Lowes in 2006 and still works fine. You can also get some great deals at AutoGeek at the present w/25% off all buffers at the present. Other detailing sites such as Autopia.org ,Detailing Bliss and MeguiarsOnLine allow buying and selling. Always a few machines being offered there for sale. Pawn shops also are another option.