My shopping list for new product line

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FinishLineAuto

New member
Doing alot of research and some testing of products I'm starting to develop a good list of products that I want to use to go further in my detailing. However I do have some blanks to fill with product I have no idea what to use. I've been using variety of Mothers and Meguiars products with a craftsman orbital buffer, and here is what I'm going with in the near to immediate future. Thoughts and advice would be great



Exterior:



Car Wash - Turtle Wax Ice Car Wash (I've had no reason to dislike this yet)

Clay - ? (whatever is the best deal)

Seal/Polish - Optimum Polish II

Compound - Optimum Compound II

LSP - Mothers Carnuba Wax

AIO - Optimum Poli Seal

Plastics/trim - 303 Aerospace

Degreaser - Simple Green

Wheel Cleaner - ?

Tire Dressing - Meguairs Shine Tire Gel

Window Cleaner - ?

Engine Detail - Simple Green with 303 Aerospace

Chrome/Metal Polish - ?

Headlight Restoration - ?



Interior:



Vinyl/plastics - 303 Aerospace

Windows - ?

Leather Care - Meguair's Gold Glass Conditioner

Carpet/Floor Mat - Folex and water/extract with Shop Vac until able to get extractor



Equipment:



Autogeek Foam Gun

Griots Garage DA Polisher

Mothers Power ball and power ball mini

Hair Dryer adhesive remover

Microfiber Towels

Cutting/Polishing Pads





Anything to ad, or advice is appreciated.
 
I will post my suggestions in red below.



FinishLineAuto said:
Doing alot of research and some testing of products I'm starting to develop a good list of products that I want to use to go further in my detailing. However I do have some blanks to fill with product I have no idea what to use. I've been using variety of Mothers and Meguiars products with a craftsman orbital buffer, and here is what I'm going with in the near to immediate future. Thoughts and advice would be great



Exterior:



Car Wash - Turtle Wax Ice Car Wash (I've had no reason to dislike this yet)

For cars that you are going to polish and wax save your money and use Dawn. Save the "car wash" soap for cars that won't receive any buffing

Clay - ? (whatever is the best deal)

Seal/Polish - Optimum Polish II

Compound - Optimum Compound II

If you are just starting out this might be a little too aggresive for you. Just stick with the OPII and go to a more aggresive pad.

LSP - Mothers Carnuba Wax

I would go with DuraGloss #105 or #111. Great gloss and super protection. Pick up some Aquawax as well. It's a spray wax that you put on after washing your car. Amazing stuff.

AIO - Optimum Poli Seal

Plastics/trim - 303 Aerospace

Degreaser - Simple Green

I would go with Optimum Power Clean instead. Better product and you can dilute or strengthen it to do more things with.

Wheel Cleaner - ?You can use Optimum Power Clean for this as well

Tire Dressing - Meguairs Shine Tire Gel

Optimum Opti Opti Bond. Dilute it into a spray bottle. Will last you a lot longer and lasts a lot longer on the tire.

Window Cleaner - ? I polish my glass with Klasses KAIO and then Stoner's Invisible Glass

Engine Detail - Simple Green with 303 Aerospace

Chrome/Metal Polish - ? Optimum makes a metal polish

Headlight Restoration - 2000 and 3000 unigrit Meguiar's wet sanding paper. Then polish out with the OPII



Interior:



Vinyl/plastics - 303 Aerospace

Windows - ? Stoners Invisible Glass. Make sure you spray the product onto the MF and not the glass. It's a waste of product to spray in onto the glass.

Leather Care - Meguair's Gold Glass Conditioner

I like DuraGloss Leather Conditioner a lot more than the Meg's stuff. Doesn't finish out all slippery.

Carpet/Floor Mat - Folex and water/extract with Shop Vac until able to get extractor

You will be able to use the Optimum Power Cleaner for this as well. Folex is a great product for "spot cleaning".



Equipment:



Autogeek Foam Gun

Griots Garage DA Polisher

I would go with a PC7424 at the minimum but a FLEX would be better.

Mothers Power ball and power ball mini

Hair Dryer adhesive remover

Microfiber Towels

Cutting/Polishing Pads

Stick with the LC brand pads for now until you get good enough to know the difference. They will treat you right.



I would also add some IPA (isopropyl alcohol to your arsenal. 7/1 mix with water. For wiping down cars after you polish. I also didn't see anything about a QD (quick detailer) I really like the Finish Kare FK425. Adds a nice gloss to the paint plus it's electro static properties don't hurt either.



Hope all of this helps!





Anything to ad, or advice is appreciated.
Click to expand...
 
Almost forgot: Use a 10/1 mix of woolite/water on most interior parts. Use it on plastic, fake wood, leather, carpet, headliner...etc. The only thing you can't use this stuff on is glass. It will work great and save you a buttload of money in the long run.
 
In reply to Mose:



I forgot to mention some things.



As for car wash I already use dawn to wash the car before if I'm going to polish.



For the Optimum - I will note that



LSP - All to be considered, and I do like the spray wax. I use Mother's FX Spray Wax and it turns out nice but sometimes is hard to apply/buff away.



Optimum power clean - sounds awesome if it can be used more versatle, I like that.



Windows - Stoners I hear all the time, will give it a try



I do have IPA and Vinegar in my collection.



Everything else is very helpful and will be taken into consideration, thanks alot.
 
mose said:
Almost forgot: Use a 10/1 mix of woolite/water on most interior parts. Use it on plastic, fake wood, leather, carpet, headliner...etc. The only thing you can't use this stuff on is glass. It will work great and save you a buttload of money in the long run.
Click to expand...



So wait...just so I have this right you are saying to use Woolite laundry soap?
 
OK thats one hefty purchase!



Wash- CG Citrus Wash and Gloss Chemical Guys Citrus Wash & Gloss - 128 oz | Detailed Image Can be used to strip off previous protection or as a regular wash+ its adds gloss (seriously not a gimmick)



Clay- DI Blue Medium clay works well for me, good deal, and is large. DI Accessories Medium Grade Clay Bar - 180 g | Detailed Image



Machine- PC7424XP!!! You will get no where with that Craftsman 'buffer'

DI Packages PC 7424XP with M105, M205 and 5.5" pads | Detailed Image

That kit includes pads, polishes, compounds, pad cleaner, backing plate, etc. Everything you need at a low price.



LSP- Menzerna Power Lock FTW!!! Honestly good stuff, looks great, look no further!

Menzerna Power Lock Polymer Sealant - 16 oz | Detailed Image



AIO- unnecessary reall if you have polishes and compounds, but if you want something that can remove water spots, Klasse AIO is good on glass, plastic and paint, just dont expect miracles. Klasse All In One (AIO) - 500 ml | Detailed Image



Plastic and Trim- Poorboys Trim Restore! Really goes wonders on faded plastic and cowls. Poorboy's World Trim Restorer - 16 oz | Detailed Image



All Purpose Cleaner/ Degreases- Meguiars APC. Super concentrated and works well and extremely versatile. Meguiar's All Purpose Cleaner D101 - 128 oz | Detailed Image



Tires- Opti-Bond. Gives a really nice look and lasts fairly long, also can be dilluted 1:1 or 2:1 on wheel wells and engines. Optimum (OPT) Opti-Bond Tire Gel - 32 oz | Detailed Image



Windows- Meguairs Glass Concentrate. Makes 11 gallons of cleaner, works well and safe on tint too. Meguiar's Glass Cleaner Concentrate D120 - 128 oz | Detailed Image



Metal- P21S Polishing Soap. Lasts LONG!! works well, no residue on towel or hand :) P21S Metal Polishing Soap - 10.5 oz | Detailed Image



Headlights- Compound on a foam applicator then Polish on foam applicator.



Wheel Cleaner- Flash Detail Brown Royal. Crazy strong but can be diluted to be used as a maintenance cleaner too. An very cost effective. Wheel Cleaners and Polishes



Leather- Meguiars is JUNK! Poorboys Leather Stuff worked well as a maintenance cleaner for me. APC should tackle the hard stuff, followed by this. Poorboy's World Leather Stuff - 16 oz | Detailed Image



Powerball and foam guns are not needed in all honesty. They are somewhat of a gimmick, as presoaking without touching using car wash solution does the same job. (simply wring the mitt over the area of the car, then proceed normally)



DI is great, they have great articles and how-to's. MDay2010 gets you free shipping and 15% off. Good luck, and BTW are you starting a business?
 
FinishLineAuto said:
So wait...just so I have this right you are saying to use Woolite laundry soap?
Click to expand...



Yeah.....the liquid Woolite. Mix it 10/1 with water and you will be amazed. Plus you will save a lot of money on product.
 
bogi094 said:
OK thats one hefty purchase!



Wash- CG Citrus Wash and Gloss Chemical Guys Citrus Wash & Gloss - 128 oz | Detailed Image Can be used to strip off previous protection or as a regular wash+ its adds gloss (seriously not a gimmick)



Clay- DI Blue Medium clay works well for me, good deal, and is large. DI Accessories Medium Grade Clay Bar - 180 g | Detailed Image



Machine- PC7424XP!!! You will get no where with that Craftsman 'buffer'

DI Packages PC 7424XP with M105, M205 and 5.5" pads | Detailed Image

That kit includes pads, polishes, compounds, pad cleaner, backing plate, etc. Everything you need at a low price.



LSP- Menzerna Power Lock FTW!!! Honestly good stuff, looks great, look no further!

Menzerna Power Lock Polymer Sealant - 16 oz | Detailed Image



AIO- unnecessary reall if you have polishes and compounds, but if you want something that can remove water spots, Klasse AIO is good on glass, plastic and paint, just dont expect miracles. Klasse All In One (AIO) - 500 ml | Detailed Image



Plastic and Trim- Poorboys Trim Restore! Really goes wonders on faded plastic and cowls. Poorboy's World Trim Restorer - 16 oz | Detailed Image



All Purpose Cleaner/ Degreases- Meguiars APC. Super concentrated and works well and extremely versatile. Meguiar's All Purpose Cleaner D101 - 128 oz | Detailed Image



Tires- Opti-Bond. Gives a really nice look and lasts fairly long, also can be dilluted 1:1 or 2:1 on wheel wells and engines. Optimum (OPT) Opti-Bond Tire Gel - 32 oz | Detailed Image



Windows- Meguairs Glass Concentrate. Makes 11 gallons of cleaner, works well and safe on tint too. Meguiar's Glass Cleaner Concentrate D120 - 128 oz | Detailed Image



Metal- P21S Polishing Soap. Lasts LONG!! works well, no residue on towel or hand :) P21S Metal Polishing Soap - 10.5 oz | Detailed Image



Headlights- Compound on a foam applicator then Polish on foam applicator.



Wheel Cleaner- Flash Detail Brown Royal. Crazy strong but can be diluted to be used as a maintenance cleaner too. An very cost effective. Wheel Cleaners and Polishes



Leather- Meguiars is JUNK! Poorboys Leather Stuff worked well as a maintenance cleaner for me. APC should tackle the hard stuff, followed by this. Poorboy's World Leather Stuff - 16 oz | Detailed Image



Powerball and foam guns are not needed in all honesty. They are somewhat of a gimmick, as presoaking without touching using car wash solution does the same job. (simply wring the mitt over the area of the car, then proceed normally)



DI is great, they have great articles and how-to's. MDay2010 gets you free shipping and 15% off. Good luck, and BTW are you starting a business?
Click to expand...



Alot of that I will have to do some research on. Obviously the Megs D105 and 205 are very popular along with the Megs APC. The reason why I like the AIO is I do alot of cars that will be up for sale/auction and I don't have the time to do a full out paint correction. Most of the buyers are dealers anyways which they just go and do their own work after purchase. Investing too much time and money on these cars are not really needed. It just needs enough so that someone can't say it's in terrible shape or looks trashed to low ball. Plus I've yet to really do any car on a higher classification then maybe a 2005 Escalade and majority are cars retailed at 25K or less. Not that I do a half-assed job, but the AIO is nice to save some time. I have had to do sometimes 2-3 cars in a weekend that have been brought in trashed like you wouldn't imagine. Dirt, Grime, Stickers, Pet hair/odor, tree sap, food/drink stains...anything you name I've probably seen and had to deal with. When doing them yourself and already working a 40 hour work week usually needing to take about 5-8 hours a car to get them looking above normal can really kill ya having to do 2-3 in 2 days.



I'm looking at starting my business and getting my license because of the increased cars that I'm getting. This is why I started looking at going to a new level with products. I do not plan to purchase all these at one time, but will be adding things along the way that are needed. The first thing that I'm trying to get is the new buffer as I realize this is one of first things I can do to create more success. The craftsman does fine for quick and light work, but nothing to actually do cutting and correction with. If you saw my garage you would probably find just about every Mother's product ever made. I've decided to stop going by name and get what works and makes most sense with whatever ever task I'm trying to achieve.
 
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