Detailing present for hubby

[amti]

I am getting my husband some detailing items for his birthday. Three weeks ago, I had never even heard of detailing clay. But during the last few weeks, I've read countless forums and created several lists of must-haves. However, due to budget restraints, I have had to cut out a lot of items and have narrowed it down considerably.

DH drives a cream pearl (maybe cashmere beige metallic?) Lexus LX470 and I drive a pure white Sonata. He keeps his car very clean, but isn't into detailing. He is more of a surface washer. The car is driven about 6000 miles a year and is always garaged. I don't see any swirls but do see a few minor scratches. My car is 3 months old so there are very few swirls, if any. Everything will be hand applied.

I picked up a few items locally:

• Meg Holiday gift kit (Hot Rinse AWC, HS Tire Coating, Quik Interior Detailer, GC Liq Wax, GC Car Wash S&C, GC Pro Wash Sponge, GC Supreme Shine MF (I read this towel will creat swirls... can anyone confirm this?), GC High TEch Applicator Pad)- maybe not the best set but it was only $15
• Meg Scratch X
• 12 Vroom Premium Detailing MF Towels (orange from Target- figured if they don't work, I can use them in the house)
• Simple Green

Here is a list of things I am wanting to add:

• Clay - perhaps Mother's? I was going with CM but there were so many neg posts about it so now I am lost... HELP!
• Autogym Super Resin Polish (will I need ScratchX if I have this?)
• Polyseal
• AquaWax
• ONR and Sprayer
• Quality MF and WW MF towels
• Pair of Schmitts (wash and wheels)
• Grit Guard

Does my selection look complete? Will these products work together? PLMK if I am missing something or have a duplicate performing product. I am trying to focus on products that apply easily, last, and will make his eye pop out! Deep inside, I am hoping he will love detailing so I never have to wash my car again!

I was going to place my order tonight but since ONR is out of stock, I thought it was a good time to ask for some advice. Out of the many online forums I have visited, AG is the most informative forum and I thank you all for your knowledge.

[sparkie]

Welcome To AG. Hey I think your list looks super!
One thing I would add! DG#101 and DG#105. After you or your husband wash, clay, put down #101 and wait to the next day put down #105. Top with #951 (AquaWax). Never have used Autogym Super Resin Polish, so I can't comment about it. AG has the best prices on Duragloss.
http://www.autogeek.net/duragloss.html
Here is one I did with DG.

[sparkie]

Here's a few more!

[supercharged]

I didn't know you detailed John Deere tractor before...

[Gary Sword]

I think Liquid Souveran does a great job on light colored cars especially white. I put another coat on my wife's white car yesterday. Detailing your cars is really enjoyable. I hope your husband gets into it. Here is a picture of my wife's white car with Liquid Souveran.

[Brace1]

First off, your hubby is lucky to have a wife that made such an effort to help him with his hobby and potential OCD that we all seem to have.

Anyway, your list looks pretty good and it also shows (with the Schmitt and ONR) that you're willing to go online rather than OTC for your products. Good move, since AG has top quality stuff.

Overall, you can't go wrong with the very reasonably priced products from DP, Duragloss, or PoorBoys.

One of the products I haven't used but is nearly universally praised is the sealant (UPP) from 4 star:
http://www.autogeek.net/four-star-paint-protection.html

I have used, and love the DP sealant:
http://www.autogeek.net/dp526.html

But as previously referenced, the DG 105 is always a good option.

This AG forum is an excellent resource, lotsa very knowledgeable people that are very willing to help. Just remember there are as many opinions as there are people. Don't rush your purchase, take a couple of days to read the forums and you can't go wrong.

[Truls]

Welcome to AG, and a Happy new year

If I was going to give some Detailing "tools" away as gift, my list would look something like this:


Washing:

Grit Guard (great tool for washing)
ShMitt w/y and Black (WOW)
Guzzler drying towel (WOW)
NXT Tech wash or Duragloss "901
EZ detailing Brush for the wheels
A Quikdetailer too use after the wash, to get the shine back.

Polish/wax:

Megs NXT tech wax, (easy on easy of)

Or a Step up in protection:
Duragloss #101, #105, (#601) and Aquawax (have not tryed it yet, but this is "the" stuff (AGF). Great durability and gloss

Or swirl removal:
XMT series 1, (2) and 3 + Glaze

Some -good- MicroFiber towels from Megs or Cobra Its a "must have" for removal of polish/wax

Skip the Autoglym super resin polish (no substitute for ScratchX, its a regular polish) the NXT gen Tech WAX, DG series or other AG sold polishes and waxes is a better buy. I got the Autoglym series, and i havnt used it since i got the NXT tech wax (or the other AG sold polishes/wax i have bought)

The things ive markd "red" it the stuff i personlay would have been very happe to get as a gift (these are what i call WOW products) And they are all a sort of basic tools for a better car care, and a great starter for a detailing "novice"

Many polishes are probably better than the NXT wax, but its a easy wax to start with, You can just do the whole car, wait 15 min, and then remove it with a MF towel.

[amti]

Wow, I get up this morning and all these responses! THANK YOU!!! And Happy New Year!!! Y'all have some beautiful cars!

Now you realize y'all are supposed to be helping me but now I've got more homework! lol! That is okay b/c I can't buy anything without researching everything. So thank you for your recommendations and suggestions. It is nice to know I have selected a few products y'all like.

The Meg package has a wash so I will stick with that even though there are much better washes. I would probably pick the PoorBoy's suds if I needed one but the 901 is a very close second choice. Seems like everyone is recommending 901- is it really that different?

Well, I thought Autogylm was a good product... I will consider replacing it with the DG101, 601, 105 if it makes the white metallic pearl paint stand out. I have seen the DP line in a lot of pictures/posts but don't know how it would work with the ONR and AW, which I plan to get.

I have a lot of questions regarding the DG line... Do I use 601, 101, and 105 together? If so, in that order? If I use 601 before 105 (omitting 101), would it be the same as applying a sealant twice? Is the 105 better than the Optimum Poli-Seal or is it recommended to keep the product line true? In that case, would it be okay to use ONR and spray AW afterwards? Sorry for all the questions!

I don't think I am ready to splurge on the LS yet. Seems like everyone who has tried it loves it but from what I understand, it doesn't have a lot of durability. I think I need to break dh into detailing slowly with easy to apply, long lasting items and let him go crazy from there once he gets the "fever."

I've been seriously thinking about the Guzzler, but it is pricey! OTH, dh's car is huge... and he uses the Absorber right now. Quality towels are on my list... the hard part is decidiing which ones to buy. Thanks again for your help!

[tonyspop]

Happy New Year!If you want to hold towel costs down buy a couple of smaller waffle weaves to compliment a leaf blower.Use the waffle weaves to mop up after you blow dry your vehicle.THe leaf blower works super for blowing all the water out of the cracks and crevices Hope this helps.

[ltoman]

Originally Posted by Gary Sword

I think Liquid Souveran does a great job on light colored cars especially white. I put another coat on my wife's white car yesterday. Detailing your cars is really enjoyable. I hope your husband gets into it. Here is a picture of my wife's white car with Liquid Souveran.

Off topic, sorry...
Looks GREAT, Gary!!!
That rocks.