Sooo if YOU had to start over today, what are the "must have's" for YOUR newbie interior & exterior car care kit?

[Robertoq]

After reading Autogeek forums for weeks newbie from Quebec, Canada finally ready to jump on the bandwagon.

Recently purchased a 1990 Mercedes Benz 190E (Dark Grey) with PAINT in fair condition but requiring some “loving tender care”. (SEE PICTURES)

Also “take care” of three (3) other cars - 2003 Subaru Impreza (Pearl Blue), 2008 Subaru Impreza (Silver) and 2010 Hyundai Elantra (Grey).

Mike Phillips has been very helpful but understandably avoids making specific recommendations for waxes or sealants. http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/29356-1990-mercedes-benz-190e-wanting-tender-loving-care.html#post364242 (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/29356-1990-mercedes-benz-190e-wanting-tender-loving-care.html#post364242)

So here WEEEE go:

Assumption #1 - YOU have 3+ years auto detailing experience (10+ vehicles), tested various dual-action\rotary buffers, accessories (pads sizes (4, 6, 7, 8), brands (??)) and product (swirl removers, clays, compounds, polishes, waxes, sealants).

Assumption #2 - YOU live in HARSH “salt swamped“ winter road conditions in Quebec Canada.

Assumption #3 - YOU are busier than ever and searching for “powerful and efficient” detailing equipment to remove scratches and protect harder clear coat paints?

Assumption #4 - YOU have $500 +- budget.

Sooo if YOU had to start over today, what are the “must have’s” necessities for YOUR newbieeeee interior and exterior car care kit??

Polisher:
Polisher Pads Kit:

Wash:
Compound:
Medium Polish:
Final Polish:
Liquid Sealant:
Liquid Wax:
Paste Wax:
Quick Detailer:

Wheel Cleaner:
Wheel Wax:
Leather Cleaner:
Leather Conditioner:
Trim:
Chrome:
All Purpose Cleaner:

THANKS for the HELP!

[Mike Phillips]

For tools, an experienced detailer can get professional results with any tool just by using the right pads, products and most of all great technique.

If I had to narrow it down to a minimum of two tools, I could do everything I want to do with,

Makita 9227c
Porter Cable 7424XP

Cutting out sanding marks, or removing serious paint defects using the rotary.

Dampsanding, removing defects, finish polishing, applying waxes and paint sealants as well as removing waxes and paint sealants using the Porter Cable 7424XP

Pad: Wool cutting pads, assortment of foam pads, 7" to 3" for the rotary. 5.5 and 4" for the PC

Compounds: At this time M105 is the benchmark compound to beat. It cuts fast and can actually finish out LSP ready on some paints depending upon the level of perfection you're seeking.

Polishes: Anything by Menzerna including the Wolfgang Twins

Pad Washers: One of each if you do any kind of buffing with any kind of regularity.

Microfiber Towels: I can get everything done with the Cobra Indigo Microfiber Towels.

Pad Cleaning: Detailer's Pride Pad Cleaning Rejuvenator.

Paint Protection: A great quality "finishing" sealant and wax. See my article on how to pick the right wax in my list of articles.

Misc. Spur for sure, Pad Conditioning Brush.

Clay: I like the Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay, it's a consistent premium quality clay.

Off the top of my head that's a good starter list...


:D

[Scott DeBrun]

Heck I could go through $500 on just a DA and waxes.:dblthumb2:

[jpegs13]

Polisher: Flex
Polisher Pads Kit: Lake Country Kompressor 6 inch Foam Pads, Foam Buffing Pads, Lake Country buffer pads, polishing pads (http://www.autogeek.net/lc-6inch-kompressor-pad-kit.html)

Wash: DP Xtreme Foam
Compound: Menzerna Power Gloss
Medium Polish: Menzerna SIP
Final Polish: Menzerna PO85rd
Liquid Sealant: Wolfgang Deepgloss Pain Sealant
Liquid Wax: Pinnacle Liquid Souveran Spray Wax
Paste Wax: Wolfgang Fuzion
Quick Detailer: Finish Kare 425

Wheel Cleaner: P21s gel
Wheel Wax: DP Wheel Wax
Leather Cleaner: Meh, no favorite
Leather Conditioner: no favorite here either
Trim: no favorite
Chrome: Flitz Chrome Polish
All Purpose Cleaner: no favorite

I ignored Assumption #4 and just gave you my favorites

[sal329]

Griot Garage DA, 5" backing plate, 5.5" lc flat, uber or lc ht pads, learn the kevin brown method, meg m105 and 205, duragloss 501, dp poli coat, good spray bottles, zep citrus degreaser, zep pro window cleaner, zep traffic and lane carpet cleaner, 5.5 hp shop vac, shark steamer, collinite leather wax, finish kare 108

[Shane731]

Polisher: Flex 3401 VRG (I don't have one, but I have used one 2 or 3 times, and I would give up my Meg's G110v2 for a Flex in a heartbeat)
Polisher Pads Kit: I like the Lake Country 5.5 inch CCS pads (http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-ccs-pack1.html)

Wash: Optimum Car Wash or Poorboy's (I only have Super Slick and Wax, but Super Slick and Suds is very popular)
Compound: Meguiar's M105 or Ultimate Compound
Medium Polish: Menzerna SIP
Final Polish: Menzerna 106FA
Liquid Sealant: several good ones - Wolfgang DGPS, Collinite 845, Power Lock, DP Poli-Coat - any one of those would suffice
Liquid Wax: Poorboy's Liquid Natty Blue (although I'm not real big on liquid waxes)
Paste Wax: DP Max Wax or Pinnacle Signature Series II
Quick Detailer: DP Final Gloss

Wheel Cleaner: P21S is supposed to be really good
Wheel Wax: haven't used any, but if I did I'd probably pick Rejex
Leather Cleaner: Meguiar's APC 10:1 or Pinnacle Leather & Vinyl Cleaner
Leather Conditioner: Optimum Leather Conditioner
Trim: Poorboy's Trim Restorer
Chrome: Optimum Metal Polish
All Purpose Cleaner: Meguiar's All Purpose Cleaner

[Rob T]

Polisher: Flex

Polisher Pads Kit: Lake Country Hydro Tech Cyan and Tangerine pads

Wash: ONR and 1Z Perls

Compound: Megs M105

Medium Polish: Menzerna Super Intensive Polish

Final Polish: Menzerna 106FA

Liquid Sealant: Opti-Seal

Liquid Wax: Collinite 845

Paste Wax: Dodo Juice Supernatural, Victoria Wax (Chaos or Mayhem), Trade Secret

Quick Detailer: Finish Kare 425 or Optimum Instant Detailer and Gloss Enhancer

Wheel Cleaner: P21S Gel

Wheel Wax: Collinite 845 or Opti-Seal

Leather Cleaner:

Leather Conditioner: Optimum Protectant

Trim: Still searching

Chrome: Mothers

All Purpose Cleaner: Megs APC

[CEE DOG]

Polisher: Flex 3401

Polisher Pads Kit: Lake Country Hydro Tech Cyan (3+), Tangerine (3+), and Crimson pads (3+) (Also (1+) flat red, gold, or blue LC pad)

Wash: Ultima Paint Guard Wash

Compound: Megs M105

Medium Polish: Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover

Final Polish: Megs M205 and Menz. PO85RD

Liquid Sealant: Ultima Paint Guard Plus

Liquid Wax: Poorboys Natty Blue

Paste Wax: DP Max Wax or Pinnacle Souveran

Quick Detailer: Finish Kare 425 and Optimum Instant Detailer

Wheel Cleaner: P21S Gel or Grits Wheel Cleaner

Wheel Wax: Ultima Tire and Trim Guard Plus

Leather Cleaner: depends

Leather Conditioner: depends

Interior Protectant: Ultima Interior Guard Plus

Trim: Ultima Tire and Trim Guard Plus

Chrome: depends

All Purpose Cleaner: Optimum Power Clean

[rfinkle2]

Polisher: flex 3401

Polisher Pads Kit: surbuf (compounding), green pad equilvalent or microfiber bonnets (final finishing)

Wash: ONR or Poorboys

Compound: M105

Medium Polish: M205

Final Polish: Menzerna p1066f/po85rd

Liquid Sealant: ultima paint gaurd plus

Liquid Wax: optimum spray wax

Paste Wax: m26

Quick Detailer: meguiars UQD

Wheel Cleaner: poorboys spray n rinse

Wheel Wax: ultima tire and trim / optimum optiseal

Leather Cleaner: Mothers

Leather Conditioner: Mothers

Interior Protectant: meguiars QID

Trim: jeffs werkstatt prime acrylic

Chrome: jeffs werkstatt prime acrylic

All Purpose Cleaner: ?

[Robertoq]

THANK you guys for the advice. Really appreciated.

Flex XC3401 feels like right decision. As for buffer accessories (pads) and product (compound, polish, sealant) still unsure for our Canadian weather. Will finish up reading Mikes posts and decide next week. http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/29356-1990-mercedes-benz-190e-wanting-tender-loving-care.html#post364242

Have a great Columbus Day (USA) and Thanksgiving Holiday.

Ciaooo…

[ScottB]

Polisher: Flex
Polisher Pads Kit: add Hydro Tech Pads

Wash: Optimum, Zaino, Duragloss, Griots
Compound: Menzerna SIP and 085rd
Medium Polish:
Final Polish:
Liquid Sealant: Menzerna Powerlock or Four Star UPP
Liquid Wax: Liquid Souveran
Paste Wax: Pinnacle Souveran Paste or SSII
Quick Detailer: Fk425 or Optimums Quick Detailer

Wheel Cleaner: P21S , Griots, Sonax
Wheel Wax: Optiseal, DP or Poorboys Wheel Sealant
Leather Cleaner: Einszett Leathercare (monthly)
Leather Conditioner: Leatherique (annually)
Trim: Ultima Tire/Trim Care
Chrome: BluJob / Flitz
All Purpose Cleaner: Optimums Powerclean

add Einszett Cockpit Premium (dash, doors), Optimum Optibond (tires)