New at detailing.. Product Advice Please

[chevy_dan]

Hey I'm looking to do my first spring cleaning to my truck as soon as the weather warms up, so planning to buy my products now so I can get working as soon as the sun starts coming out! I've got a 2003 Chevy Silverado pick up with a dark charcoal paint on it, and to remove all swirls from the paint, give it that wet look and really protect it from the elements, also looking for a finishing product that will give it really good water beading. This will be my first time using polishes and a clay bar and don't have a machine polisher so looking for products and applicators that are easily applied by hand.

I've been looking at mostly Poorboy Products such as the SSR1, World Polish (Blue), Black Hole Glaze, and EX Sealant. Was considering the Collinite 476s for a wax and the Pinnacle Ultra Poly Claybar kit. I was also considering buying a foam gun, any advice for soaps to use with those or will any soaps do? Are these good choices? Or is there a better brand/selection I could or should be going with? Really looking for products to darken my paint and give it the gloss and water beading too

Also I have some SERIOUSLY faded side molding trim and was wondering if anyone could advise me on how to treat that? I've used Mothers Back to Black only to find it didn't even last till the next time I washed my truck a couple days later, I was considering buying a Forever Black dye kit off AG

I'm looking at this now and should have probably split this into smaller posts but thanks in advance for any advice you may have, I'm looking forward to hearing it and am all ears to suggestions, I'd rather spend a buck or more too if the product is that much better, not ready to invest in the polisher yet though..

Thanks,
Dan

[Setec Astronomy]

There are several threads going right now about trim restorers, you might look at them. Honestly, you are not going to remove any swirls from that hard GM clear by hand...well, maybe with Meg's 105 or Ultimate Compound...but it will be a TON of work. Although you were talking about using the Black Hole which will do some filling. If you like the sound of the Poorboy's products, maybe your regimen should be clay, Pro Polish or Pro Polish II, then the glaze and sealant. Collinite would be a good durable topper, might not quite have the "pop" of some less-durable waxes. I also understand that the Poorboy's Slick n' Suds is a nice wash that works well with a foam gun.

[BobbyG]

Hi Dan,

:welcome: To Autogeek Online....:props:

How much detailing experience do you have?
Have you used a polisher or like may, do most of it by hand?
Personally, you'll get more satisfaction and do a better job using a machine that by hand......In my opinion of course.

After reading and understanding some of the basics, the more hands on your are the quicker you'll build your knowledge and gain experience.

Everyone starts off as a beginner but with some reading, questions, and trial, error, and practice you'll be amazed how much you'll be able to do.

This link contains articles written by Mike Phillips and has allot of great reading within.

Articles by Mike Phillips (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/23722-articles-mike-phillips.html)

Basic steps in order are:


Wash
Clay
Paint Correction & Polish
Seal
Wax

Make detailing enjoyable and practice. Take your time and do not become overwhelmed. Just because there are a thousand product doesn't mean you have to use them all.

Pick one product from each category from the steps above. You already have some great waxes so you're that far ahead of the game..

Autogeek has a kit section that contains everything you need to get started.


Kit Page

Car Care Kits, Car Care Cleaning Kits, Complete Detailing Kits (http://www.autogeek.net/kitspecials.html)

Decent kit

Pinnacle Twins & Meguiar's G110v2 Dual Action Polisher Kit FREE BONUS (http://www.autogeek.net/pinnacle-twins-ultimate-detailing-machine.html)

Much better kit

Menzerna Porter Cable XP Maximum Shine Kit FREE BONUS (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-porter-cable-maximum-shine.html)

Flex Kit

If I were in the market for a kit this would be the one I'd choose.
Pinnacle Flex XC3401 Polishing & Swirl Remover kit, Pinnacle polishes, swirl removers, finishing polish, flex buffer (http://www.autogeek.net/pinnacle-flex-polisher-kit.html)


One Step Product

Menzerna Sealing Wax

Menzerna Sealing Wax APO 60, Menzerna APO 60, Menzerna wax (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-sealing-wax-apo-60.html)

Meguiar's D151

Meguiars Paint Reconditioning Cream D151 (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-paint-reconditioning-cream-d151.html)


Sealants

Menzerna Power Lock Paint Sealant

Menzerna Power Lock Polymer Paint Sealant, Menzerna auto sealant, car sealant, paint sealant protectant (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-power-lock-sealant.html)

Other quality sealants


Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant
Klasse High Gloss Sealant Glaze
DP Poli-Coat Paint Sealant

Wax

Collinite 845

Collinite Liquid Insulator Wax #845, liquid wax, heat-resistant wax, car wax (http://www.autogeek.net/collinite-insulator-wax-845.html)

Pinnacle Signature Series ll

Pinnacle Signature Series II Carnauba Paste Wax will give you a deep, wet finish will exceed your expectations. car wax, carnauba paste wax, pinnacle (http://www.autogeek.net/pisisepawax.html)

Detailer’s Pro Series Max Wax

DP Max Wax- Made with pure carnauba wax and advanced polymers. (http://www.autogeek.net/carnauba-car-wax.html)

[HeavyMetal]

I'm also new to detailing. Well, at least at this level. I took the product advice of several forum members including Bobby G, Cee Dog, Nick and killerwheels. I read ALL of Mike P's articles and viewed his videos. I have not been disappointed in a single recommend I got.

[AeroCleanse]

While expensive, GTechniq C4 is the best product for trim.

[qid]

I'm by no means an expert, in fact I'm probably same as you (a weekend warrior) but I have used Meguiars NXT Wax, Collinite 845 + 476, Klasse Combo and found all good. For interiors, after reading a lot and researching a lot ended up with "303 Aerospace Protectant". None has let me down.

I would suggest the same - read Mike P's articles and this posts.. I learnt a lot from them...