Need assistance with initial purchase.

[cudaowner]

I know I haven't read EVERY post, but I feel like I have.
In any case, I know there is a lot of sujectivity, but would like some advice on an iniital purchase. I am not so much concerned about pinching pennies, but want to buy the right stuff the first time. Some background.
I am starting from scratch.
My experience: Have painted, wet sanded, and polished out a couple of cars with a rotary buffer before. No real detail experience like others on this forum. Have only used hand method with multiple step systems like Zaino.
The only item I know I want to start with is the Flex 3401.
The rest is fair game. I was initially leaning heavily towards an Adams kit for ease of use, unsderstanding, and feedback.

Use: Personal/Family vehicles. I am in Afghanistan now, and picking up a brand new yellow Challenger SRT when I get home in a couple of weeks. I alos have three other vehicles in the family to work with.
So, I need everything from clay bar, towels, pads, polishes, detailer, etc.
After reading here, I am leaning now towards CG, or Minzerna. Can anyone recommend an inclusive kit?, Or make a recommendation to piece one together? I would lke to keep the cost within $500 or so.
Thank you in advance,
v/r Larry

[Jomax]

Well the flex is a great machine, but if you're going to have a new car, I think a regular DA will work great. By this you'll have more money to put towards more products. I would stay away from Adams, IMO they're a bit overpriced. More experienced guys will chime in with a whole list with links( on my phone so it's hard to do). Btw Thank you for your service!


Sent from my iPhone using AG Online

[BobbyG]

Hi Larry,

The Flex 3401 is quite a machine and if you have your heart set on the Flex then go for it.

The Flex 3401 is larger in comparison to lets say Porter Cables 7424xp. The pads I use with my Flex 3401 are 6 - 6 1/2 inches variety.

My Porter Cable 7424 works very well with the 5 1/2" variety.

If you're interested in the Porter Cable 7424xp


Porter Cable 7424xp (http://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable-7424xp.html)
Lake Country Backing Plate (http://www.autogeek.net/lc43125.html)
Lake Country Flat Pads (http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-beveled-pad-kit.html)
Meguiar's DA Microfiber Correction Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/da-microfiber-starter-kit-5in.html)

The Meguiar's DA Microfiber Correction Kit works very well and something I'd recommend with the Porter Cables 7424xp.

For a general polish I also like Menzerna's SF 4000 – Super Finish Polish (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-nano-polish-po-106-fa-finishing-polish.html) (PO106FA). This combined with an Orange and White foam pad works wonders.

Here's some great information by Mike Phillips that will help you if you need it.


Sectional Pass With a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-car-garage-how-videos/24074-show-car-garage-video-how-do-section-pass-when-machine-polishing-da-polisher.html)
Removing Swirls (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/20021-definitive-how-article-removing-swirls-scratches-water-spots-using-porter-cable-7424xp-g110v2-griot-s-garage-polisher.html)
DA Trouble Shooting Guide (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/37769-da-polisher-trouble-shooting-guide.html)
Waxing With a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pinnacle-wax/28651-how-machine-apply-wax-using-da-polisher.html)
DA Polisher Articles - Help for Newbies to Machine Polishing (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/questions-about-porter-cable-7424xp-7424-7336-griot-s-meguiar-s-dual-action-polishers/38399-da-polisher-articles-help-newbies-machine-polishing.html)

The list below is what I call; "if I were to choose one product it would be these"

Wash - Duragloss #901 (http://www.autogeek.net/duragloss-car-wash-concentrate.html)
Clay - Mothers (http://www.autogeek.net/motcalgolcla.html)
Compound - PG 1000 – PowerGloss Compound (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-powergloss-compound.html) (POS34A)
Polish - PF 2500 – Power Finish Polish (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-polish-po203.html) (PO203)
Finishing Polish - SF 4000 – Super Finish Polish (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-nano-polish-po-106-fa-finishing-polish.html) (PO106FA)
Sealant - Ultima Paint Guard Plus (http://www.autogeek.net/ultima-paint-guard-plus.html)
Wax - Collinite 845 (http://www.autogeek.net/collinite-insulator-wax-845.html)
Spray Wax -Optimum Spray Car Wax (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-spray-wax.html)
Tire Cleaner - Meguiar's Super Degreaser (http://www.autogeek.net/mg10801.html)
Tire Treatment - CarPro PERL (http://www.autogeek.net/perl-coat-protectant.html)
Trim - Ultima Tire and Trim Guard (http://www.autogeek.net/ultima-tire-trim-guard.html)
Wheel Cleaner - Meguiar's Wheel Brightener (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiar-s-wheel-brightener.html)
Wheel Protectant -Optimum Opti-Coat 2.0 (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-opti-coat.html)
Glass Cleaner - Meguiar's Glass Cleaner (http://www.autogeek.net/mg12001.html)
Glass Treatment - Aquapel (http://www.autogeek.net/rain-repellent.html)
All Purpose Cleaner - Optimum Power Clean (http://www.autogeek.net/128oz-optimum-power-clean-apc.html)
Interior Protectant - Meguiar’s M40 (http://www.autogeek.net/mg40128.html)
Chrome & Stainless Steel - BLACKFIRE Wet Diamond Metal Acrylic Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-all-metal-sealant.html)

[Jomax]

Hi Larry,

The Flex 3401 is quite a machine and if you have your heart set on the Flex then go for it.

The Flex 3401 is larger in comparison to lets say Porter Cables 7424xp. The pads I use with my Flex 3401 are 6 - 6 1/2 inches variety.

My Porter Cable 7424 works very well with the 5 1/2" variety.

If you're interested in the Porter Cable 7424xp


Porter Cable 7424xp (http://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable-7424xp.html)
Lake Country Backing Plate (http://www.autogeek.net/lc43125.html)
Lake Country Flat Pads (http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-beveled-pad-kit.html)
Meguiar's DA Microfiber Correction Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/da-microfiber-starter-kit-5in.html)

The Meguiar's DA Microfiber Correction Kit works very well and something I'd recommend with the Porter Cables 7424xp.

For a general polish I also like Menzerna's SF 4000 – Super Finish Polish (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-nano-polish-po-106-fa-finishing-polish.html) (PO106FA). This combined with an Orange and White foam pad works wonders.

Here's some great information by Mike Phillips that will help you if you need it.


Sectional Pass With a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-car-garage-how-videos/24074-show-car-garage-video-how-do-section-pass-when-machine-polishing-da-polisher.html)
Removing Swirls (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/20021-definitive-how-article-removing-swirls-scratches-water-spots-using-porter-cable-7424xp-g110v2-griot-s-garage-polisher.html)
DA Trouble Shooting Guide (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/37769-da-polisher-trouble-shooting-guide.html)
Waxing With a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pinnacle-wax/28651-how-machine-apply-wax-using-da-polisher.html)
DA Polisher Articles - Help for Newbies to Machine Polishing (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/questions-about-porter-cable-7424xp-7424-7336-griot-s-meguiar-s-dual-action-polishers/38399-da-polisher-articles-help-newbies-machine-polishing.html)

The list below is what I call; "if I were to choose one product it would be these"

Wash - Duragloss #901 (http://www.autogeek.net/duragloss-car-wash-concentrate.html)
Clay - Mothers (http://www.autogeek.net/motcalgolcla.html)
Compound - PG 1000 – PowerGloss Compound (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-powergloss-compound.html) (POS34A)
Polish - PF 2500 – Power Finish Polish (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-polish-po203.html) (PO203)
Finishing Polish - SF 4000 – Super Finish Polish (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-nano-polish-po-106-fa-finishing-polish.html) (PO106FA)
Sealant - Ultima Paint Guard Plus (http://www.autogeek.net/ultima-paint-guard-plus.html)
Wax - Collinite 845 (http://www.autogeek.net/collinite-insulator-wax-845.html)
Spray Wax -Optimum Spray Car Wax (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-spray-wax.html)
Tire Cleaner - Meguiar's Super Degreaser (http://www.autogeek.net/mg10801.html)
Tire Treatment - CarPro PERL (http://www.autogeek.net/perl-coat-protectant.html)
Trim - Ultima Tire and Trim Guard (http://www.autogeek.net/ultima-tire-trim-guard.html)
Wheel Cleaner - Meguiar's Wheel Brightener (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiar-s-wheel-brightener.html)
Wheel Protectant -Optimum Opti-Coat 2.0 (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-opti-coat.html)
Glass Cleaner - Meguiar's Glass Cleaner (http://www.autogeek.net/mg12001.html)
Glass Treatment - Aquapel (http://www.autogeek.net/rain-repellent.html)
All Purpose Cleaner - Optimum Power Clean (http://www.autogeek.net/128oz-optimum-power-clean-apc.html)
Interior Protectant - Meguiar’s M40 (http://www.autogeek.net/mg40128.html)
Chrome & Stainless Steel - BLACKFIRE Wet Diamond Metal Acrylic Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-all-metal-sealant.html)

I knew Bobby wouldn't let me down with his links :)




Sent from my iPhone using AG Online

[truckbutt]

Bobby has given a lot of good recommendations. As an alterantive to:
1. Menzerna Compounds/Polishes, there isn't much I haven't been able to take care of with Meguiars M105 and M205. I use them on DA and Rotary.
2. Four Star UPGP Sealant: Four Star UPP or Blackfire Wet Diamond. Both reportedly give a wetter/slicker look then UPGP.
As you say that you are in Afganistan, I take it that you are in the military. Thank you for your service.

[cudaowner]

Thank you both for the info. That is helpful. I will start working off the "one product" list. I am pretty much sold on the Flex 3401, and from what I have read, cannot go wrong with the LC Hybrid pads. Cannot seem to find a kit buy for the Flex and the pads...or anything on the list for that matter. So, I guess I will be spending a tad more than I initially thought buying everything individually.
For starters, and working from the list to prepare for my new Challenger, can you recomend the requisite Minzerna and Black Diamond products I would need (presume need to clay, but not heavy cutting or scratch/haze correctionr with the new paint)?

[MN Ranger]

I too needed help with my initial purchase & had my heart set on the Flex 3401. I ordered it yesterday with the hybrid pads. Now I have to hurry up & wait!!