Need to Build my Arsenal From the Ground Up

[linkinfan21]

Hello All

So for the past several years, I was living in an apartment where we had no water access from the outside or electricity in the garages. :doh: So my car made a lot of trips to the car wash. Well my luck has changed in the past year. I got a house where I can clean my car properly and a 2013 Escape! I then realized that all I have for car care is a hose and a Sears buffer.:cry:

I decided that I was going to come here instead of Autozone and ask the experts what I should buy. I don't have a large budget but want to keep my new car new looking. So if you guys were starting from scratch, what would you buy? Thanks :dblthumb2:

[B-M-D]

What is your budget?

[theclock12]

Just read around in the forum you should see tons of articles... even google detailing starter guide autogeek and you should see old forum posts about it.

[linkinfan21]

I have a budget of about 200 to start.

[swanicyouth]

I have a budget of about 200 to start.

-A good paint cleaner: (P21S ~$12)
- A good wax / sealant (P21S~$30)
- A rinseless wash (UWW+~$22)
- A waterless wash( "" )
- 2 buckets (Lowes) and 2 grit guards (~$30 for all)
- some good towels (~$40 MicroFiber Tech)
- 2 large waffle weaves ( ". ~ $25)
-A good conventional shampoo (Optimum ~ $18)
- A good tire trim dressing (OptiBond ~$15)
- APC+ (~$16 gallon)
- 4 decent spray bottles (not from a Home Depot) (~$20)

[BradsDetailing]

I just started getting all of my stuff together and here's what I got

optimum car wax
optimum no rinse
optimum power clean
303 aerospace protectant
303 fabric guard
klasse aio
klasse high gloss sealant glaze
tarminator
micro chenille mit
super soft microfiber towel with a rolled edge (15)
cobra waffle weave regular and hd dryiing towels
cobra 600 mf towels
cobra gold mf towels
meguiars glass cleaner concentrate
meguiars all season dressing
ultima tire and trim guard plus
mothers california gold spray wax
home depot spray bottles
grey spray triggers
pinnacle applicators
mothers mag and aluminum polish
mothers chrome polish
mothers plastic polish
mothers brush set
speedy prep towel
mothers california gold instant detailer

I also bough the griots 6" and 3" da's and some pads because I'm starting my own detailing business. I would lightly polish your ride and then put opticoat on it.

Some of the stuff I have won't be necessary for you but I would at least have the following:

car wash

(something that doesn't strip your wax like duragloss 901 so your wax stays on your car and also one that does; This way you can remove old protectants and apply a new one on a fresh paint surface. I would recommend chemical guys citrus wash and gloss)

microfiber towels (cheap quality ones from autogeek, like the rolled edge ones that come in green and blue and waffle weave drying towels)

clay or a prep towel (prep towels are newer and cost more to purchase but save you money in the long run)

optimum no rinse (to wash and use as a clay lube or instant detailer)

sealant
wax
trim/plastic/vinyl/tire/rubber protectant
all purpose cleaner
metal polish
applicators
wash mit
spray bottles
brushes (one hard for things like tires and wheel wells and one soft for wheels and upholstry)

I use the home depot bottle because they're under a $1 and they have markings and labeling on them. When the regular head goes on it I'll switch it out with the chemical resistant grey heads.

[B-M-D]

2 buckets with grit guards
Wool car wash mitt
Car wash shampoo
Meguiar's clay bar kit
All in one cleaner wax
Microfiber towels
303 aerospace protectant for interior
Black wow to restore faded plastic
Glass cleaner
Wheel brush
Tire shine


That covers just about everything. I didn't check the prices, but all that should be around $200.

[sproketser]

I just started getting all of my stuff together and here's what I got

optimum car wax
optimum no rinse
optimum power clean
303 aerospace protectant
303 fabric guard
klasse aio
klasse high gloss sealant glaze
tarminator
micro chenille mit
super soft microfiber towel with a rolled edge (15)
cobra waffle weave regular and hd dryiing towels
cobra 600 mf towels
cobra gold mf towels
meguiars glass cleaner concentrate
meguiars all season dressing
ultima tire and trim guard plus
mothers california gold spray wax
home depot spray bottles
grey spray triggers
pinnacle applicators
mothers mag and aluminum polish
mothers chrome polish
mothers plastic polish
mothers brush set
speedy prep towel
mothers california gold instant detailer

I also bough the griots 6" and 3" da's and some pads because I'm starting my own detailing business. I would lightly polish your ride and then put opticoat on it.

Some of the stuff I have won't be necessary for you but I would at least have the following:

car wash

(something that doesn't strip your wax like duragloss 901 so your wax stays on your car and also one that does; This way you can remove old protectants and apply a new one on a fresh paint surface. I would recommend chemical guys citrus wash and gloss)

microfiber towels (cheap quality ones from autogeek, like the rolled edge ones that come in green and blue and waffle weave drying towels)

clay or a prep towel (prep towels are newer and cost more to purchase but save you money in the long run)

optimum no rinse (to wash and use as a clay lube or instant detailer)

sealant
wax
trim/plastic/vinyl/tire/rubber protectant
all purpose cleaner
metal polish
applicators
wash mit
spray bottles
brushes (one hard for things like tires and wheel wells and one soft for wheels and upholstry)

I use the home depot bottle because they're under a $1 and they have markings and labeling on them. When the regular head goes on it I'll switch it out with the chemical resistant grey heads.


Thanx for sharing , nice list mate !

[sproketser]

-A good paint cleaner: (P21S ~$12)
- A good wax / sealant (P21S~$30)
- A rinseless wash (UWW+~$22)
- A waterless wash( "" )
- 2 buckets (Lowes) and 2 grit guards (~$30 for all)
- some good towels (~$40 MicroFiber Tech)
- 2 large waffle weaves ( ". ~ $25)
-A good conventional shampoo (Optimum ~ $18)
- A good tire trim dressing (OptiBond ~$15)
- APC+ (~$16 gallon)
- 4 decent spray bottles (not from a Home Depot) (~$20)


Thanx for sharing .

[bill buxton]

Just for what its worth, I personally would only recommend buying enough stuff that will be used in 1 year. I have tried many products in the past some good some not so good. I have many staples I use all the time. That being said I find myself depending on imput from a close friend here on this board Tuscarora Dave who keeps me up to date on new techniques and product info.

There are many great folks here and lots of info its a great resource. Know what you want to achieve in the looks department and ask for impute here.


Don't fall in the buy one of everything and then not use it trap. Been their and done that it can be costly....


B.B. :cheers:

[linkinfan21]

Thanks for the input guys. I am looking for a good wash and then a wax/polish. I'm not looking to detail my cars to show quality, just a nice shine and protect. My biggest thing is I don't know a lot of the brands I see on this site. The last time I bought products to wax and wash a car was back in 2005. So i feel a bit off my game.

[BradsDetailing]

If you're looking for the best bang for your buck wax try collinite 845.

[af90]

ONR for wash, cheap and you can use it for a bunch of different uses.

[linkinfan21]

So this is what I started with:

Optimum Car Wash 32 oz.
The Grit Guard Insert - 2 Pack
2 Buckets From Lowes
Dodo Juice Lime Prime Pre-Wax Cleanser Polish 250 ml.
Pinnacle Crystal Clear Glass Cleaner with Water Repellent
Meguiars Mirror Glaze #20 Polymer Sealant
Chemical Guys All Clean+ Citrus Based APC
Black Onyx Micro-Chenille Wash Mitt
The Guzzler Combo Kit
Microfiber Clean & Buff Towel, 16 x 16 inches

I know I could have gone with a lot more and didn't get anything for the wheels, but I figured I would take some small steps instead of a huge leap.

Thanks again to everyone who gave their opinions! :dblthumb2::righton::applause:

[sproketser]

Good luck mate !