No Water, No Electricity: Best Detail System

[SwedishRider]

I need to put together an exterior paint detail system that can be used by hand when no electricity and no water is available. After much research , here's what I've come up with:

1) Wash: Meguiars Ultimate Wash & Wax Anywhere, waterless wash

2) Clean/Prep: Meguiars Smooth Surface Clay Kit, meguiars detailing clay,
Meguiars Ultimate Compound, polishing compound, rubbing compound, meguiars rubbing compound, meguires, meguiars polish, auto compound polish

3) Polish: Meguiars Ultimate Polish, meguiars car polish, meguiars polishes, mcguire's

4) Protect: Meguiars Ultimate Fast Finish

5) Maintain: Meguiars Ultimate Quik Detailer, Meguiars quick detailer, Meguiars Ultimate Detailer

Applicators: Meguiars Foam Applicator Pads 4 Pack
Microfiber Towels: Meguiars Supreme Shine Microfiber Towels, microfiber buffing towels, micro fiber, detailing towels
PPE: Large Black Nitrile Gloves, Box of 100

I fully realize that a DA polisher will give better, more consistent, and easier results. That said, if water and electricity are simply not available, does the system above look like a solid combo? Anything I've missed or should consider? Thanks in advance!

[ducksfan]

No electricity so you're going to polish by hand? But, you have nothing listed to polish by hand with. You weren't going to try to polish with applicator pads were you? I would just avoid polishing. But here's some ideas if you insist:

To polish with-
Wolfgang Polishin’ Pal is an ergonomically shaped urethane handle that holds specially designed foam pads using hooks & loops.
Wolfgang German Polish N’ Wax Applicator has two sides of premium foam in one awesome applicator!

Instead of polishing maybe use a paint cleaner. Or, try this as an AIO to prep for sealant-
Meguiars Car Wash Plus+

If you insist on polishing by hand, I would tend to go with Ultimate Compound or one of the new/better compounds like Griot's Fast Correcting Cream, Menzerna 400 or Sonax Perfect Finish.

Of course if it was me, I would buy a generator before ever polishing by hand.

[LSNAutoDetailing]

How are you in a position without electricity and water? What about a portable generator (which can run the DA) and several 5 Gal containers of RO/Spotless/Distilled water? Honestly, whatever it is you plan on charging for an Ultimate Compound/polish and fast finish, doing it by hand is really not the way to go. The man hours and outcome will certainly be less than desired. Possible?? Yes... Desirable???

One of the things that might plague you is as you're using the compound by hand, it will leave marring and not finish off to a gloss. The speed, down-force and rotation of a DA will allow the product to be effectively and efficiently distributed across the surface area, maximizing the results of both removing defects and adding "gloss". I shutter to think of what the job might look like when your done, not to mention the time and energy spent vs. the pay and soar muscles, and perhaps a less than thrilled customer.

If you are really looking to start up a business in the reaches of country where there is no running water or electricity, you should look into a portable generator and several 5 gal containers. Some mixed with your APC dilutions, some with distilled water and another with your no-rinse wash solution.

[ducksfan]

^^^ Yeah, probably a better answer than mine.

[SwedishRider]

How are you in a position without electricity and water? What about a portable generator (which can run the DA) and several 5 Gal containers of RO/Spotless/Distilled water? Honestly, whatever it is you plan on charging for an Ultimate Compound/polish and fast finish, doing it by hand is really not the way to go. The man hours and outcome will certainly be less than desired. Possible?? Yes... Desirable???

One of the things that might plague you is as you're using the compound by hand, it will leave marring and not finish off to a gloss. The speed, down-force and rotation of a DA will allow the product to be effectively and efficiently distributed across the surface area, maximizing the results of both removing defects and adding "gloss". I shutter to think of what the job might look like when your done, not to mention the time and energy spent vs. the pay and soar muscles, and perhaps a less than thrilled customer.

If you are really looking to start up a business in the reaches of country where there is no running water or electricity, you should look into a portable generator and several 5 gal containers. Some mixed with your APC dilutions, some with distilled water and another with your no-rinse wash solution.

I think you are misunderstanding my premise. This isn't for a business. This is for personal use by someone who, when working on their car, won't have access to running water or any electricity. Think apartment complex with no hose or outlets.

[PaulMys]

Paul nailed the answer.

Using these products by hand is like pushing a car down the road instead of starting it up and driving it.

Possible? Maybe. Practical? Never.

[SwedishRider]

No electricity so you're going to polish by hand? But, you have nothing listed to polish by hand with. You weren't going to try to polish with applicator pads were you?

That's what I had in mind actually. Meguiar's has published videos showing the UC and UP applied with their foam pads by hand. Again, clearly not ideal when compared to a DA polisher, but an alternative when electricity is unavailable.

[LSNAutoDetailing]

I think you are misunderstanding my premise. This isn't for a business. This is for personal use by someone who, when working on their car, won't have access to running water or any electricity. Think apartment complex with no hose or outlets.

Gotcha, I was going by another post where you said:

I am a hobbyist detailer thinking of getting more serious with the vehicles I detail (and possibly doing this as a side income).

Sorry for the confusion. Regardless, from a paint correction stand-point my answer still stands. And in this case, you are the customer... I don't see doing paint correction, by hand, giving you results worth the effort. If nothing else, it will create even more work for you. There are alternatives, you're just going to have to seek them out.

Here is my advice. It sounds like you have somewhat of a process documented above. Chose one body panel of your vehicle, and run the entire process. Check your time and results... A good test would be to have someone else do another body panel by DA, then comp the results and you will have your answers.

[TMQ]

Biggest ROI (return on investment) is this...

1. Rinseless or waterless.
2. Straight wax (AIO even better)

That's it. Car will still look better than most on road.

Tom

[SwedishRider]

Gotcha, I was going by another post where you said:


Sorry for the confusion. Regardless, from a paint correction stand-point my answer still stands. And in this case, you are the customer... I don't see doing paint correction, by hand, giving you results worth the effort. If nothing else, it will create even more work for you. There are alternatives, you're just going to have to seek them out.

No problem. I did post that quote in another thread, but this is a special scenario for someone other than myself. I own and use a GG6 and a GG3, and I have access to water and electricity when I detail cars. I typically use McKee's 37 360 after wash and decontamination (clay and Xtreme Iron Remover), but I'm always open to trying new products.

Someone I know is in another situation, and so I'm putting together a set of products that can be used by hand given the limitations on electricity and water. This is obviously not ideal, but detailing from an apartment parking lot can be challenging under the best of circumstances.

In any case, I think we'll give it a try with the products listed above by hand and see how they work.