First BIG shopping list. advice wanted

[thebamboo23]

alright guys, this will be my first huge buy. i want to take detailing more serious now, so i want to have everything i need (my budget is around 1000, so if you think something i should add/take away, input your opinion):

Wash:
-Fire Hose Nozzle
-(2) 5 Gallon Professional Wash Bucket with Grit Guard
-Meguiars Gold Class Shampoo & Conditioner 64 oz.
-Sheepskin Wash Mitt
-Super Plush Micro-Chenille Wash Mitt
I dont know which of the 2 i should buy. i would really love to own the sheepskin for the quality, but then again i wont be washing high end cars..yet . So micro Chenille should do, right?

Drying:
-Metro Blaster SideKick
-3 Pack Cobra Guzzler HD Waffle Weave Drying Towels, 16 x 24 inches

Wheels/tires:
-Sonax – Daytona Jr. Wheel Combo
-Daytona Speed Master Wheel Brush
-8 inch Montana Original Boar’s Hair Wheel Brush
-Recessed Wheel Lug Nut Brush Kit.. is this a good tool to keep at hand? i know it IS useful, but how more effective will it be then just using the lug brush?
-Clean Wheel Lug Nut Brush
-Amazing Roll Off 32 oz.
-Tire/Wheel Brush Kit
-Detailer's Wheel Glaze
-CarPro 2Fingers Mini Wool Wash Mitt
-Wolfgang Black Diamond Tire Gel

Trim/molding:
-Detailer's Cleanse-All Exterior Cleaner
-Detailing Brush Kit
-303 Aerospace Protectant 16 oz
-6 Pack Microfiber Applicator Pads
-4 oz. Forever Black Dye Refill w/ applicator top

Windows:
-Pinnacle Crystal Clear Glass Cleaner with Water Repellent
-Pinnacle GlassWork Water Spot Remover
-Pinnacle GlassCoat Window Sealant with Rain Repellent
-Polish N’ Wax Applicator
-3 Poly Foam Applicators
-2 Waffle Weave Microfiber Glass Towels

Engine:
-Detailer's Engine Degreaser
-Mothers Wheel Brush
-Mothers Detail Brush Set
-Lake Country Detail Sticks 12 Pack
-Detailer’s Trim Detailer
-Clean Wheel Lug Nut Brush.. Do you guys have a dedicated brush for each application? i.e. one for engine, one for wheels, and one for interior?

Bug/Tar:
-CarPro Tar X Tar & Adhesive Remover 600 ml.
-Detailer's Cleanse-All Exterior Cleaner Is there a difference between an All Exterior Cleaner compared to a specific bug/tar remover? Because if not, then i should just buy 2 exterior cleaner, right?
-Safe Scrub Bug & Tar Pad
-Pinnacle XMT 360 Spray Wax

Interior:
-32 oz. 303 Fabric/Vinyl Cleaner
-32 oz. 303 High Tech Fabric Guard
Is there a difference between these and the DP total interior cleaner or the leather care?
-Detailer's Total Interior Cleaner
-16 oz. Wolfgang Leather Care Cleaner
-16 oz. Wolfgang Leather Care Conditioner
-Carrand 2 in 1 Electrostatic Detail Brush
-Two Way Mini Detailing Brush
I dont need both, which one would you prefer?
-Vinyl & Leather Scrub Brush
-Shop Vac Craftsman 12-Gallon Wet/Dry Vac: A Powerful Vacuum from Sears

Microfiber towels:
- Cobra Supreme 530 Extra Large Microfiber Towel, large microfiber detailing towe, drying towel, micro fiber towels
- Griot's Garage Micro Fiber Polish Removal Cloths, Griots Polishing Cloths, Microfiber Polishing Cloths
- Cobra Deluxe Microfiber Towel Pair, microfiber towels, buffing towels, car buffing towel, micro fiber
- Microfiber Towel Combo FREE BONUS!
- Super Soft Deluxe Microfiber Towels, microfiber detailing towels, microfiber buffing towels, detail cloth, micro fiber
I know i need a lot of towels, but man the cost adds up quick lol if you guys could recommend some. i needs tha help

Claying:
-Pinnacle XMT Speed Clay 226 grams

IPA:
-CarPro Eraser Intense Oil & Polish Cleanser 16 oz.
Any other you guys want to recommend?

Polishers/Pads/Backing Plate:
-Griots Garage 6 inch Random Orbital Polisher(already own)
-(2) Lake Country Hydro-Tech 5 1/2 x 7/8 Inch Foam Pads 3 Pack
-3M Hook-It 5 Inch Dual Action Backing Plate
-Griots Garage 3 Inch Orbital Polisher Kit

Compounds/All In One (AIO):
ehhh, this is where im still looking into. There are just SO many options to choose from, and there are twice the opinions on every product. but im looking into Megs products.. Inputs, please

Misc:
-Brinkmann Maxfire Dual Xenon Rechargeable Swirl Finder Spotlight

With all this added, i am around $1000, and thats NOT including towels/compounds. so please input your thought on anything, and everything.

[dooyaunastan]

Sheepskin requires a bit more upkeep than MF chenille, I like chenille, can't go wrong with either.

Personally I'd suggest CG orange sticky gel or CG diablo gel wheel cleaners and get the daytona combo, might be cheaper.

Recessed lug nut brush is just that, for recessed lug nuts. Standard wheels, not that great from what I've heard.

Instead of ARO check out the Tuff Shine tire cleaner/tire kit.

You can really put any sealant on wheels from what I've read, wheel wax isn't necessary IMO.

I'd suggest IronX before TarX, embedded iron particles seem to be much more common than embedded tar from road construction, though it does happen. Trix isn't usually preferred over one or the other.

The 303 Fabric/Vinyl is a cleaner, where as the second product is a protectant.

also, i would just get the 20x40 or whatever size Cobra waffle weave.

[Success]

If you're spending that kind of money, look into the wheel woolies. I love mine. You can use the small one and do your lug nuts. I use them for alot of hard to reach areas--engine, wheel wells, etc

[cleanmycorolla]

APC can replace a lot of the cleaners you have, like engine degreasers and such! just a thought

[john b]

buy your buckets at hd and save some money.

[MikeN]

Check Amazon for your microfiber towls.. they sell packs of them and average $2 per towl

Sent from my SCH-I535 using AG Online

[psynx]

Cobras are expensive and overrated for the money IMO

Sent from my SCH-I605 using AG Online

[swanicyouth]

alright guys, this will be my first huge buy. i want to take detailing more serious now, so i want to have everything i need (my budget is around 1000, so if you think something i should add/take away, input your opinion):

Wash:
-Fire Hose Nozzle
-(2) 5 Gallon Professional Wash Bucket with Grit Guard
-Meguiars Gold Class Shampoo & Conditioner 64 oz.
-Sheepskin Wash Mitt
-Super Plush Micro-Chenille Wash Mitt
I dont know which of the 2 i should buy. i would really love to own the sheepskin for the quality, but then again i wont be washing high end cars..yet . So micro Chenille should do, right?

Drying:
-Metro Blaster SideKick
-3 Pack Cobra Guzzler HD Waffle Weave Drying Towels, 16 x 24 inches

Wheels/tires:
-Sonax – Daytona Jr. Wheel Combo
-Daytona Speed Master Wheel Brush
-8 inch Montana Original Boar’s Hair Wheel Brush
-Recessed Wheel Lug Nut Brush Kit.. is this a good tool to keep at hand? i know it IS useful, but how more effective will it be then just using the lug brush?
-Clean Wheel Lug Nut Brush
-Amazing Roll Off 32 oz.
-Tire/Wheel Brush Kit
-Detailer's Wheel Glaze
-CarPro 2Fingers Mini Wool Wash Mitt
-Wolfgang Black Diamond Tire Gel

Trim/molding:
-Detailer's Cleanse-All Exterior Cleaner
-Detailing Brush Kit
-303 Aerospace Protectant 16 oz
-6 Pack Microfiber Applicator Pads
-4 oz. Forever Black Dye Refill w/ applicator top

Windows:
-Pinnacle Crystal Clear Glass Cleaner with Water Repellent
-Pinnacle GlassWork Water Spot Remover
-Pinnacle GlassCoat Window Sealant with Rain Repellent
-Polish N’ Wax Applicator
-3 Poly Foam Applicators
-2 Waffle Weave Microfiber Glass Towels

Engine:
-Detailer's Engine Degreaser
-Mothers Wheel Brush
-Mothers Detail Brush Set
-Lake Country Detail Sticks 12 Pack
-Detailer’s Trim Detailer
-Clean Wheel Lug Nut Brush.. Do you guys have a dedicated brush for each application? i.e. one for engine, one for wheels, and one for interior?

Bug/Tar:
-CarPro Tar X Tar & Adhesive Remover 600 ml.
-Detailer's Cleanse-All Exterior Cleaner Is there a difference between an All Exterior Cleaner compared to a specific bug/tar remover? Because if not, then i should just buy 2 exterior cleaner, right?
-Safe Scrub Bug & Tar Pad
-Pinnacle XMT 360 Spray Wax

Interior:
-32 oz. 303 Fabric/Vinyl Cleaner
-32 oz. 303 High Tech Fabric Guard
Is there a difference between these and the DP total interior cleaner or the leather care?
-Detailer's Total Interior Cleaner
-16 oz. Wolfgang Leather Care Cleaner
-16 oz. Wolfgang Leather Care Conditioner
-Carrand 2 in 1 Electrostatic Detail Brush
-Two Way Mini Detailing Brush
I dont need both, which one would you prefer?
-Vinyl & Leather Scrub Brush
-Shop Vac Craftsman 12-Gallon Wet/Dry Vac: A Powerful Vacuum from Sears

Microfiber towels:
- Cobra Supreme 530 Extra Large Microfiber Towel, large microfiber detailing towe, drying towel, micro fiber towels
- Griot's Garage Micro Fiber Polish Removal Cloths, Griots Polishing Cloths, Microfiber Polishing Cloths
- Cobra Deluxe Microfiber Towel Pair, microfiber towels, buffing towels, car buffing towel, micro fiber
- Microfiber Towel Combo FREE BONUS!
- Super Soft Deluxe Microfiber Towels, microfiber detailing towels, microfiber buffing towels, detail cloth, micro fiber
I know i need a lot of towels, but man the cost adds up quick lol if you guys could recommend some. i needs tha help

Claying:
-Pinnacle XMT Speed Clay 226 grams

IPA:
-CarPro Eraser Intense Oil & Polish Cleanser 16 oz.
Any other you guys want to recommend?

Polishers/Pads/Backing Plate:
-Griots Garage 6 inch Random Orbital Polisher(already own)
-(2) Lake Country Hydro-Tech 5 1/2 x 7/8 Inch Foam Pads 3 Pack
-3M Hook-It 5 Inch Dual Action Backing Plate
-Griots Garage 3 Inch Orbital Polisher Kit

Compounds/All In One (AIO):
ehhh, this is where im still looking into. There are just SO many options to choose from, and there are twice the opinions on every product. but im looking into Megs products.. Inputs, please

Misc:
-Brinkmann Maxfire Dual Xenon Rechargeable Swirl Finder Spotlight

With all this added, i am around $1000, and thats NOT including towels/compounds. so please input your thought on anything, and everything.

A couple of thoughts from someone who has spent thousands at AG on your list. I see a few ways to save you a lot of $$$ if your interested.

1.Fire hose nozzle: get a "full flow" Gilmore at Lowes or HD. Just as good, less cash

2.Buy your buckets at Lowes or HD. I know HD has a selection of 5 gallon buckets, not just the orange bucket. Bring a grit guard with you to get one that fits it good. Again, less dollars - bucket just as good.

3. Nothing wrong with Meg's Shampoos, but I think there are much nicer ones out there for the same $$$ or slightly more. Pick a quality shampoo with a high dilution. I like: CG Citrus Wash & Gloss, Optimum, 1Z Gloss, Sonax Gloss, or even a gallon of CG Maxi Suds. This is where you spend a few dollars more you saved on fancy buckets that say "AG" on them. A first rate shampoo is really worth it.

4. For a wash mitt, if your going to get sheepskin, get a brand name one with good reviews like a CarPro or Dodo. I bought the AG sheep skin wash pad and it was terrible. Went bald and got hair all over. The Griots wash pad or the AG chenille mitt are both good and cheap. I actually use the BMW sheep skin mitt also. It's very high quality, medium nap, and doesn't shed one bit. It's about $20 at any dealer.

5. I would skip the MB Side Kick and save up for the Air Force or the 8 HP model. I have the Air Force, it is very good, but I wish I went with the more powerful one.

6. Guzzler WW are excellent. But, try to get other AG towels on BOGO, as they are costly. I have several Chinchillas, Cobra 530s & 600s. Almost everyone I got on BOGO. They have sales on these frequently. I also think there are other sources for towels with much better prices, like MicroFiber Tech or Chemical Guys. There are just so many good deals on towels out there, its just crazy to pay full prices for towels. I also would skip the Griots towels. I have them, they are OK, but - they are way overpriced and they lint. Again, many other options out there.

7. I would skip the Griots 3" polisher all together. It lacks power to do any real correction work. Just get a 3" backing plate and a bunch of 3.5" pads for the GG6. Or, get a PC and make it a dedicated 3" polisher. Either way, you will get much better results out of it. Also, I would get a LC 5" backing plate (and 3") opposed to a 3M. It's likely a few bucks less, and the LC plates are very good.

7. Skip the lug nut brush and get a boars hair or horse hair paint brush style round brush. The RaceGlaze brush set is very good (not sold here). Google it. It can be used inside and outside the car and you get multiple high quality animal hair brushes that can be used many places inside and outside the car

8. You could skip the Mothers wheel brush. The Montana Boars Hair wheel brush is much better. Get the small one, not the medium one. People have had problems with the medium one. Also get a fender brush for wheel wells.

9. You could skip some of the cleaners and get a product like Sonus All Surface Cleaner or Meg's APC + that is dilutable and can be used on many places inside and outside the car.

10. I would skip anything made by Forever Black. My experience with that stuff is messy and streaky. I like Poor Boys Trim Restorer, but it depends what you are trying to do.

11. I would skip the 303, Detailers Trim Detailer, and the dedicated tire dressing. Instead, get a high quality product like OptiBond or CarPro PERL you can use on trim and tires. Keeps it simple and less $$$ for equal results.

12. I would skip the Pinnacle clay and instead get some type of Decon block or towel that can be used many times more, like Opti Eraser or the CG Clay Block

13. I would also skip the Brinkmann. While the ergonomics are good, its not the brightest and build quality isn't the best. I would recommend a high quality LED flashlight in the 500 to 1000 lumen range. Also some freestanding halogens from Home Depot.

14. I'm guessing you are using Amazing Roll Off as a tire cleaner. Again, here you could get something like APC+ or Grime Reaper that is dilutable to strength, has great reviews, and is more versatile (also works well in engines and wheel wells). I just haven't heard a lot of amazing comments about ARO. Or, if you want a dedicated tire cleaner, get the Tuff Shine tire cleaner. It's the best out there and removes old silicone from dressing much better than other products. While you are at it, get the Tuff Shine tire cleaner brush. It's a few bucks and one of the best little brushes to clean a tire with.

15. You also need a waterless wash and/ or a rinseless wash. Get a product like Ultimate Waterless Wash Plus or Duragloss Rinseless which can be used either way and also as a quick detailer. You will use this a lot to clean dust off paint between steps, doing final wipedowns, cleaning fingerprints, etc...

16. Don't forget something to clean your pads with. I would get the BlackFire Pad Cleaner. I think its excellent.


This is just how I would do it. I hope at least some of these suggestions help.

[terrangama]

I personally dont like DP interior Cleaner. I think it smells terrible and the scent sticks around for a day or two.

[WRAPT C5Z06]

I personally dont like DP interior Cleaner. I think it smells terrible and the scent sticks around for a day or two.

I agree, it smells horrible! Too bad, because it cleans very well(recent formula)!