Please Critique My Setup

[BadgerRivFan]

The best detailing investment you can make is to buy and read Mike Phillips' book... "How to create a show car shine"

Mike Phillips’ The Complete Guide to a Show Car Shine Paperback Book

Mike also has a number of videos on youtube. Watch as many as you can and you will learn a lot. Here's a good one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=P...&v=OJr45c1aayU

Most of all have fun!

[Emt1581]

Need MORE micro towels LOTS MORE

See, other than wiping off and then buffing the wax, I've refrained from using any towels for anything out of fear that I'd drag crap across the surface and screw up the clear coat...which is already showing itty bitty rock chips right at the front of the car.

What do ya'll use the MF towels for and how many do you keep in rotation?

Thanks!

-Emt1581

[Emt1581]

Where are you an emt?

Lehigh Valley area of PA.

I need to change my profile settings...I had no clue anyone replied to the thread so my apologies for the late responses!!

-Emt1581

[Emt1581]

Forgot get some good wheel brushes and wheel cleaner like in a example Iron-X, if you like also some soft brushes for the interior that will not damage your consol and seats.

Wheel brushes. I am having a hard time finding them cheaper than CG sells them for. The longer one here...

Chemical Guys - Easy Reach Wheel And Rim Detailing Brush

Same goes for the boar's hair brushes for the lug nuts and smaller spots... Will any boar's hair brush on ebay do for that?

Thanks

-Emt1581

[Emt1581]

Id probably add tar remover (probably moot for darker colored cars) and some claybar too (good for tree sap, stubborn crap).
I recommend dr leather wipes to maintain interior leather.

Larry over at AMMO NYC said to "only clay your car when you need to." Now I want to keep this baby looking pristine for decades so I guess the question I have for that is....when do I need to do it??

I see Meguiar's clay/lube kits at wal-mart. Are they good to go or is there another brand/kit preferred?

Thanks!

-Emt1581

[Emt1581]

Welcome
To
The
Addiction

I know there will be a Memorial Day sale around the corner, so keep eyes out for those specials!!

Great advice!!

If I can find time to research a detailing spray, towels, brushes, clay, wax and sealer, I might place a big order over on CG or some other detailing website... are there any equivalent sites that have as heavy a concentration of cleaning/detailing products?

I've read people bash CG for being too infomercial-like and then others that love them.

Thanks

-Emt1581

[aztec1987]

Wheel brushes. I am having a hard time finding them cheaper than CG sells them for. The longer one here...

Chemical Guys - Easy Reach Wheel And Rim Detailing Brush

Same goes for the boar's hair brushes for the lug nuts and smaller spots... Will any boar's hair brush on ebay do for that?

Thanks

-Emt1581

I have that brush but in Red and Black and to be honest it is garbage! It bends easily I only use it for the spacers between the rims. I use this one but short handle

Tire & Wheel Brushes

So far it hasn't failed me, as for boar brush I haven't really used it since I tend to remove my wheels, scrub the rim with the brush front + back, dry it, apply wheel wax (2 coats), mount them back on and troq them down with a wrench.

[aztec1987]

Great advice!!

If I can find time to research a detailing spray, towels, brushes, clay, wax and sealer, I might place a big order over on CG or some other detailing website... are there any equivalent sites that have as heavy a concentration of cleaning/detailing products?

I've read people bash CG for being too infomercial-like and then others that love them.

Thanks

-Emt1581

It is personal choice not all CG products are good, I use stick to the normal line products, as for others are trash products.

What I personally like:
Soap: Citrus Wash + Gloss and Mr. Pink
Sealants: Jet Seal 109
Glazes: Blacklight and Wet Mirror Finish
Polishes: V-line
Wax: XXX Hardcore wax, Concours 50/50
Trim: VRP
Interior: Inner Clean


To be honest the store is about 1 mile away from my job lol

[Emt1581]

I have that brush but in Red and Black and to be honest it is garbage! It bends easily I only use it for the spacers between the rims. I use this one but short handle

Tire & Wheel Brushes

So far it hasn't failed me, as for boar brush I haven't really used it since I tend to remove my wheels, scrub the rim with the brush front + back, dry it, apply wheel wax (2 coats), mount them back on and troq them down with a wrench.

Wow! That's dedication...taking your wheels off to clean them!! You have a personal portable or 2 stand jack?

Thanks for sharing about the brush. They have those at Walmart. I'd want the longer handle to get the entire rim.

Thanks

-Emt1581

[aztec1987]

Wow! That's dedication...taking your wheels off to clean them!! You have a personal portable or 2 stand jack?

Thanks for sharing about the brush. They have those at Walmart. I'd want the longer handle to get the entire rim.

Thanks

-Emt1581

Go for the longer ones, in my preference I feel more comfortable with the short handles. I just use jack stands and lug nut sockets with plastic to prevent damaging the rims.

Yeah I do one by one, after drying them I put any dressing (multiple coats to cover the tire well) and wheel wax.