Hello all, Been lurking here and I'm finally in a new car and ready to prep it and clean it up. It is a 2012 VW GTI in Candy White (Pic at bottom of course) I'm posting here to get opinions on my ballin on a budget product list. This is slowly turning into a hobby of mine. I see fantastic work on here, but alas I don't think I will reach that level. I'm just an IT nerd with a passion for good lookin cars. Have a Griots that I picked up a while back and need some product! Car has some dealer installed swirls, I'd like to remove them but not sure what product to use. Is there something for very light swirling? I am in an apartment parking lot and will be using THIS method of washing since I have no hose. I will revert to a coin-op/Dual bucket method when it's very dirty. Anyways, list below. Crituque away. Looking for something to remove swirls, have wax set. Will be adding a sealant if possible (Menzerna powerlock?)
micro restore......... just presoak towels in a diluted APC solution then wash on Hot with a bit of oxy clean. I have the Mercury Venus pro bottles, they are great for really blasting down wheels and such (what are you going to use them with?) there are far less expensive and just as good alternatives. 1Z glanz, you cannot go wrong with Towels good choice Uber sponge, worth buying two, best sponge on the market Decon gel never used it Nano skin, never used it, but what I have read it will leave marring, possibly more marring then using a light claybar with a good lubrication like diluted dawn or even a quick detailer, if you are not polishing, IMO I would stick with something less expensive and just as effective. If you are polishing it wont matter. Over all good choices.
If you're on a budget, I'd drop the MicroRestore, get local hardware store atomizing sprayers rather than Kwazars, and swap the NanoSkin to standard clay/lubricant.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_337959-1319...llon Plastic Tank Sprayer&CAWELAID=1023918279 I agree, I don't want to bad mouth the kwazars, but the tips are really brittle plastic, and I went to adjust one and it basically broke off, I ended up getting one of these, and honestly its a better value and as far more control, but again, it sort of depends on what you are using it for.
Micro restore - Keep it. It does make a difference to the towels. As well, add one oz of white vinegar in the rinse. Kwazars - dump em. Over hyped in my opinion. Want awesome triggers, get a couple off old Duragloss bottles. They don't die. Ever. If you really feel the need to apply a lot of liquid quickly, get pump sprayers. Glanz Wax - no opinion; still testing. Werkstat Acrylic Jett Trigger looks awesome on white as well and has excellent durability. Uber Drying. - no opinion Wolfs Deironizer - great product. Get the litre size at minimum. Uber sponge - no opinion NanoSkin. For as often as you may clay your car, its too expensive. Get normal clay / lube.
I wasn't paying close attention earlier, but seems you still need polish and wax/sealant recommendations. Powerlock is always a solid option, you won't go wrong there. If you are being extra budget minded, Collinite 845 will never let you down. I've only ever used Glanz Wax on a single panel, so I don't have much to say on it, other than the solid reviews I've read. I will say my first impression was that it was not a stand-out in any aspect. May have just been my 1 very small experience. I've loved every other 1Z product I've used. I assume you have a Griot's random orbital...do have any pads for it?
Not sure how to multi-quote. Replying to all-in-one. I think I will go with powerlock over collonite, since I will be dumping a few other products. I will be picking up the pump from Lowes rather than Kwayzars I'll be picking up some more Microfibers for buffing and whatever I feel them fit to be used for. I do have a set of pads with the griots. I might try and get a second set if I need them.What clay would you guys suggest? It is hardly contaminated but still I can feel it. The car was on the lot for quite a few months. Also still need something to clean up the swirling. Not major at all. Still can see it the sun though.Thanks for all the replies!Looks like it wont let me put everything into bullets like I wanted. Sorry for the big blob of a paragraph.
You can't go wrong with Powerlock. As 911Fanatic said microfiber cleaner is a non-essential (much more economical to buy Tide Free and Clear). Since you are ordering through DetailersDomain and the car will have minor contamination I recommend the Uber Blue Clay (which is a fine grade - won't pick up as much contamination on a soiled car but the risk of marring is far lower). I would recommend the Uber super drying towel over the WW as it will pick up twice as much water and just does a better job IMO. Polishes that remove moderate to mild swirls and leave a LSP-ready finish would be Menzerna SF 4000 (Super Finish), Menzerna SI 1500 (SIP), and PF2500 (Power Finish). See all here. FYI...How to multiquote: Below any post there are three items on the bottom right, "Reply", "Reply with Quote" and the "quote mark +". Click the "quote mark +" on any post you want to reply to (a check mark will appear on that illustration). The last one you want to reply to click "Reply with Quote" and you will be presented with the reply box with all of those posts wrapped in quote formatting.
I was trying to get the Uber Super but Phil is out of stock on them Thanks for the recommendations. I will add those to my list.
I got a chuckle out of your thread title "ballin on a budget" "ballin" and "budget" go together like anus' and firecrackers
nice car. i had a great track car in an 06 farenheit orange gti. #4 of 1200, with alcon racing brakes and chipped with oz wheels. paint seemed to get lots of small scratches so listen to all the great advice above and get a good size finish polish or even sonax nano paint cleanser.
Any update here? What did you end up ordering and how has it worked out? I have the same exact car & color :thumb:
"I got a chuckle out of your thread title "ballin on a budget" "ballin" and "budget" go together like anus' and firecrackers" lolol..............
I would check out the Auto Finesse Iron Out over the Wolfs. I've used both and I think Iron out is more economical. drop the Kwazarsand try picking up the "fine" autoscrub kit. It should be easier on the paint than the medium grade and ask Phil to swap the Adams detail spray for Prima Slick
Not sure if many of you guys use Poorboy's World products, but I was suggested to use PB's Polish w/ Sealant as an AIO solution for light swirls. It uses no abrasives, just chemically removes light marring while leaving a layer of protection. I'm going to use up all the product I have before I graduate to something else. I am also on a budget.
