Getting Started!

Well quick bio, i have always been into cars,keeping them clean,great looking finish etc, but never have got SERIOUS into detailing.

i am now going to take a course the end of April on PPF installation, and going to be working out of a shop at nights/weekends doing PPF as i can between my full time job. I figured since i am going to be doing PPF i might as well get a good handle on how to correct/prepare the paint before the film is laid.

I also purchased a black 09 Mustang GT recently(my first black car), and upon picking it up, the paint is in HORRENDOUS shape, i am embarrassed to even look at it.

There is road film all over the car, water spots,sun spots,overall haze, swirl marks GALORE,bugs on the front end,etc...i cant see to many front end chip(1-2) so i might be alright in that department.

reason i am making this post is i am putting together a shopping list of what to buy to get underway, any insight would be great, especially some tips for my black car. I am not afraid to spend a little bit of money to get going and get what i need, but also dont need to spend big dollars on things i wont use much, keep in mind this is kind of a weekend/part time thing

i have a 08 F150 truck(oxford white) i am going to practice on,along with my 09 mustang gt(ebony black)

any recommendations on
pressure washer? what model do i need?
foam cannon or no?
griots or porter cable?(i have access to either)
basic buckets/microfibers/pads?
basic cleaners/waxes/clay bar/lube,etc etc?

i am essentially going to get rid of anything i use right now as its all just cheap stuff and after doing some reading i realize i have been cleaning cars wrong my whole life!

willing to take any help/insight!

EDIT-Also going to ad, i am not afraid to take my time and learn this, i just don't want to spend a bunch of money on stuff i don't need, which is where i am hoping someone will help me, i have a 2 car garage and the shop i am working out of is huge and i have my own bay(my buddy owns it) so i can spend my time to do it proper, i want to learn to do this myself and not have someone else do it.

Thanks
Dustin

 

First off, there are some really great products you can pick up at a autoparts store, like mequiars Ultimate line which I use as well as the pro products sold from vendors on this site. So its up to you, there are unlimited options really, you just have to look at budget, and what you want performance wise.

Some will say a pressure washer is a must, I have one but I rarely use it other then wheels and tires. But one thing I think is a absolute is a firehose nozzle, it has the ability to door shuts, etc and has a lot of control over the flow.
I also have a foam gun, i love it. The ability to foam a car prior to washing it really helps remove the surface grime.

As for wash gear here is what I have:
Two buckets, two grit guards
Uber yellow sponge and Chemical guys wash pads. I prefer the sponges on dirtier cars and the wash pad on cleaner cars that are maintained.
as for polishers I have a PC, the groits is a good product as well, and I believe a little less money.
as for products, I like Sonus clay bars (fine), and have some zaino (medium) both are great and not a huge expense. BUT meguiars and mothers make a great clay kit and if its just your own car you are doing you may be happy with those. Mothers Is a step above the Mequiars kit IMO.

Cleaning products, Optimum Powerclean its a little more then Megs APC ( i use both) but the OPT PC is a better product IMO and safe for all surfaces, tires wheels etc. leather, plastics etc. I also like Mequiars interior spray.

If your wheels are not a disaster you may be able to get away with just using car shampoo and a sponge or the APC products as mentioned above and not need a dedicated wheel cleaner...... but I like Auto Glym Custom Wheel Cleaner and Chemical guys Citrus Gel.

Shampoo, I like chemical guys Maxi sudz, and Citrus clear wash both are high foaming and do an outstanding job in cleaning
Zaino makes a good PH nuetral shampoo as well.

As for sealants, I like and have used Zaino products, Menzerna Powerlock and right now im using alot of Chemical guys Blacklight and V7 Spray sealant as well as jetseal 109.

Wax is all a about preferance, im not a huge wax person.......... But I have and use Autoglym HD and P21s, both reasonable in the price with outstanding results.

again budget is all subjective to what is available. and this is what works for me.... others will have differing ideas and opinions.

 

Kilo, thanks for the help, whats the best website for Canadian users to purchase some of this stuff?

also is there any product you recommend for black cars specifically(My personal car) it stays in the garage and only comes out on nice days,etc, so i don't mind spending a little more on my own and getting that amazing black shine...THAT LASTS THOUGH! and whats the best way to keep up on the nice shine?


Thanks
Dustin

 

Products - Autowerkes Exclusive
I have not ordered anything yet from him, but I have talked to him, nice guy. Knows his detailing......... hit him up. Best price I have found anywhere on Autoglym wheel cleaner.


He is 911fanatic and is a member here...........Hit him up, he carries alot of the products i mentioned.

I just did a 2011 Sti, it was black, I used Menzerna Superfinish with Uber green pad, then Chemical Guys Blacklight and V7 Spray seal. But I have done other black cars with Menzerna powerlock and a single coat of AutoGlym HD. so it really depends, both turned out really nice, the products mentioned all yeild excellent results. But it really depends on the condition of the paint on your car, as seeing its a newer car it may not need alot of polishing.... but again it could have tons of swirlmarks etc.

To get any car to really shine and stand out its how you prep it, wash, clay polish etc.
I hear Mequiars M205 gives a similar result of Menzerna Superfinish at a lower cost, but I like the Menzerna products much more simply because to me they are easier to use........Check out Menzernas website, there is a chart that notates what polishes can remove what type of scratches etc.

 

Don't focus so much on finding that just right product, bite the bullet and just buy some samples off of someone or just start buying items you have read about and give them a try. You have been given some good feedback so far, and there are a lot of threads about specific products so get your search on!

 

Good point, also some places even sell sample sizes.

 

Being from Canada we are limited in what we are able to order in the sense that shipping really hurts.
eShine Canada, Car, Wax, Polish, Polisher, Tire Dressings, Detailing Supplies, RV, Truck, Boat, Automotive, upholstery, marine, convertible, Microfiber is based out of Canada, i use them religiously.

 

AUTO OBSESSED
is based out of Edmonton and also good place to order from and Troy is also on the forums.
(also probably the only place to get a Griots DA and Swissvax line up here in the great white)

 

been generating up a bit of a shopping list, let me know what you guys think



Sonax Wheel Cleaner Full Effect $21.99
Brush Short Handle Tire/Wheel $8.99
P21S Total Auto Wash 1000ml w/Sprayer $20.99
Optimum Car Wash 32oz $13.99
Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine 32oz $17.99
Riccardo Clay Blue $21.99
Riccardo Premium Clay Lubricant 16oz $11.99
Porter Cable 7424XP $149.99
Menzerna Power Finish PO203 32oz $49.99
Chemical Guys Complete Kit, Best of The Best $220.00

* Heavy Duty 4.5 Gallon Detailer Choice Bucket
* Gamma Seal -Waterproof Durable Spin-Off Bucket Lid- Great storage and a great seat.
* Grit Guard-Separates dirty water from clean for a scratch free wash every time.
* Petes 53' Concourse Carnauba Paste Wax- The deepest shine under the sun or moon.
* CG Wheel Guard- Extreme shine and protection for all wheels and rims
* 16oz Green Clean-Super Concentrated All-Surface All Purpose Cleaner
* 16oz Citrus Wash & Gloss Car Wash- One 16oz bottle will wash 30+ vehicles
* 16oz Synthetic Detailer- Quick Detail Spray & Clay bar Lube
* 16oz V.R.P. premium Dressing for Vinyl, Rubber, Tires & Plastics- Shine & Protection
* 16oz EX Creme Glaze- Restores revives and prolongs that wet mirror shine.
* 16oz Wheel & Rim Cleaner -Degreases and cleans fast rinses off.
* 16oz Go Green-Waterless complete detailing system
* 16oz Jeseal109 Aerospace Surface Enhancer-Shine & Protection beyond reason.
* 16oz Glass Clean- Glass Cleaner (Free When You Purchase Today)
* 16oz Bare Bones- Dark Shine Undercarriage Spray 9 (Free When You Purchase Today)
* Jumbo 209g Large All Surface Clay Bar
* 3- Monster Microfiber Extreme Thickness Microfiber towels with Black Silk banded edgse (16"x16") 3 Pack
* Three Microfiber BIG Blocks Premium Applicators
* Three Dura-Foam Premium Applicators
* Extra Plush Full-Synthetic Wash Pad
* Chenille Microfiber Super Soft Wash Mitt Lime Green
* Miracle Dryer HUGE size 550+ g/m2 most absorbent dryer towel available.


am i missing anything? anything i dont need?

Thanks.
Dustin

 

dont need optimum car wash as you'll already have a car wash in the CG kit
you'll need a DA backplate and foam pads of different grade (griots DA does come with a backplate actually)
get Menzerna SIP, power finish probably wont need that aggresive.
get the yellow clay which is less aggressive, will serve better in the long run in my opinion
use ONR diluted as clay lube so no need for the ricardo lube
you might want a raceglaze xl wheel barrel brush for your wheel barrels.

 

Remove Product(s) Qty. Total
Sonax Wheel Cleaner Full Effect $21.99
Brush Short Handle Tire/Wheel $8.99
P21S Total Auto Wash 1000ml w/Sprayer $20.99
Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine 32oz $17.99
Porter Cable 7424XP $149.99
Chemical Guys Complete Kit, Best of The Best $220.00
* Heavy Duty 4.5 Gallon Detailer Choice Bucket
* Gamma Seal -Waterproof Durable Spin-Off Bucket Lid- Great storage and a great seat.
* Grit Guard-Separates dirty water from clean for a scratch free wash every time.
* Petes 53' Concourse Carnauba Paste Wax- The deepest shine under the sun or moon.
* CG Wheel Guard- Extreme shine and protection for all wheels and rims
* 16oz Green Clean-Super Concentrated All-Surface All Purpose Cleaner
* 16oz Citrus Wash & Gloss Car Wash- One 16oz bottle will wash 30+ vehicles
* 16oz Synthetic Detailer- Quick Detail Spray & Clay bar Lube
* 16oz V.R.P. premium Dressing for Vinyl, Rubber, Tires & Plastics- Shine & Protection
* 16oz EX Creme Glaze- Restores revives and prolongs that wet mirror shine.
* 16oz Wheel & Rim Cleaner -Degreases and cleans fast rinses off.
* 16oz Go Green-Waterless complete detailing system
* 16oz Jeseal109 Aerospace Surface Enhancer-Shine & Protection beyond reason.
* 16oz Glass Clean- Glass Cleaner (Free When You Purchase Today)
* 16oz Bare Bones- Dark Shine Undercarriage Spray 9 (Free When You Purchase Today)
* Jumbo 209g Large All Surface Clay Bar
* 3- Monster Microfiber Extreme Thickness Microfiber towels with Black Silk banded edgse (16"x16") 3 Pack
* Three Microfiber BIG Blocks Premium Applicators
* Three Dura-Foam Premium Applicators
* Extra Plush Full-Synthetic Wash Pad
* Chenille Microfiber Super Soft Wash Mitt Lime Green
* Miracle Dryer HUGE size 550+ g/m2 most absorbent dryer towel available.

Menzerna Super Intensive PO83Q 32oz $49.99
Riccardo Clay Yellow $21.99
RaceGlaze XL Wheel Brush $20.99
Sonus SFX 6" Foam Pad Kit $56.99
Backing Plate 6" DA Flexable $20.99

Sub-Total: $610.90

What do ya all think?

 

You might want to look at pricing out all the CG stuff on its own, it may actually be cheaper. But that is a very all inclusive kit. As for wheel cleaners, the Sonax is nice if the wheels have a ton of build up, but if they are maintained its over kill, I stopped using it because I ended up doing alot of cars that are fairly maintained. I actually think optimum powerclean is the way to go on cleaning wheels that have minor brake dust and grime, but that is just me.

 

That CG kit contains a lot. It's got a wheel cleaner and big block of clay already. I would scratch the Sonax and Riccardo. Instead get the foam gun that's on special. If you need more clay later on then get it. The CG 209g of clay will last quite awhile. Chances are you will be making a lot more orders once you realize how addicting it is..

 

that bucket is actually a pretty good price considering Jetseal alone is 35.00, plus it includes Pete's 53 which is a great wax.

I would get the kit, and the DA polisher as well as some SIP and Superfinish, and a few more microfiber towels; Id scratch the P21s autowash and buy a gallon of Opt powerclean, it will do the same IMO but a gallon will last you longer since you can dilute it 3:1.

 

Remove Product(s) Qty. Total
Chemical Guys Complete Kit, Best of The Best $220.00
Chemical Guys Foam Blaster Kit $64.00
Menzerna Super Intensive PO83Q 32oz $49.99
RaceGlaze XL Wheel Brush $20.99
Backing Plate 6" DA Flexable $20.99
Sonus SFX 6" Foam Pad Kit $56.99
Porter Cable 7424XP $149.99
Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine 32oz $17.99
Brush Short Handle Tire/Wheel $8.99
Menzerna Super Finish PO106FA 32oz $54.99
Microfiber Ultra Fine 12 pack $19.99


Sub-Total: $684.91

 

that foam gun is a good deal, I just picked up that kit for a freind of mine. It is nice to have the selection of shampoos. Why do you want the ONR? If you are getting it for clay lube it looks like the kit includes Clay lube, Also I think 5" pads are easier to use, i have 5 and 6 and tend to go to the 5" just my opinion.

 

^^Agree scratch the ONR too. The CG kit includes a QD/clay lube, waterless wash.

 

but i bet he'll be buying some ONR later on cuz its like the product we must all have at home

 

I honestly didnt like it.......... I think im the only one in North America who disliked it.

 

I would get a GG DA instead of PCXP. I would get P203s powerfinish instead of SIP. also get two kind of pads only, its useless to have one of each.

Thats all I can think of....