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Automotive Detailing & Car Care TechTHIS SPACE OPEN FOR ADVERTISEMENT. YOU SHOULD BE ADVERTISING HERE!
Discussion on how to keep your car shining bright and make them heads turn..
I am a complete newbie and just bought a car that's worth detailing (MR2) and am looking to buy the necessary materials for a detail. I hope you can offer some feedback on the items I am looking for and where I can find them for cheap. Additionally, recommendation of brands/types of items I don't already have a brand for.
I've looked at Ken's website and he doesn't seem to have everything I am looking for and I don't know if he has the best prices either. Also, I don't know when I have the time to drive out to get the items.
Anyways, here is the list:
Wash:
Meguiars Gold Class or NXT Wash
Wool mitt (brand?)
California waterblade
Drying towel (brand?)
Clay Magic (which roughness?)
Meguiars Deep Crystal/Premium paint cleaner
Tire/Rims cleaner (brand?)
Polish: Can't really afford a polisher just yet (a bit cash tight after the new car)
Sealant/Wax:
Meguiar #20 Polymer and S100 Wax on top
Microfibre cloths (brand?)
Other:
Aerospace 303 for panels
Leather conditioner (brand?)
Touch up paint for chips on door edge
RainX for windows
Windex for windows
I know it's a long post but would value any feedback you may have.
the metal polish is garbage too, doesnt polish jack
Dude you need to get away from meguiars wax and try the acrylic jett sealant I told you about.. Takes no more than 30 mins to do 2 coats, and thats
guaranteed to last at least 4 months
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[19-07, 16:52] bloodmack: EB did u change my avatar and title?
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[19-07, 16:54] El Bastardo: bm i have no idea what you're talking about because i don't speak gorilla
i havent had the time to go maple ridge just to grab two bottles of wax/sealant, same shit lol....hell i only been maple ridge like 2-3 times in my life.
let me know if u decide to go, grab me a bottle
recently i been using the Collinite 512 or watever the number is, i forgot lol
its alrit
I'll second not using a California Water blade. One single tiny speck of dirt gets on the blade, and you'll be dragging that piece of dirt all over your car. Most detailers will recommend not using it.
Since you're looking for OTC stuff, I'll keep my recommendations to stuff you can get OTC (rather than from specialty stores)
Wool mitt: Doesn't really matter. Get whatever wool mitt is cheap.
Drying towel: I use a waffle weave drying towel. Much better than a chamios as it's softer and prevents scratches from any dirt it catches. (Link
Claybar: Seems like the Mothers kit is the only OTC product out there. Ken probably has a bigger selection but a fine grade clay should be OK for what you want to do.
Tire/Rim cleaner: P21S is probably the best out there. I know a few guys here have used the Autoglym wheel cleaner and have good things to say about it so probably those two options, though if you don't mind getting your hands dirty, you could probably do just as well with a sponge, leftover carwash and a bit of elbow grease.
Microfibre cloth: Probably just anything you can find for cheap. Ken has some nicer ones that are thicker and larger. You can spring for those or just the cheapies from CT.
Leather conditioner: Lexol is pretty widely available. I use it now and it's not bad but I don't like the initial "residue" it leaves behind after you condition it. It goes away after a while though. Again, consult Ken if you want some better quality stuff. I've heard Leatherique is very good, but it's more of a specialty item so you won't find it in your big box stores.
Detailing supplies in general are cheaper in the US, so if you got somewhere to ship it to, you could always order it online and have it shipped. However, if you're new to this, I'd probably suggest maybe paying a visit to Ken (RS sponsor) as he's our resident pro and gives really great advice. This way you'll be buying products to suit your job and not wasting money on stuff that may not be right for the job.
well if you are heading down US as a trip/small vacation than it make sense
but if you are heading down straight for some minor stuff, oil , filter, misc detail stuff..unless u are getting shit load...it really doesnt make sense. Since on top of that u may get taxed/duties + gas alone driving out there
cali blade runs the risk scratching it while attempting to dry the car.
using a special fiber towel and rub it against ur paint, IF there is any sand/small rocks, or dity...wouldnt it run the same risk by dragging it? especially on a black car
Thanks for the additional input. I probably won't get the water blade since it's like $30...
I've done some additional research and have some more specific questions.
In terms of drying the car, I've read that the absorber does a pretty good job, is it necessary? Has anyone used it?
In terms of the sealant/wax, I would like one that's more durable. I've read Zaino is good, I assume the only place to get this is online at the Zaino website?
What about Klasse?
My car is crimson red in colour and it does not come with a clear coat (with the exception of one of the repainted panels) if it makes a difference.
well if you are heading down US as a trip/small vacation than it make sense
but if you are heading down straight for some minor stuff, oil , filter, misc detail stuff..unless u are getting shit load...it really doesnt make sense. Since on top of that u may get taxed/duties + gas alone driving out there
canada market blows
For sure. I usually ship a ton of stuff to my mailbox and just go make one trip and pick it all up. My general guideline is that I should be saving at least 20% on the item vs purchasing here + taxes before I'll order it in the US. Either that, or it's unavailable in Canada. Otherwise, it's better off buying up here.
Detailing supplies is one of those things where there's still a fairly large price differential between the US and Canada. Camera and computer parts is another.
I'm not sure if you've used a waffle weave before but the technique that you use to dry the car (as well as the pockets in the waffle weave) is the reason why it's less likely to scratch your car. Rather than using a wiping motion like you would with a chamois, you are basically pullling/dragging the waffle weave cloth across the surface so you're not putting any pressure on the cloth itself. (see youtube video below)
Thanks for the additional input. I probably won't get the water blade since it's like $30...
I've done some additional research and have some more specific questions.
In terms of drying the car, I've read that the absorber does a pretty good job, is it necessary? Has anyone used it?
In terms of the sealant/wax, I would like one that's more durable. I've read Zaino is good, I assume the only place to get this is online at the Zaino website?
What about Klasse?
My car is crimson red in colour and it does not come with a clear coat (with the exception of one of the repainted panels) if it makes a difference.
The Absorber is basically a synthetic chamois. It better than using a California Water blade, but because you're still putting pressure on it to wipe, there's always the chance of causing swirling/scratching if you get some dirt on it.
Zaino is supposedly pretty good. Some people swear by it. It's pricey though. Apparently, some guy that works for Artona is selling Zaino in BC (http://www.zainostore.ca/contact-zaino-store) if you want to get something locally.
I've never used Klasse before so I can't comment on it. (although I do have an unused bottle of AIO if anyone is interested in it) It's another one of those brands who have their loyal fans.
The current sealant I'm using is Four Star Ultimate Paint Protection. It has a nice wet gloss to it and it's durability is fairly decent.
klasse is pretty good. i've had it on my car for 6 months so far and no signs of it losing it's shine. although it does leave a plastic-y kind of shine. so you'll want to use a carnauba wax as a last step product. doesn't apply to light coloured cars
as for drying. i usually use the flooding with a hose method, followed by a leaf blower. then a waffle weave to blot dry.
don't cheap out on microfibers, the cheap ones will usually scratch your paint(if unsure, do the CD scratch test). i don't trust the ones from canadian tire.
for washing i'd invest in two buckets and also get grit guards from autowerkes.
for clay, the meguiars ones are fine. don't read the reviews on clay from the US as they are all made by the same manufacturer or something. i wanna try riccardo clay someday.
for rim cleaner, make sure it's PH balanced. you don't want your wheels to start bubbling from the acid some cleaners use. P21s is the gold standard pretty much. heard good things from sonax for wheel cleaners.
I am a complete newbie and just bought a car that's worth detailing (MR2) and am looking to buy the necessary materials for a detail. I hope you can offer some feedback on the items I am looking for and where I can find them for cheap. Additionally, recommendation of brands/types of items I don't already have a brand for.
I've looked at Ken's website and he doesn't seem to have everything I am looking for and I don't know if he has the best prices either. Also, I don't know when I have the time to drive out to get the items.
If you come by, I'm sure we can cover pretty much everything you need. May not be the exact product you are looking for, but we should have something that will fit the bill. We do try and keep our prices competitive with the other online stores but unfortunately, most products are made or supplied from back east which means an additional 15-20% in shipping charges to get it here. Optimum is made in California and as soon as we start buying direct from them, we should be able to lower our prices on that line. Other than that, all the products I sell are tested and used daily in my detailing business and I will personally guarantee them. If you are not happy, bring them back and we'll exchange them for something else. Will any other store do that?
yeah that's how a waffle weave is used, it's just a PITA to wring out when it's full of water lol, but considering it takes less than 2 minutes to dry the whole car, they're awesome.
to OP: ken has everything you need, sure you'll start with CT stuff but once you realize how novice the stuff at CT is you'll want to try out ken's good stuff, don't waste your money - start with the good stuff. I haven't touched my meguiar's stuff in YEARS.
If you come by, I'm sure we can cover pretty much everything you need. May not be the exact product you are looking for, but we should have something that will fit the bill. We do try and keep our prices competitive with the other online stores but unfortunately, most products are made or supplied from back east which means an additional 15-20% in shipping charges to get it here. Optimum is made in California and as soon as we start buying direct from them, we should be able to lower our prices on that line. Other than that, all the products I sell are tested and used daily in my detailing business and I will personally guarantee them. If you are not happy, bring them back and we'll exchange them for something else. Will any other store do that?
Ken
Optimum products aren't too bad either. I've used Optimum Polish and Optimum Compound and got fairly good results with them. They certainly don't dust up as much (if at all) as say Menzerna which is certainly a good thing. The other nice thing is that their products are fairly affordable too.
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
The banners on the left side and below do not show for registered users!
Will any other store do that? 
! Holy shit!
