Hey guys, let me start by saying Ive done a search and found many useful threads on here aout detailing and products. This thread however is to ask for help on which products/steps I should be using to detail my car on my own over one or 2 days for under $50. The car is an Ivory Pearl and I don't believe I have any swirl marks in it, but I really do want to bring out that reflective shine I see on so many of the car pics posted here after they're detailed. Can someone point me in the direction as to which wash, cloth's/pads, buffer's/porter cables, wax/claybar/sealant/polish, etc.... to get?


All in all, (excluding the buffer/porter cable) I'm looking to detail my car for a decent price yet still get good results....anyone?


thanks in advance, any help at all is greatly appreciated

 

Visit www.detailuniversity.com

 

On a $50 budget, this is what I'd go with...

Shampoo: Chemical Guys Maxi Suds - $6.99
Wash Mitt: Sheepskin Wash Mitt - $8.99
Drying: Use the sheeting method to remove a majority of the water and follow up with some microfiber towels to dry.
All In One Polish & Sealant: Poorboy's World Polish with Sealant - $17.99
Spray on Wax: Poorboy's Quick Wax Plus - $12.99
Foam Applicator Pad - $1.49
Microfiber All Purpose Towel x 2 - $7.98
Sub-Total = $56.43
Less 10% off discount (enter in 10offG37 during checkout)

That's probably what I'd go with if I were working on a $50 budget and needed a starting point to detail my car. I'm sure others can chime in with their thoughts as well.

George

 

NO claybar?

 

For $50? I don't think so...

 

I'd personnally recommend saving up some more so that you can put some money into some additional supplies like 2 buckets, 2 Grit Guards, Clay, etc.

 

Was trying to keep it within the $50 budget, and when you factor in wash equipment, I place protecting the paint higher priority than using the clay bar. For optimal results, you'd definitely want to use a clay bar though!

Agreed, especially since Emon Crew stated he does want to get into everything. His best bet is to save up and do a complete package. With what I listed, you'll probably get the best results for under $50, but certainly not the depth and gloss that some of the members on here are posting with. Prep work (clay and polishing) is where most of the results in any detail come from and for under $50 it's hard to budget those steps into the equation.

Cheers,

George

 

Thanks George and Slate for your great input. After doing some research on my own, I've come to the realization that a 50$ budget won't really do much for me, and that I'll have to dish out some more for a nice gloss.

so a few more Questions....Which Clay bar do you guys recommend? Also, do you think i should wash the car with dish detergent before claying to strip the wax off? After claying, do you wash the car with a shampoo or do you begin to polish and wax it?

 

dawn is a popular choice for stripping wax and sealant and i understand you are under a budget but i'd use something designed for cars to strip wax and sealant. Something like P21S TAW or CG citrus wash and gloss are both great!

I like the sonus, chemical guys or zymol clay bars. if you are claying with clay lube such as a quick detailer, you don't need to wash the car again. If you are claying with car shampoo, then you'll probably need to wash it again.

 

I would recommend Claymagic fine grade claybar. I've been using it thanks to a recommendation from George and it works great. I use Poorboys S&W as the lube. Also, rather than using Dawn to strip any previous paint protection, I would recommend a 50/50 mix of water and isopropyl.

 

Ok so I went out today and bought a few tihngs...

1) Meguirs Clay bar with quick detailer
2) NXT 2.0 tech wax
3) foam applicator pads
4) sheepskin mit to wash with
5) Microfiber towels


Now I need a soap/shampoo, Polish, a Sealant and I'm set.


This is what I'm leaning towards...

Soap - Poorboys super slick and suds
Polish - Menzerna PO85RD polish
Sealant - HGSG by Klasse

Tips anyone?
I also borrowed a 10" rotary buffer from a friend of mine and was wondering if anyone knew where I could go to buy pads to apply the polish and sealant and maybe the wax?

 

If you don't have swirls, PO85RD will be great. For a detail, I'd use something stronger than Poor Boy's SSS for soap. Try some Jetseal 109 for sealant though. It's amazing in its ease of use and slight carnauba look!

Also, if it is a rotary polisher, I don't know how well it'd apply sealants and wax. Sometimes, it gets so hot that it just destroys the particles.

 

Ok so I went ahead and bought some more stuff just now from DI

Poor Boys EX-P Sealant
Menzerna clear coat polish PO106ff
Menzerna FTG (Finishing touch glaze)

I really can't wait to get started on this stuff....Hey George if you're around and reading this...where do the products ship from? I'm from NJ and chose fedex ground shipping, and was wondering how long it might take?

thanks btw for all the help

 

We're in NY, so you're only 1 day away with regular ground shipping. You'll see your items on Friday, unfortunately FedEx has already picked up for today.

Keep us posted on how everything turns out for you.

George

 

I would suggest Griot's Garage...they have excellent products. Products that work as advertised. They explain how their products work and how to apply. You can find various towels, clay bars, waxes, polishes, and sealants.

Semper Fi