Detailing noob - what is the essential kit?

Tzardine

Hello everybody,

Long time lurker in the thread but first time posting.

I pick up a new car on Monday and would love to keep it looking well.

I plan on spending around €200 initially on detailing products. What would be your essentials ?

Appreciate any advice.

Foxhole Norman

Minimum you're talking:

2 Buckets plus Grit Guards
Snow Foam + Snow Foam Lance or Pre-Clean
pH Neutral Wash Shampoo
pH Neutral Wheel Cleaner
A good Microfiber or Lambswool Mitt
Microfiber Drying Towel
Wheel Woolies/Brushes.

Kaizersoze81

What power washer would be recommended?

Foxhole Norman

I've found both Nilfisk and Karcher fantastic, Kranzle if you're feeling particularly flush :P

M S E

A good tyre shine can really add to the look of the car.

Curran

Here is a list, the latter products might be worth having ahead of the non essential, if that makes sense!!

Essentials...
- 2 Buckets, washing with the Two Bucket Technique
- Good shampoo - Bilt Hamber Auto Wash (if you are asking for recommendations)
- Good quality Wash Mitt - Microfiber Madness Incredimitt
- Good quality Drying Towel - Microfiber Madness Dry Me Crazy, CarPro Fat Boa, Liquid Elements Silverback
- Wheel Cleaner - a regular wheel cleaner for regular use; 50 Cal Retaliate, KKD Brake Away, and then once every 3rd or 4th wash, Bilt Hamber Auto Wheel (has a fallout remover in it to keep on top of the build up of iron contamination)

Having the essentials means that you will be able to wash the car, minimising the risk of damaging the paintwork; swirls / maring

Non Essentials, but finish a job nicely...
- Decent set of wheel brushes - no one brush every does the job - Wheel Woolies are a great bit of kit, but various sized detailing brushes will get you by
- Tyre Dressing - KKD Tyresol, CarPro PERL, 50Cal Cammo
- Glass Cleaner - 50Cal 20:20, KKD Krystal Klear
- Spray on Quick Detailer / Similar product to boost shine; the list is endless, and depends what exactly you need from it

Nice to have...
- Snowfoam lance if you've a pressure washer
- Air Freshener
- Interior Dressing


Products you'll need to decontaminate the paintwork after a few months, and to get the car back to pristine...
- Tar Remover
- Fallout Remover
- Claybar
- Wax / Sealant

ianobrien

Also OP, don't be afraid to ask how to do things. I was a total noob and people here have really helped. We all had to start somewhere.

The three things that took me a while to learn are
1. After a while, your definition of dirty is most people's definition of "Geez that's spotless"
2. Buy once and buy right. Some of the good items, while appearing to be expensive compared to the high street store cleaning stuff, actually work out much cheaper per application. You need a lot less of the good stuff you see to do the same work as the high street stuff.
3. A little goes a VERY long way for waxes, sealants, etc.......

PGE1970

ianobrien wrote: »

Also OP, don't be afraid to ask how to do things. I was a total noob and people here have really helped. We all had to start somewhere.

The three things that took me a while to learn are
1. After a while, your definition of dirty is most people's definition of "Geez that's spotless"
2. Buy once and buy right. Some of the good items, while appearing to be expensive compared to the high street store cleaning stuff, actually work out much cheaper per application. You need a lot less of the good stuff you see to do the same work as the high street stuff.
3. A little goes a VERY long way for waxes, sealants, etc.......

Welcome OP, you have chosen to go down a dark and long path. Once you get into detailing, "clean" takes on a new definition!!!

+1 on what Ian says above. Don't buy cheap products. €200 might seem a lot but it actually mightn't cover all of the basics. However, you may not need all of the items initially.

I got a Nilfisk powerwasher nearly 10 years ago and it hasn't let me down once!

Look at previous posts (you were a lurker anyway) for advice. Everyone on here is very helpful and I still ask advice after quite a while hanging around.

Look here for products http://www.detailingshed.com/

Other sites exist also but Curran (who replied to your post) is involved and is very helpful. For example, the make and colour of your car can determine what product is best.

WW with the new motor!!

Tzardine

Thanks for all the advice guys. Seems like a great community here.

Hopefully after a bit of practice I will throw up some posts / photos.:)