Help me fill my detailing pack!

[elmo]

Hey all,

So after a long time washing cars the way I know how and polishing with cheap polish (and calling that a clean car) I really have learned. I suppose most of that was on brand new paint over the years on classic cars so they came up great anyway. However on my 04 M3 and 04 525 I want to get better at 'detailing' them up. So I need to get my pack of goodies together.

I plan to use the following method for a proper clean:
Snowfoam, rinse, snowfoam, rinse, two bucket wash, dry, claybar, rinse, polish, wax.

So with that in mind - what should I buy! This is where I'm at:

What I have:
Buckets X2 with grit guards.
Quarter Snow Foam Bottle & Lance
Waffle weave drying towel (body work) and chamois (wheels)
Multiple Microfiber Towels
Sponges
Autoglym Rapid Detailer
G3 Scratch repairer paste
Autoglym cutting compound
Glass cleaner
Interior cleaner and shampoo
Lots of cheap polish/car wash solutions.


What I need (advice needed here!)
Snow foam: Which one?
Car wash: Which one?
Wheel cleaner: Which one?
Claybar: Which one?
Leathercare: which one?
Polish: which one?
Wax: which one?
Tyre dressing: which one?

Any tried and tested packs you can advise?

Thanks!

[rebel.ranter]

Here's my two cents, no detailing expert by any means but I've tried lots of things over the years & here's my favourites:

Snow Foam: Cotton Candy
Car Wash: Zymöl
Leather care: Dr Leather
Tyre Dressing: Meguairs Endurance
Wheel Cleaner: Car Pro IronX
Polish: I've been using Meguairs with the Machine Polisher but about to try Car Pro Reflect.
Wax: I like DoDo Juice Purple haze for dark colours, but there are probably better waxes, loads of choice here!

For instant shine gratification try Carp Pro HydrO2, most of the stuff a,emtioned is available in detailingshed.com

[Smokey Bear]

Before you clay you should de-tar using something like tardis by autosmart.

Other than that what your going to do should get good results.

Be careful with the G3 that can be a bit heavy for some paints.

[Curran]

As pointed out, you will need to do the de-tar step and perhaps consider the de-iron step also, before you start claying the car; otherwise the clay will be destroyed in tar after a panel or two.


Waffle weave drying towel (body work) and chamois (wheels) - I'd replace that, for a microfiber drying towel
Sponges - Mitts are better

These would be my choices....

Snow foam: 50Cal Ambush or Combat / Orchards Cotton Candy
Car wash: Bilt Hamber Auto Wash
Wheel cleaner: Bilt Hamber Auto Wheel / 50Cal Retaliate
De-Tar: CarPro TarX / Orchards Tar Cleanse
De-Iron: CarPro IronX / Bilt Hamber Korrosol / Orchards Iron Cleanse
Claybar: Bilt Hamber Auto Clay
Tyre dressing: Car Pro Perl

Leather care: Modern leather doesnt need conditioning due to the way its manufactured. So all you need is a good cleaner. Dr. Leather wipes or liquid cleaner are very good

Polish: Are you polishing by hand or machine?

Wax: What colour are the cars? Do you want something that is easy to apply and buff off; at the expense of perhaps durability? Do you durability or best possible shine? Budget is another factor to consider.

[elmo]

Thanks for the tips all!

In relation to questions:
Polishing by hand only
The cars are carbon black and titanium silver (kind of a gunmetal). Ideally I am looking for something easy to apply and buff off and at a budget. I won't pay mega bucks for any of these items really.

[Curran]

P40 Pro Polish with Pete's53 is a good combo!

[fluffmister]

Kleen freekz hard wax I love

Car Chen for my snow foam and they do a great shampoo
Iron x or car Chen revolt both seem to be as good as each other




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