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It does get confusing, doesn't it? We can keep this simple. Here's how.

http://www.autodetailingsolutions.com/

RockPick has provided us with a resource here, and a good one at that.

From the home page:

"Welcome... This information center is for the individual or business in search of professional development and education and interested in reliable high quality products, equipment and training, as well as in the knowledge of the proper procedures for Professional Auto Detailing. Because there is great confusion regarding the vast variety of car care products and services on the market today, Auto Detailing Solutions has taken the necessary steps to research the industry for quality, service, training and proper use of car care products. We have simplified the approach to get the best results in the least amount of time without sacrificing quality or customer service. Here you will find a selection of products, training programs and other helpful information for the detailing professional, car enthusiast, and for any other individuals or businesses interested in professional development."

You can go there and pick up a complete DA Polisher package for just over a couple hundred bucks. Sound expensive? Go to Wally/Advance/Zone and pick up everything you'll need individually, and you'll soon see that the package deal offers you a DA polisher damned near for free!

.........besides, it is the way it is. You simply can't always get the better products from retailers.

To simplify the whole thing, stick with one line of products in the beginning. Meguiars is perhaps the most accessible name with the most versatile line of products, and they perform well. They are reasonably priced. The reason the detail fanatics on this forum mention completely different product lines is because, over the years, they have accumulated a slew of stuff. They achieve a certain level of perfection, and being the OCD type people we are, or perhaps to increase customer satisfaction, we want to attain a higher level of shine, depth, etc., etc. Trial and error yields a lot of bottles of stuff that doesn't work for us but once in a while we find a diamond in the slag heap.

It ain't quick and it ain't detailing. Because of it's lubricity, it's good for a "quick" wipedown on a properly detailed finish or as a medium for claying.

Yes.........if it's not too dusty.

How about washing it? Perhaps some Meguiar’s Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner.........and a little water.

If it ain't dirty!

Too much product applied with a "bum" towel, perhaps?

Once again, I'd say get a package of stuff from the link above. Start there. Use the products. Pay attention to how they work for you, or perhaps don't work for you. What you've got to come to understand is that the myriad of opinions available here are based on one person's experience with a particular product or product line, usually over a period of time.

For noob and pro alike, the Meguiars stuff will render fantastic results.

If they don't, then you may well be infected with the OCD-detailitis syndrome.

 

DISAGREED. #21 is just as easy to use as NXT. I know-- I have and use both. Also-- #21 is in fact a SYNTHETIC SEALANT (Hence the name), NOT a carnauba. BTW-- NXT will seal, too-- its just that in addition to its synthetics, it has some VERY light abrasives, fillers, and detergents in the mix.

...There are a few more things I disagreed with, but nothing that I wanna type out now. BUT-- note that a lot of what SleepyMax was asking was rhetorical. He was trying to pose questions for those of us who wrote/are editing the sticky so that we can address the questions people are asking. Remember, it was LONG ago when Brad was asking those things (Old guy...)

 

Wow. It's amazing how we let some stupid things get past us.

You are so correct to disagree. Of course #21 is a synthetic. I suppose my mind was on the PRO Yellow I typically use, as I don't use #21 that often. Perhaps my mind was on the ham, dressing, and green beans as well.

My apologies to the poster and to you. I'm embarrassed that I actually wrote that. I guess I also got carried away playing that Megs "numbers game" that the poster was making reference to.

Then again, perhaps that bears out what I said about the product numbers causing confusion? No. Really, the fact is that I was playing along with the poster and ended up making a mistake and, at the same time, making an *** of myself.

I've seen references and suggestions about NXT being a good sealant and adding more depth than #21. That's why I use it as such. I disagree with you only in that I find NXT easier, as well as more beneficial, to use than #21. I have both as well, but the #21 sits alongside other products that I don't care for as much as some others.

I know what SleepyMax was asking. I was just trying to engage in a little humor as well as simplify some things for him. I was in no way trying to admonish him for the questions he was asking. If that's the was I came off, I apologize.

Three, almost four, years ago, I was asking a lot of those questions myself. I got hooked up with an absolute master of the rotary and got infected with OCD Detailitis. I peppered the guy with questions about technique and products. He tried to tell me that I would eventually have to find what worked for me. I didn't want to believe him. I was convinced that if I merely copied what he was doing that I could achieve the same dazzling results he was capable of.

So..............I ended up with a lot of frustration as well as a lot of expensive products that I wasn't using. Instead of taking baby steps and mastering what I had at my disposal, I'd plop down more dinero on some wonder product I had read about. I still have to check my enthusiasm at times, dreaming of an entire line of Klasse or Optimum or Sonus, or whatever, thinking "if only".

Right now, I'm convinced that I've got to have a Flex.

I get this way simply because I want to deliver the absolute best results possible. It's a passion, because it sure as hell isn't about the money.

I still think the best solution for SleepyMax would be to hook up with Rick and opt for a DA package geared toward what it is he wants to do. Master that, and then move along.

Please get back with me about anything you disagree with. I want to know. That's how we learn.

 

Boy, do I know that feeling... (After having been teaching all week, some of the stuff I caught myself sayign/doing... I felt stupid...)

I probably phrased my previous post poorly-- I like NXT, but usually for cheap details-- my truck gets #21 b/c it is FAR superior IMO. I like NXT for a wash/wax thing for friends.

Gotcha. BTW-- I did see some of the humor, but when tired, I miss a LOT... My bad, My apologies to you, too.

Agreed, hands down.

So... In summation-- I think there have been a lot of misunderstandings...FWIW-- not even 2 years ago, I was wondering what was wrong with using a stiff nylon brush and dish soap to wash... Good thing I know better now...

 

Hey guys - just put my new set of Mickey Thompson Classic II wheels on my truck and living in Colorado and the climate here, I have become very "picky" about the look of these wheels. Any advice you can provide on the care and maintenance of these wheels would be great. I would love to keep the "freshly unpacked" appearance for as long as possible. FYI - this is my first ever set of custom wheels and have no idea on where to begin.....

 

Start a new thread-- you will get LOTS more replies.

 

Haha, I haven't looked in this thread in what seems like ages.

I appreciate everyone trying to help me out, but I found the answers to all those questions by reading this forum for months. Unfortunately, few noobs are willing to read through post on every thread and try to absorb what they find there.

I posted those questions as insight to how a noob thinks (not necessarily how I think, but sometimes). Like I said, I gained tons of info by reading and y'all usually answer any question I have before I even ask it.

My questions were just a proposal on a possible format for the sticky.

Thanks for all the info, help, and good-hearted intent.

I hope spring gets here soon. I have new toys to play with, and (I have read) that detailing products don't work efficiently (if at all) when it is 25 degrees in the garage.

 

just wanted to thank f150sport03 for this thread...he saved me from lots of headaches when it came to detailing my truck...so thanks alot...

 

No problem, bud. I remember when I first started out, RP was posting all these LONG, LONG posts basically doing the same kind of thing...and people appreciated it. But then the search feature was neglected, and thus it became that we were posting those kind of responses all the time, thus several of us decided that a sticky must be made. Since I had a little spare time here and there, I jumped on the opportunity to help out while others were busily working away in their real jobs... And lo, the thread of which thou speakest was born of the IBM T-40 Laptop...(First Sticky Chapter one, verse one)

Anyway, thanks for the kudos

 

Don't want to step on any toes, but thought these would be good additions. If it's clutter feel free to kill it.

 

Those charts have been posted here many times - but thank you. This is a good place for them.

 

ya know, its funny how things go... I can remember when I didn't see any problem with taking out a dishrag, dry of course, out and scrubbing dirt off and thinking it was beautiful. Then I found all this detailing stuff out, then called myself an expert after awhile... wrote this crazy thing, lots of ideas changed over time, and look where I am now:

I now wash my truck at the $3 car wash, and even then only once every couple of months.. Maybe seattle did it to me. Maybe working, school, and trying to still go out and see people...

I'm just wondering if I'll have the time again to be able to keep my vehicle detailed again...

In any case, I've been out of the loop for so long now, I guess I'm still thinking the old methods and thoughts behind products I haven't used since the summer of 2008... (well, save for a few interior ones I use still)... I guess I'm no longer a self-proclaimed expert... although it was a nice touch by the mod's to make me a technical article contributor... Thanks guys!

anywho, to quote whoever it is that used to say this a lot: "back to your regularly scheduled detailing thread..."

 

hi my name is fred i own a moblie auto detailing business.

 

Sure, it seems like there's a new format for accessing the detailing guide to prevent spam and make it more convenient for users. Thanks for sharing the link in PDF format!