Newbie - Which "tools" do I need

[db9]

Newbie and I'm confused... since I don't own a DA polisher (yet - maybe someday) however for the moment ...

what 'tools' are recomended for..

1) a drying towel - I see so many different ones about - and everyone has a favorite - Am I better off with using a 100% cotton or a microfiber towel.

2) what type of applicator for polish and wax - I'll get one for polish and another for wax. (and maybe an extra one in case I drop one)

3) remover of polish or wax - and on average how many 'towels' should I need to have around to do the job

4) is a buffer cloth used to rub down the finish after the final wax haze is removed?

5) what is a detail cloth and when is it used?

what did I miss?

TIA

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by db9
Newbie and I'm confused... since I don't own a DA polisher (yet - maybe someday) however for the moment ...

what 'tools' are recommended for..

1) a drying towel - I see so many different ones about - and everyone has a favorite - Am I better off with using a 100% cotton or a microfiber towel.
Here are some options, all are good, sometimes it just comes down to personal preference,

Microfiber Drying Towel (http://www.meguiars.com/store_meguiars/product_detail.cfm?sku=M9909)

The Absorber (http://www.meguiars.com/store_meguiars/product_detail.cfm?sku=G-400)

Hi-pile 100% Cotton Towels (http://www.meguiars.com/store_meguiars/product_detail.cfm?sku=A-72)

Dry/Soft English Chamois (http://www.meguiars.com/store_meguiars/product_detail.cfm?sku=G-401)




2) what type of applicator for polish and wax - I'll get one for polish and another for wax. (and maybe an extra one in case I drop one)

Meguiar's recommends soft, clean foam applicator pads like these,

Hi-Tech Applicator Pad (http://www.meguiars.com/store_meguiars/product_detail.cfm?sku=W-00)

Or a piece of soft, 100% cotton terry cloth.

3) remover of polish or wax - and on average how many 'towels' should I need to have around to do the job

It's a good idea to have 2-3 microfiber polishing cloths or soft cotton towels on hand depending upon how large your vehicle is and your skill level. It's better to have more than you need than to run out and continue to use a towel, or polishing cloth that is full of excess product.

4) is a buffer cloth used to rub down the finish after the final wax haze is removed?

If by buffer cloth you mean a microfiber polishing cloth like this, Ultimate Wipe (http://www.meguiars.com/store_meguiars/product_detail.cfm?sku=M-9), then yes, high quality microfiber polishing cloths help you to achieve a clear, high gloss finish when removing wax or polish and for the last final wipe to remove any haze or smears.

5) what is a detail cloth and when is it used?

See above...

what did I miss?

TIA

Here is a list of some important product to have on hand when detailing any car,

Car Wash
High Quality Wash Mitt
Grit Guard for the inside of your wash bucket
Paint Cleaner like ScratchX
Pure Polish like Deep Crystal Polish
Car Wax like NXT Tech Wax
Quik Detailer
Vinyl Conditioner/Protectant
Leather Cleaner/Conditioner/Protectant
Tire dressing

Hope this helps...

Mike

[db9]

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Just what I was looking for - maybe this kind of list would be helpful as a sticky for newbies


Thanks:xyxthumbs

[Paddington]

My bad english fail to come up with what a grit guard is(Norweagian) any picture or link to one?

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by Paddington
My bad English fail to come up with what a grit guard is(Norwegian) any picture or link to one?

Your English is fine!

Here's a picture of a Grit Guard in action...

http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/gallery/data/500/2GritGuardinBucket.jpg

Basically it a grill held about 2" off the bottom of the bucket that allows heavier grit particles removed from a car while washing it to fall past the grill where they are trapped on the bottom of the bucket.

The vanes that hold up the grill help to prevent the trapped grit from swirling back up to the upper water when you're swishing your wash mitt around. Ingenious invention and a must-have to help prevent re-instilling swirls and scratches into your car's finish while washing it.

Mike

[Mike Phillips]

Here's another picture...

http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/gallery/data/500/2600_IMG_0992.JPG

[Paddington]

Cool so many things we dont have here in Norway.
I have a small company myself so maybe i should start importing all the washing gadget things.
Wool washing mitt = not here.
MF drying towels = not here. or any MF products for cars

will take a look for the grit guard but my guess is its not here either.
I read somewhere that it could be smart to have 2 buckets when you wash with a mitt, so you have the clean soapy water in one bucket and rinse it off in the other one.

[jchetty]

i would also pick up some clay as it will make applying remove wax either and you end up using less, a degreaser to help clean the tires and wheels, and a good assortmet of brushes to clean wheels, scrub tires, clean wax from crevices:xyxthumbs

[the other pc]

Originally posted by Paddington
…I read somewhere that it could be smart to have 2 buckets when you wash with a mitt, so you have the clean soapy water in one bucket and rinse it off in the other one. Yes! This is very popular with detailing enthusiasts. I always use two buckets to wash the car’s body and a third to wash the wheels.


Originally posted by Paddington
…I have a small company myself so maybe i should start importing all the washing gadget things…. Sounds like a great idea. A member of our car club was visiting from Norway and told us that because of the weather and the roads it was difficult to keep his cars clean. A country full of dirty cars must also have many people who need better car washing tools.


PC.

[Paddington]

What car club is that?

I have actually started talking to xxxxxxxxxxxx about getting his towels here.

[the other pc]

Sorry db9, I didn't mean to hijack the thread.

Paddington,I'm in The Jensen Healey Preservation Society (http://www.jensenhealey.com/)


If you'd like to sell Meguiar's products The Dealer Locator (http://meguiars.com/dealerlocator/) on Meguiar's Website lists the Norwegian distributors as:

for consumer products:

Panvulk AS
Aslakveien 20
Oslo, Norway
0753
Lars R. Midtbo
Phone: +47 22 51 48 00
Fax: +47 22 51 48 01
Email: post@panvulk.no


for professional products:

Norsk Prol A/S
URL: www.norskprol.no
Linnestranda 75
3400 Lier
Terje Huse
Phone: +47-32842700
Fax: +47-32842701
Email: norskprol@online.no



PC.

[Paddington]

Yeah i found that out today. That its 2 importers that is confused me alot that did.

[Karl SS]

I'm really sorry to say that "Norsk Prol" really priced these products out of the market.. The retail price for a 32oz bottle of 83 is $100.00 (662 NOK) .. And that's not including taxes.. which is another 25%.. No.. I'm not kidding! I didn't believe my own ears when I heard at a local shop yesterday..

Is that even Legal? :confused:

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by Karl SS
I'm really sorry to say that "Norsk Prol" really priced these products out of the market.. The retail price for a 32oz bottle of 83 is $100.00 (662 NOK) .. And that's not including taxes.. which is another 25%.. No.. I'm not kidding! I didn't believe my own ears when I heard at a local shop yesterday..

Is that even Legal? :confused:

Hi Karl,

Seeing this is your first post... Welcome to Meguiar's Online :wavey

I'll forward this to our International Department.

[Karl SS]

Originally posted by Mike Phillips
Hi Karl,

Seeing this is your first post... Welcome to Meguiar's Online :wavey

I'll forward this to our International Department.

Thanks Mike.. I'm not new to the forum, I've bin surfing for tips in here for months..
And it has indeed helped me out with some major swirl-problems on my black second hand 2001 bmw..

I didn't register because I felt that I didn't have anything to add to this forum.. and most questions I wanted to ask was already answerd, cause someone else had asked them before me :)

But when I heard that price at the local dealer.. I just felt I had to say somthing..

[Jbirk]

Originally posted by Karl SS
I'm really sorry to say that "Norsk Prol" really priced these products out of the market.. The retail price for a 32oz bottle of 83 is $100.00 (662 NOK) .. And that's not including taxes.. which is another 25%.. No.. I'm not kidding! I didn't believe my own ears when I heard at a local shop yesterday..

Is that even Legal? :confused:

More than likely the country you live in places high taxes on imports such as Meguiars 83, and I think it is legal.

No Worries, why not just order it online from Meguiar's and have it shipped overseas. Sure there may be some sort of customs and high shipping price and your credit card may do the conversion, but I bet you can get it for much less than $100.

[Karl SS]

Originally posted by Jbirk
More than likely the country you live in places high taxes on imports such as Meguiars 83, and I think it is legal.

No Worries, why not just order it online from Meguiar's and have it shipped overseas. Sure there may be some sort of customs and high shipping price and your credit card may do the conversion, but I bet you can get it for much less than $100.

Everything that cost more than about $30 you are obligated to pay a 25% tax on (you will also have to pay this tax on the shipping price) When you take something in to norway..
Some stuff like cars (and anything else with a motor), alcohol (for drinking) etc have aditional taxes.. Car care products does not..

If Meguiar's online would ship overseas.. I would be more than happy to place an order for a lot more than just a bottle of 83 by the end of the day..

Now this has gone way off topic and I am sorry for that..

[jahnker]

Does Meguiars ship products overseas. I thought I read on their site that they bo not ship to overseas. Please let me know as I would then also like to order several products from them.

[the other pc]

Originally posted by jahnker
Does Meguiars ship products overseas. ... Hi jahnker, :welcome to MOL!

Meg's doesn't ship to individual customers outside the US. They have affiliates in many countries who handle local sales.

On the main website there's a dealer locator (http://meguiars.com/dealerlocator/) to find the ones closest to you. It lists the contact for South Africa as:

Meguiar's South Africa-Keizin Automotive (pty) Ltd
11 Blue Ridge
Durban North
Zwa Zula Natal
South Africa
4051
Mr. Keith Conway, Deborah
Phone: +27-31-569-2221
Fax: +27-31-569-2309
Email: meguiars@mweb.co.za


Alternatively, many US dealers do ship products internationally. I don't know any specific dealers who would ship in your direction. (I know BetterCarcare.com ships to Europe and Australasia. Maybe they'd be willing to ship to Africa as well?)


PC.

[brianccg]

I am newbies to the car detailing and glad that to have this web to help me.

I am gonna to start my very first car detailing on 12, hope everything going smooth.

I am using others Products at the moment and this is the first time using Meguiar products.

[zey]

Brian, :welcome to MOL! May the shine be with you. Hope to see great results on your car tomorrow!

[nonsensez9]

Originally posted by Mike Phillips
Here are some options, all are good, sometimes it just comes down to personal preference,

Microfiber Drying Towel (http://www.meguiars.com/store_meguiars/product_detail.cfm?sku=M9909)

The Absorber (http://www.meguiars.com/store_meguiars/product_detail.cfm?sku=G-400)

Hi-pile 100% Cotton Towels (http://www.meguiars.com/store_meguiars/product_detail.cfm?sku=A-72)

Dry/Soft English Chamois (http://www.meguiars.com/store_meguiars/product_detail.cfm?sku=G-401)






Meguiar's recommends soft, clean foam applicator pads like these,

Hi-Tech Applicator Pad (http://www.meguiars.com/store_meguiars/product_detail.cfm?sku=W-00)

Or a piece of soft, 100% cotton terry cloth.



It's a good idea to have 2-3 microfiber polishing cloths or soft cotton towels on hand depending upon how large your vehicle is and your skill level. It's better to have more than you need than to run out and continue to use a towel, or polishing cloth that is full of excess product.



If by buffer cloth you mean a microfiber polishing cloth like this, Ultimate Wipe (http://www.meguiars.com/store_meguiars/product_detail.cfm?sku=M-9), then yes, high quality microfiber polishing cloths help you to achieve a clear, high gloss finish when removing wax or polish and for the last final wipe to remove any haze or smears.



See above...



Here is a list of some important product to have on hand when detailing any car,

Car Wash
High Quality Wash Mitt
Grit Guard for the inside of your wash bucket
Paint Cleaner like ScratchX
Pure Polish like Deep Crystal Polish
Car Wax like NXT Tech Wax
Quik Detailer
Vinyl Conditioner/Protectant
Leather Cleaner/Conditioner/Protectant
Tire dressing

Hope this helps...

Mike

(1) the links must be outdated because none of them seem to work.
(2) elsewhere on the website Deep Crystal Polish is listed as a cleaner/polish.

[rotary]

Hi All,

I'm wondering how many Even Coat Applicators and Supreme Shine Microfiber Cloths i need if i were to use Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner, Deep Crystal Polish, Quik Clay, NXT Tech Wax and NXT Spray Wax.

Q1. Can the Even Coat Applicator & Microfiber Cloths be mixed after it is washed? i.e. i use cloth A for buffing paint cleaner..washed it, next session i use it for cleaning up after claying.

Q2. How do I clean up the applicator and microfiber used with the wax?

Q3. We are absolutely sure we can put the even coat applicator and microfiber cloths in 1 load and use liquid detergent to wash it in the machine. with the exception of the ones used for waxing. right?

[Murr1525]

The easiest answer is a bunch, but you dont need to buy loads all at once.

You are probably going to want about one per product, plus a spare.. so mayble like 6 of each for your list there. Just remember to apply things thinly, so you dont gum up a towel quickly.

1. I try to keep my applicators product specific even after washing, cause I figure it didnt all come out. The towels dont seem to matter.

2. I wash my applicators by hand usualy. The towels go fine in the washing machine.

3. I generaly wash towels in machine, and applicators by hand. If you try the applicators in the hand, be sure to do it on gentle, and have some thread handy just in case the seam rips.

[scouter]

I don't mean to hijack this thread either, but i'm new to the site and this process. I'm doing a Scratchx job this weekend, but if i want to migrate tword the power tools, what would i need? My Jetta is maroon, sorry no pics, 6 years old and lots of swirls. What power tools, pads, bonnets, products do i order? There are so many that i've been reading about i'm thoroughly confused on the power side. The car i'm doing this weekend's is my wifes, with minor swirls. But the Jetta will be tough to tackle by hand.

thanks

Brian

[sneek]

a good power tool to have is the G100/PC
to remove the swirls you will need W8006 pads and to apply wax you will need W9006 pads

Heres some good reading:

Rotary vs. PC vs. Regular Orbital Buffer (http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1395)

The Dual Action Counterweight "Controversy" (http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3330)

Using the G-100 to remove swirls with the Professional Line (http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2965)

Recommended Products - G100a Dual Action Polisher (http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7116)

[scouter]

Thanks sneek! That's what i need! There is so much info on this site that i'm confused about the power tools, and I really want to take better care of my cars. I have negleted mine for too long.

All of the DA's PC, #23, #82...just had me confused!

thanks

Brian