"Vacation Essentials Kit"...???

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

Folks,

I'm finally doing something I have wanted to get around to for quite some time now: creating a "mobile kit in a box" to keep in my truck for everything from a vacation, to making a quick housecall for emergency service for a customer. I bought one of these (click ) camera cases off eBay and will be placing small squeeze and spray bottles into it, as well as some applicators and MFs.

So far, I've got this list of products to include in the kit:

ScratchX
#83
#80
NXT
APC+
#34
Glass Cleaner
Meg's Uph. Odor Remover
Natural Shine
Endurance

EO Tire Swipe(s)
Foam Hand Apps
MFs
Paper Towel

Any other suggestions or substitutions? Thanks in advance!

[Mike Phillips]

At least one roll of painters tape...

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

Originally posted by Mike Phillips
At least one roll of painters tape...

Good idea... though do I really need it if I'm working by hand? I've already got the green masking tape in my bag that houses the G100 and Rotary....

[Ranger72]

superdegreaser... it WILL come in handy! lol

[the other pc]

Clay.


PC.

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

Originally posted by the other pc
Clay.


PC.

The clay is a good thought -- I hadn't remembered that. The PC is in a separate bag that won't be kept with me ALL the time, but is easy to grab if needed. Besides, look at the size of the case, I don't have room for the PC plus all that other stuff!

I guess I need to look into a G-104

[benhui86]

wow the camara case is nice.... makes u look extra professional ...

u forgot quik detailer....

maybe some 2000grit sand paper.... and soap.....

[Jbirk]

Your vacation is really going to **** if you detail your car instead of relax.

At any rate, you do need a detailer like Quik or Speed and having a box on hand is a good idea. Still, I don't see why you would bring wax because you can't wax a dirty car and you don't have wash solution with you or water do you?

I really recomend you think about bringing car soap before even thinking about wax.

____________


Here is my mobil kit:

1. Supreme Shine Micro Fiber
2. Glass Cleaning Wipes
3. Bottle of Quik Detailer
4. One Terry Towel just incase. Could need it for anything.

That is it. I can clean bird droppings, light dust, and glass.

[Aurora40]

Honestly, I would include the Mr Clean auto-dry car wash thing. Mainly because it's fairly small, and because all you need is it and a wash mitt. It's not awesome, and I wouldn't consider my car ultra clean afterwards, but it's like a touch-free wash. It's better than nothing sometimes.

You can wash off the majority of the junk, have the car dry without serious water spotting, and if you didn't clean all the junk, no biggie. You aren't touching the paint with a drying towel, you aren't waxing the car afterwards, etc. The car ends up better than before but without risk of inflicting damage.

I wouldn't use this thing at all at home, but I do like it on trips.

[Love My Ride]

Sweet case. I'll be picking up the Meg's Trunk Organizer or the Deluxe case.

If you're going to add a wash, don't forget to add the Water Magnet.

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

Guys, to respond to some of your comments (Thanks, BTW):

I do have a detail spray listed - #34 Final Inspection.

As far as washing, I again won't be keeping that in the car ALL the time (understand that the stuff in the aluminum case is to be with me at all times, to fix stuff even if I notice it while I'm out and about and have time to kill that I can fix it -- or if a customer needs something and I can't run home first). When I do have wash with me, I have two wash mitts (one chenille for wheels/tires/wheelwells, and one lambswool for paint), two mid-size buckets, and Protect-All Quick and Easy Wash. Like I said though, that is basically only with me if I will be out of town and needing to take care of something like that. Otherwise I'm not above "washing" a single panel with APC and re-applying NXT afterwards for a spot repair.

I did realize that I should include some leather conditioner, and probably some regular cleaner/wax (Maybe just some #66).

Jbirk, for me, cleaning my car IS relaxing!! So doing it on vacation is 'no harm done' as far as I'm concerned.

[Jbirk]

I am glad you find it relaxing. I wish you would clean my car. I would hapily pay your low prices.

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

Originally posted by Jbirk
I am glad you find it relaxing. I wish you would clean my car. I would hapily pay your low prices.

What do you suggest that I be charging? I'm just afraid that I'd price myself out of most people's budgets....

[Jbirk]

I am not making any suggestions. I am simply saying a good detailer should be able to charge more much more.

I called a dealer and they told me it costs $150 for a detail.

Well, you and I both know that means wash with pressure washer, maybe polish the worst areas with a heavy compound and a rotary making a huge mess, and use a polish wax.

Well, I don't really want DISO, again.

I am just saying if a dealer can get away charging $150 you should get more.

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

Originally posted by Jbirk
I am just saying if a dealer can get away charging $150 you should get more.

I don't disagree with that statement one bit. Unfortunately, in my area, people are of the belief that the dealership knows all, and is the best for anything and everything automotive service related. They don't separate appearance care and/or detailing from services like getting a new muffler, brakes, or the oil changed.

That's why there aren't many small-potatoes mechanics in my area doing huge business. Just the dealerships, and then large chain stores like Midas, Tuffy, Jiffy Lube, etc. -- there's no market for guys like me, except among the high-end crowd. And most of them are very hard to find.