Necessity of supplies

[Yellowfever]

I was wondering if certain supplies are necessary and if you all have found a way to skate by without them? I have checked autozone, advanced auto, oreilly, and even Walmart and none of them sell or even heard of girt guards. I was wondering if I could use a 3 or even 4 bucket method instead of the 2 bucket method so that I wouldn

[Murr1525]

Some stuff just needs ordered online.

Grit guards and applicators can be tough. Towels/mitt, brushes too sometimes.

But I would still wash a car without a grit guard...

[davey g-force]

Re: Necessity of supplies

Agreed. Grit guards are regarded as best practice (I use them) but there are other ways to ensure dirt & grit doesn't get transferred back onto the paint. Example: blasting your mitt clean with a hose after every section and before dipping back into the wash bucket.

If you like making things, a few people have made grit guards. Do a search for "home made grit guards" or similar.

People have also made pad washers and swirl finding lights. There's a few threads around about these.

Some people have used Blu Tak (poster adhesive) for clay and claim it's just as good for a fraction of the price. There's a few threads around about these if you would like to have a look.

Me, I just prefer to buy stuff and detail.

[The Guz]

Re: Necessity of supplies

Some stuff just needs ordered online.

Exactly this.

[Yellowfever]

Re: Necessity of supplies

Thanks guys, my post got cut halfway off I'm not sure why. My other question was about waffle weave towels. I found one place that sells them but they are the size of a washcloth and $15. I would have to buy 20 or 30 to dry my car. What is the purpose of waffle weave Towels and are they really necessary?

[The Guz]

Re: Necessity of supplies

I will let you know some of the towels that are my favorites. Be sure to wash all towels prior to using them.

For drying the plush towel has really grown on me. A couple of these would be nice to add.

http://www.theragcompany.com/The-Edgeless-Avalanche-20-x-40-Super-Plush-Drying-Towel-41012-2040-EL-W.htm

The other is a waffle weave. These are also nice.

http://www.theragcompany.com/Dry-Me-A-River-26-x-59-Premium-Microfiber-Waffle-Weave-Towel-42009-2659-OW.htm

For rinseless washing someone turned me onto these. Very plush and work very well. You can also use them to remove compounds/polishes/waxes. They offer two colors. Be sure to wash these separate a couple times because they do bleed.

http://www.theragcompany.com/16-x-16-DETAIL-MASTER-PRO-Eagle-Edgeless-Orange-41012-1616-O-EL.htm

http://www.theragcompany.com/16-x-16-DETAIL-MASTER-PRO-Eagle-Edgeless-Blue-41012-1616-B-EL.htm

These are the softest towels I have and they are awesome. Can be used with rinselss, compounds, polishes, waxes detail sprays,spray waxes. Super plush and thick.

http://www.theragcompany.com/16-x-16-DETAIL-MASTER-PRO-Everest-1100-41016-1616-W1100.htm

I also have some Meguiar's supreme shines which work well for compounds, polishes, waxes detail sprays,spray waxes. They are ok for rinseless washes. Can't beat the price.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Meguiar-s-Supreme-Shine-Microfiber-Towels-20-Pack/29670207?action=product_interest&action_type=title&placement_id=irs-2-m1&strategy=PWVUB&visitor_id=BWLoil_dsrafZsx2hVhmg4&category=&client_guid=4e5b45a9-5539-4425-8b6b-13b1d4913937&customer_id_enc=&config_id=2&parent_item_id=29670206&parent_anchor_item_id=29670206&guid=c3ca1b37-2592-4630-8d9f-47d4323fc9a0&bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&beacon_version=1.0.1&findingMethod=p13n

If you want to stick with Meguiar's waffle weaves they are the water magnets. I would recommend a minimum of 2. I would go with 3-4 to be honest to have spares on hand just in case the car is fairly large. These are pretty good. The dry me a river is better and will hold more water. You can buy in bulk here when they are in stock.

http://www.autodetailingsolutions.net/x2000-6.html

I would definitely pcik up a couple Meguiar's wash mitts. These things are great. This is by far my favorite wash media.

http://www.autodetailingsolutions.net/x3002.html

As stated the grit guards are a must. This is a lengthy post with lots of recommendations. Of course you choose based on your budget. I would recommend good quality towels because cheap ones can actually cause scratches.
For applicators these are by far the best I have used.

http://www.autodetailingsolutions.net/w0004-4.html

If you are looking for a kit that contains everything you need then this is what I would recommend.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Meguiar-s-Ultimate-Results-Bundle/29670206

[Eldorado2k]

IMO you can skate on a few certain items that come in handy thanks to the 99 cent only store.
Here's a short list of things that can purchased for $1 without having to worry about harming your vehicle.

1. Squeegie. [I use it immedietly after the final sheeting of water to prevent any possible water spots on the windows. And it just makes cleaning them a whole lot easier]

2. Windshield sun Visor/shade. [summer's coming up, it sure helps to block out some of that heat without having to pay about $20+ for it, right?]

3. Tire/Wheel brushes. [make sure they say they're meant for the auto. Stay away from the kitchen isle. And buy 2, one for the wheels and one to scrub your tires clean.]

4. Synthetic Chamois. [only use these drying towels for those parts of your vehicle that tend to soil your good drying towel. Such as underneath doors and bumpers. Door jambs etc.. Don't use them on your paint though]

5. Interior/Leather nylon scrub brush. [this is the exact same brush they sell at Oreillys for about $6.99. It's technicly a "wheel brush" But it's much better for gently scrubing interior, trust me. Lol]

6. Masking Tape. [just in case you plan on doing any polishing with a DA]

7. Tire shine and Leather cleaner/conditioner applicators. [the tire swipes arent great quality, but they do the job and are cheap enough to be disposable. The so called wax applicator pads would never touch my paint, but they're perfect for wiping down the interior.]

8. Microfiber car wash media. [get 1 of these but only use it to wash those areas that are too dirty for your good wash mitt. I have 1 to gently wash wheels and another to wash under doors & bumpers]

9. Terry Towels. [cheap quality but it's better than ruining your wifes bathroom towels if you ever feel like wiping down your engine bay. 3pk. for 99.]

10. Cosmetic brush. [if you feel like getting fancy and dust off your interior vents. Without having to pay for a fancy brush! Lol]

11. Carpet Scrub Brush and Wheel Well Brush. [these should be the only 2 items that come from the kitchen isle]

So there you have it. A bunch of handy nic nacks you can skate on without having to spend a bunch of cash

Last thing: Stay away from the cheapo microfiber towels sold at the 99. store.. Those Goodyear towels can/will scratch your paint.

Hope that helped at bit. Good luck!

[Blueline]

Re: Necessity of supplies

none of them sell or even heard of girt guards. I was wondering if I could use a 3 or even 4 bucket method instead of the 2 bucket method so that I wouldn

You can eliminate the grit guard completely simply by using the two bucket system. It is just a needless little gimmick, in my opinion. Simply rinse your washing mitt (whatever) in the second bucket, (you don't need 3 and 4) and shoot a jet of water from the hose onto it, and swirl it around. (all the "stuff" will fall to the bottom) The rinse and the shot from the hose will ensure a clean wash mitt. There are tons of other things you can skate around and save your sanity and a few bucks, however since you only asked about the grit guard, that is which I chose to comment on. (besides people will get angry with me)
The bottom line is how much detailing do you want to do, how much time and money do your want to spend, and what are your desired results. You still can have a very nice vehicle with a shine that turns heads, and you can have have that with a minimum outlay of cash and time. Of course if you want to make it a hobby, or make your car into a show car/garage queen, then by all means, dive in. However, unless you are choosing the garage queen option, I doubt anybody at your work will be down in the parking lot with a black light looking for paint swirls. LOL.

[Yellowfever]

Re: Necessity of supplies

Thanks everyone. Yeah when I get into to something I kinda go all out. I just don't want to ruin everything by not using a a grit guard or a WW MF towel or something small like that. Spend all this time and money when I might as well be going through a drive through car wash all because I'm missing a 8$ grit guard.