I bought a bunch of detailing products last year when I bought my current car. Now, I'm going through and finding out what else I should buy.

Currently I have/use:
Meguiar's NXT shampoo
Meguiar's NXT Tech wax
Meguiar's interior/exterior quick detailer
some wheel cleaner that I can't remember the name
some purple glass cleaner...Purple Haze maybe?
tons of microfiber cloths
waffle weave microfiber cloth for drying
California Car Duster

Now, with the MINI on the way, I'm thinking of adding:
A polishing/buffing pad or two for the PC
New 100% cotton wash mitts
Rain-X (I'm all out! )
303 Aerospace Upholstery cleaner
Plastic-X plastic polish
Sonus paintwork cleanser
Forever Black?
a new hose nozzle

The more I read about Hydro, the more it seems worth picking up, so I'll probably go with some of that as well.

Anywho, I'm not super **** about my car (maybe I will become it with the MINI though ) but I would like to keep it 1-looking good and 2-in good condition.

What do you think?

 

This is the line up I use, Ive tried alot of stuff but when it comes down to it this stuff is great. As seeing as you have a PC, I would get a "german" green pad, and a white one then hand apply a sealant.

For the cheapest and best results try this:

P0106ff for a polish

and FMJ for a sealant

these are the most common used products in my detailing cabnit in which has a extensice collection. this is my .02 im sure others will have something to say ALSO i would get a microfiber wash mit and use the cotton one on the wheels.

all my junk:
http://www.properautocare.com/menzerna.html

 

Wow, that's quite the collection!

 

I'd skip the Forever Black and go with Black Wow and Wizard's Black Renew. The Black Wow to use every two months, Black Renew to touch up in between Wow applications. Your black plastic trim will love you.

Those wash mitts... are they microfiber ? Use either MF or lamb's wool mitts.
I recommend Lake County pads and the Prima line of polishes... Swirl and Amigo, specifically.

 

Yeah, I've been seeing lots of good stuff about the Prima line so I may end up buying most of their products.

I'm looking at Hydro, Amigo, Epic, Banana Gloss, Slick, Nero, and Clarity. That's going to run me a good chunk of change ($110 or so), so I may just end up going with one of the bundles for a few bucks more. I was hoping to not spend so much, but I suppose it's a good investment.

Thoughts on curved vs. standard pads? 6 1/2" vs 7 1/2" pads?

Sheesh. This is going to hurt the wallet!

 

I've always used the 6 1/2" pads. And even though they don't call them curved pads, they do have an indentation in the center that ensures good coverage.

And yeah, those products are a good investment. Keeping your paint lookng new is going to increase the value of when it's time to sell/trade it in. Thinking of it that way will hurt a little less.

 

Okay, I think I'm going to order soon. This is what I'm considering now:

Paradise 6 1/2 Black
1 Black Pad @ $10.95

5 Inch Urethane Backing Plate
5 inch plate @ $18.95

303 Fabric Cleaner
32 oz @ $14.95

Paradise 6 1/2 White
1 White Pad @ $10.95



Paradise Super Bundle
Sub Black Wow for Black Renew @ $186.95

The Paradise Super Bundle includes:
Prima Mystique Auto Wash, 16 oz
Thumbless Sheepskin Wash Mitt
Paradise Waffle-Weave Drying Towels, x2
Prima Epic Wax, 16 oz
Paradise Skinny Applicator Pads, x6
Paradise Platinum Premium Microfiber Buffing Cloths, x2
Prima Slick, quick detail spray, 16 oz
Paradise Monster Fluffy Premium Microfiber Buffing Cloths, x2
Prima Clarity Glass Cleaner, 16 oz
Paradise Microfiber Glass Cloth
Prima Wheel Armour, 8 oz
Prima Nero, Vinyl/Plastic/Rubber Dressing & Protectant, 16 oz
Prima Hydro, Spray Wax & Wax-As-You-Dry Spray, 16 oz
Wizards Black Renew, 8 oz

Grand total is about $250. Ouch, that hurts.

Any advice before I order would be greatly appreciated!

 

I'm sure you will find two Monster Fluffies is not enough. They come in so handy for wiping Epic, using Slick or Hydro as a QD that I go through all 8 of mine within a couple of weeks. Also I have a glass cloth in each of my vehicles as well as at work for my computer screen.
I though the Super bundle included Swirl & Amigo?
Enjoy your order!

 

Exactly.

I have 8 monster fluffies, 8 waffle weave towels, and three glass cloths. I'd have more but that gets me through one week and fills up the washing machine.

 

Oh damn! It doesn't! I thought it at least included Amigo. I think I might be able to hold off on the Swirl for now.

When you say you "go through all 8" in a couple weeks, does that mean you go through them all and then do a wash? Am I safe to just wash them after each use?

 

Are there any cheaper or better places to buy Prima products than DP?

 

I hate to wash almost as much as taping before polishing. I go though one side whenever I QD so that gives me 16 uses for 8 towels and then, if I must, I wash them. I have enough microfiber that I can do a full load (really full).
As far as pricing, sometimes some of the other dealers have deals or specials going on. Check out the NAM calendar for OctaneGuy's coupons for July and then Detailer Warehouse has something going on too. Otherwise DetailersParadise is the source of Prima so their price is about as good as it gets.