How to spend $100-200 on basic detailing supplies?

Hey gents, I’m needing some quick advice and hoping you can help. I’m wanting to drop $100-200 on some basic car wash/detailing stuff so I can start hand washing at home and not taking the beast to the wash every week, frantically running around it as the timer ticks down. Plus, I have a three week old and so time is limited nowadays.

What would you spend $100-200 bucks on to get yourself started on basic detailing of your daily? Just an arsenal builder. I do have a TORQ orbital, I don’t have a power washer and my rig is Cavalry Blue. Thanks in advance! Appreciate any advice or direction.

 

Just read through this section, tons of advice. Good luck with your search and nice truck!

 

Clay bar or mit, and use before waxing. Use same brand for whatever products you choose, since those chemicals compliment each other..ie, using one wax but a different brand wash may deplete your wax coat instead of adding to it

 

electric power washer. you can pick up a 2000psi unit which is great for car washing for about 100-150. You can get a foam cannon for 20-40, both are very worthwhile for auto use and around the house.

I like and have had great results with meguiars products, use the ultimate wax currently. Using it and than top coating with beadmaker the protection and water beading lasts about 4 months. I have a black truck and my truck stays as dark as the day it was painted, is 5 years old.

several microfiber towels for product removal and one or two of the large drying towels. Suggest the pfm edgeless drying towel.

Keeping your truck waxed and protected will greatly reduce the time it takes to clean. Even after a few days of rain my truck will look clean.

in your case, those black wheels will need attention to keep looking good. black wheels easily show dirt, stains, water spots. So waxing or using some other coating or product to keep them protected will make a huge difference with keeping them in good condition. Looks like your wheels have some sheen vs a flat finish, which is good for longevity and will make cleaning easier.

for hard plastic parts like plastic bumper parts, bumper caps, bed caps, etc Cerakote rocks. Follow the instructions to the letter and it will give great protection and last a very long time. No more weekly application of spray of dressing on the plastic parts which runs and won't last pass a rain or wash.

 

Lots of good advice given so far. First of all, beautiful truck....good to see that you want to keep it that way. I've used a ton of different stuff. Basics that you need are: good quality wash soap, bucket(s), wash mitts, drying towel, tire scrub brush, wheel brush(es), all purpose cleaner. Provided you're willing to order off of the internet, here's what I would recommend for those:

Meguiars HyperWash - 32.99 gallon
Lowes bucket(s) - 10.00
Chenille wash mitt 4-pack - 29.99
Griots PFM drying towel - 38.99
Tuff shine tire brush - 5.00
speedmaster wheel brush - 29.99
MEguiars All purpose cleaner 19.99

Currently, all of these are available on Autogeek.net (except the buckets). It comes to about 157.00, and they are having a sale...25% off orders over 125.00 with free shipping. Your total would come to around 118.00 + tax...shipped to your door. The Hyperwash is a very good soap with an outstanding dilution rate and will last you a very long time. You'll also need some good microfiber towels....I'd recommend the Rag Company for those. Give them a call, they will help you out. This should get you started for less than 200.00.

Check your PMs too

 

Appreciate all of this info man. Great advice here.

 

Briarpatch nailed it. For me, the PFM towel has become one of the best purchases. Drying off a truck is covering a lot of territory and that towel does a great job with less effort than other products that try to do the same job. Consider his suggestion for a good Fathers Day present to yourself (the baby will approve.)

 

Hahaha. Touché sir, touché

 

I know you’ve got some good advice so far, but I’ll throw in what I think the best bang for your buck will be in that price range:

Carpro Reset: $25
Optimum No Rinse: $20
10 pack of The Rag Company Eagle Edgeless: $48
Griots PFM drying towel: $39
Griots Ceramic 3-1: $20
Shine Supply Wise Guy tire and wheel cleaner (gallon): $32
Some cheap mf towels for wheels etc (Costco bundle is great for this): $16

My list isn’t the most efficient, since you have to go to multiple sources and pay shipping (that and tax will likely take it over $200), but that’s what I’d recommend for a basic kit with high quality products. You can substitute cheaper products for the tire cleaner, it’s just what I think is best.

 

Some darn good product recommendations here too....from a guy who knows his stuff

 

Luckily for you these days there are some decent products available "off the shelf". Mequiars "ultimate" line is good. Griots products are good and Optimum. Although you have to order Optimum, I have yet to see it in stores.

 

Man, thank you for this. This is a great list. Literally, handing this and Briarpatches to my wife for Father’s Day lol. I really appreciate all the help guys. Love this forum.

 

Just so you know....from this point forward.....your wife, family, neighbors and friends will think you are nuts

 

Never has a truer thought been penned. After a few sessions in this forum I found myself cleaning my truck more often and with a wider variety of products than ever before. I knew I was certifiable crazy when I washed the truck 3 times in four days during the rainy session.
Under the tree for Fathers Day in a new Griots creeper!

 

How did Fathers Day go?

 

Hey @briarpatch! It went pretty good, as expected low key with the newborn being new and everything. Actually got a new job over the weekend so wife is watching every dollar like a hawk. No “discretionary” spending til things get settled in. More money, more time home in the long run so hoping I’ll be able to get all of the above and more in the next couple weeks.

 

I like to use Chemical Guys products. Also Mequires make good stuff. Went from this to this with Chemical Guys and this awesome forum! Love yours d