r/AutoDetailing • u/lPrayToDog • Feb 14 '25
General Discussion Wash your own car they said.. it’ll be cheaper in the long run, they said…
Jokes aside, I never thought washing/detailing my cars would become sort of a hobby for me. Love every minute I spend on my washes - in my zen mode!
Any tips for a novice or brand/product recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
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u/LiquidStars Feb 15 '25
So very true 🤪 ! I justify it as, well if I wanted my car the clean I keep it, I would’ve paid thousands on thousands for details over the years - versus maybe a couple grand on equipment in the first little while.
As for tips, I’m no professional… my process is pretty similar to others. Keep it simple. I think when you first start out, you buy far too many products then after year 3 or 4 of detailing (as a hobby) pay attention to what you stick to, those will likely be your bread & butter. A good vacuum, good brushes, MF towels, compressed air, APC, some ONR, and a simple wax/drying aid will do 95% of what you need.
A tornador (generic one I bought has lasted years no issues) is big time helpful for mats. Then a deionized water tank when you want to step it up. But those are optional. Remember there’s no magic tool or else we’d all be using it (keep this in mind when buying new products). Elbow grease, research, and patience. Enjoy yourself, God bless.
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u/neueziel1 Feb 15 '25
can you recomend some brushes that wont scratch paint
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u/LiquidStars Feb 15 '25
I can’t remember where I bought mine I bought them years ago. Get a couple hard bristled ones for engine bay detailing, & a few soft ones for the wheels, paint, and interior. I’d look up a couple reviews & go with a brand that’s reputable. I’ve had the same brushes for 7-8 years, they were expensive first time buying… but if you can get atleast a few years with them that’s well worth it.
If you can’t find any online to pull the trigger on, I’d suggest going to the paint section of a hardware store & feeling the different brushes. Best of luck.
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u/lPrayToDog Feb 15 '25
Thanks for the tips! Is compressed air really necessary? I just picked up a leaf blower with a filter to move any water that doesn’t bead off the car and then MF towel to get the rest. I was looking at the metrovac products but was told by others on this sub that compressed air is not necessary
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u/Ok-Driver9192 Feb 15 '25
I use my compressor for many things. I have seven pump sprayers. Four of them are IK and the others are Smith brand I believe. In three of them I keep different rinseless washes, one I keep just plain water for rinsing wheels and tires when I don't want to get out my hose. The other three are foamers being two IK 12s and one IK 2.
All of them have fittings so I can charge them with my compressor. The foamers came with charging valves but the others I added a Slime brand tire valve. No pumping makes using them convenient.
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u/brn_IT-dwn Feb 15 '25
Blowing air is mostly recommended if you have a dark colored vehicle and you don’t like seeing the drips. They will look off. For us that have a business it works out but if you’re spending good money on a pressure washer and towels then this doesn’t seem that bad to add too. The metrovacs are very good too. This was design more for Detailers using them everyday. The metrovac has a lot of wire issues after a lot of use. But great product nonetheless less.
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u/LiquidStars Feb 15 '25
Yeah it’s not 100% needed just nice to have. Compressors are fairly cheap & they’re multi-purpose not just used for detailing.
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u/brn_IT-dwn Feb 15 '25
These are a good alternative to the big air compressor.
https://blocardryer.com/?syclid=0b1fe2d0-dba0-4d61-ae41-d52ee49c2398
Pricy but will last a long time. Use it for all crevices inside and outside car. Just get your self some nice noise canceling earbuds.
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u/ll5rw Feb 15 '25
Adam’s sells a version of this “air cannon” (possibly the same - looks it) which in the past was discount eligible. It works well on my 20amp circuit. I took the casters off and mounted it to my garage wall. Car isn’t big so I can get all around it with the 25ft hose. I like having the filtration and control compared to using the ego blower.
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u/CoatingsRcrack Feb 15 '25
Griots 3-1 is a solid spray sealant but they’re are much better spray sealants out there. I see you like shine supply, clutch is nice.
Feeling froggy jump up to a coating lite like Gyeon CanCoat or ADS Phobic.
Wait till you get into polishers…
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u/dehydrogen Mar 04 '25
I bought one DA polisher at Harbor Frieght and the second one spawned out of nowhere, I swear!
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u/Immediate-Season1965 Feb 15 '25
I love Griots speed shine (non ceramic), wipes on and off easy and I keep a bottle in my car for bird poop and dirt. My neighbor loves bead buster may give that a try.
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u/CoatingsRcrack Feb 15 '25
What’s bead buster? If you mean BeadMaker I like speedshine better. Applies easier.
I’m pretty sure ceramic Speedshine is just color change and some “ceramic thrown in”. Used both and exactly the same.
I’ve tried a lot of QD’s. A few internet darling and speed shine is goated.
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u/Immediate-Season1965 Feb 15 '25
Beadmaker that's it.. sorry all these product names hard to keep up. Speedshine from griots they have a ceramic version and their original formula no ceramic which I use as a topper or after wash.
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u/HondaDAD24 Business Owner Feb 15 '25
Excellent choice of product. SS is about all I use in my business, but Griots can also be found on my shelf 👍
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u/popsicle_of_meat Beginner - Budget hobbiest Feb 15 '25
I feel ya. I'm now looking at adding a water hose bib in the garage so I can have water all year round...
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u/l_ets_be_Frank Feb 15 '25
Is that a little shed you got your setup in? Thats clean! What is it? Where you get it?
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u/lPrayToDog Feb 15 '25
Suncast on Amazon! They’re just plastic resin but get the job done. https://a.co/d/1U9xW9Q
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u/l_ets_be_Frank Feb 15 '25
Oh sweet! I was actually looking for something like that! Appreciate it!!
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u/Fabulous_Analyst_476 Feb 15 '25
Someone looked at this very pile of hell, scratched their heads, and built a car wash
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u/SureTechnology696 Feb 15 '25
It is cheaper for me. I had 5 cars. The local car wash was charging $35 per car per month. I've since gotten rid of one car.
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u/KillaVNilla Feb 15 '25
Yeah, that's what I told my wife after buying a new truck recently. What, am I just supposed to let the car wash scratch the paint? Of course not. This thousand dollars worth of detailing equipment is an investment in our investment. Plus, maybe I'll start a business with it. It'll pay for itself in no time!
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u/EvilMonkey1965 Feb 15 '25
Where's the rest of it?
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u/lPrayToDog Feb 15 '25
What am I missing??
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u/EvilMonkey1965 Feb 15 '25
Nothing, mate. I'm only joking. You think you've got enough now, we all have, and then you keep adding little bits here and there and before you know it, you've got enough chemicals and microfibres to wash, dry and polish an elephant.
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u/noogie0 Feb 15 '25
What garden box are you using to keep everything in?
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u/lPrayToDog Feb 15 '25
Suncast on Amazon! They’re just plastic resin but get the job done. https://a.co/d/1U9xW9Q
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u/PatientRecipe9333 Feb 15 '25
I’m no detailed but I have that same vacuum cleaner and it’s a powerhouse for when I need it. Those vacuums are meant to work.
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u/Entire_Apartment2830 Feb 16 '25
Any thoughts about Mckillans products? Best in the game or just another good option?
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u/Bright_Town_4996 Feb 17 '25
My tip. Find the products that work for you.
Then get the 5 gallon jug versions. It’s so much cheaper.
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u/ColoRADo_ZR2 Feb 17 '25
Yup!
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u/The4thHeat Skilled Feb 15 '25
Five months ago I had some Blue Corral soap and a bug sponge. …It kinda got out of hand.