Well, after a month of ownership of my SB Z, I'm amazed at how quickly it gets dirty. I've decided to detail the car myself, but all the products out there just make me dizzy. So far, I've decided to go with the Porter Cable 7424 and a few Zaino products, but can't decide which ones. The car has a lot of swirl marks and such, so I'm going to have to be thorough this first time.

So other than the porter cable, what else should I buy? I've seen several different pad kits and such, but do I really need that many different ones? I know I'll need claybar and detailing spray, and I already have microfiber towels, so now I need to decide what polishing/waxing products to use. I've decided to go zaino, but even zaino has a whole host of different products. Which ones do I need if I want the car to maintain its shine for a few months? This seems like it could get expensive quick...

 

Zaino ZPC
Zaino starter kit with Z-2 and Z-5, and ZFX drops.

Get the orange cut pads for the porter cable.

Don't skimp on drying and buffing towels, DF Towels are the best.

www.autopia.org has lots of great info, GL!

 

my list

1. Meguiars NXT wax
2.Meguiars NXT soap
3. meguiars scratch X
4.Griots Claybar
5. Griots carnuba wax
6.griots fine hand polish
7. griots window polish
8. griots vinyl and rubber dressing
9. griots speed shine
10. meguiars nxt metal polish
11. simple gree
12. 50% water/50% windex soloution (home made)
13. eagle one window cleaner
14. Meguiars plastic polish
15. meguiars plastic cleaner
16. various micro-fibre towels for buffing drying speed detailer etc.

 

Do I only need the orange pads? Because I've heard of people using all kinds of different colored pads for different steps in the polishing process. Also, are there any other waxes that you would recommend other than Zaino? I'm just going for a good all around package that looks good and lasts long.

Edit: Wow Cavallino, that is one huge list. I dunno if I'm willing to spend that much time and money to start out with.

 

Yeah its not cheap. I detail my car instead of modding it. You don't have to use it all and I certainly don't use it all every time. The main 2 waxes I use are Meguairs NXT and griots carnuba. I use the griots once a month and the meguiars and the griot together every other month. Carnuba is a "natural" non abrasive wax so it has to be applied more frequently. Works greta though. Heres picture of the shinyness after a full detail.
paint close up

side

 

Here's what you need in order to polish/wax a car with a ROB.
1) Porter-Cable 7336SP
2) 6" Velcro backing plate: http://www.topoftheline.com/porcabvelpad.html
3) 7½" Lake Country VC foam polishing pads: http://www.topoftheline.com/7durvelpad.html
I use the Yellow, White and Black pads. You'll probably want two, maybe three of each.
4) Polishes: I use 3M Medium Cut Rubbing Compound (39001); 3M Swirl Mark Remover (39009); Zaino Z-PC Polish/Cleaner.
The compound is for removing moderate scratches, deposits on paint, rough spots, etc.
The SMR is for removing swirl marks, hazing caused by the compound or other polishes.
The Z-PC is for use in place of the SMR on a Zainoed car.
5) Helpful instructions on how to use the Porter-Cable:
http://autopia.org/forum/showthread.php?t=14421
http://www.roadfly.com/magazine/7/po..._buffer.1.html
http://forums.roadfly.com/forums/det...1430487&page=1

The P-C can be bought at Lowes for $109. The backing plate and pads come from www.TopOfTheLine.com. The 3M products I get from a local CarQuest Paint Store. It's a special version of a CarQuest parts store that sells professional paint supplies and equipment. The 3M products are pretty widely available in any case.

 

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SWEET! Just got one step closer: bought a PC 7336SP @ Lowe's for $47.60! It was the last one too, and it's my birthday today.

Details here :http://autopia.org/forum/good-deals/...s-47-60-a.html