Favorite detailing stuff?

Thinking about ordering one of the Zaino or Griots Garage kits, any input?

Any other brands I should be looking at? Preferably, I'd like to order a "kit" vs piecing a bunch of different stuff together.

Meh--I piece a bunch of stuff together.

Clay Magic or Mother's clay bar Mother's pre-wax cleaner Meguiar's #9 swirl remover 2.0 Meguiar's Ultimate Compound Menzerna Super Intensive Polish Nu Finish Mother's Liquid Carnauba wax Meguiar's NXT 2.0 sealant Mother's Aluminum Polish Meguiar's Ultimate Quick Detailer Armor All Multi Purpose Cleaner Blue Coral upholstery cleaner Griot's orbital polisher Lake Country CCS 6" buffing pads

I'm sure I'm forgetting a bunch of stuff...

I buy what need when I need it. Mostly Meguiar's or 3M. I don't know if the kits you're looking at come with a buffer, but if you're not used to them, it's easy to burn the paint with one. so, take it slow until you've got a good feel for it.

Good luck

http://www.glosshaus.com/ sells some good stuff.

The faster the cars get, the less I detail. The M3 is far and away the fastest, most expensive car I've ever owned, or probably will ever own. I try to give it a 15 minute wash before events so it doesn't look completely unloved....

That said, I used to be pretty good at making a car "pop".

• Wash with any decent brand of car wash detergent that's on sale. A big jug of Meguire's or Blue Coral, something like that.
• Squeegee and chamois. A couple different size squeegees to remove much of the water followed by a chamois. If you're unfamiliar with the operation of a chamois - soak and wring before use.
• Use an old chamois - barely moist - to wipe the door - hood - trunk jambs, inside the gas cap recess, dash top and door cards.
• Wheels are cleaned with dilute Simple Green and a terry cloth covered wax applicator sponge and a net covered bug sponge. Brushes leave brake dust behind.
• All hail the clay bar! Wash the whole car, then rinse and dry each panel before claying. Meguire's fine bar used w/ Meguire's Final Inspection.
• I tried Meguire's NXT wax recently. I like it better than Xymol, though Xymol smells nicer.
• On a car with really tired paint there's no substitute for a thorough cut and buff. A burly variable speed buffer w/ a full range of compounds pads and bonnets is the way forward. The Meguire's and 3M product application websites have a lot of good info.

There are evidently entire forums for people who detail - but I save the OCD for rod bearings over paint....

I use 3M & Zaino products. Very pleased with both. Lots of discussion about this on the roadfly detailing forum.