We picked up our car in April. Since then I bought many tools, parts, and cleaners.
I am not sponsored or working for clicks but I wanted to share my favorites that I bought this year.

Ryobi had a buy a battery sale, get one tool for free, so I bought this LED light. If you have your car on jack stands and the wheels off, working on brakes or suspension, this is the best for aiming the light where you need it.
Not in your face, not casting shadows, this is the perfect height to direct the light exactly where you need it.

Hercules 3" polisher from HF. In the first few months I noticed several small scratches in the clear coat. I don't know if these came from the factory or car shows.
I tried hand polishing with Meguiars, it works but takes hours. This little buffer is easy to use and is just right for those small scratches. Just the right size.



Meguiars Quick Detailer. Love this stuff. Why take the car out of the garage and wash it just to get the dust off. A quick once over with this and you are ready to go to the car show.

What's on your list?

 

Rolls around like an R2-D2 droid with a low center of gravity so it doesn't easily tip over. This is their top line electric model (one notch below their less convenient gas-powered model) with great flow rate for the money and pump automatically stops when trigger is disengaged to preserve pump and motor life.

 

Is that a random orbital polisher? It looks like a drill with a pad, I would be worried about burning paint.

 

You are to buff at low RPM.

 

I've use all sorts of work lights. I have pretty much settled on extremely bright LED headlights. I use the Princeton Tech Remix.

The are not gimmicky cheapo lights. They are very very bright, and will last a long time on its batteries. It is excellent for working under the a car, or on an engine, or just about anything. It also works well walking around at night. The light is always where you want it and your hands are free. If I need extra light I can place another one just about anywhere - because they are small.

 

It's not orbital. It just rotates but it has a variable speed trigger so it is very easy to use. Since it is only 3" diameter it is pretty easy to control the speed.
I know exactly what you mean about orbital, that seems to be the number 1 choice these days. After watching a million polishing videos, I bought a 6" Kobalt dual action polisher.
Switching to the 6" seems like a monster. It is a lot heavier and harder to get the right feel. Whenever in doubt, I go back to the 3" because it is easier to control.
That's why it is my favorite, but I agree, a dual action is probably much safer.
.

 

Random orbital is easier to use and idiot proof but does not do as good of a job as a straight drill style polisher/buffer. You just have to be cognizant of how much pressure you are applying and how long you've stayed in the same area or you could potentially burn through the clear.

 

That is what I saw on many videos. Some people prefer straight rotary (old school), but they are not as forgiving.
I watch videos of pro detailer guys buff over edges with a dual action that I would never touch with the rotary.
Maybe that's why I am having a hard time adjusting to the Kobalt 6" dual action. It is a lot heavier, and I just don't have the feel I get with that lightweight 3" rotary.
With the dual action, it just does not have the disc speed since the pad is orbiting fast and not spinning as fast.
I would not want to use a 6" rotary, that could be dangerous, but the little 3" is pretty safe.

 

Been using these for years and love them. Works well when cleaning the ******** too.

 

I'd rather prevent scratches and swirls than have to remove them. Here are my favorite tools.


Powerwasher

Foam Cannon

Water Deionizer

Blow dryer

 

Foam Cannon connects to the pressure washer, or the hose.?
What do you use the deionized water for, how does that work. Where can I find out more. I know deionized water is the best for cleaning, but I know nothing about it.

I bought a battery blow dryer as part of the Ryobi deal. I have a pressure washer, need a foam cannon, and deion

 

Foam cannon attaches to a pressure washer. A foam gun attaches to a garden hose. The foam cannon/pressure washer combo lays down a thicker layer of foam and will do a better job of lifting dirt up and away from the paint surface. The thicker foam also adds more slickness when doing a contact wash.

A water deionized removes solids from the water. It's the solids left on the paint surface when the water evaporates that cause water spots. Left on the surface, water spots can etch the finish.

I connect my water deionizer, which is a Simple Chuck, between the hose and pressure washer for the final rinse. This guarantees the least amount of solids left on the paint surface and almost no water spots. Even when washing in direct sunlight.

Your battery-powered blow dryer probably does an adequate job of removing water from the car's cracks and crevices. The Master Blaster with two 4 HP electric motors does a fantastic job of removing water and speeds up the drying process. It also filters and heats the air it produces. I do 90% of the drying with my Master Blaster. The less I touch the paint the less chance there is to mar the finish.

Hope this answers your questions. Unfortunately, none of these tools are cheap.

 

Hey Hawk02, You connect the deionizer whenever you use the hose or pressure washer? Where do you buy a deionizer, what does it cost? Worth the cost?

 

As mentioned earlier, I’m a big fan of Simple Charlie - as we have hard water where I live.

I rarely even dry the car, even in the sun. Save bunch of time.

 

I would be afraid to use anything but a random orbital buffer. Just downsize the plate from six inch to five inch. A 5.5 inch pad is 28% less area than a 6.5 inch pad and much more practical.

 

I bought a 5" backing plate and pads. It is much easier to see and control what you are doing. That big 6" may work on a big pickup or Escalade, but the C8 has so many curves and peaks, smaller pad works better.

 

I use this 3” random orbital polisher with foam or wool pads from Amazon. Very light weight & variable speed. I buffed the carbon side engine panels on my C8 with Maguires Ultimate polish & a wool pad. It is easy to handle & great for small areas or large.

 

What are we using the polishers for? I have a couple of Griots random orbitals - for larger and for smaller discs. Griots recommends them for paint correction with an appropriately aggressive polish for the job (which I would think you do only once, if at all) and for application of a protective product. They do not recommend using them to do the final buffing after that product has been applied. They recommend using a handheld microfiber towel for that. I have found it easier to apply and remove the wax (I use Griots best of show liquid) by hand, so that leaves only paint correction. And, one other thing. They can also be used with Griots surface prep pad. This is essentially an artificial version of a clay bar, and its used with some lubricant such as Griots speed shine. That pad is non abrasive, but will remove all wax and contaminants. And it leaves surfaces unbelievably smooth - without the use of abrasive polishes. But, once again, I have found it easier to just use the handheld version of the pad. What are others using their motorized polishers for?

 

Andy: I am using the 3" polisher when I find a small scratch in the clear coat. I also painted my engine compartment panels, and wet sanded then polished with the 3".
My car is 6 months old has not been ceramic coated or anything except a coat of wax. I plan to use the 5" orbital to give it a good overall polish before the next car show in March.
I will probably use a Meguiars clay bar before polishing.

 

With my bi-lateral shoulder replacement R&R'ing the heavy wheels and tires has been tough. This dolly has been a life saver. Used in conjunction with the wheel stud extenders it's no longer a problem.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/164826557644