Here is the list of the must have detail tools:

Set of Microfiber Towels
Terry Towels
Tire Swipes (Eagle One)
Tooth Brushes (min of 3)
Brushes for Carpet Cleaning
Brush for Tire Cleaning
Absorber
Water Blade
Glass Cleaner
Uposltery Protectent (Eagle One)
Armor All tire Protectent
Quick Detail (Meguiars NXT Gen.)
Chrome Polish(Wenol)
Aluminum Polish (Mothers)
Car Wash Shappoo and Conditioner (Meguiars)
Dawn(for wax removal ONLY)
Rain-X
Wax(Mothers FX)
Polish(Meguiars)
Terry Applicator Pads

All You need

Personaly , I would leave out the Armor All and Rain-X.
Have used these and they DO NOT perform as stated.
More of a headache then a help.

Armor All is my Choice b/c it is a little cheaper than the Eagle One which I give a 5 star rating. Rain X is just a back up in case the winshield wiper motor goes out. I like to be prepared.

Armor All is one of the worst products around, no self respecting detailer will touch that stuff. Ever see what it does to white plastics and body panels? It even has a warning on the label. Penny wise and pound foolish... repainting after Amor All slings off the tires and stains the surface is far more expensive than buying a high end tire detailer. I use Zaino Z16, one bottle so far has lasted me nearly three seasons.

You also mention Microfiber towels and terry towels... apparently you don't realize they all the microfiber towels on the market (except waffle weave) ARE terry!

Water Blade... another no no, get a piece of grit caught between the blade and your paint just once and you'll learn your lesson very fast! A leaf blower is a far better alternative.

Absorber... can also have the same problems as the water blade, you need to be very careful. Again, a leaf blower is a far better alternative.

Rain-X... personally I hate the stuff but some people like it. I find that polishing the glass when I polish the car achieves better results.

PS: I forgot about these, saw them at a car show recently, I think I threw up a little in my mouth! 8O

http://dftowel.com/sponge_hands.jpg

:lol:

Robert you're missing the point about ArmorAll. The problem with ArmorAll is that any excess will sling onto the panels behind the wheels and permanently stain them in many cases. It is especially dangerous on white or light colored surfaces. It says so right on the bottle!

Also, ArmorAll has been shown to degrade and discolor plastics. Check out the detailing boards such as autopia.com for many discussions about this product. There are other products from Zaino, Meguiars, Sonus, and others that are far safer for your car.

The Water Blade also may be guaranteed not to scratch by itself but again, go to the detailing forums and read the horror stories.

I'm not sure what you're trying to say about microfiber since all those Chinese and Korean microfiber towels are a terry weave. You also seem to be saying that unless one uses a "microfiber" towel you will get water spots. That's not true, water spots have to do with mineral deposits in the water and if drops are allowed to dry the minerals are left behind and make a spot. As long as you dry the car off right away you won't have a problem.

Here is what I am saying the Armor All Tire Gel I use is "suppose" to be none sling if you give a good dry time for it to soak into the rubber. But I use the spray on the hoses under the hood it keeps them nurished. And on the microfiber I am talking about the fuzz that regualer terry towels leave behind.

Have you ever seen that brown sludge that runs off your tires when cleaning them, after using Armor All? I wouldn't let my grandson put that crap on his bicycle. . .much less a car. Or that STP stuff either.

Zaino is a little more expensive, BUT, gives you the desired classy look - not the bubble gummer ricer look. . . 8O

Ohhhh, no one has mentioned "clay" yet. Automotive clay is a great product for removing contaminants from the surface of the paint. If you reckon your paint is not contaminated try putting your hand in a plastic bag (I use a freezer bag) and gently run your finger tips over the surface. The plastic multiplies the sensitivity and you will feel all the crap on the paint. After a wash, use clay with a lubricant like Quick Detailer to remove the contaminants, follow up with another wash & dry then start your polish & wax routine.

The other useful device to have in your kit is an Orbital Polisher. In the US you guys are spoilt for choice, the Porter Cable from Lowes is the benchmark machine which we don't get in OZ.