Detailing tools

Hey all.

I'm after a few bits so I thought I may as well chuck it into one thread.


Right, first I'm after a paint depth guage which one is best/should I be looking at and I'd there much between them?

Next I'm after a swirly light/sungun but don't really want to pay sungun money so what is everyone using?

And lastly because the weather is now starting to get cold I noticed that a drying towel isn't drying the hard to reach area's.

When you think the car is dry you get water running out of the door handles and the door mirrors, I hear about these pet dryers which are the same as the ones the detailing shops sell? But are alot cheaper.

Or has anyone used a electric leaf blower?

Thanks guy's.

I can sort you out with someone for the Light spotting torch, il drop you a PM.

Paint depth guage you should look into this http://www.paintdetective.com/buy_now.html great piece of kit.
As for a sun gun, the best and cheapest way is to make one. Buy a cheap battery powered drill and Google.

I'm using a LumiLite from Home Bargains for a swirl spotter.
It's about £12, rechargeable, switches from LED to Halogen.





I've worked with another detailer a few times who has one of the cheaper eBay pet dryers. It worked perfectly.

Saamjohn said:

I can sort you out with someone for the Light spotting torch, il drop you a PM.

Click to expand...

That's great mate.

scratcher said:

I'm using a LumiLite from Home Bargains for a swirl spotter.
It's about £12, rechargeable, switches from LED to Halogen.

I've worked with another detailer a few times who has one of the cheaper eBay pet dryers. It worked perfectly.

Click to expand...

WOW that looks good, thank you. [emoji106]

No problem I'm using it day in - day out.
My last one lasted about 2 years before I dropped it.

"When you think the car is dry you get water running out of the door handles and the door mirrors, I hear about these pet dryers which are the same as the ones the detailing shops sell? But are alot cheaper.

Or has anyone used a electric leaf blower?"

I use a can of airduster with the little straw attachment that they come with to blow the air out of the gaps under mirrors, alloy wheen bolt holes etc. Cheap and works well.

For the water in crevices I blow it out with a compressor air gun. Iv never used a pet dryer so can't comment on them.

The swirl spotter I made one like everyone use to on detailing world taking the chuck out of a cheap battery drill and fitting a special bulb from amazon. All in for about £30. Very easy to do and worked great.

Saamjohn said:

I can sort you out with someone for the Light spotting torch, il drop you a PM.

Click to expand...

Any news bud?

I drive around the block after drying - usually gets rid of most of the water left standing.
My Octavia is a different matter as the mirrors still hold water 24 hours and more after washing!!