Poll for detail products

Autoeng · 08-21-03, 05:44

I've been bumping around the threads for a couple of weeks now and probably more confused than when I came here intiially (information OVERLOAD!). Not a bad thing but it has brought my product purchasing decisions to a standstill.

I haven't seen many polls used on the forum and thought that I would intitiate one so that everyone could vote for their favorite overall brand of products. I know that many use a combination of brands but I would think that surely one rises to the top in all categories. I think criteria for product evaluation should be cost, ease of application, durability and funtionality on all colors and finishes. I'm sure someone can point out other criteria that products should be judged on and other products that I missed in the poll (hey you can only have so many) so feel free to post about them.

Thanks,
Autoeng

JimS · 08-21-03, 08:21

I just started with these premium products when I came here and I was as confused as any newcomer.

After reading a lot of threads and articles I realized that if you use the premium products mentioned repeatedly on this site, and use the techniques suggested/recommended, then you will will have a nice finish. Beyond that it's more of a popularity contest than product superiority contest......imo.

I bought several of them over the next few months and tried them and then became aware of Poorboys stuff. Everyone was very positive in their reviews of his products and I liked the idea of a guy who posts here going into business and trying to "make it" it a tough world and tough market. I bought some of his stuff and in doing so I really liked him, the manner in which he did business, and the quality of his products. I'll stick with his stuff. It works and he's a good guy. www.poorboysworld.com

So, no more decisions to make for me. Steve has good stuff, I like his stuff and him. Done deal.

Autoeng · 08-21-03, 08:28

Thanks JimS,

Sounds like you were having the same delima as me. I agree in part that all are quality products so it gets into popularity but I asked for the criteria to be considered. Shine per dollar is a big consideration when filling your detailing cabinet. I don't want to spend $100 for Zaino when $30 of Meguiar's provides a conparable shine and protection.

Autoeng

Accumulator · 08-21-03, 09:18

Gee, this is a tough one. I can't figure out WHO I want to vote for. Some, like Meg's have a product for everything, while others are more limited in what they offer. Guess I'll vote Meg's, even though I really only use three of their products. They DO pretty well cover all the bases, and I don't think there's anything WRONG with any of their products.

I regularly use products from over a dozen manufacturers, and that's just the stuff that gets used all the time. Actually, there are only two or three manufacturers, who are regularly mentioned on this board, whose products I DON'T use.

Polishes/compounds- *I* probably like 3M best overall.

vmunoz · 08-21-03, 09:29

You know also that there is nothing wrong with going to a local auto parts store and buying some of the consumer type systems. When I first bought my car, I knew it was going to be a hassle to keep clean and looking good because it was black.
So I tried to learn as much as I could about maintaining that color.

If you started this thread to find out what everyone would suggest you buy first, then you're going to get many different answers. Many people here for example like the P21/S100 paste wax. I didn't and I gave it away. JimS is right about it being more of a popularity contest after a certain point. The shine on your car is only for you to decide....good or bad. Others can't tell you what to use unless they are actually there to work with you and see your car first hand.

I would suggest trying products in local auto parts stores like Mother California Gold's 3-step system or Meg's 3-step to start off and go from there. Very easy to use and relatively inexpensive. At least that's what I started with. It really does no good to suggest more expensive products to someone if they can't use them properly. And always try to increase your technique and knowledge first.

Anyway that's my 2 cents. Let us know what you decide and Good Luck with it.

Oh and welcome to Autopia

Take care now...........V

Autoeng · 08-21-03, 09:49

I've used the Meguiar's 3 step plus clay several times and am starting to get unhappy with the results. First time I did it I was like, "Yeah, that rocks", now I'm like "It should reflect more!". I'm ready to move on and from my experience with Meguiar's am considering moving up to the "gold = professional" series. Still good bang for the buck, easy to apply and durable but wonder if the shine is that much better than the "red-consumer" series. I have an Infiniti QX4 in the Jade color so I know I shouldn't expect the wetness that the darker colors get but I want more than what I have now. I am impressed with Zaino on light colored cars but hesitant to invest $84 and still not be happy.

I am going to visit a local detailer soon who deals Platinum to see what he thinks will give me most bang for the buck on my color car. I had a previous thread where this was suggested and agree that it was an excellent idea.

Still would like to see where the vote lies. Currently suprised Zaino hasn't received more votes than it has but pleased that Meguiar's is leading the pack.

Thanks for the advice and comments,
Autoeng

Frankie · 08-21-03, 09:59

ill have to vote for meguairs. they have a very complete line. i have tried everything in the poll and its really hard to tell if you have zaino, klasse, pinnacle or what have you. i bet if i put some 2.99 turtle wax in a fancy pinnacle souveran jar and put it on you would do back flips cause its all up in ur head ur putting on this exclusive - expensive wax that gives you mind blowing dramatic results.

since meguairs is a good value and you can buy in bulk and gets the job done just as much as the boutique wax's in terms of shine, deepness, and clarity. meg's it is

Autoeng · 08-21-03, 10:47

Quote:

Originally posted by Frankie
i bet if i put some 2.99 turtle wax in a fancy pinnacle souveran jar and put it on you would do back flips cause its all up in ur head ur putting on this exclusive - expensive wax that gives you mind blowing dramatic results.

Don't know if I'd go that far but I understand what you mean. I think that the big differences in wax "quality and therefore cost" comes in ease of application and durability.

Autoeng

Scottwax · 08-21-03, 11:38

I use a mix of several product manufacturers. Meguiars, S100, Clearkote, Car Polishes, Winner's Choice, Eagle, Armor All and even Turtle Wax (they have some very good microfiber towels that you can buy at the consumer level). I feel that there is no one single product line that will always look the best on all cars, so I mix and match as needed to get the results I want.

That having been said, overall, I think Meguiars has the most comprehensive and complete product line. You can use their Body Shop Professional products to correct serious paint defects, level the paint and add a ton of polishing oils for an amazing gloss. #26 wax may not have the ultimate wet and reflective shine of 100 or Carnuba Moose, but it does have it's own very nice warm glow. I used Meguiars products pretty much exclusively for the first 8 years or so I had my detailing business (with the exception of Eagle's 20/20 Glass Cleaner) and both I and my customers were quite pleased with the results.

I still use Meguiars products, most noticably DACP and Swirl Free and occasionally Hand Polish, but I have now added polymers to my arsonel like Final Polish and Winner's Choice Finishing Creme and carnubas like S100 and Carnuba Moose.

Autoeng · 08-21-03, 11:57

Very good advice Scottwax (bow's low to the great one). I agree that one line doesn't necessary have the best in every product I think that Maguiar's covers the spectrum so well as at such an attractive cost that they really win the overall prize.

Thanks for the advice,
Autoeng

camryKev · 08-21-03, 12:48

Quote:

Originally posted by Autoeng
I've used the Meguiar's 3 step plus clay several times and am starting to get unhappy with the results. First time I did it I was like, "Yeah, that rocks", now I'm like "It should reflect more!". I'm ready to move on and from my experience with Meguiar's am considering moving up to the "gold = professional" series. Still good bang for the buck, easy to apply and durable but wonder if the shine is that much better than the "red-consumer" series. I have an Infiniti QX4 in the Jade color so I know I shouldn't expect the wetness that the darker colors get but I want more than what I have now. I am impressed with Zaino on light colored cars but hesitant to invest $84 and still not be happy.
Autoeng

I have been using meguiar's stuff since i got my car and going to start on the 3 step, although i am getting zaino once since my friends are going to split me some. in any case, the more proffessional products of the meguiar's line seem so much more complicated...there's no 3 step in there..or is there? what are you using/planning on using from the meguiar's pro line that would be equivalent to the 3 step?

Aurora40 · 08-21-03, 01:22

My vote is for Meguiar's. If I could only buy one line, that's what I'd go with. Excellent prep products, great maintenance stuff, great non-paint products like APC+, #40, and so on. Plus they have great PC pads, great foam apps, and a lot of other stuff.

Their paint protectants are good, some last very long, and all are easy to use. Though I wish most of them had more beading.

That said, I don't have to buy from one line, so I don't. But Meguiar's is certainly good stuff.