Let's talk professional products

[todd@bsaw]

I know there are a lot of different schools of detailing product users here. I am looking for those guys with high-volume detail experience with products from the big names in the professional bulk detailing world (Auto Magic, Car Brite, Meguires, HiTemp, etc..)

I have used some products from all of the above and also most of the Rightlook product line. I recently relocated to a new city and got hired on to manage a local detail shop. Lets just say they could use the help. They currently use Auto Magic products and are possibly going to switch to the Meguires Pro line and possibly become a local distributor.

I am looking to streamline their chemical stock and process and will be presenting a sort of 'shopping list' to them at the end of this week. Just an example, their current process for a full two-step detail is AM No.90 "XP Swirl Remover" via rotary followed by AM No.10 "Paint Sealant" via orbital.

Throw up your suggestions or current uses for the following:

Heavy/Medium Cut Compound
Medium/Light Cut Polish
AIO/Cleaner Wax/1Step
Liquid Carnauba Wax or Sealant
Interior and Exterior Dressings

I am really not impressed with the Auto Magic dressings and their XP Swirl Remover is not at all abrasive. If we stay with Auto Magic, I am considering using their BC-1/BC-2 combo and Banana Magic. I have heard lots of good things about the Megs 80 - 84 Mirror Glaze line as well as their 26 HiTech Wax, so that is where my recommendation is going so far.

Does anyone still make that Purple tire dressing I used to use? Can't remember who made it.

[BlueZero]

I'm not a pro so I'll stay out of that part of it. But I do like the Meguiar's Pro stuff and the Detailer line.

Is this the tire dressing you where thinking of?

Grape Tire Dressing

[todd@bsaw]

Originally Posted by BlueZero

Is this the tire dressing you where thinking of?

Grape Tire Dressing

That's It! Thanks.
Anyone notice this... "Once applied, the grape-flavored tire dressing is permanent."
Flavored, eh? I wonder who tasted it...

[dave40co]

Originally Posted by todd@bsaw

That's It! Thanks.
Anyone notice this... "Once applied, the grape-flavored tire dressing is permanent."
Flavored, eh? I wonder who tasted it...

Check out this thread and see what I told them to taste!

http://autopia.org/forum/car-detaili...uff-paint.html

[Scottwax]

Meguiars has a pretty good professional product line.

Heavy cut: #84 and #85
Medium cut: #83 and #80
One step: #66
Wax: #26
Sealant: #21
Interior/exterior dressing: Hyper Dressing. Cut 2:1 (with water) for high shine, 3:1 for a medium shine and 4:1 for a low shine.

[todd@bsaw]

Thanks Scott, that is pretty much what I was looking at.
I've never used hyper dressing but have heard lots of love for it. It's an interior and exterior dressing?

[imageautodetail]

I use ProKem and Detail Plus products, ProKem is thru Midwest Detailer Supply and Detailplus is up your way, I think in Oregon. Bud(detailPlus) has very shop orientated, high volume products that I would put next to anything visit his site Detailplus.com

[PRB]

Originally Posted by Scottwax

Meguiars has a pretty good professional product line.

Heavy cut: #84 and #85
Medium cut: #83 and #80
One step: #66
Wax: #26
Sealant: #21
Interior/exterior dressing: Hyper Dressing. Cut 2:1 (with water) for high shine, 3:1 for a medium shine and 4:1 for a low shine.

I can echo all of this from professional volume experience with the exception of the Hyper Dressing. It came after my time. I used Meguiar's #40 for interior vinyl, plastic, and rubber. For new car deliveries, I used either #40 or Endurance tire dressing.

[BlueZero]

Originally Posted by todd@bsaw

I've never used hyper dressing but have heard lots of love for it. It's an interior and exterior dressing?

It's a water based dressing so it's not going to last very long on the exterior. Works good for interior and under hood. If your looking for a exterior dressing in the Meg's line go with the All Season Dressing.

[todd@bsaw]

Sometimes I just get the feeling that there are way too many products in the market.
When I was on my own, I did very well with 3M Perfect It II and Finesse It II and a good paste wax.

At my previous shop, I had reps stopping in every week. "Try this!" "Have I given you a sample of That yet?!" Frankly, I was getting sick of it. I had samples from chemical companies sitting on a shelf for over a month; I had even forgotten who it was from and what it was.

Any thoughts on Auto Magic, Car Brite, or others besides Meguires?

[brwill2005]

For a two step polish, Optimum Compound via rotary and polishing pad. Follow that step with Optimum Poli-Seal via orbital and polishing pads. Optimum may be a little more expensive, but well worth it in my opinion. BTW, Hi-Temp's products are excellent. Grape Dressing applies easily and looks great, but definitely is not permanent.

[David Fermani]

Originally Posted by todd@bsaw

I am really not impressed with the Auto Magic dressings and their XP Swirl Remover is not at all abrasive. If we stay with Auto Magic, I am considering using their BC-1/BC-2 combo and Banana Magic.

You need to really try more of their polishes/glazes! You're right, XP Swirl Remover isn't anything more than a wax and is one of the last products I'd use for any kind of correction. BC-1/BC-2 is a decent combo for *some* finishes, but you should also try New Car Glaze/GS-1/White Magic with BC-2.

What AM dressings have you used? Are you going to buy it by the 55 gallon drum? Is it for dealer vehicles and/or retail customers? If you are doing any kind of volume, you should consider buying products in the largest size to save the most money. The Carbrite, PRO & Ardex/Meg's dealers could never come close to the prices I was paying for AM. Bottom line, use what works best for you for your application. Let me know if you have an questions. I'm pretty familiar with their whole line up & how to save money.