Let's talk professional products

T

todd@bsaw

New member
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.
 
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.
 
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?
 
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
 
Scottwax said:
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.
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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.
 
todd@bsaw said:
I've never used hyper dressing but have heard lots of love for it. It's an interior and exterior dressing?
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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.
 
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?
 
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.
 
todd@bsaw said:
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.
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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.
 
brwill2005 said:
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.
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I believe that Optimum is going to start offering their polishes and compounds by the gallon. You'd have to contact them to find out exactly when.
 
We are a "high-end, high volume" shop.



We use several vendors, but we keep going back to Meguiar's for most of our needs.



If I were consulting/advising a new startup (and I do), I'd recommend the Meg's line exclusively. Keep it straightforward and simple. And, keep the Distributor happy - if knows he's getting all your biz, he'll be much more competitive.



Use their pads, polishes, sealants, dressings. If something doesn't seem to be working, discuss it with your rep, have him find the solution - he has lots of options.



Remember, this is not a search for the BEST of each item, but rather a system of products that will make your operation effective and efficient.



Also, price of a product is not always the most important consideration. The cost of labor is substantially greater, so figure that into buying decisions, also.



PM me if you want specific product recommendations...



Best of luck in the new gig. Is it bigger/better?



Jim
 
Jimmy Buffit said:
Remember, this is not a search for the BEST of each item, but rather a system of products that will make your operation effective and efficient.



Also, price of a product is not always the most important consideration. The cost of labor is substantially greater, so figure that into buying decisions, also.
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This is exactly why they hired me on. Right now they have shelves filled with so many random products, most in aerosol or small quart bottles (sans the Auto Magic stuff) that the current detailer has never even used or know what to use it on (or weren't even labeled). When I found out they were trying to do paint correction with the XP Swirl Remover, I pulled out my bottle of 3M Perfect It II and had the panel done in minutes. I plan on completely revamping and organizing their shop and re-educating their current detailer to my process and training a new guy



As for making the rep happy, I'll get to meet them (both the AM and Megs reps) tomorrow. If I do switch to Megs, I will work out an exclusivity deal with them. However, our volume is mostly retail with a few fleet accounts and I am looking at cost saving with 55gal drums of some AM products.



Jimmy Buffit said:
Best of luck in the new gig. Is it bigger/better?
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Thanks Jim and David for the advice. I'll let you know if I have any questions.

And yes, it's an existing 4-bay detail shop with a good 10 year local reputation. They distribute to some of the local dealerships and also operate about a dozen self-wash establishments in the area. I'm looking at taking advantage of the steady flow, opening up more opportunities with local accounts and distribution deals, and starting up a mobile operation next spring. I am being paid a manager's salary along with a commission bonus for sales goals which I guarantee I will hit.



Getting the right supplies and a streamlined process to keep every vehicle that we turn out to the same standard is my first goal. I'm excited. :woot:
 
Scottwax said:
I believe that Optimum is going to start offering their polishes and compounds by the gallon. You'd have to contact them to find out exactly when.
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AG already has them in gallons..
 
todd@bsaw said:
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.
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I made it a policy that everyone in the shops enforced: no unannounced sales calls.



If I wanted something, I'd call. I had enough experience and was very happy with the products we used.



Some of those people would eat up so much precious time to try to get something else on my shelf I didn't want or need. I remember a handful who would get defensive, wanting to argue with me about polish and wax just as you see people on the internet doing to this day.



Sounds like your new job will be fun. Taking something that is astray and helping organize and simplify is so rewarding. Congratulations
 
Update

I went through this week cleaning out their supply cabinets and reorganizing chemicals. I found a lot of different chemicals ranging from PRO to Car Brite, Auto Magic to Stoners, and even Zep. Many things were tossed, some were experimented with, everyone was educated.



We still haven't gotten our samples from Meguires yet, but I did find a few other polishes and glazes from Auto Magic I tested out today.



Power Cut Plus, only a couple 16oz. bottles but enough to try on a black Silverado work truck. The cut is great, just what I was looking for in an aggressive compound. It dries too quickly, though, and causes heavy swirling. The results were good, however.



White Magic, a whole gallon that was never even opened. Labeled as a 'Pre-softened Cleaner/Wax' it worked amazing as a second step after the compound and even finished very sharp. Long work time with finishing results made this perfect for such a large vehicle. Though, reading the ingredients I noticed 'Silicone Fluid', which made me curious as to how much correction was being made as opposed to just filling.



XP Swirl Remover, finished out the truck with this VERY mildly aggressive wax.



I was happy with the results on the black, but I'd still like to find a more dedicated final polish if we are going to stick with the Auto Magic line. Preferably something not loaded with silicones.
 
We got in our sample of products from Meguiars this week, but it wasn't exactly what we were looking for so I am putting in an order for some other products I want to try out.



They had sent a few aerosol sprays (Final Touch, Carpet & Upholstery, Exterior Trim Coating), and some other OTC stuff I was familiar with (Quick Interior Detailer, NXT Tech Wax). They also sent out some Diamond Cut Compound (#85), Quick Detailer (#66), Leather Cleaner & Conditioner, and a few dressing samples (All Season, Water based, Solvent based, Accent Dressing). I've had a chance to try out most of it already and I wasn't very impressed with some of it.



For the rest of my order, I've included the following that I'd like to try out:

APC, Super Degreaser, Glass Cleaner, Hyper Dressing, Silicone-Free, Mild Detailing Clay, Speed Glaze (#80), Dual Action Cleaner/Polish (#83), Cleaner Wax (#6), Synthetic Sealant (#21), and some sand paper (we needed it).



This is my first time trying out the Meg's Professional stuff, so any thoughts or suggestions are more than welcome. As Jim already brought up, I would like to start using the Meg's stuff exclusively if I like it enough. So far I like the #85, Water Dressing, and #66. Their #26 smells terrible. How is #85 compared to #84 and does it warrant the $10 price difference per gallon?
 
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