Settling on a product line

P

PerroneFord

Hobbyist Detailer
Over the past year, and especially recent weeks, I've read review after review, and looked at the magnificent results the pros here get with their products. Based on results here, I've picked up a few different products for myself and have been thoroughly pleased.



However, I am not a pro. And I don't have a budget like a pro, nor do I do that many cars. So with that said, I am wondering the feasibility of settling on a line of products, because it just seems to make good economic sense.



There are marvelous products out there by a LOT of people. But keeping it all straight just seems a mess. So my thoughts are to settle on products from Chemical Guys or Poorboys, augment that with some OTC products that I already use and like if it's cheaper, and maybe add the odd product here and there, like a few from Optimum.





Basically, I am looking at products from a few categories:



1. Wash (CW&G seems VERY popular, as is the Super Slick Suds product)

2. Wheels and Tires (I am pleased with E1 A2Z, but need a tire dressing)

3. Compound (Probably pick up some Megs 105)

4. Polish (Megs 205, SSR 2.5 seem like good choices)

5. Finishing Polish (Lots of options out there)

6. Wax/Sealant CG and PBW both have reasonle options here.

7. Interior cleaner (I'll probably stay with my APC and Woolite or add CG APC)

8. Carpets (Priobably stay with my Folex/Resolve)

9. Glass (Stoner's IG is working well for me)

10. Degreaser (A nice citrus degreaser from CG seems helpful)





So what say you? If you were on a budget, and a non-pro, would it make sense to try to stay in one line of products? Or more correctly, does this seems a silly thing to do? I need to order my staple products in a couple weeks time so I want to get a shopping list complete.



Thanks for your thoughts.
 
i think your good man



all those products listed are great .. im a HUGE CG fan .. never been disapointed with any of their products and i would have to say i have about 20-30 of their products in gallon and 16oz sizes



your never going to have ONE line of products .. your going to have a mixture of everything .. if your on a budgest CG is def a company to look at



hope this helps
 
SCoach said:
1. Wash (CW&G seems VERY popular, as is the Super Slick Suds product)

2. Wheels and Tires (I am pleased with E1 A2Z, but need a tire dressing)

3. Compound (Probably pick up some Megs 105)

4. Polish (Megs 205, SSR 2.5 seem like good choices)

5. Finishing Polish (Lots of options out there)

6. Wax/Sealant CG and PBW both have reasonle options here.

7. Interior cleaner (I'll probably stay with my APC and Woolite or add CG APC)

8. Carpets (Priobably stay with my Folex/Resolve)

9. Glass (Stoner's IG is working well for me)

10. Degreaser (A nice citrus degreaser from CG seems helpful)
Click to expand...





1. Super Slick and Suds

2. Tire Dressing- Armor All Xtreme Shine Gel or PB Bold n Brite

3. Megs 105

4. Megs 205, SSR 2.5

5. SSR 1, Menz. 85RD

6. PB EX-P, NXT 2, Nattys Blue

7. APC

8. Folex

9. Stoners

10. CG Grimer Reaper



My reccomendations.
 
SCoach said:
Basically, I am looking at products from a few categories:







1. Wash (CW&G seems VERY popular, as is the Super Slick Suds product)



2. Wheels and Tires (I am pleased with E1 A2Z, but need a tire dressing)



3. Compound (Probably pick up some Megs 105)



4. Polish (Megs 205, SSR 2.5 seem like good choices)



5. Finishing Polish (Lots of options out there)



6. Wax/Sealant CG and PBW both have reasonle options here.



7. Interior cleaner (I'll probably stay with my APC and Woolite or add CG APC)



8. Carpets (Priobably stay with my Folex/Resolve)



9. Glass (Stoner's IG is working well for me)



10. Degreaser (A nice citrus degreaser from CG seems helpful)
Click to expand...











You can get large tins of Collinite #885 on ebay for $15 delivered. That's a tough one to beat given its durability.







Do you really need all the "polishes" you mention. I think you can get the M205 on Amazon for $17.







Try to look to the folks with flat rate or free shipping: Optimum for their exceptional car wash, maybe Duragloss. Buy in volume. Meg's may have flat rate shipping, too.







You can probably find a degreaser at Walmart, AAP, Pimpboi, etc. The local body shop supply stores often have the Meg's line...think APC+







You can get your glass cleaner and FOLEX locally.







I've never been thrilled with any of the OTC wheel cleaners and end up getting Griot's product by the gallon when they've got some kind of "deal" going.







Amazon had the 5L size of S100 citrus cleaner last week for ~$50...that's a hot deal.







Enjoy.
 
@GLuXuRy



Yea, I didn't really think I'd have one line of products per se. Just one where I got most of my bread and butter, then augmented it with mostly OTC stuff, or a specialty product here and there.





@craigdt



That list is pretty darn close to where I was at. I don't think I'd be a fan of the Xtreme tire shine (or anything with Xtreme in the name!). I haven't heard good things about Grime Reaper, but I am sure there are similar alternatives.



I'm thinking I should be able to get a basic startup kit for about $150 as long as I don't try to get a carnauba. That will raise the price. Maybe I'll get a small one, or a sample size for the odd customer who want's to prep for a show. Or include the price of the wax in the quote if that comes along.





Another consideration here is that since I will be working at customer's sites most of the time, I'm sure I won't be garaged for every detail. Having products that can perform in the summer sun is going to be important. I keep hearing that the Poorboy's stuff can be applied ok in that environment. Anyone care to comment?



I'm going to go run some numbers.
 
Thanks Tom,



I'd prefer to support the detail shops when I can. I ordered from Autogeek last week and they had my stuff to me in 2 days with fair prices. Can't ask for much more than that.



I don't know that I'll need a bunch of polishes, but the idea is to have a compound, a mid-cut, and a fine on hand should they be needed. I'd hate to have someone offer me a weekend job where I REALLY needed 105 or PowerGloss, and not have any. Seems like I can get where I want to be with M105, SSR2.5, SSR1, & Poli-Seal.



Buying in volume makes little sense for me. I'll be lucky to see 4-5 cars a month. I simply don't want to do more than that.



I've looked locally for degreasers, and have one, but honestly, I want something more friendly, and I can't find any decent citrus degreasers locally. So I'll be ordering that. I'll call up my favorite local body shop and see what they have. Not sure that buying full retail with no discount and paying tax is going to get me a better price than ordering online.



I can get Folex locally, and already do. Same with Tarminator and IG. I've got those on the shelf already. I may get the smallest size of something like the P21 or the CG Wheel cleaner and put it up against my E1 A2Z and see which I like more. The CG stuff I believe can be diluted so that might be a better value.



Thanks for sharing your thoughts.







tom p. said:
You can get large tins of Collinite #885 on ebay for $15 delivered. That's a tough one to beat given its durability.







Do you really need all the "polishes" you mention. I think you can get the M205 on Amazon for $17.







Try to look to the folks with flat rate or free shipping: Optimum for their exceptional car wash, maybe Duragloss. Buy in volume. Meg's may have flat rate shipping, too.







You can probably find a degreaser at Walmart, AAP, Pimpboi, etc. The local body shop supply stores often have the Meg's line...think APC+







You can get your glass cleaner and FOLEX locally.







I've never been thrilled with any of the OTC wheel cleaners and end up getting Griot's product by the gallon when they've got some kind of "deal" going.







Amazon had the 5L size of S100 citrus cleaner last week for ~$50...that's a hot deal.







Enjoy.
Click to expand...
 
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