Turtle Wax: New member

Not all of us use no-rinse washes, but I agree that the high end detailing is trending towards things like that.



The issue I think we're running into is that the enthusiast market isn't one type, its several. That's why there's so many different lines and types of products. You've got classic car guys, tuners, etc. and everyone likes different things.



So some of us like that they can pick up quality stuff in a big box store. Others consider anything not bought online to be crap. Meguiar's has a lot of products that are known to be high quality, and are still widely available. Same with Mothers, and others, some even offer multiple lines in an OTC option (like Mothers with their normal, FX, and Reflections lines).
 
DavidB said:
This is the first in a very long time that a national brand has reached out to the community in a way that was truly asking what we want/trying to understand what we want, and not secretly pushing what they have to offer. This is one of the many "right ways" for a commercial entity to be involved with the community without exploiting it.
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Not to derail the thread, but how do we know he actually represents turtle wax - I can say I'm the vp of 3m marketing, for no better reason than I'm bored and I want to screw with random strangers online.
 
efnfast said:
Not to derail the thread, but how do we know he actually represents turtle wax - I can say I'm the vp of 3m marketing, for no better reason than I'm bored and I want to screw with random strangers online.
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Ah, because he signed up with an @turtlewax.com email address? :LOLOL
 
Actually, I think it is good for the detailing universe that TW is not selling merchandise to the enthusiast market. Their absence allows smaller companies to come into being and hopefully prosper, as they create and sell products that the tiny group of enthusiasts and professional detailers need and want.
 
Just curious if anyone knows...(at least a guesstimate) what's market (in $) for the detailer market versus the retail market?



If no numbers, a ratio.



Always been curious.
 
I didn't realize that the Platinum line had been discontinued, I picked up a gallon of the shampoo at Costco for a great price and it turned out to be fantastic. Love the scent! But you're still in trouble with my wife for killing all those poor turtles just to get some silly car wax. It's never boring when you marry an Irish woman.
 
green dimnd said:
I didn't realize that the Platinum line had been discontinued, I picked up a gallon of the shampoo at Costco for a great price and it turned out to be fantastic. Love the scent! But you're still in trouble with my wife for killing all those poor turtles just to get some silly car wax. It's never boring when you marry an Irish woman.
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the platinum car wash was pretty nice and when sams club had it for around $5-$6 a gallon, it was a deal and i would pick up a few...
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Unless TW just became a sponsor here this thread is going to be pretty short-lived. I'm actually surprised it's lasted all day.
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I had similar thoughts. If I were DB or the mods I would verify the poster is valid. I
 
As I understand the market, Turtle Wax lives via the OTC space only.



Sales are driven by getting shelf space so if the major parts chains (AA, AZ, Pep Boys, etc) do not stock they do not sell it. Also, the OTC space is very cost sensitive. This is their sales channel. These parts places stock things based upon how much profit they will make since shelf space is limited. As we have seen it seems there are a million tire shines available so they must be a hot profitable item.



Hence, if the Platinum line was too pricey (people will not pay the higher price for better products for some brands) and get removed from shelves they have to discontinue it since I am assuming the profit is made by significant volume. Being on the shelf at Walmart can be a big swinger. Some brands have brand loyalty (I assume Meg's is one) that can command a higher price so places like Walmart carry a wax that costs $16!!



SOPUS started Black Magic and has taken over a lot of shelf space at the expense of others.



As mentioned earlier, I think Turtle Wax would like be better to start a new brand and not just sell it through the normal parts place channel. But, my guess Turtle Wax on a bad day sells more than many of the private brands all together...it is just about pricing, margin, etc.
 
Hey all, Trust me. I do work for TW and have for more than 13 years. Thanks again for commenting.



I have a few questions. What is the optimal outcome / result you are looking for? ie, is it primarily shine? depth? durability? What outcome is most important to u? Does time play a role in limiting ur process?



Thanks
 
TWax said:
Hey all, Trust me. I do work for TW and have for more than 13 years. Thanks again for commenting.



I have a few questions. What is the optimal outcome / result you are looking for? ie, is it primarily shine? depth? durability? What outcome is most important to u? Does time play a role in limiting ur process?



Thanks
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The outcome most are striving for is a 95% defect free surface with 4-5 months of protection. Then they can add a wax or whatever it may be to adjust the color more to their liking. But since most of it is in the prep work, you can top LEVEL paint with almost anything and it looks great.
 
DavidB said:
P.S., My guess is that a brand like Simple Green will come to mass market with an eco-friendly car cleaning solution first and kick the snot out of the top three, while they (top 3 car care brands) all stand around wondering how it happened!

:sosad
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And it will still only be a small segment of the sales. Eco-friendly isn't something most people think of. Convienence and price are king. And for proof, please see all the convienences of modern life advertised to mothers.



Anyway, as long as TW is concerned with margins and shelf space, they really won't have any impact on the educated consumer. If they want to start making a non-OTC product that competes with others like Megs and Optimum on price and quality, we'll stand up and listen.



You have to make the commitment to make a quality product first. Hire someone from Meg's to see how a big company *mostly* does it right. You need car and detailing people embedded throughout your company, not just chemists and marketing grads.
 
TWax said:
Hey all, Trust me. I do work for TW and have for more than 13 years. Thanks again for commenting.



I have a few questions. What is the optimal outcome / result you are looking for? ie, is it primarily shine? depth? durability? What outcome is most important to u? Does time play a role in limiting ur process?



Thanks
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I am mainly concerned with depth and shine , but I also want reasonable durability, and of chorse no drying white in the cracks . Platinum gave the depth and shine, but needed more durability, and it did dry white. For maintaining depth and shine without streakes Platinum detail spray was hard to beat.
 
TWax said:
Hey all, Trust me. I do work for TW and have for more than 13 years. Thanks again for commenting.



I have a few questions. What is the optimal outcome / result you are looking for? ie, is it primarily shine? depth? durability? What outcome is most important to u? Does time play a role in limiting ur process?



Thanks
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I think most people here are in it for some combo of depth and shine combined with good paint protection. A lot of members say durability, but the fact is most people add protection after every wash. With the rise in popularity in spray waxes, durability isn't so much of an issue.



Personally, I think the best thing you could get out of this forum is honest feedback on products you are testing by sending out samples. You aren't going to get many new customers I'm afraid.



So wow, 13 years. What are some of the other brand products you have tried? Any Zaino, Optimum, Ultima?
 
TWax said:
Hey all, Trust me. I do work for TW and have for more than 13 years. Thanks again for commenting.



I have a few questions. What is the optimal outcome / result you are looking for? ie, is it primarily shine? depth? durability? What outcome is most important to u? Does time play a role in limiting ur process?



Thanks
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See, this is where the things get broken into segments, even among the enthusiast group. Some guys want absurd shine only, and they use mainly sealants and tend to be Zenophobes(and before you say I misspelled xenophobes, I know, think about why I might have done that for the embedded truth!). Some guys want the depth, warmth, clarity, and wetness and stick with your typical carnaubas, albeit pricey high end ones. A lot of us just like everything, good shine, good depth, good warmth, with good presentation (the packaging having a place for a foam applicator inside the can is a big + for me, the smell of the product, how easy it is to use, it not being a goopy puddy mess when you open it... things like that).



Overall, I would say that time is not typically as large of a factor, and while we would *like* durability, if we really only wanted that we'd all be using that big ugly orange bottle and Collinites. Most of us don't really need more than a month out of a summer product, while a winter product should be able to last the whole winter if possible. Personally, I have no winter products, because I live where we have no winter.



With so many established products out there on the market, breaking into the detailing market is a tough thing to do. We are fortunate enough to have tons of readily available OTC products that work great. So for an enthusiast line of TW products, to really take any market share, I think you'd have to undercut the competition by a decent amount, while delivering a product equally as good if not better in all aspects.



Exposure is also critical here, most of us here are skeptics of any new product that comes out (ie: TW Black Box). We typically buy off of reviews by other people. If you guys were to come out with a new line, I would suggest giving a ton of stuff away to get the name and products out there (Mothers gave away a pretty nice setup with basically their entire FX line and one of their very nice Foose Edition bags along with some MF towels, definitely got the name out there more)
 
I would have to agree with TW needing some more professional products.



Clay, Polish, etc...



I'll have to pay more attention to the TurtleWax options...I always just look past them.



The F21, leaves a horrible greasy mess. I'm still working on my technique with that product.
 
Awesome input all. Thanks!



I have worked with Megs, Zaino, Collinite and others personally. Our R&D dept tests most of what's out there.



Based on both the positive and constructive feedback I've received, understanding that many here would be open to testing some new products, I'll get on the sampling idea. All I ask is to please give TW a fair chance, which I believe you will. If it is a professional product, then I'd hope it would be judged compared to other pro products. If OTC, then compared to comeptitve OTC. I would hope that reviews can be based on true performance, not on brand bias.



Thanks all. Appreciate all your interest and comments.
 
TWax said:
Hey all, Trust me. I do work for TW and have for more than 13 years. Thanks again for commenting.



I have a few questions. What is the optimal outcome / result you are looking for? ie, is it primarily shine? depth? durability? What outcome is most important to u? Does time play a role in limiting ur process?



Thanks
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1. Polishes/compounds with the ability to remove defects without leaving severe marring or holograms that take several steps to remove-which also addresses your time factor question.



2. Depth and wetness are what I look for in a wax or sealant. Easy on and off with the ability to work well in full sun situations.



3. Interior dressings with a satin sheen (greasy interior dressings look horrible).



4. Tire dressings that do not sling.
 
Scottwax said:
1. Polishes/compounds with the ability to remove defects without leaving severe marring or holograms that take several steps to remove-which also addresses your time factor question.



2. Depth and wetness are what I look for in a wax or sealant. Easy on and off with the ability to work well in full sun situations.



3. Interior dressings with a satin sheen (greasy interior dressings look horrible).



4. Tire dressings that do not sling.
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That's pretty much it right there! +1
 
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