Where Does a Beginner Shop?

M

metoo1022

New member
I'm seeing tons and tons of product recommendations- most of which I've never come across in my daily shopping routines. Normally I go to Canadian Tire (That's like a Walmart without groceries and clothes- but more auto stuff), or a Walmart. Halifax isn't really a hotbed of detailing activity, so I'm wondering where else I might look: Maybe UAP? A car Stereo/graphics shop?



I know I can order most of the stuff online, but at this stage of the game, I'd like to browse the product line in person before investing.
 
Searching the detailing stuff is part of the fun (not for the wallet though:D ) and part of the game.



and looking at your nearby stores is a start, looking in the yellowpages under car supplys could be next.



Don't be afraid of the net , you realy find it all there,

keep reading the forum , you'll find what you're looking for.



again,



welcome aboard



:)
 
The best way to "browse the product line" is to read what's on Autopia. What could the outside of the bottle tell you compared to people who've already bought it, tried it, and wrote their opinion of it. And most of these people have already tried several other products.



I really think you should do some reading here and order the products appeal to you.



I've done this, and here are my personal recommendations.



Zaino - There are a lot of followers for this product and you can't go wrong using it. Long lasting and delivers a killer shine.



Klasse AIO and SG - A large number of Autopians use these products. They're what I use on my own cars (a BMW 528i and a Mercedes C32 AMG). Even people who use pure waxes often use Klasse before they apply their wax. Long lasting and delivers a killer shine.



Pinnacle Souveran Paste Wax - Awesome product. It's expensive and doesn't last very long, but delivers a killer shine.



P21S Paste Wax - Awesome product. Inexpensive (compared to Souveran) yet delivers a killer shine. Doesn't last very long.
 
ejant said:
Purchase the Autopia Guide to Detailing, located in the Download section.

Helps support the forum.



Read through it and you'll see what products are needed. Read through the posts and formulate your own opinion as to what you will purchase.



You can search the net for the best prices. There are a lot of choice out there. Shop around and you'll find some pretty good prices.
Click to expand...



I will be purchasing the Guide. The sample chapters have been very helpful.



Are there no shops? Does everyone order online? I wasn't suggesting that I could learn more by looking at a bottle, than taking advice, but if my local shop carries product A which has similar reviews to product B- only available through mail order, then I'll go with product A.
 
They will carry better product lines quite often. Performance shops that do custommizations can also be helpful. If you want P21S/S100 call motorcycle dealerships. If you don't see it on a shelf, don't hesitate to see if you can order something. I get many of my 3M Products that way. Interior care products can be ordered from shops that repair the seats.



Another good source in my area is to go to automotive paint supply stores.



But frankly, mail order is still a major source once you really get into detailing. Products like Platinum, BlackFire, Klasse or Zaino can only be found on the net.
 
Hello fellow Canadian! :) I must've missed that you were from Halifax earlier on.



For average washing and cleaning supplies (wash, tire dressing, wheel cleaner, etc) Canadian Tire is a good source and it's the closest thing to a Pep Boys we have here. They carry Mothers, Meguiars, Eagle One, and of course the cheaper stuff that no one uses here! :D Also ask to see their Keystone Catalog (aka Automotive Special Order Catalog). In there is pretty much a full line of products from the "big 3", including Meguiar's Professional Line. There's also stuff from Stoners, the Wax Shop, and a few other companies I can't recall. The only thing they don't list is those round foam applicator pads that Megs sells - maybe they can still get it if you ask. I don't buy any of the applicators or towels they sell. I find I head to CT often since they carry a ton of other non-automotive goods, and stuff can be really cheap if it's on sale. (By the way, they sometimes rotate the detailing stuff on sale by company from week to week - usually 20% off)



Local auto parts stores are also a good source and can carry different stuff. Go for a drive here and there and see what different stores carry. If you also have UAP (called UAP/NAPA here) they carry 3M products. Also try auto paint and/or body shop supply stores.



As mentioned, S100 is available in motorcycle dealerships or parts stores, even up here.



Since you're in Halifax, I'll bet there are a jillion marine supply stores around - I found some good stuff (like the Megs hand app. pads) at these places. Don't discount this idea - maybe one of them will sell Collinite wax.



I bought my Turtle Wax MF cloths and terry foam applicators from Zellers. The price is right, and they perform good, IMO.



Unfortunately, most of the "really" good stuff (Pinnacle, Klasse, etc) is only found on-line in the US. The only exception to this is Zaino. www.car-fanatic.com Liquid Glass is also available at some place in Ontario. To find places to order from, just do a search and include the word "Canada".



Ok, my brain is empty - hope this helps! :D
 
Most of the good stuff is only availible online. I don't know of any Pinnacle distributers that aren't online. I'd love to find one though. Klasse has been found at BMW shops and Harley shops before. I know that Zaino pretty much has to be purchased from a distributer or online. The good Meguiar's products are availible at AutoZone and PepBoys. If they don't have the Meguiar's item you are looking for then they can order it for you usually.



It would be a pretty cool idea if someone wanted to open a regular store that sold only detailing products. I don't know how well it would be able to compete with the AutoZones and PepBoys, but it sure would be fun to try. Any of our sponsors are great places to shop. Doing searches on individual products will yeild links to other sites to shop on as well. :xyxthumbs
 
yeah, like some othres said, if you can find a dealer or other performance shop they may be able to hook you up with their supplier.
 
Thanks guys. This is exactly what I need to know . Especially 4DSC- It's always good to get a Canadian Perspective.



I do have most of what you have mentioned. There are three high end cycle shops in my area, plenty of marine shops- (By the way I get Collonite's from our Acura dealership). I have a UAP/NAPA across the street, and my house is literally in the backyard of the Canadian Tire. (That's where I picked up the Mother's three step that I'm using now).



I just picked up some Scotchbrite MF cloths from Costco this evening.



-Couldn't find any PE buffers though. Three stores cary Porter, but none stocked the buffer.



This IS fun! :bounce
 
Hi Doc, glad to see another Canadian. Check out the manufacturer's websites. Some of them (e.g. Meguiar's) have retailer locating tools on their sites. They will probably list an email address. You can email and ask where/how to get their stuff in Canada.



I got the Turtle Wax MF towels from Zellers. I can only compare them to the one from Meguiar's that I got at Canadian Tire. They are much plusher and 1/3 the price. Unfortunately, they haven't restocked since I cleaned them out.
 
Taxlady said:
I got the Turtle Wax MF towels from Zellers. I can only compare them to the one from Meguiar's that I got at Canadian Tire. They are much plusher and 1/3 the price. Unfortunately, they haven't restocked since I cleaned them out.
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All the Zellers' around here are pretty low in stock too, and have been for a while. Weird.



One thing I forgot to mention is that if you get these, try to find the "old stock" towels which are a bigger 16x16 square size, rather than the newer 12x16 when you unfold them. They're priced the same, and I did the math - for every 4 towels you buy you get another big one free! :D I cleaned out most of the Zellers in the Lower Mainland of these, heh heh.... :p



PS: If you don't mind buying mail order, a few people have also bought from JT International and speak highly of their towels and service. Cheapest if you buy a bunch. Look for the thread in the Product Reviews forum.
 
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