Am I the only 1 here a NON Boutique guy
- Thread starter Fallz
- Start date
ALAN81 said:
I don't happen to agree. There are some OTC products (like some from Mothers, Meguiar's, and DG) that in my opinion, are as good as, if not better than about 95% of the boutique products. Are there some worthless OTC products... you bet! Are there some excellent boutique products... absolutely! However, IMHO, a lot of the boutique products are all hype and marketing. One can go broke finding all the good ones, and the bad ones.
White_F150 said:I don't happen to agree. There are some OTC products (like some from Mothers, Meguiar's, and DG) that in my opinion, are as good as, if not better than about 95% of the boutique products. Are there some worthless OTC products... you bet! Are there some excellent boutique products... absolutely! However, IMHO, a lot of the boutique products are all hype and marketing. One can go broke finding all the good ones, and the bad ones.
Exactly my point !! I have a crapload of boutique stuff I don't like. I usually give it away to people that I know want to take care of their cars but have a problem affording even OTC stuff.
I also don't consider DG or Megs prof. line an OTC since it's not marketed to the masses and not at your big box stores like Walmart , Target , ect....
Do people jump on the bandwagon to get marketing and business , yes , Autogeek is a perfect example. They watch these boards and what's hot is all of a sudden what they sell otherwise it would have never hit their shelves. Its a good thing called free enterprise and having a business is all about passion for what you do and making money and marketing.
I usually end up picking up detail jobs more so by how my vehicles look or word of mouth and to be honest I've picked up more details with DG and FK stuff than with any other product. Not saying they by any means are the best , but the look of my vehicles are always striking and with using DG stuff they durability and looks are both there.
Fallguy said:
I can pick up the Meguair's professional line, or detailer series locally. The DG line is a little tougher to find, but I have found a source that's a short drive from me, and another place that will order in whatever I need. So, if I can hand the clerk the money... it's "OTC" for me.
However, I agree, for a lot of folks, that is not necessarily the case.
EDIT: One more thing... some of the better "OTC" are not exactly "inexpensive". So, the term "you get what you pay for", does not always apply anymore.
SVR
Dream Machines
phamkl said:
That's me. There is still nothing in any of their lines that impresses me.
I especially dislike their tyre shine and that trim detailer junk, it's obsolete
I use a mixture of a few selected bulk brands (made in NSW) like degreasers, shampoo (for pre detailing washes) and wheel arch paint
Then the Professional stuff such as Menzerna, G Techniq, Permagard, Nyalic, Hi Temp, Aussie Gold, Lake country and edge pads.
And boutique - XMT, PB's, Glare, Werkstatt, Prima, Collinite, OPT, Sonus, WG's, Einszett, Driven to Perfection, Renu it liner, Carlack 68, Diamondite, Four Star, Renovo, Raggtop, Pakshak, Cobra and MF Korea
And finally, my own blends that allow me to offer about three optional services such as trim burnishing, that I believe no one does
KnuckleBuckett
New member
I have tried alot of OTC stuff. Rarely is it worth much.
The high end brands for the most part work as advertized.
It all comes down to cost per value. The high end products cost more and provide more.
It is of course a general rule, but my experience with these products has proven it to me.
The high end brands for the most part work as advertized.
It all comes down to cost per value. The high end products cost more and provide more.
It is of course a general rule, but my experience with these products has proven it to me.
imported_Picus
New member
I use magic to detail cars.
imported_Blake
New member
Boutique Magic or just the over the counter type.
I had a neighour at my last house who kept his vehicles immaculate and he only used OTC Products. It certainly can be done. There are several members on this board including "Magic" above who I'm sure would do an excellent job if forced to use OTC products such as Megs or Mothers. Scottwax has been using a new LSP from Megs on some vehicles with stunning results. Talent doesn't come in a can.
I had a neighour at my last house who kept his vehicles immaculate and he only used OTC Products. It certainly can be done. There are several members on this board including "Magic" above who I'm sure would do an excellent job if forced to use OTC products such as Megs or Mothers. Scottwax has been using a new LSP from Megs on some vehicles with stunning results. Talent doesn't come in a can.
imported_Blake
New member
Admittedly most of my surface care products are Boutique but I am not totally convinced that Mother's Carnauba or Meg's NXT could not be used effectively.
Don't get me wrong I am not being critical of anyone buying any high priced spread but I do believe you can effectively use over the counter products.
I have several tire products and some are Boutique and some are not. I have way too many bottles of protectant but I keep trying different ones either from the likes of Pep Boys or one of the mail order firms.
I usually end up going back to Eagle One Concours or Poorboy's BnB. Everyone on this board seems to rave about Megs Hyper Dressing but I haven't tried it yet.
I think it is very important to clean and prep the surface properly and then do your magic with whatever potion you prefer. Regardless of the original cost of the wax, sealant or polish some individuals could make a mess of doing a detail.
If you're into detailing then you enjoy the results of your labour.
Don't get me wrong I am not being critical of anyone buying any high priced spread but I do believe you can effectively use over the counter products.
I have several tire products and some are Boutique and some are not. I have way too many bottles of protectant but I keep trying different ones either from the likes of Pep Boys or one of the mail order firms.
I usually end up going back to Eagle One Concours or Poorboy's BnB. Everyone on this board seems to rave about Megs Hyper Dressing but I haven't tried it yet.
I think it is very important to clean and prep the surface properly and then do your magic with whatever potion you prefer. Regardless of the original cost of the wax, sealant or polish some individuals could make a mess of doing a detail.
If you're into detailing then you enjoy the results of your labour.
SVR
Dream Machines
Al Buff said:
in basic terms - machine polishing of urethane, injected resin, unpainted fibreglass, hard rubber, vinyl, wiper arms and any other composite exterior trim moldings including some textured's
Takes the dead layer off and lifts up the glossy black shine from underneath
Goes from a flat brown or grey look with no reflection to looking high gloss black and reflections of a mirror
Ive done it to 2007 Subaru Liberty wagon weathershields, EB to BF Ford Falcon's, Territory's, Subaru WRX's from 2001 to 2006 and suzuki's so far
Takes about an hour on the falcons.
Lasts permanently
imported_TonyFromOz
New member
Gentlemen.
I hope you don't mind if I revive an old post, or the fact that I might tend to say a lot, but I'd like to contribute something.
I post a lot at the Mothers board, and even though that may qualify me as being a little biassed, I hope you'll allow me to explain.
I'm an older guy and retired now. I have a small superannuation from my 25 years in our Royal Australian Air Force. This small amount is just that, small, and so my good lady wife and I have to watch our pennies.
To that end, a credit card is all but out of the question. Why I mention that specifically is that if I were to use boutique products, I would have to purchase them online, which is incrementally a lot easier with a credit card. True I can go the money order route but the hassle is still there of organising that through the Post Office, and the mailing of the same back and forth with registered mail etc, and the time span involved with that.
Hence, it's a lot easier for me to buy my products OTC at car care outlets, and I have access to a dozen or so close by here on Queensland's Gold Coast.
I settled on the Mothers products, and as much as I read about all the other products used, (on a lot of the other fora) I find that the ones I use give me results that (I) am overjoyed with, hence I will tend to stick with those products, (a) because they are readily and easily available, and (b) they are within my price range, and be assured, cheap does not automatically mean poorer quality.
I suspect that car care products, (in the main) are pretty much of a muchness. (And having said that I can now hear all you guys saying that 'well he would say that if he tells us he likes Mothers products'.)
However, having said that, consider this.
All of those boutique products are manufactured on a small basis. If they became so popular that the product's manufacturing would then have to scale up, I feel sure that a business plan would say, keep it on a small production basis, or if you scale up, then it might need another plan to sell the scaled up numbers so that a return might be considered, hence what was once boutique, now, as needs must, has to find a dedicated OTC outlet to provide that return for the scaling up, that word of mouth popularity has necessitated, if you see my point.
Also, my impression is this, that a small boutique product manufacturer wishes he had a huge OTC following that would give him the security that a small boutique following might not provide.
Also, a point on why it might look like OTC is cheap.
2 tubs of Wax. Let's pretend the cost of manufacture is almost the same. Same 'saturation' of Carnauba and similar other ingredients making the cost of manufacture basically the same on a per tub basis, also keeping in mind that a huge production run would be cheaper per tub than a small run, so I'm just quoting a hypothetical on a same cost per tub basis.
The small Company produces 1000 tubs at say $10.00 per tub. To see a return he has to sell those tubs at $25.00, so $15,000 profit, assuming all tubs get sold.
The large Company produces 10,000 tubs at the same hypothetical $10.00. Because he has a dedicated large OTC network, he can sell them at $20.00. Now, there's the good chance he won't sell them all, but every tub after the half way point is clear profit, and if he sells all of them that's a hundred grand profit, and each subsequent year the bean counters would scale the numbers down to what was actually sold the previous year while the boutique guy has to rely on word of mouth on fora similar to these to sell his stock, his heart in his mouth gambling on whether or not he's produced too many, and cut his margin too thin.
That is why the OTC products are cheaper. It doesn't mean they are less quality.
True, some boutique products are better. Consequently, some OTC products are better. The cost of production versus the cost per item at sale also necessitates that some products can only be manufactured by the OTC guys.
When it comes down to it, it's personal preference. See what you like and use that.
That's why I'm so happy with the Mothers products I use.
Also, I have the impression that some boutique products are horrendously overpriced for what could only be considered a marginal difference at best.
The boutique guys can charge what they like because people will pay for, well, what they will pay for.
The vaster market is the everyday user, and that market is OTC.
The boutique guys only survive because of the enthusiasts.
One last thing.
Inside every 'boutique producer guy' is a guy wishing for a huge OTC contract.
Tony.
I hope you don't mind if I revive an old post, or the fact that I might tend to say a lot, but I'd like to contribute something.
I post a lot at the Mothers board, and even though that may qualify me as being a little biassed, I hope you'll allow me to explain.
I'm an older guy and retired now. I have a small superannuation from my 25 years in our Royal Australian Air Force. This small amount is just that, small, and so my good lady wife and I have to watch our pennies.
To that end, a credit card is all but out of the question. Why I mention that specifically is that if I were to use boutique products, I would have to purchase them online, which is incrementally a lot easier with a credit card. True I can go the money order route but the hassle is still there of organising that through the Post Office, and the mailing of the same back and forth with registered mail etc, and the time span involved with that.
Hence, it's a lot easier for me to buy my products OTC at car care outlets, and I have access to a dozen or so close by here on Queensland's Gold Coast.
I settled on the Mothers products, and as much as I read about all the other products used, (on a lot of the other fora) I find that the ones I use give me results that (I) am overjoyed with, hence I will tend to stick with those products, (a) because they are readily and easily available, and (b) they are within my price range, and be assured, cheap does not automatically mean poorer quality.
I suspect that car care products, (in the main) are pretty much of a muchness. (And having said that I can now hear all you guys saying that 'well he would say that if he tells us he likes Mothers products'.)
However, having said that, consider this.
All of those boutique products are manufactured on a small basis. If they became so popular that the product's manufacturing would then have to scale up, I feel sure that a business plan would say, keep it on a small production basis, or if you scale up, then it might need another plan to sell the scaled up numbers so that a return might be considered, hence what was once boutique, now, as needs must, has to find a dedicated OTC outlet to provide that return for the scaling up, that word of mouth popularity has necessitated, if you see my point.
Also, my impression is this, that a small boutique product manufacturer wishes he had a huge OTC following that would give him the security that a small boutique following might not provide.
Also, a point on why it might look like OTC is cheap.
2 tubs of Wax. Let's pretend the cost of manufacture is almost the same. Same 'saturation' of Carnauba and similar other ingredients making the cost of manufacture basically the same on a per tub basis, also keeping in mind that a huge production run would be cheaper per tub than a small run, so I'm just quoting a hypothetical on a same cost per tub basis.
The small Company produces 1000 tubs at say $10.00 per tub. To see a return he has to sell those tubs at $25.00, so $15,000 profit, assuming all tubs get sold.
The large Company produces 10,000 tubs at the same hypothetical $10.00. Because he has a dedicated large OTC network, he can sell them at $20.00. Now, there's the good chance he won't sell them all, but every tub after the half way point is clear profit, and if he sells all of them that's a hundred grand profit, and each subsequent year the bean counters would scale the numbers down to what was actually sold the previous year while the boutique guy has to rely on word of mouth on fora similar to these to sell his stock, his heart in his mouth gambling on whether or not he's produced too many, and cut his margin too thin.
That is why the OTC products are cheaper. It doesn't mean they are less quality.
True, some boutique products are better. Consequently, some OTC products are better. The cost of production versus the cost per item at sale also necessitates that some products can only be manufactured by the OTC guys.
When it comes down to it, it's personal preference. See what you like and use that.
That's why I'm so happy with the Mothers products I use.
Also, I have the impression that some boutique products are horrendously overpriced for what could only be considered a marginal difference at best.
The boutique guys can charge what they like because people will pay for, well, what they will pay for.
The vaster market is the everyday user, and that market is OTC.
The boutique guys only survive because of the enthusiasts.
One last thing.
Inside every 'boutique producer guy' is a guy wishing for a huge OTC contract.
Tony.
Pennypacker
New member
I think OTC products can fall into two categories--those products that you find at every Target, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and even most chain grocery stores and those products that, while in a strict sense are OTC, are a little bit more difficult to come by. A few examples of products that fall into the latter category would be Duragloss, Meg's Pro Line, and also most Mother's products (at least in the states), particularly their FX and Reflections stuff. You mostly have to go to dedicated auto-parts stores to find these. It's true you can usually find a few California Gold items and Back-to-Black, and maybe some PowerBall gear in the big-box stores, but that's usually the extent of it.
I don't think the OP was referring to products in the former category that you can pretty much get anywhere. This is usually what I think of when I think OTC. I also don't think most would argue about Mother's. They're autopian-quality!
I don't think the OP was referring to products in the former category that you can pretty much get anywhere. This is usually what I think of when I think OTC. I also don't think most would argue about Mother's. They're autopian-quality!
SVR
Dream Machines
Make some very interesting points
I certainly do not believe that all products are basically the same, there are vast differences between abrasive polish brands, non abrasive products and almost every category of detailing products.
I test each product on every surface to see what it's possible of doing on unpainted surfaces like interiors etc
One that comes to mind is Prima Epic, I use it as a polish and not a sealant because it provides a brilliant gloss to a few unpainted exterior and interior surfaces
I end up making my own custom blends from a group of products to in the end make each blended product better than the group are on their own
This has enabled me to offer services no one else does
I certainly do not believe that all products are basically the same, there are vast differences between abrasive polish brands, non abrasive products and almost every category of detailing products.
I test each product on every surface to see what it's possible of doing on unpainted surfaces like interiors etc
One that comes to mind is Prima Epic, I use it as a polish and not a sealant because it provides a brilliant gloss to a few unpainted exterior and interior surfaces
I end up making my own custom blends from a group of products to in the end make each blended product better than the group are on their own
This has enabled me to offer services no one else does
SVR said:
I had to laugh looking at my keyboard here at work while reading this. I don't do heavy typing like data entry, but still where my thumbs rest just below the space bar has been burnished (I have a three year old textured black Dell keyboard) to a nice shine as well as several of the keys. :lol