Best Bang for the Buck

Beccia

Beccia

New member
Ok - scenario is like this - I just received from a relative as a gift for my birthday (go me) an autogeek detailing bag, bucket with grit guard, and $25 to go toward stuff to put in said bag. (good choices, I must say)



Now, to the challenge - I'm looking to get the best value for that $25



I know, I know.. put it towards a jar of supernatural or swissvax.. I'm not looking for that.. I would like to see what kind of products, under $25, that people view as a staple in their arsenal. I'm looking to build mine up, so any and all suggestions are welcome!





Thanks in advance :)



p.s. categories are not limited to just waxes/sealants.... tools, brushes, etc are welcome as well...
 
I'll give you a few ideas, what I use them for, and you can go from there.



Optimum No Rinse - 32oz $13.59 with coupon



It makes a great garage/winter wash, and does a pretty damn good job of washing in normal weather, too. Use in a bucket, or pick up a cheap garden sprayer. Lasts forever. Can also be used as a clay lube and instant detailer. Might not do the best job at everything, but it's one of the best buys I know. Pick up a smaller size to try out if you want.



Meg's All Purpose Cleaner - 128oz $13.49



Can be diluted in several different strengths, and can clean a bunch of stuff. Go with APC+ for a bit more versatility. I've heard Purple Power is pretty good too for cheaper, but can't speak to it.



Folex Carpet Cleaner - 32oz $5.99



The best spot cleaner I've ever used. Period. Pick it up locally. 128oz runs about $17.



Homer Bucket with lid (or similar) - varies (around $1.50-$3)



Get yourself a second bucket. Or third.



As far as bang for buck stuff, those are my top choices. Optimum Poliseal and Optimum Instant Detailer are two more.



Best advice - spend a little more up front for the larger sizes and shop around. Price per ounce goes down dramatically once you hit 32 and 128oz sizes.
 
agreed with the above. Get gallons when you can! Say for instance, you got $25 to spend, put that towards a gal of hyper dressing. It'll last for a long time at 4:1.



You could get a gal of ONR, M105, ect, ect.....
 
becciasm said:
Ok - scenario is like this - I just received from a relative as a gift for my birthday (go me) an autogeek detailing bag, bucket with grit guard, and $25 to go toward stuff to put in said bag. (good choices, I must say)



Now, to the challenge - I'm looking to get the best value for that $25



I know, I know.. put it towards a jar of supernatural or swissvax.. I'm not looking for that.. I would like to see what kind of products, under $25, that people view as a staple in their arsenal. I'm looking to build mine up, so any and all suggestions are welcome!





Thanks in advance :)



p.s. categories are not limited to just waxes/sealants.... tools, brushes, etc are welcome as well...
Click to expand...



What do you have now and are there things you are lacking in?
 
If your looking for wax Poorboy's World Natty’s Paste Wax – BLUE is $19.99 and is definitely the best bang for your buck.
 
RaskyR1 said:
What do you have now and are there things you are lacking in?
Click to expand...



Can't really say that I'm lacking too much, maybe a paste wax - looking at FK Pink wax



Just thought this could be a fun think tank for future wannabe'ers and serious detailers. :)



What I have thus far, and they've served well for my limited uses (deep breath):



Mother's California Gold CW

Simple Green APC

CAS 1st step pre-cleaner and CAS Velour Cleaner (carpet cleaning) - local detailing supplier

IPA

Meg's Quik Detailer

CAS Blue Clay

DP Waterless Wash

Ultima Paint prep plus

Ultima Paint Guard Plus

Ultima Detail Spray

Meg's Scratch X

Ardex 1000 & 1500 (Thanks barry :) )

Stoners Invisible Glass

Rain X

Rain Clear products (gel, glass cleaner)

Meg's 40 Vinyl and Rubber cleaner/protect

Mother's back to black and aluminum polish

Mother's FX spray wax

3M wheel cleaner

Meg's Hot Shine tire foam

Eimann Fabric Clear Vision II





All products from my various states of enthusiasm and budget :)



Various Microfibers, waffle weaves, applicators, sponges, three buckets, grit guards, tire brushes, etc...









ninobrn99 said:
agreed with the above. Get gallons when you can! Say for instance, you got $25 to spend, put that towards a gal of hyper dressing. It'll last for a long time at 4:1.



You could get a gal of ONR, M105, ect, ect.....
Click to expand...



buy in bulk - That is a no brainer :) - but again, i'm really trying to make this this a social experiment too :)





CocheseUGA said:
I'll give you a few ideas, what I use them for, and you can go from there.



Optimum No Rinse - 32oz $13.59 with coupon



It makes a great garage/winter wash, and does a pretty damn good job of washing in normal weather, too. Use in a bucket, or pick up a cheap garden sprayer. Lasts forever. Can also be used as a clay lube and instant detailer. Might not do the best job at everything, but it's one of the best buys I know. Pick up a smaller size to try out if you want.



Meg's All Purpose Cleaner - 128oz $13.49



Can be diluted in several different strengths, and can clean a bunch of stuff. Go with APC+ for a bit more versatility. I've heard Purple Power is pretty good too for cheaper, but can't speak to it.



Folex Carpet Cleaner - 32oz $5.99



The best spot cleaner I've ever used. Period. Pick it up locally. 128oz runs about $17.



Homer Bucket with lid (or similar) - varies (around $1.50-$3)



Get yourself a second bucket. Or third.



As far as bang for buck stuff, those are my top choices. Optimum Poliseal and Optimum Instant Detailer are two more.



Best advice - spend a little more up front for the larger sizes and shop around. Price per ounce goes down dramatically once you hit 32 and 128oz sizes.
Click to expand...



All great ideas, thank you :) plus you can never have too many buckets..





BigAl3 said:
pick up some FK425 and/or DG AW. those both are a staple in my arsenal... :2thumbs:
Click to expand...



Thanks!
 
MDRX8 said:
If your looking for wax Poorboy's World Natty’s Paste Wax – BLUE is $19.99 and is definitely the best bang for your buck.
Click to expand...



What color is your RX8?



Mine's black.. love it.. hate trying to keep it clean.. thus the reason i come to Autopia :)



I'll put Natty's Blue on the list as well. Thank you!
 
for a quick detailer, i would recommend megs last touch available in the gallon for under $20. you can dilute it 1:1 so it lasts awhile
 
megs 39 is a great product to use before m40. Maybe some 303 aerospace interior proctectant?



For paste wax, Natty's seems to be one of the better budget ones. Pete's 53 is very nice too! Maybe look into CG 50/50. With $25 off, you just spend another $25 and bam! great wax!
 
Red - I think they call it Velocity Red --- Love the car!!!! Redline at

9000 RPM's Nothing like a Rotary Engine!!! You living in PA, Collinite Liquid Insulator Wax #845 at $14.99 is more durable in the cold climate..... Don't forget to use the Labor Day Sale Code LABOR15 for 15% off.



becciasm said:
What color is your RX8?



Mine's black.. love it.. hate trying to keep it clean.. thus the reason i come to Autopia :)



I'll put Natty's Blue on the list as well. Thank you!
Click to expand...
 
Excellent go-to products....You can't go wrong with the following:



Meguiars GC wash

Clay Magic

P21 S Paint cleaner/glaze

Collinite 915 (or 476)





Zaino PC - Fuzion

Zaino Z2

Zaino Z6



In the wings: FK-1000p/425/Pink Wax
 
MDRX8 said:
Red - I think they call it Velocity Red --- Love the car!!!! Redline at

9000 RPM's Nothing like a Rotary Engine!!! You living in PA, Collinite Liquid Insulator Wax #845 at $14.99 is more durable in the cold climate..... Don't forget to use the Labor Day Sale Code LABOR15 for 15% off.
Click to expand...



You damn right!



When the tachometer beeps, you win! :)



Thanks for the ideas everyone.. :thx :getdown



Keep chiming in if you have more suggestions for others as well!
 
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