Does anyone use local?

Brenton

Brenton

aka PEI Detail
When I first set up shop, I ordered higher end products online or through a local auto parts store, and got most commercial cleaners through the largest distributer. When I was detailing in another province, we used a number of local products--good quality, relatively cheap. Great prices on clay, QD by the gallon, cut polish and glaze. I wouldn't use their waxes, but cleaners and preps were good.

As it turns out, my cousin has a chemical company here where I live now, and has a detailing line. No LSP's or polishes, but deos, cleaners, degreasers, acids, etc. He also has a replacement for wheel acid with a better PH balance, low gloss interior shine, cheap ammonia free window cleaner, and cheaper wheel shine.

I'm a little hesitant to jump right in, but unlike the larger distributer, he gave me all kinds of samples to try. His deo is superb, and 1 litre does the same as 1 gallon of the competition. His glass cleaner is fine, but I'm not sure if it can compete with Stoner's, but at 60% the price. Haven't tried anything else.

Does anyone here go local?

I'm curious because I mentioned that I need to order a silicone-free tire shine from someone, and he said he'll work on some formulas. He's willing to reconfigure products if I know the problems. It could be good--or I could be stuck using crappy family products.
 
So, your cousin owns the company?
You mention that you may "be stuck using crappy family products." Are you that unsure of your cousin's integrity/work ethic that you feel that he would give you inferior products once you are "locked in?" If you feel you can trust your cousin as much as the guys you are dealing with currently, why not "keep the money in the family?" It sounds like he's willing to make his stuff as good as he can for your particular needs.
Are you required to order "all or nothing" in order to do business with him? Why not use the ones you like, tell him what you don't like about the others, and see what he comes up with as a result?
And finally, have I heard of them? :biggrin:
 
I have a real good local supplier here that I use all the time for different things....Before this site its the only place that I brought product.

I'm not a full time guy with a shop so if I was I would be looking at cost of product, like you are... for me 6 cars or less a month I don't have those conerns.
I say use the samples and find what you like about them keep those and contuine to use the online stuff you like better.
 
i use a local supplier because of the amount of product we go through, it would cost a small fortune for high end products. if you like some of his products but not all, get what you like from him. because he is family you shouldn't be obligated to buy everything from him.
 
Yeah, my cousin owns the company: Gulf-star chemicals in Prince Edward Island.

He gave me a great sample pack for only $10 (family price methinks). It had 539 gram foaming aeresol glass cleaner (non-ammonia), 16oz tire shine w. sprayer, 32oz interior dressing, 32oz degreaser (1:5-1:10), 32oz of 1:50 wild cherry biodegrading/biodegradable deoderant, 32oz floor polish for rubber mats and the like, and 16oz slick-sud car wash soap (1oz/gallon).

He knows how to get a guy hooked!

The tire shine and deo are great, and cheaper than what I'm paying. He actually took some MSDS sheets of solvents I'm using but only 90% satisfied to see if he can reconfigure them. Might work out, we'll see.

Here where I live, family and community are key. I call my high end products "imports", but if people know I'm turning back local products just because of a few dollars, it goes badly--kind of like that whole "buy USA" kick that pops up every few years.

I think it will be okay, and will save me shipping on weighty products like cleaners and solvents.
 
I use a local distributor for my degreasers, carpet cleaners, glass cleaner, air freshers, brushes, etc, etc. I have my four reasons

1.They are cheaper
2. I don't pay for shipping
3. They work just as well
4. I don't have to wait on them.

Less money spent on chemical and supplies is more money for me to blow. All of my waxes, polishes, sealents, clays, pads, machines I get from internet retailers from this site. Anywho my local distributor is the best. He will change any of his products if I talk with him about it. I was using his high gloss tire shine and I noticed that it was runny and smelled aweful. The next month he changed the color to orange and it smelled like watemellons. Sometimes it pays to keep your money local......
 
ShinePRoDetails, I was going through Griffin Friday morning on my way to Tybee Island and saw a Helmet Detailing Products truck in front of me and was wondering if they just made a delivery to you. I guess that answers my question.
 
gatightlines said:
ShinePRoDetails, I was going through Griffin Friday morning on my way to Tybee Island and saw a Helmet Detailing Products truck in front of me and was wondering if they just made a delivery to you. I guess that answers my question.
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Gatightlines, I usually pick up most of my supplies from his warehouse. Helmet Products is based in Griffin also and he's a super cool guy....
 
So the Tire Shine stuff from Gulf Star has a nice, muted glow--we'll see about durability. I really like their Magic Mix degreaser for wheels and interior, and have converted. Great soap, but haven't decided yet--depends on price I guess, but I'm getting the same results as the Meg's Crystal Wash. I really like their deo, but the durability isn't fantastic. The glass stuff is fine, but I'll still use Stoner's on high end jobs and tint. Their interior dressing is nice, and smells like watermelon, so I may switch to that.

This could be a good move for me.
 
Hey thats great to have an inside scoop on product developement . Maybe he should be paying you to test his line..?? lol . Wouldn't that be great !

I've heard you mention that the winters are hard on business so you might have to go with tthe best deals.

Stick with your cousin and tell him that you post pictures of cars on this forum and mention his products. Maybe you can get a better deal. Just guessing.
 
We'll see. They need to do something to ramp up sales. They let it slip a little I think.

He gave me floor polish to try on rubber mats--didn't like it at all.
 
PEI Detail said:
He gave me floor polish to try on rubber mats--didn't like it at all.
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Maybe furniture polish would be a closer match? :-p: Maybe you could get a product named after you? :beta:
 
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