Poll for detail products

Who makes the best detailing products overall?

  • Einszett

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Mother's

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Meguiar's

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Klasse

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Zaino

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Pinnacle

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Platinum

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • P21S

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
A

Autoeng

New member
I've been bumping around the threads for a couple of weeks now and probably more confused than when I came here intiially (information OVERLOAD!). Not a bad thing but it has brought my product purchasing decisions to a standstill.



I haven't seen many polls used on the forum and thought that I would intitiate one so that everyone could vote for their favorite overall brand of products. I know that many use a combination of brands but I would think that surely one rises to the top in all categories. I think criteria for product evaluation should be cost, ease of application, durability and funtionality on all colors and finishes. I'm sure someone can point out other criteria that products should be judged on and other products that I missed in the poll (hey you can only have so many) so feel free to post about them.



Thanks,

Autoeng
 
I just started with these premium products when I came here and I was as confused as any newcomer.



After reading a lot of threads and articles I realized that if you use the premium products mentioned repeatedly on this site, and use the techniques suggested/recommended, then you will will have a nice finish. Beyond that it's more of a popularity contest than product superiority contest......imo.



I bought several of them over the next few months and tried them and then became aware of Poorboys stuff. Everyone was very positive in their reviews of his products and I liked the idea of a guy who posts here going into business and trying to "make it" it a tough world and tough market. I bought some of his stuff and in doing so I really liked him, the manner in which he did business, and the quality of his products. I'll stick with his stuff. It works and he's a good guy. www.poorboysworld.com



So, no more decisions to make for me. Steve has good stuff, I like his stuff and him. Done deal.
 
Thanks JimS,



Sounds like you were having the same delima as me. I agree in part that all are quality products so it gets into popularity but I asked for the criteria to be considered. Shine per dollar is a big consideration when filling your detailing cabinet. I don't want to spend $100 for Zaino when $30 of Meguiar's provides a conparable shine and protection.



Autoeng
 
Gee, this is a tough one. I can't figure out WHO I want to vote for. Some, like Meg's have a product for everything, while others are more limited in what they offer. Guess I'll vote Meg's, even though I really only use three of their products. They DO pretty well cover all the bases, and I don't think there's anything WRONG with any of their products.



I regularly use products from over a dozen manufacturers, and that's just the stuff that gets used all the time. Actually, there are only two or three manufacturers, who are regularly mentioned on this board, whose products I DON'T use.



Polishes/compounds- *I* probably like 3M best overall.
 
You know also that there is nothing wrong with going to a local auto parts store and buying some of the consumer type systems. When I first bought my car, I knew it was going to be a hassle to keep clean and looking good because it was black.

So I tried to learn as much as I could about maintaining that color.



If you started this thread to find out what everyone would suggest you buy first, then you're going to get many different answers. Many people here for example like the P21/S100 paste wax. I didn't and I gave it away. JimS is right about it being more of a popularity contest after a certain point. The shine on your car is only for you to decide....good or bad. Others can't tell you what to use unless they are actually there to work with you and see your car first hand.



I would suggest trying products in local auto parts stores like Mother California Gold's 3-step system or Meg's 3-step to start off and go from there. Very easy to use and relatively inexpensive. At least that's what I started with. It really does no good to suggest more expensive products to someone if they can't use them properly. And always try to increase your technique and knowledge first.



Anyway that's my 2 cents. Let us know what you decide and Good Luck with it.



Oh and welcome to Autopia :wavey



Take care now...........V
 
I've used the Meguiar's 3 step plus clay several times and am starting to get unhappy with the results. First time I did it I was like, "Yeah, that rocks", now I'm like "It should reflect more!". I'm ready to move on and from my experience with Meguiar's am considering moving up to the "gold = professional" series. Still good bang for the buck, easy to apply and durable but wonder if the shine is that much better than the "red-consumer" series. I have an Infiniti QX4 in the Jade color so I know I shouldn't expect the wetness that the darker colors get but I want more than what I have now. I am impressed with Zaino on light colored cars but hesitant to invest $84 and still not be happy.



I am going to visit a local detailer soon who deals Platinum to see what he thinks will give me most bang for the buck on my color car. I had a previous thread where this was suggested and agree that it was an excellent idea.



Still would like to see where the vote lies. Currently suprised Zaino hasn't received more votes than it has but pleased that Meguiar's is leading the pack.



Thanks for the advice and comments,

Autoeng
 
ill have to vote for meguairs. they have a very complete line. i have tried everything in the poll and its really hard to tell if you have zaino, klasse, pinnacle or what have you. i bet if i put some 2.99 turtle wax in a fancy pinnacle souveran jar and put it on you would do back flips cause its all up in ur head ur putting on this exclusive - expensive wax that gives you mind blowing dramatic results.



since meguairs is a good value and you can buy in bulk and gets the job done just as much as the boutique wax's in terms of shine, deepness, and clarity. meg's it is
 
Frankie said:
i bet if i put some 2.99 turtle wax in a fancy pinnacle souveran jar and put it on you would do back flips cause its all up in ur head ur putting on this exclusive - expensive wax that gives you mind blowing dramatic results.
Click to expand...



Don't know if I'd go that far but I understand what you mean. I think that the big differences in wax "quality and therefore cost" comes in ease of application and durability.



Autoeng
 
I use a mix of several product manufacturers. Meguiars, S100, Clearkote, Car Polishes, Winner's Choice, Eagle, Armor All and even Turtle Wax (they have some very good microfiber towels that you can buy at the consumer level). I feel that there is no one single product line that will always look the best on all cars, so I mix and match as needed to get the results I want.



That having been said, overall, I think Meguiars has the most comprehensive and complete product line. You can use their Body Shop Professional products to correct serious paint defects, level the paint and add a ton of polishing oils for an amazing gloss. #26 wax may not have the ultimate wet and reflective shine of 100 or Carnuba Moose, but it does have it's own very nice warm glow. I used Meguiars products pretty much exclusively for the first 8 years or so I had my detailing business (with the exception of Eagle's 20/20 Glass Cleaner) and both I and my customers were quite pleased with the results.



I still use Meguiars products, most noticably DACP and Swirl Free and occasionally Hand Polish, but I have now added polymers to my arsonel like Final Polish and Winner's Choice Finishing Creme and carnubas like S100 and Carnuba Moose.
 
Very good advice Scottwax (bow's low to the great one). I agree that one line doesn't necessary have the best in every product I think that Maguiar's covers the spectrum so well as at such an attractive cost that they really win the overall prize.



Thanks for the advice,

Autoeng
 
Autoeng said:
I've used the Meguiar's 3 step plus clay several times and am starting to get unhappy with the results. First time I did it I was like, "Yeah, that rocks", now I'm like "It should reflect more!". I'm ready to move on and from my experience with Meguiar's am considering moving up to the "gold = professional" series. Still good bang for the buck, easy to apply and durable but wonder if the shine is that much better than the "red-consumer" series. I have an Infiniti QX4 in the Jade color so I know I shouldn't expect the wetness that the darker colors get but I want more than what I have now. I am impressed with Zaino on light colored cars but hesitant to invest $84 and still not be happy.

Autoeng
Click to expand...



I have been using meguiar's stuff since i got my car and going to start on the 3 step, although i am getting zaino once since my friends are going to split me some. in any case, the more proffessional products of the meguiar's line seem so much more complicated...there's no 3 step in there..or is there? what are you using/planning on using from the meguiar's pro line that would be equivalent to the 3 step?
 
My vote is for Meguiar's. If I could only buy one line, that's what I'd go with. Excellent prep products, great maintenance stuff, great non-paint products like APC+, #40, and so on. Plus they have great PC pads, great foam apps, and a lot of other stuff.



Their paint protectants are good, some last very long, and all are easy to use. Though I wish most of them had more beading.



That said, I don't have to buy from one line, so I don't. But Meguiar's is certainly good stuff.
 
I also voted for Meguiar's for the reasons mentioned above. I don't think Meguiar's leads the pack in any category (i.e. for carnauba waxes I prefer Mother's waxes, and for polishes I really like the Einszett line, etc..etc..), but all in all, their line-up of products perform pretty well, are readily available, & are very well priced.
 
It is hard to cast a vote because I like different products for different cars. On my 03 Grand Cherokee I like to use Clearkote and Poorboys. On my 96 Grand Cherokee I like to use the Klasse Twins. On my wife's Mustang I like to use Blackfire. No vote cast.
 
No way I can vote in this poll. I'm totally sold on some of Einszett's interior cleaners/conditioners, Mothers clay, Meguiar's APC+, Zaino sealants, and other manufacturers for other products. The best thing is that with the online stores we have, nobody has to worry about sticking with one product line. You can go to Autopia, CMA, and several others, and pick-and-choose your favorites.
 
I have try alot of differ products but I always seem to go back to Prowax products. Other products I can't live without is VM and Eagle's 20/20 Glass Cleaner, I just wish they came in gallon sizes.
 
camryKev said:
...the more proffessional products of the meguiar's line seem so much more complicated...there's no 3 step in there..or is there? what are you using/planning on using from the meguiar's pro line that would be equivalent to the 3 step?
Click to expand...



Hey CamryKev,



Check out Meguiar's website. Under products they have Consumer and Professional products. Select the first item under professional and you can pretty much walk through it from there. There are more choices within the pro line but each choice has a very detailed description as to what it is for.



I am thinking...



Hi-Tech Car Wash

Medallion Premium Paint Cleaner

Show Car Glaze

Medallion Premium Paint Protection

Final Inspection



Autoeng
 
Good thread AutoEng.

My only comment is that you may be looking at the wrong end of the detailing spectrum for increasing the "POP" to your finish. I have learned over the last few years that PREP is the ultimate factor in the final appearance "POP". The protectant, be it locally available or some boutique brand, is very dependent on Prep. Personal experience has shown me that even a boutique product like Zaino will not hide a lack of Prep or produce that WOW final results.

Are there locally available excellent prep product. YES!! 3M (PI-III MG, Fine Cut, etc.) and Meguiars professional lines (DACP). Are there any worth the xtra cost boutique prep products - YES (P21S GEPC, Clearkote VM, Mother's Sealer and Glaze, Poorboy's SSR series, and hopefully in the near future Zaino's own SMR).

I use several different lines of products and several different combinations depending on which of my vehicles I am working on.

:wavey
 
blkZ28Conv:



Very good points about the prep. That's why I'm going to visit my local pro detailer to see if my prep is sufficient to get the result I desire.



Autoeng
 
After prepping with 3M &/or Meg SMR I like Zaino for its shine and most of all for the durability. I dont want to wax every three weeks or so and in the winter I cant. So durability is a big factor to me.

Cost? Z1, 2, 5, 6, & 7 costs appx. $57. I use a half oz. per application of both Z5 & 2. So each application, including the spray & car wash costs about $3.60.

No product is going to be best for all of us, too many variables, but if I've learned nothing else from reading all these posts it is that preperation of the paint is the most important thing you can do. Most all else is personal prefference.
 
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