Replace products

M

mini1

New member
I'm in the process of swapping out products that aren't living up to my expectations (and taking too long to use) and I want your help. What should I buy?



I need a good AIO. D151 has been recommended to me.



I need a good, but not too abrasive cutting compound. M105? How about long lasting DA pads? I'm using wool pads now because the foam pads don't last. I reserve the foam pads for the higher end details.



I need something for poor clear coats and water based paint? Something that has lots of fillers for quick imperfection fixing? Something that is good for black paint?



What should I get for wax/syn wax/polish (not high end, not expensive)? I'm using NXT 2 right now and it is OK, but doesn't last too long and its too expensive to use in volume.



I've tried a whole bunch of tire dressings/black plastic dressing and never found one that I really like. They seem to sling, are too greasy or they are too dull and just absorb into the surface. What is the best one?



How about leather conditioner? I'm using Lexol now. It's too expensive to use in volume, but it seems to to a great job.



Fabric seat cleaner? I've never found one that works really well.





Give me your list of preferred products for normal basic interior/exterior products. I have all the high end stuff, but finding good lower end stuff is a challenge.
 
No offense but you claim you have years under your belt and have a good solid process down that works great but you seem to have an aweful lot of rookie questions.



Searching will net most of your answers. Everyone has different opinions and favorites. I personally use very little of what's solicted on this site. While all seem to be good products most don't fit in with my business plan. Although I do grab a few things here and there to try out. But remember just because someone just loves Klasse AIO dosen't mean you will. You have to try things out for yourself and see what works for you. I don' think you can go wrong with much of anything mentioned here. in the end it really is 90% process and 10% product that gives you the finished product anyways.



Some suggestions though..

If your getting "sling" from your dressing you need to change your process. A lot of rookie detailers always seem to dress the tires last. This is not a good process. Dress the tires after polish and before wax/sealant. This gives the dressing at least a half hour or more (pending on what you're using for wax) to sit and absorb into the tire. This should eleminate 99% of your sling issues.



Fabric cleaning- if your looking for quick results look into foaming cleaners. They lift up all the soiled dirt and really cut alot of time off the scrubbing needed.



I would not suggest using a filler type polish on black paint for cheap details. Eleminate this service it always ends badly. Do it right or don't do it.
 
No offense but you claim you have years under your belt and have a good solid process down that works great but you seem to have an aweful lot of rookie questions.



Searching will net most of your answers. Everyone has different opinions and favorites. I personally use very little of what's solicted on this site. While all seem to be good products most don't fit in with my business plan. Although I do grab a few things here and there to try out. But remember just because someone just loves Klasse AIO dosen't mean you will. You have to try things out for yourself and see what works for you. I don' think you can go wrong with much of anything mentioned here. in the end it really is 90% process and 10% product that gives you the finished product anyways.



Some suggestions though..

If your getting "sling" from your dressing you need to change your process. A lot of rookie detailers always seem to dress the tires last. This is not a good process. Dress the tires after polish and before wax/sealant. This gives the dressing at least a half hour or more (pending on what you're using for wax) to sit and absorb into the tire. This should eleminate 99% of your sling issues.



Fabric cleaning- if your looking for quick results look into foaming cleaners. They lift up all the soiled dirt and really cut alot of time off the scrubbing needed.



I would not suggest using a filler type polish on black paint for cheap details. Eleminate this service it always ends badly. Do it right or don't do it.



Foam pads shouldn't be saved for higher end details. You need to understand your equipment better and understand just why a foam pad is every bit if not more useful than a wool pad. Foam pads should be used on every paint correction detail.



These are just some basic observations and advice I can give. Where are you located at? I would think any autopian on here would love to walk through with you and your process and see what's going on. I know I would make the offer anytime if you're in my area.
 
Jakerooni said:
No offense but you claim you have years under your belt and have a good solid process down that works great but you seem to have an aweful lot of rookie questions.



Searching will net most of your answers. Everyone has different opinions and favorites. I personally use very little of what's solicted on this site. While all seem to be good products most don't fit in with my business plan. Although I do grab a few things here and there to try out. But remember just because someone just loves Klasse AIO dosen't mean you will. You have to try things out for yourself and see what works for you. I don' think you can go wrong with much of anything mentioned here. in the end it really is 90% process and 10% product that gives you the finished product anyways.



Some suggestions though..

If your getting "sling" from your dressing you need to change your process. A lot of rookie detailers always seem to dress the tires last. This is not a good process. Dress the tires after polish and before wax/sealant. This gives the dressing at least a half hour or more (pending on what you're using for wax) to sit and absorb into the tire. This should eleminate 99% of your sling issues.



Fabric cleaning- if your looking for quick results look into foaming cleaners. They lift up all the soiled dirt and really cut alot of time off the scrubbing needed.



I would not suggest using a filler type polish on black paint for cheap details. Eleminate this service it always ends badly. Do it right or don't do it.



Foam pads shouldn't be saved for higher end details. You need to understand your equipment better and understand just why a foam pad is every bit if not more useful than a wool pad. Foam pads should be used on every paint correction detail.



These are just some basic observations and advice I can give. Where are you located at? I would think any autopian on here would love to walk through with you and your process and see what's going on. I know I would make the offer anytime if you're in my area.
Click to expand...



I got most of my experience in a high volume shop. I wasn't in charge of buying products, nor did have much say in what we used. We used cheap volume based products that did an average job, but not what I want for my business. I'm not a high volume detailer any more. I know I have a lot to learn, that is why I have so many questions. I'm located in North Florida.
 
here is a good arsenal from experience of trying other products and having too much sitting on the shelves..



compounds/polishes/products:

M105

SIP

FpII

M83/M80

Optimum poliseal

Megs 151

Megs APC+

Megs Last touch

Megs gold class trim detailer

megs glass cleaner

chemical guys barebones for wells

megs 34

megs blue and red clay, sonus grey clay, ADS purple clay

megs safe D-greaser

DP interior protectant

leather cleaner

plastic cleaner

one grand chrome polish

megs nxt all metal polish

ONR

water spot remover

iso-alcohol

tire dressing of choice

optimum compound/optimum polish

wolfgang fuzion/pinnacle souveran paste waxes

collinite 845/megs 21 sealanat waxes

danase wet glaze





assortment of brushes for interior/exterior/convertible roof/tires/wheels

assortment of too many towels (can never have enough) - drying/polishing

lots of foam applicators

lake country pads - 6"/5"/4"

porter cable machine

flex 3401 machine

rotary machine

3"/5"/6" backing plates for all machines

sanding paper in various grits

couple 5gal buckets

grit guards if you want

a rolling seat

glasses

masks for not breathing in while compounding if wanted

hot water extractor

strong vacuum

air mover

halogen lights

extension chords

tool bags

product bins

towel bins

water supply tank





i know I am missing some stuff, but you get the point! This is a list of all the things you will need on a detail
 
My two cents on product...our primary business use to be aviation detailing. We last used a product - most know of it - Glare. Expensive and lots of bogus claims - "Last five years", etc. And, $300 per gallon, we could pass on to a client who is having his/her $40m Gulfstream serviced. But, kinda hard to pass that cost on to a client who is having their Camary serviced.



Last year we switched to Meguiars. The support and regualr updates have been great for us!! I am not sure how the 3M acqusition will affect things. But, thus far, they continue to do us pretty well with a full line of products!!! We do continue to use some ONR and other Optimum products as this is, at least for us, a different line of service.



With respect to your need for "Lower end stuff"; we have found that using one product line across the board works well for us. We adjust our pricing by the level of service, not level of quality (i.e. Sealant vs. Carb wax, light polish vs. compounding, etc.) In this regard, I do, to some degree, agree with Jake. If you are applying bad habits you learned in a "High Volume Shop" (and, make no mistake, they are bad habits if attempting to apply them to the type of service most Autopians seem to provide) you will be met with a degree of failure. All the difficulties you seem to be realizing from your products (Slinging, etc.) could be a result of application and technique rather than the product itself?? "Poor Clearcoats"??? - It is your job as a professional to assess and address the issues of the finish you have agreed to resolve. If you are unable, or if the finish is beyond what you are able to do, you should not agree to take on the job. The idea of running a wool pad down a car and neglecting to follow up with foam is just shortcutting and will almost always end in poor results.



I am not trying to sound off and jump on a high horse. Thing is, there are a number of variables in this industry. And, end of the day, if you end up leaving a car and customer in poor shape, this does two things: leaves you exposed for litigation or a bad rep at the very least. And, more importantly, sheds another black eye on the detailing industry.



Again, just my two cents!!



Drew
 
I only get sling from high gloss products. It isn't the application method, it is the product. I've tried spayed on and wiped on.



No one has told me what the best tire gloss is. How about leather conditioner? or a specific brand of fabric seat cleaner?
 
Have you tried All Season Dressing?



It's solvent based and will not sling. The gloss is fairly high, but not ridiculous or greasy.





When I use a gel tire dressing, I let it sit for atleast four hours and then wipe off the excess. That should solve the slinging problems.
 
PorscheGuy997 said:
Have you tried All Season Dressing?



It's solvent based and will not sling. The gloss is fairly high, but not ridiculous or greasy.





When I use a gel tire dressing, I let it sit for atleast four hours and then wipe off the excess. That should solve the slinging problems.
Click to expand...



I haven't tried that dressing. I did see it online. I just didn't know if it was better then their silicone free product, water based, hyper or solvent based dressing?
 
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