What is your best inexpensive product? What is your worst premium product?

L

longdx

New member
For the record, I detail my own vehicle and several select customers. So I am in no way a true professional detailer, but I have had numerous experiences with niche/premium products that over hyped and under performed. Conversely, I have had relatively inexpensive products over perform for my details. Also, what I consider niche products may not be the same as your definition

Below is a sampling of products that I have used in the past.



Best Inexpensive Products



No Streek Glass Polish: around $2 off of Amazon. applies like a wax/let haze and you have a streak free windows.



Collinite 845: most durable carnuba based wax that I have used



Meguiars UQD: very nice beeding,gloss and longevity (for a QD)



Stoners products



Underperforming niche products



L&S 501 : An expensive AIO acryllic sealant that did not last as long, add gloss or clean as well as a more inexpensive Klasse AIO



Finish First: better than L&S but expensive compared to better products out there.



Lexol exceedingly average leather cleaners and conditioners



Griots Glass Cleaner actually works very well until you realize that you can make the same product with distilled water and a 1:8 solution each of Isopropyl alcohol and vinegar for a pittance.





For the professional detailers, I like a true real world take on your experiences on some of the premium/niche products that have/haven't lived up to your standards and any inexpensive surprises you have had.
 
David Fermani said:
water seems to work pretty good
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:werd: Can't beat it for just about anything LOL... Steel wool and glass cleaner are super cheap yet very effective on chrome and SS tailpipes.



I didn't buy it but I was able to try the Sourvergn paste wax... Didn't really see what the hype was all about compared to much cheaper stuff like MaxWax or Classic Wax. Much less some of the insane waxes like Zymol and company. There are certian things I will shell out money for but I've yet to ever see any high dollar wax give such a signifigant improvement over a cheaper brand that I could ever justify the cost of it.
 
Ok, I should have clarified my original post. I'm actually looking for which products either really impressed you or dissappointed you depending on the hype. I am also looking for products that are under the autopian radar that are either really good or an exceptional value. I have had consistantly good luck with Stoner's products and find them a good value (especially when ordered as a kit). And like Jakerooni stated I have yet to find a high dollar wax that is worth its money (Zymol included)
 
Best inexpensive? Duragloss AW or Collinite 476s for sure. Disappointing for the price? I didn't love P21S 100%, I have been disappointed overall with Power Finish.
 
eshine.ca just started carrying DG here in Canada, it makes me so happy. For the price they are some of the best products out there, imo. 105 sealant, AW, the tire dressing; all very good for the low cost.
 
ok gotta play devil's advocate here- While I could certainly come up with a few products that "are the worst of the expensive product" I'm willing to bet, there will be good products listed simply because "hype" (aka expectations) is a subjective and personal thing.





For example: I think Meg's Gold class wax sucks monkey balls -really hate myself for spending the $11 (before i was a detailer this was expensive to me) but I'm willing to bet at least some of why it underperformed was my fault -and- I was expecting way too much out of it to begin with. -Additionally, there are no doubt some people love it use it and get good results.



just my .02



Now my products:

best cheap products- dollar store waffle weave MF towels -only used on my windows and honestly can't tell the difference between them and the pricey MF.

(Also, only the Waffle weave, the other MF at the 1 store is crap) 70/30 ratio by the way-



Worst expensive:

Gold class wax: -expensive here is relative to my budget in high school but hey...

Pinnacle micro fiber rejuvenator wash-seams to work no better than my ordinary laundry detergent and is super expensive.
 
Not sure $11 could be considered expensive by any budget for a wax. I guess if you compare it to a small bottle of Turtle Wax, but even then...
 
Best inexpensive product:



845IW by a mile

UQW

Megs GC shampoo



Most disappointing "niche" product:



Black WOW, probably would be more useful for someone with large amounts of wide open spaces of black trim. Mine is small with lots of nooks and crannies, tough to work BW into.



TL
 
Best Inexpensive:



NXT Tech Car Wash

Gold Class Car Wash

NXT 2.0

QID (Quik Interior Detailer)

UQW (Ultimate Quik Wax)

UWD (Ultimate Wheel Detailer)

Meguiars NXT Glass Cleaner

Stoners IG

Leather Masters products





Worst Expensive products:



P21S 100% Carnauba

Wolfgang Fuzion Estate Carnauba

Souveran Paste Wax



Not that these products are what I'd call bad, just way overpriced/overhyped per their performance.
 
Best inexpensive:

Werkstat Detail Sprays

Most of the Meg's Detailer line

303 Fabric/Vinyl cleaner (many uses, highly dilutable)



Worst expensive (or niche):

Zaino ZFX--can't tell any difference when I use this $20 for nothing

Collinite 476 and 915--insane wax holograms with 2nd layer

Black Wow--most any gel-type tire dressing will do the same thing for much less

Stoner IG--nothing special at all about this stuff. I don't understand why people like it so much.

Lexol products--highly touted, but mediocre performing from my experience.
 
wfedwar said:
Best inexpensive:

Werkstat Detail Sprays

Most of the Meg's Detailer line

303 Fabric/Vinyl cleaner (many uses, highly dilutable)



Worst expensive (or niche):

Zaino ZFX--can't tell any difference when I use this $20 for nothing

Collinite 476 and 915--insane wax holograms with 2nd layer

Black Wow--most any gel-type tire dressing will do the same thing for much less

Stoner IG--nothing special at all about this stuff. I don't understand why people like it so much.

Lexol products--highly touted, but mediocre performing from my experience.
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How are/were you using 476/915? They can be a little finicky, but between the two I'd say they are (ime) the best bang for the buck out there. Just curious about your experience.
 
Best inexpesive:

ONR

Meguiars D151

Optimum Spray Wax

Meguiars M40



Worst (not expensive or niche)

Meguiars NXT Tech Wax 2.0

Meguairs Hyper Dressing
 
Inexpensive

Meguiars NXT products

Stoners products



Premium product

Zaino Z5



It is not exactly bad but I have found products that get just as good or better results for cheaper
 
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