Brand Preferences

Hey guys I have pored over the info here for the past few days while my Taco is getting its tint and Ceramic Coat done. When I get him back, I was looking to get off on the right track with some good products to maintain the finish and keep it looking as clean as possible. That all being said, I am looking to build a nice little detail setup in my garage. Nothing too extreme, just a nice wash/wax system as well as the typical cleaners and protectants one would use. I'm not looking for compounds or polishes at this point as they aren't needed yet. I would like to remain brand consistent as it is easier for me to just order everything from one place and be done but if there is anything that is a must-have in a particular brand please shout it out! I will say that so far I have been looking at the Griot's stuff as well as Untamed Garage and I like it but my experience is mainly with Meguiar's/Mother's and some Wizard's products so I'm nervous to invest in a new/higher end brand of products without firsthand knowledge. Any insight or guidance is appreciated. In the meantime, I will keep poring over the sticky Ask a Detailer thread lol.

 

I personally like some of the chemical guys stuff and I'm a big fan of 303 for soft textiles

 

As far as brand preferences I go with Meguiars. Here’s why - years ago I had a good friend who was a chief chemist for Meguiars. He worked in developing new products for them. He held several patents for products he had developed, although the patents contractually belonged to Meguiars. He explained in detail to me about their products and the quality of the products and why chemically they were top notch. Some of what he talked about was quite technical and over my head. But what I got from our conversation was that Meguiars products was all top quality and that the company goal was to produce best quality products and keep most costs reasonable. He certainly convinced me.

 

I've been using 3D products, they're the bulk of the detail supply shop I go to. They also have a shelf of Griot's, I've used some in the past from Kragen mostly cause the synthetic clay bar was free with a bottle of car soap.

I'd wanted to use P&S products, but the shop that sells their stuff is appointment only, and the other one I used to pass daily was just a crappy spot with weird proprietors.

I like the 3D stuff, no problems yet but I've not gone into paint correction or ceramic coating yet.

 

In regards to cleaners, for the last 3-4 year's I have stuck with the Meguiar's 'Detailer' line. Huge fan. The products come in gallon form. It may be a bit much for a single person, but I usually split the gallon with my dad since he likes to detail, too. They're extremely well priced and come concentrated, which means you can dilute the product to the desired strength. I speak specifically about their All Purpose Cleaner, Hyper Dressing, Super Degreaser, Wheel and Paint Iron Decon.

As for protectants (waxes), the stuff I have enjoyed using has been Finish Kare 1000p and

$21 Collinite 845 Insulator Wax-Easy to Use Carnauba+Polymer Wax Sealant-High Gloss Shine+Durable Hydrophobic Beading & Long Lasting Paint Protection for Cars/Boats/Trucks/RVs & Motorcycles (16 fl oz)

Collinite 845. I also use P&S Bead Maker during drying. They leave a slick surface, the paint pops and they tend to last a decent amount of time. For now, sticking with the 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' method and plan on using this stuff for a while.

 

I'm a big fan of Carpro products. You can ge them on line. I get mine from Amazon or Autogeek, whichever is cheaper at the time.

 

What ceramic coating are you having installed? Typically want to avoid wax with ceramic coating.

 

I'm a Meguiar's guy. Even used some of their stuff when I did paint & body work a long time ago. I love their spray wax, that stuff is magic.

 

I just had Ziebart do their ceramic coat and PPF service (NO I didn't let them undercoat I'm Cosmolining lol). I guess I mean more for like touching up on the coating. I read in some places to use the like "quick wax" style sprays with the SiO2 to help prolong the finish. Is that not accurate? But also I would be looking at washes and interior products as well. While I'm at it, is there much benefit to a foam cannon over just a good rinse and then hand wash with a soapy mitt (assuming I'm using quality soap and a grit guard)?

 

Griot’s!!! Been using their products for years. Customer service is excellent!! Products are great and easy to use. And like some of the others they don’t have 47 different washes, waxes, cleaners. They have products that simply do what they’re supposed to do.

 

I would utilize a booster like Carpro Reload or something similar.

 

Meguiar's and 303 have worked great for me.

 

Brand specific doesn't work in the car detail game. Some companies excel with certain products more than others and companies change products over time in my opinion. Here's some of my regulars at the moment...

Obsessed Garage (it's all good, but pricy; cox pressure washer hose reels)
The Rag Company (FTW glass towels, detail factory brushes)
Adam's Polishes (white ultra plush drying towel, blue shampoo, purple foam shampoo, interior detail spray, exterior detail spray, tire shine, spray wax)
Jay Leno's Garage (wash and wax shampoo, leather conditioner, tire and trim conditioner; Walmart carries a few Jay Leno items cheaper than buying direct)
P&S Detail Products (leather and interior cleaner, bead maker)
Sprayway (glass cleaner)
DI Rinse Pro 100 (spot free deionized water; big help on black paint)
Swisstrax Ribtrax Pro (garage flooring)
MTM Hydro Parts (blue and grey pressure washing hoses, pf22.2 foam cannon, fittings, nozzles, sgs spray guns)
EZ Detail Wheel brushes

Start small with a few basic items and slowly add to your collection as you need them. It adds up quick and there's a big marketing effort on these companies to sell you way more product than you can conceivably use before it expires.

 

Maguires is a great company. I use them all the time. Their gold wash is great for washing and adding little bit of wax with every wash.

When I got my truck, I compound it using their ultimate compound and polish, applied ceramic coating cquartz uk 3.0. Now I just wash my truck with the Maguires gold wash, and twice a year I will apply the maguires ceramic coating blue spray as I dry the truck. Looks great.

for wheels and other small stuff, I use simple green. Just mix whatever ratio that you want.

 

I've always used Maguires products. Lately I have been trying out Chemicals Guys stuff and its pretty good, I ordered a few things from Adams but haven't tried them yet.
The 303 protectant either the Aerospace protectant or regular is good stuff

 

I'm a Meguiars fan. I tried other products but keep on returning to Meguiars.

I find Menzerna compounds, polishes a little oily.