If you were to buy 3 top products...

So let's say you have a tight budget and you are willing to only purchase 3 products online that are top of the line, what would you buy? The other products would be purchased from your local auto store.

I do not have a buffer at the moment but I want to learn how to use one before I go out and make that purchase.

 

I think this question really depends on what you're trying to accomplish. Like paint correction or just everyday wash/wax setup?

 

Sorry, I should of been more specific. Personally I'm talking more of the regular wash/ wax/ interior kind of work. I would love to do paint correction but that won't be until I learn how to properly do it.

 

If this means you can only buy the products online, then my top 3 would be Iron-X, Collinite #845 and Zymol Shampoo in no particular order.

 

you will need more than 3 products bud...

-soap
-APC for tires/wheels/jambs
-clay or IronX / Wolfs Deironizer
-wax or sealant
-interior cleaner ( a lot of APCs are too strong for interiors even when diluted and because most APCs are designed to be used on exteriors where they can be rinsed with water, they are tough to get out of fabric and will leave cloth seats sticky to the tough as well as they can build up on grainy plastic eventually turning white. )
-glass cleaner
-tire dressing

 

a 3 product limit is pushing it but, If I were limited to 3 products they would be:

ONR: Wash, Clay Lube, Window CLeaner, Interior cleaner
Clay
Sealant or wax

 

I already have products for just about every part of the car, I just want to experiment to see if the stuff online is as good as they say. For example the 845 and iron cut products.

I'm a big fan of meguairs products so far but I have not been able to find a strong/ safe wheel cleaner or a black trim cleaner/ protector.

 

What's your budget?

 

$100-$200

 

1z Einszett cockpit premium
ONR for washing, clay lube, quick detailer
Menzerna powerlock or Collinite #845

 

Budget and detailing do not go hand in hand, its like a fat person at a buffet............


anyway, if I was to say I could only buy 3 products and keep it simple.

Chemical guys citrus daily wash
1z glanz
Prima hydro for post wash wipe down.


Here is how I look at it, if I'm on a budget Im going to do the most with what I have or can afford. If you have dawn, or any dishsoap you just eliminated the need for any type of APC pre soak, or clay lube, because in my experience dawn will strip what ever pre existing LSP i on there, diluted it makes for a great clay lube.
Some of the product snobs on here will have varying opinions, but I am addressing the budget aspect of this question.


Ive tried alot of shampoos, and honestly Chemical guys citrus daily wash is a great maintance wash, its gentle, ph nuetral and wont strip LSP (wax)

Glanz is a very durable wax, in fact its the only one I own. it is easy on, really makes metal flake pop and its inexpensive.

Prima Hydro is a great product as a post wash wipe down, it also boosts the 1z glanz wax as well, keeping it looking fresh, it also reduces the chances of water spotting when drying the car as you mist it on the car prior to drying it.


interior, if its dusty, just use a micro fiber cloth. if its really bad, wait till you have the funds to get a product like mequiars quick interior detailer, its a great product and cleans and protects and is very inexpensive and can be picked up at walmart or by the gallon.

good luck.

 

I would definitely buy 3 products that would allow me to make the most profit, at the end of day we are here to make money....well at least I am. Don't get me wrong, I use all the good stuff (opti-coat/iron removers/wheel cleaners...blah blah blah) but if you're particularly concerned with "wash and waxes" your list can be fairly narrow.

So, in the sense of making money (IME/IMO) with simple wash and waxes, I would probably get:

- ONR - for it's obvious versatility and benefits
- Opti-seal/Optimum spray wax - it's not Hard Body/Opti-coat but it's still a great LSP and one bottle will get you through a lot of cars and goes on/off quickly
- APC - for washing wheels/ties/wells and (when diluted correctly) interior cleaning

Again, my list is tailored to what I would buy for simply concentrating on 'was and wax" customers while still using great products. You can go cheaper and get 5 gal of wash concentrate, cheaper wax and so forth, but I feel the products on my list (which are what I use all the time) are still fairly priced and work extremely well.

Now if it were 3 products to be used only on my car - the list would be much different......

-Kody-

 

On a budget I would go with Duragloss products.
DG 901 Car Wash Concentrate
DG 501 Paint Cleaner and Sealant
DG 105 Total Polish
DG 601 Bonding Agent

Inexpensive products that work very well.

 

Well if you're buying products to try and accomplish the whole process with I'd suggest

1. All Purpose Cleaner
2. ONR
3. Wax (Colli 845 or something of equal durability)

If you're buying 3 products just to add to your arsenal that you won't find in stores I'd suggest:

1. Iron X
2. ONR (only for its versatility)
3. I dunno? lol

 

With your budget you should be able to get more then 3 products. Possibly even in gallon sizes too

 

Thank you for the help guys! I really did not expect this much feedback from everyone!

Looks like I will be purchasing Collinite #845 and ONR. Anyone have suggestions for black trim? I've tried Mothers Back to Black but it was absolutely terrible. Detailing for me is just a side job for friends/ family so I see no purpose to buy in gallons. I guess I will be able to afford more products than I initially anticipated!

There was no specific reason for choosing 3 products, I just wanted to know the 'go to' products you guys might have. Thanks again for all the advice!

 

I'd pick up a good wash mitt and some good soap first of all. Then maybe a quality wax/sealant.

 

Right now I am using a mf mitt from the auto store and Meguairs Gold Class wash..is that enough?

 

for black trim, use Black Wow. it's like ~$25 per bottle (i think 4oz, check to verify)

since you only do detailing for yourself and family, this bottle will last you an eternity. you need very very very little to do the trim. don't be worried about the size and price of the product, it just works, period.

Meg's GC is a nice gentle soap, very nice OTC product.

 

http://www.autodetailingsolutions.net/srn-b.html

I just got some of that in, Ive been using black wow, i get about 3 months before it starts to wear off.........

The product I just go in is dye.

as for megs gold class, yes its a great soap, there are some great over the counter products available, one of the best degreasers is Zeps orange, diluted its paint safe, interior safe. For really nasty stuff or tires Zeps purple works great as well.