Welcome to AG first of all!
The answer to your all encompassing question is full of a lot of opinion and preference. You'll probably have to do some searching, reading, and some posting of specific topics to get specific answers but here's a bit of info.
The brands you listed are all quality brands. One brand might create product that you will find to be your favorite for some applications. Another brand may make a product your prefer for a different application.
In general you need to learn the correct practices and you will be able to get great results with a lot of products from these different brands.
Please take a look at this thread for some prespective (opinion) on difference in brands.
what's the difference between brands?
First let me introduce you to the in house brands of PBMA (Palm Beach Motoring Accesories) PalmBeachMotoring.net
The below italicized words are quoted from killrwheels from the thread I link here...
DP, Pinnacle and Wolfgang
BEGIN QUOTE "PBMA is the parent company and owner of Autogeek, Pinnacle, Diamonite, DP, and Wolfgang. The Cobra branded towels are indeed ours too.
The design philosophy was rather simple and exciting:
Pinnacle --- Offer the best line of car care using the best ingredients
"Pinnacle XMT --- A newer line in car care centered around the use of Dual Action Orbitals and other products to enhance their use and outcome.
DP -- formerly Detailers Pride, the line is primarily if not all made in the US and designed for professionals in car care. Its the most value rewarding line with great prices and products that exceed what was onced offered in large bulk sizing to professionals.
Wolfgang --- Using the newest polymer technologies often found outside the US in areas like Germany.
Diamonite --- Plastic and Glass Care Products
Each have their own site to sell the entire line and allow the dedicated user to choose from a set of products within. Autogeek was designed as a one-stop grab the best of all in car care from PBMA and other vendors.
At least that's my personal opinion ..." END QUOTE
Now a little bit more info on some of the brands and products offered by Autogeek.
Optimum Polymer Technologies
One of my 3 favorite brands. They make some wonderful products
A couple of the most notable products:
Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine
Optimum Instant Detailer & Gloss Enhancer
Optimum Car Wax
Optimum Opti-Bond Tire Gel
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303 products
The most notable of their wonderful products:
303 Aerospace Protectant (Must buy, very versatile)
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Ultima products
A line you don't hear a ton of talk about on here but they make some really great products)
Here is a couple:
ultima paint guard plus (A great Sealant)
ultima car wash (A great wash)
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Flex
You can spend a lot less on a polisher but in my opinion this is well worth the money if you want to buy a high quality dual action polisher with features and comfort not found in the others.
Flex 3401 Dual Action Polisher Flex 3401 Dual Action Polisher
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Meguiars
is very respected company that makes some great products at good prices.
They have a car wash soap called Meguiars Gold Class that usually polls in the top few positions among detailers. Usually polling better then a lot of higher priced soaps.
Most notable polishes (currently) M105 and M205
A couple of the many notable products:
Megs 105
Here is some more info on Meguiars polishes and SMAT (Super Micro Abrasives Technology) in general. smat pack everything you ever wanted know about meguiar's smat products
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Menzerna
is best known for being the polishes they provide which utilize (DAT) Diminishing Abrasives Technology. This article The Smat Pack will describe the differences between SMAT and DAT.
A couple of the many notable products:
Menzerna Super Intensive Polish PO 83
Menzerna Power Finish PO 203
Menzerna Nano Polish PO 106 FA
Menzerna Polish PO85RD
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Wolfgang
as mentioned earlier one of the lines produced by PMBA. Wolfgang has many excellent products in this line. On a side note they produce a couple very beginner and user friendly polish which are comparable to a couple of the polishes in the Menzerna line.
A couple of the many notable products:
Wolfgang Fuzion
Wolfgand TSR
Wolfgang Plastik Surface Sealant
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DP
as mentioned earlier another of the lines owned by PBMA and they also have some great products in their line.
A couple of the many notable products:
DP Wheel Glaze
DP Total Interior Cleaner
DP Gloss Tire Gel
DP Polishing Pad Rejuvenator
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Pinnacle
"Offer's the best line of car care using the best ingredients"
A couple of the many notable products:
Pinnacle Safe Scrub Bug & Tar Pad
Pinnacle Crystal Mist Carnauba Spray Wax
Pinnacle Souveran Paste Carnauba Wax
There are a ton more brands products and things to say. I just got tired of typing and linking.
Here is a link to a library of articles that you may find interesting.
Articles by Mike Phillips
