CG Substitutes Sold at AG

Tato

Tato

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Dear friends,

I need to re-stock some of my cleaning/dressing products, however, CG are not selling direct to Brazil and locals have limited stock and not so many variety.

That said, I wish you help me choosing 'equivalents' of CG products in my cart at AG store (may be any brand but with same quality). AG (following CG politics), don't sell CG to Brazil. I respect it, but I can't rely on it for my supplies. Unfortunately (I say this truly), I'll have to change brand.

Being from Brazil, I do not have much experience with brands you have in there.

Some I've already used, some would be first time.


***I don't mind price difference very much, but please, let's try to find similar cost/benefit products to the following list.

List is as follow:

(Never used a MF Detergent Before)
- Chemical Guys CWS_201_16 - Microfiber Wash Cleaning Detergent Concentrate (16 oz)


(Never used, but liked the fact of being VERY concentrated)
- Chemical Guys CWS_403_16 - Vintage Series Wonder Soap (16 oz)


(My go to for prep. start - need urgent substitute)
- Chemical Guys CWS_301_16 - Citrus Wash & Gloss Concentrated Car Wash (16 oz)


(Some rinseless)
- Chemical Guys CWS_888_16 - Hose Free ECOwash (16 oz)


(Leather care, haven't used any of these but saw great reviews)
- Chemical Guys SPI_208_16 - Extreme Leather Cleaner Colorless & Odorless Leather Cleaner (16 oz)


(liked the durable protection claim)
- Chemical Guys SPI_111_16 - Vintage Series Leather Serum - Natural Look Conditioner & Protective Coating (16 oz)


(APC+ needs a substitute)
- Chemical Guys CLD_101_16 - All Clean+ Citrus Based All Purpose Super Cleaner (16 oz)


(I use this for fast wipe downs clean/condition interior AIO)
- Chemical Guys SPI_663_16 - InnerClean - Interior Quick Detailer & Protectant (16 oz)


(Haven't used any dedicated wheel cleaner yet)
- Chemical Guys CLD_203_16 - Signature Series Wheel Cleaner (16 oz)


- Chemical Guys CLD_997_16 - Diablo Gel Wheel & Rim Cleaner (16 oz)



(My favorite tire dressing and exterior porous trim dressing)
- Chemical Guys TVD_102_16 - New Car Shine Premium Dressing (16 oz)


(I would order this to experiment)
- Chemical Guys TVD_201_16 - Vintage Series Natural Shine, Satin Shine Dressing (16 oz)


(Would use this to dress wheel wells)
- Chemical Guys TVD_104_16 - Bare Bones Undercarriage Spray (16 oz)



That's it my friends, hope you can help me finding a substitute for each product so I can order my list at AG.

Please, consider it can't be anything like 'compressed sprayers' to ship internationally.

Thank you very much in advance.

Kind Regards.
 
I'd go with Meguiar's for the most part. APC, Wheel Cleaner, Soap, etc..., AG sells it all I believe.

AG has the Auto Finesse Satin Tire Gel on BOGO. I've been eyeing it actually, but have never tried it.

Auto Finesse Satin Tire Gel

Just not sure about leather since I've only done quick wipe downs and as for towel soap for you MF towels. I was told that just regular OTC soap is ok to use...
 
Agree on Meguiars for most items you list they have a similar product. Maybe MicroRestore for MF detergent. Meguiars Hyper-Dressing should cover the last 3 products you mention all-in-one.
 
How are ya, Tato.

What about 3D/HD car care products? They're South American based, aren't they?

I haven't sampled any of their products yet, but heard some positive praises from talented members here.
 
Tato said:
Dear friends,

I need to re-stock some of my cleaning/dressing products, however, CG are not selling direct to Brazil and locals have limited stock and not so many variety.

That said, I wish you help me choosing 'equivalents' of CG products in my cart at AG store (may be any brand but with same quality). AG (following CG politics), don't sell CG to Brazil. I respect it, but I can't rely on it for my supplies. Unfortunately (I say this truly), I'll have to change brand.

Being from Brazil, I do not have much experience with brands you have in there.

Some I've already used, some would be first time.


***I don't mind price difference very much, but please, let's try to find similar cost/benefit products to the following list.

List is as follow:

(Never used a MF Detergent Before)
- Chemical Guys CWS_201_16 - Microfiber Wash Cleaning Detergent Concentrate (16 oz)


(Never used, but liked the fact of being VERY concentrated)
- Chemical Guys CWS_403_16 - Vintage Series Wonder Soap (16 oz)


(My go to for prep. start - need urgent substitute)
- Chemical Guys CWS_301_16 - Citrus Wash & Gloss Concentrated Car Wash (16 oz)


(Some rinseless)
- Chemical Guys CWS_888_16 - Hose Free ECOwash (16 oz)


(Leather care, haven't used any of these but saw great reviews)
- Chemical Guys SPI_208_16 - Extreme Leather Cleaner Colorless & Odorless Leather Cleaner (16 oz)


(liked the durable protection claim)
- Chemical Guys SPI_111_16 - Vintage Series Leather Serum - Natural Look Conditioner & Protective Coating (16 oz)


(APC+ needs a substitute)
- Chemical Guys CLD_101_16 - All Clean+ Citrus Based All Purpose Super Cleaner (16 oz)


(I use this for fast wipe downs clean/condition interior AIO)
- Chemical Guys SPI_663_16 - InnerClean - Interior Quick Detailer & Protectant (16 oz)


(Haven't used any dedicated wheel cleaner yet)
- Chemical Guys CLD_203_16 - Signature Series Wheel Cleaner (16 oz)


- Chemical Guys CLD_997_16 - Diablo Gel Wheel & Rim Cleaner (16 oz)



(My favorite tire dressing and exterior porous trim dressing)
- Chemical Guys TVD_102_16 - New Car Shine Premium Dressing (16 oz)


(I would order this to experiment)
- Chemical Guys TVD_201_16 - Vintage Series Natural Shine, Satin Shine Dressing (16 oz)


(Would use this to dress wheel wells)
- Chemical Guys TVD_104_16 - Bare Bones Undercarriage Spray (16 oz)



That's it my friends, hope you can help me finding a substitute for each product so I can order my list at AG.

Please, consider it can't be anything like 'compressed sprayers' to ship internationally.

Thank you very much in advance.

Kind Regards.
Click to expand...

Since I'm a product collector, I'll give you my insight.

1. CG's MF detergent is no good. Hopefully, I'm allowed to say that. But, it's the truth. It smells nice but doesn't clean well. Any of the AG branded detergents are much better. I like BF or DP in that order.

2. Soap. You want 1oz/5 gallon, right? 1Z Exclusiv Gloss rules. Sonax is very good as well, it's about that dilution if I recall. Another good one is Citrus W&G. They have that at AG. Citrus Red is what I use for prep. Also from AG.

3. Rinseless: UWW+ or Pinnacle. Either is better than CGs. Duragloss as well. Don't get too caught up on Pinnacle being a "wash & wax". You can use it on anything and it's very good. Blackfire as well. ONR is my least favorite.

4. Leather Cleaner: Leather Master's Strong Cleaner or even Sonus All in 1 @ 1:10.

5. Leather Serum by CG. I have this , and it's NOT a coating, regardless what the label says. However, it's very nice. It smells good and leaves seats very smooth and silky. It doesn't last long. AG sells it. I use it on TOP of a coating (CarPro F&L). The closest product I can compare it to is LeatherMaster's Vital. AG sells all.

6. InnerClean: use UWW + a waterless wash dilution or ONR @ 1:16 for quick interior wipe downs. Dirt cheap and works excellent. You can use these products on anything.

7. Wheel Cleaner: AG sells Diablo I believe still. However, I like CG's Sticky Wheel Cleaner with a foaming sprayer better. There is nothing else out there that is as cost effective for well maintained wheels - unless you use soap - which doesn't foam nearly as well or cling as well. If your not concerned about cost effective, pick up a gallon of DP Wheel Cleaner. It's not dilutable like the CG's stuff, but is a little nicer. It's excellent for well maintained wheels.

8. Dressing: Prima Infinity. Trumps anything from CGs. Also, PB's Bold n Bright is very good. Infinity gives a classy sating look.

9. Bare Bones: horrible, greasy, silicone stuff. It does smell good though. I don't understand dressing wheel wells unless you have a Monster Truck. All it does is attract dirt and make them NASTY to clean next time. I like the clean factory look. But it you must, I would just get Armor All. It's almost the same as Bare Bones IMHO.

A much better product is Meg's Trim & Plastic Coating (D4510?) - but it's an aerosol. Dries quickly and doesn't attract much dirt. There may be shipping issues.
 
I would just ditch the chemical guys altogether but that's just me.
Look at swanic's post. Many other brands that are better out there.
 
Thanks everyone for suggestions, you're really helping me.

Sorry if not explained better, AG also doesn't sell CG to Brazil, so I'll have to skip all CG products, and use 'similar' from AG brands.


I will need to 'live without' Citrus Wash & Gloss, and that's being one of the most difficult to find a substitute.

Please, keep on posting, I'm not done yet!

Thanks everyone in advance.
 
I can add more later but first thing that comes to mind is replacing bare bones with Griot's undercarriage sprays.

http://www.autogeek.net/griots-undercarriage-spray.html

Also agree with others on hyper wash and UWW+. Never used hyper wash but dilution ratio seems right for you. As for UWW+, I have this and think its nothing short of spectacular! So versatile and seems to be a very capable cleaner.
 
Tato, IIRC, CG distributes under ther Smart Wax name as well. Have you checked to see if you can get products from them?
 
If you really must - due to customer requests or to draw in more business - there is the forwarding service route. Of course, that would means paying 3x to 4x as much, but you get to buy from any site you want.

Did a quick calculation and found that a 16oz citruswash+gloss parcel would cost $36.84 to Brazil. Ouch.
 
BrutalNoodle said:
If you really must - due to customer requests or to draw in more business - there is the forwarding service route. Of course, that would means paying 3x to 4x as much, but you get to buy from any site you want.

Did a quick calculation and found that a 16oz citruswash+gloss parcel would cost $36.84 to Brazil. Ouch.
Click to expand...

Or someone here could just buy the stuff and ship it to him.
 
swanicyouth said:
Or someone here could just buy the stuff and ship it to him.
Click to expand...

Funny you should say, since I went and look up USPS int rate to Brazil after posting. I have a 16oz citruswash+gloss that came with their bucket kit that I basically don't need (hooked on Lusso at the moment). Figured might as well pass it to another person that could really use one.
 
Just for reference. How much would it cost to ship a 16oz bottle to Brazil? I wouldn't mind helping out when I could.
 
Thank you everyone for answering, please, I appreciate very much the offer of sending it to me. However, my intentions here is not to bother anyone like getting into mail agency to send me a soap. You're really kind, thank you for that.

By my experience, a small box USPS priority costs ~$19.

Placing orders from US is a bit tricky, not yet related here.

If I order 1 product, it's not an advantage.

In example: Product = $15, Shipping = $20, total per product = $35.

Product = $15 x 5 units, shipping = $50, total per product = $25.

That's $10 save per product, which equals $50 saving at every 5 products.

This example is just like real because I do those calculations every time and I can only get a great deal when ordering, let's say, 10 to 15 products at a time.

For sure, product size must be 'even', if one of those products is a Metro Blaster shipping would go to $300, easily!

Thanks for support,

I'll use some of suggestions, and try to change my line of products.

I'm sure not everyone use CG Citrus for every prep. What soap do you use for prep?

Thank you,

Kind Regards.
 
As in before (or just while starting) a full detail.
That first wash, right after cleaning the wheels...

I use citrus WG to thorough clean at slightly higher concentration, where it can even help stripping old wax. Other soaps I see are too much 'friendly' for the dirty I start from...

Thanks in advance.
 
Forgot to add - Citrus WG is high concentrated, so using it at higher concentrations still is a lot less product than any other I've tried at higher concentrations.

I mean, it goes a looong way...

Is there any other soap you know that will be 'harsh' on dirty, smooth on paint, slick, sudsy, foamy, and goes a long way?

I really like this product :(
 
It seems like shipping is the big deal breaker for you. I would go with something you could source locally if that is possible.

As for Chemical Guys, I can't think of any other company that has so many products that I hate and then has products that I love. I could easily just look past the products I don't like but their customer service is a deal breaker for me. I am really not trying to bash them just giving my opinion.

I think we all should get away from the idea of using a soap or even a APC as a method of prep for a LSP. It is too unreliable, unless it is followed by more steps to prep the paint.
 
Thanks for comments.

It's difficult to tell everything, washing is my first step, but it's followed by claying, correction, polishing, and finishing polish, then prep. for LSP and LSP, if not 2 coats, wax on top, etc.

I don't rely only on Soap for LSP, sorry not telling before.

I just like a soap like Citrus WG to start all of this. This stuff is concentrated, it's 'aggressive' on dirty and yet gentle on everything else. A little goes a long way.

I just haven't found any other with this proprieties. It's like the 'Allowed Dawn' for car care.

In example, I like DP xtreme foam, but it's a lot more gentle, and if I want it to 'work like' Citrus Wash&Gloss I have to use three times more product.

Please, ask if you need more information,

This is what I'm looking for. Meguiar's Hyper Wash works this way? Another Meg's soap by the gallon, would worth it?

Thanks again.

Kind Regards.
 
Migliore makes a citrus stripping soap - but it ain't cheap. If you don't want to lay out the $ for that, I'd go with Ultima's soap.
 
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